By Katey Watson, March 2020
This week on Instagram, I listened to a helpful (non-scary) interview of Dr Jenna Macciochi (an established Immunologist) by doctors_kitchen. Dr Macciochi provided some practical tips to reduce the risk from coronaviruses (and many other infections). I’ve summarised her key advice below:
Hand Washing
Wash hands regularly, especially after touching commonly used surfaces – I know – we’ve all heard this, but it really is important!
Hand Gel
Hand gel needs to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective. (Hand washing with soap and water is better).
Smoking
If possible quit (or at least reduce) smoking – the virus enters lung cells through a receptor called ACE-2. Smoking increases the number of these receptors, providing more doorways. (I don’t know if this includes vaping, but I’ll try to find out and update).
Sleep
Sleep is very important! – our 1st line of defence immune cells (Natural Killer cells) plummet without enough sleep making us more likely to succumb to infections.
Diet
Eat a diverse range of plant-based whole foods (e.g. vegetables, salads, fruits, legumes, grains) – they contain health-protective fibre, phytochemicals and flavonoids (includes coffee and good quality dark chocolate! – in moderation of course). But, keep sugar consumption minimal – it feeds gut microbes harmful to health. For more information about good and bad carbohydrates: Article: Carbs: The Good, The Bad and the Sometimes ‘Farty’!
Fasting
Be cautious about fasting – it is not yet known what type/level of fasting is beneficial or detrimental for fighting the COVID-19 virus.
Intensive Exercise
Avoid very intensive exercise – it puts a strain on the immune system.
Stress
Try to reduce stress (find some time for relaxation) – stress suppresses the immune system making us more likely to succumb to infections.
Face Masks
Face masks are only effective if they are regularly changed due to moisture build-up. Therefore, enable our health workers to have enough by not bulk buying their stocks, so that they can safely treat those of us potentially infected.
I hope you found these practical tips as useful as I did. More details can be found on the doctors_kitchen Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Y-_vSh8L7/.
Take care all 😊
Article: Probably ‘That’ Coronavirus>>>
<<<Article: Carbs
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Pixabay images in order of appearance
1) jacqueline macou – hand washing
2) xaviervandeputte0 – hand gel
3) tookapic – smoking
4) Free-Photos – sleep
5) silviarita – diet
6) Welcome to all and thank you for your visit! ツ- diet
7) Mimzy – fasting
8) skeeze – intensive exercise
9) Gerd Altmann – stress
10) Juraj Varga – face mask
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Thanks for sound advice. I shall stock up on dark chocolate immediately!!! 😉
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🙂
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Thank you for sharing these tips, Katey. Precaution is definitely better than cure. 😊💛
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You’re welcome 🙂
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