“Eat as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible, and avoid added sugar in your diet. Consuming added sugar shuts down your immune system. Drink the appropriate amount of water daily—the general calculation is half your weight in ounces. Depending on your lifestyle, you may need more or less.” —Farquharson
Boosting Antiviral Immunity
There’s currently no vaccine for Covid-19, but there are ways to support our immune system to stay as healthy as possible
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by Marilee Burrell
ur bodies are equipped with an amazing and complex immune system. It doesn’t just protect us from pathogens daily; it also remembers when we encounter them again, delivering an even faster, more precise attack. Our immune system is constantly fine-tuning its ability to recognize and defend us from viruses and other pathogens. But since Covid-19 is a novel coronavirus—that is, brand-new to humans—our bodies haven’t had a chance to develop immunity to it yet. According to Kenneth Bock, M.D., of Bock Integrative Medicine, in Red Hook, a good coronavirus strategy is to boost our immune systems with the goal of mitigating the adverse effects of infection. “Nobody’s immune system has seen this, and therefore it certainly takes time for a primary immune response,” he says. “The whole idea is to have your immune system ready. Support the immune system. Make it as strong as possible.” Fortunately there are things we can do to strengthen our general antiviral immunity and give our bodies the best chance of
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staying healthy during this pandemic. We asked several local wellness practitioners to share their best immune-boosting advice for Natural Awakenings readers. In addition to Bock, we received tips from Aston Farquharson, president and CEO of Beacon-based NuSpecies, which makes whole-food nutritional supplements; Kurt Beil, a Westchester naturopath and acupuncturist; Laurie R. Mallis, M.D., owner of SearchLight Medical, in Hopewell Junction; and Somesh Kaushik, owner of Dr. Kaushik’s Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Clinic, in Cross River.
What to Eat
If food is medicine, then eating (and drinking) wisely, not just well, is important to keeping our bodies in virus-fighting shape. Here are some nutritional dos and don’ts: “You want to avoid sugar and sweets. Sugar can impair the action of some of the immune cells, including phagocytes, which are involved in dealing with infectious agents. And eat very healthy, lean protein,
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“Drink plenty of clear fluids, like water and tea; eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet, especially fruits and vegetables; get sufficient amounts of sleep; avoid stress; and reduce or eliminate your consumption of sugar, processed foods and tobacco [smoking].” —Beil “Drink hot soups cooked with ginger and turmeric every day.” —Kaushik “Boost your immune system by using local honey if it’s available in your area. This has multiple benefits, including helping with seasonal allergies.” —Mallis
Practice Smart Supplementing
Some of our most effective medicines were derived from natural sources, and natural remedies can play a powerful role in preventive health. Before taking any new supplement, review it with your healthcare provider and ask about possible interactions. It’s also important to choose highquality supplements from trusted brands. Note: The Ayurvedic remedies mentioned below are available at Kaushik’s clinic in Cross River. Shipping is available. “Some (supplements) are effective at addressing other, similar infections, including other previous strains of coronavirus. These items may interact with pre-existing medications or health conditions, so check with a qualified provider about contraindications and dosing before taking any of the following: elderberry extract, astragalus root extract, lemon balm, osha root extract,
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good fats, and fruits and vegetables. You want a whole-foods diet. Fruits and vegetables have various vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients that can be immune supportive.” —Bock
