Stats:

• Scientists predict COVID-19 will infect 40 to 70% of our population — that's more than 150 million Americans. Today, 80% have mild or no effects, 20% require hospitalization, and 5% need intensive care. Mortality rates differ depending on the population but in elderly patients with chronic disease, rates range from 0.6 percent to up to 15 percent.
• About 12 percent of Americans are metabolically stable. 75% of us are overweight, 42% are obese and one in two Americans has diabetes or pre-diabetes.
• Many with chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.)—which affect 6 out of 10 Americans — are at the greatest risk, with 5 to 10-fold mortality rates over healthy COVID-19 patients.
• The chance of mortality is about three times greater for obesity. In up to 40% of the hospitalizations in 20 to 54-year olds, patients are obese and overweight
• As many as 25% of people may be infected with no symptoms.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects:

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

How easily the virus spreads:

How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary.

The number of people we can expect to be infected is an ever-changing number. The reality is that for now, this virus is a risk to us.

We can not control this virus. We can, however, control our own health. Optimizing our health will ensure that if we get the virus it will be a mild case.

SO HOW DO WE OPTIMIZE OUR OWN HEALTH?

Eat To Boost Your Immunity:

• First and foremost our nutritional intake is one of the most important factors that we have control of. Eat real whole foods. Avoid processed foods as they suppress immunity.
• It is also a known fact that sugar causes inflammation and weakens the immune system. If you have struggled with sugar addiction your whole life and have never been able to kick the habit, now is the time. Let this virus be your motivator. For women, we should limit sugar intake to 25 g a day and for men 37.5 g a day. These are the recommended daily allowances. Now is not the time to indulge yourself because you are home in self-isolation.
• High-quality protein intake is also helpful in boosting immunity. Make sure that each of your meals and snacks include high-quality protein. Aim for approximately 1 gram/kg or about half your body weight in grams of protein a day, or about two four-ounce servings of organic, clean animal protein.
• Phytonutrients are also important in boosting immunity. Make sure to include citrus fruits and green veggies as these are high in Vitamin C. Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin A in foods like cage-free eggs and fish such as salmon.
• Probiotics are known to boost immunity. If you don’t take a daily probiotic you should because 60% of our immune system is in our gut. You should also add in fermented foods that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

What About Immune Boosting Lifestyle Interventions?

• Now is the time to double down on optimizing our health. Now is the time to reestablish new habits that can be carried into a post corona world. If you do not make lifestyle changes all of your other efforts to boost your immune system and avoid the virus will be handicapped.
• Decrease stress. Increased levels of stress increase susceptibility to viral infections. Use prayer, deep breathing, meditation, and hot baths to help improve your stress. We also offer Alpha-Stem treatments that are FDA approved to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Also, an at-home option is to use Hemisync technology to help limit stress and help with sleep.
• Without adequate sleep, optimal immune function is next to impossible! Get in a better rhythm and head to bed earlier. Aim for seven to eight hours a night.
• Balanced exercise is also key. If you over-exercise you put extra stress on your immune system. The recommendation is 60 minutes of activity 5-7 days a week. Take this time to go outside, walk, run, or bike.
• Social distancing is poorly termed. It should be physical distancing. We are relational by nature and removing connection can be detrimental. Make sure to use this time to catch up with old friends and family through virtual methods such as Zoom, Facetime, Snapchat, and Marco Polo. Don’t miss out on connection because you can not leave your home. Stream local church services can also be helpful. If your church is not streaming FBC Cleveland is. Check them out on Youtube.

Start Incorporating Immune Supporting Nutrients

• A multivitamin and mineral.
• Vitamin C: 1000-2000 mg a day
• Vitamin D3: 1000-4000 IU a day
• Zinc: 20 mg a day
• Quercetin Ascorbate: ¼ teaspoon twice a day
• Quercetin and Nettles
• Melatonin: 1-2 mg at night, sustained release
• Probiotics

Enhanced Immune Support

• NAC: (n-acetylcysteine) 600 mg twice a day
• Alpha-Lipoic acid:100 mg twice a day

Herbal Therapies for Immune Support

• Curcumin
• Andrographis
• Elderberry
• Astragalus
• Mushroom Extracts such as reishi, maitake, shiitake, turkey tail, and cordyceps.

Most of these nutrients are available at the way clinic or through our online dispensary.

What About High Dose Vitamin C IVs?

High dose IV vitamin C has been shown to boost immunity in several studies. In Wuhan, physicians used high doses of intravenous vitamin C for the sick and hospitalized. Almost all symptomatic patients received 50-100 mg / kg / day for moderate symptoms and 100-200 mg / kg / day for severe cases. Many U.S. hospitals use intravenous vitamin C in the ICU now. We offer high dose IV vitamin C in our clinic after a nutritional evaluation and lab studies have been done.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period).

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive.

What Should You Do If You Are Sick:

• Stay home except to get medical care
• Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as home isolation
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor
• If you are sick or caring for others wear a facemask
• During a public health emergency, facemasks may be reserved for healthcare workers. You may need to improvise a facemask using a scarf or bandana.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean your hands often
• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
• Soap and water: Soap and water are the best options, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid sharing personal household items such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day including phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
• Clean high-touch surfaces in your isolation area (“sick room” and bathroom) every day; let a caregiver clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in other areas of the home.

At The WAE Clinic, we want you to be fully equipped to fight this virus if you were to be exposed. We offer many services here that will help you support your own optimal wellness during this time. Visit our website at www.thewaeclinic.com or call us at 662-545-4599 to schedule an appointment and don’t forget we have been doing telemedicine visits since our first day. Stay well and stay safe!

When To Test and How to Test:

• https://www.testing.com/how-can-you-get-tested-for-coronavirus/
• https://www.testing.com/when-to-get-tested-for-coronavirus/

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://drhyman.com/blog/2020/04/01/a-functional-medicine-approach-to-covid-19/

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

*These statements are not meant to diagnose or treat. You should consult your health care provider before starting any new diet, exercise, or supplement.