{"id":1441,"date":"2020-04-17T16:30:36","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T20:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nutrition-connection.com\/?p=1441"},"modified":"2020-04-17T19:21:57","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T23:21:57","slug":"fight-covid-19-with-nutrition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nutrition-connection.com\/fight-covid-19-with-nutrition\/","title":{"rendered":"Fight COVID-19 with Nutrition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
COVID-19 is a very new virus that we have much to learn about. To complicate matters, this virus seems to have the ability to rapidly mutate and has a strong \u201cstickiness\u201d to human cells. The good news is that our immune system can do amazing things. The immune system is very complex and must stay in balance, or homeostasis. A sluggish immune system will make us more susceptible to disease. An over-active immune system will end up causing more damage to our body than the invading virus may. There are so many holistic things that we can do to make our immune systems as healthy as possible. Also, there are ways we can avoid throwing it out of homeostasis. This can be achieved through lifestyle and nutrition. Read on to find out about how to fight COVID-19 with nutrition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What We Know About COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Facts about the immune system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With COVID-19 the importance of immune-balance can be seen. A healthy immune system, in homeostasis, is helping to prevent infection or greatly reduce the severity and length of infection in many people. Take time to re-evaluate the steps you’re taking to boost your immune system and keep your body strong. To fight COVID-19 with nutrition is an incredibly effective method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol sales are spiking during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are socially isolated, bored<\/em> and stressed and alcohol is an easy coping mechanism. Unfortunately, excessive alcohol intake is linked to lowered immunity and decreased ability to recover from infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of our immunity is found in the gut. The lining of our small intestine protects the internal organs from the outside world. It also houses immune cells and helps us absorb vital nutrients that help strengthen our immune system. Alcohol kills off our good bacteria and allows bad bacteria to thrive. Alcohol also wears down the lining of our small intestine allowing bacteria to leak into our body, decreases our ability to absorb nutrients and puts stress on our immune system. Similar damage is seen with the protective lining in the lungs. Due to it’s negative effect on certain white blood cells, alcohol can also decrease the effectiveness of vaccines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not meeting your sleep needs of 7-8 hours a night can impact your immunity in two ways. First, it can cause chronic low-grade inflammation which, eventually causes damage to the body. Lack of sleep also depletes key parts of your immune system rendering it less able to fight off disease and infection. This immune depletion has also been shown to significantly decrease the protective effects of vaccines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food sensitivities have become prevalent in recent years, stemming from damage to the lining of the small intestine. Westernized diets, medications and toxins cause this damage. Food sensitivities, gone unchecked, create chronic inflammation in the body and can leave you more susceptible to certain infections. Food sensitivities vary greatly from one person to the next. A dietitian can provide you with a blood test and personalized nutritional advice to help correct food sensitivities. Some of the following symptoms indicate a potential food sensitivity: <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Naturally Support Your Immune System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol Intake<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Getting Adequate Sleep<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Identifying and Correcting Food Sensitivities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n