If we think about countries in the world, every country had been suffering from a big problem in the last decade. COVID-19 changed that. This pandemic has united the whole world. We are all suffering from the same problem, sharing the same concerns, and experiencing the same uncertainty.
Today, I would like to share with you some helpful agents that can prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19. Please feel free to read the attached evidence behind each recommendation.
Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone that helps us sleep. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory hormone that is important for immune regulation. In 2013, a paper was published in the Italian journal of pediatrics found that melatonin has antiviral properties.
1-3 mg of melatonin can help reduce the inflammatory effects and oxidative stress associated with SARS-COVID-19. (1)
It should be noted that melatonin can exert a negative effect on glucose tolerance. If you are diabetic, or you have insulin resistance, make sure you consult your doctor before taking melatonin and monitor your glucose levels.
Vitamin D
Your vitamin D level should be between 40-60 ng/ml for good immune function. It's important for immune modulation and the regulation of oxidative stress associated with COVID-19 (2). Getting adequate sunlight on your bare skin every day is the best way to get vitamin D. However if you tested and showed deficiency, it's best to take a supplement. Gradual dosing of vitamin D from the synthetic is important. Start with 2000 IU and slowly ramp up until you reach your individual dose provided by your healthcare provider. Make sure you replete magnesium first before you supplement with vitamin D.
Zinc
Many people hadn't heard of the benefits of zinc before COVID-19. Now zinc is out of stock in pharmacies!
Zinc is an important mineral for many chemical reactions in the body. Zinc deficiency is very common because many of us are not eating food that is high in zinc like meat organs, oysters, and pumpkin seeds. Zinc supplementation has proved to reduce the severity of COVID-19 and the cytokine storm associated with it (3). 15 mg of zinc twice daily is usually sufficient. Make sure you take it after meals because it might cause nausea in some people.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
Vitamin C is notorious for its benefit to the immune system. The synthetic form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is not enough. Look for a supplement that contains active bioflavonoids and that is not loaded with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, which means that it must be taken from food/supplements. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits (with the rinds), broccoli, strawberry, and brussel sprouts. Boosting your immune system with vitamin C is important to fight any infection (4).
Other measures
In Functional Medicine, supporting the body to become the best fighter against any disease is the ultimate goal. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, eating fermented foods, or taking probiotics to crowd out pathogens, reducing sugar and processed foods that enhance inflammation in the body are some of the recommendations for COVID-19 prevention (5).
Reducing and managing stress is a big factor for the immune system. Stress causes an imbalance between Th1/Th2, or T-helper cells which are cells in the immune system that produce cytokines. You might have heard about the cytokine storm that happens during COVID-19. The cytokine storm is an aggressive release of cytokines that happens in some patients with COVID-19 (6). Stress can be a contributing factor to more release of cytokines.
Quercetin has been shown to be an effective antiviral in both RNA and DNA viruses (7). It can inhibit viral replication and stabilize mast cells, the cells responsible for releasing histamine in the body. Quercetin is found in onions, apples, grapes, broccoli, capers, citrus fruits, cherries, and green tea. Green tea also contains EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which is another compound that reduces viral replication (7).
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to boost glutathione, curcumin, resveratrol, vitamin A, and elderberry are all great agents that benefit your immune response. Start researching to find out which ones you need and which ones are available for you.
Your body is resilient. You can support your body to fight anything. Don't be paralyzed by fear. Believe in your body's abilities, and support it because your body is a fighter.
