Your Best Immune Support
I would like to share with you some recommendations on how to best support your immune system naturally through diet, nutritional supplementation & Chinese herbal remedies.
First and foremost, please note that your overall immune health is rooted in the health of your gut and, as such, there is no substitute for a wholesome diet rich in a wide variety of colorful veggies. These contain all the polyphenols, antioxidants and fiber required for cell support and a healthy microbial environment in the gut. Please aim to consume 5 to 6 cups of different forms of veggies per day, these can be prepared in multiple ways such as sautéed, steamed, roasted, raw or fermented. Remember variety is key! Also, at the time of this writing, citrus fruits are in season and are a wonderful source of vitamin C, a well researched antioxidant and immune supporting nutrient. My current daily favorite recipe to juice is:
1 grapefruit
1 Meyer lemon
fresh ginger
The nutritional compounds I am recommending for immune support contain high amounts of antioxidants and these do two things; they physically sit on the surface of the cell walls of mucus membranes (located in the nose/throat/lungs) and block the docking of viruses onto the cells. So they are literally creating a physical barrier to block the entry of viruses into our cells, which is pretty amazing. They also have the function of modulating the inflammation produced in the body when it is under a viral attack, so these compounds actually help regulate the way your body responds to the viruses. For specific compounds that support the immune system, please consider the following supplements, all available on Fullscript:
• ZINC (gluconate)
• NAC
• QUERCETIN
• VITAMIN C w/ BIOFLAVONOIDS
• RESVERATROL
Finally, Chinese herbal medicine has been practiced in China for thousands of years and I think it's worth noting that its development stems largely from its study/application during pandemics. At a time prior to the existence of modern pharmaceuticals, herbal compounds were successfully utilized to save thousands of lives. I am heartened and encouraged by the results my colleagues and I have been having in supporting patients with not just COVID-19, but any form of viral infection affecting the respiratory system. The application of Chinese herbs for said infections goes above and beyond the use of antiviral and antibacterial compounds. The clinician observes both the stage of presentation of the infection, together with the underlying constitution of the patient to create tailor made herbal formula* that best serves the individual.
Yours in Health,
Andrea Thorpe DACM, L.Ac, FABORM
*Please note that as the application of Chinese herbs for viral-related conditions is personalized and time-sensitive, these will be made available only after a consultation with Dr. Thorpe has taken place.