As the number of coronavirus infections approaches 100,000 people worldwide, researchers are racing to understand what makes it spread so easily. Unfortunately very little is known at this point, but one thing is sure: The new coronavirus affects people differently based on age, health status and overall strength of one’s immune system.
It is fair to say that in the U.S. we do have a relatively high number of people that are at risk, not simply because of age, but because of the chronic diseases that affect 6 out of 10 Americans according to the CDC.
The question is: What can we do about it?
In the current state of the healthcare system —where more than 80% of the most common and costly diseases are actually preventable through simple lifestyle changes— focusing on prevention is the long-term solution.
In the immediate term, however, there are a few steps everyone can take to help strengthen their immune system.
1- Physical activity and sleep
Beyond the advice and policies on prevention, containment, and next steps —washing your hands thoroughly, avoiding contact with your face with unwashed hands, distancing yourself from those who are sick, avoiding crowds, and stocking up in case of quarantine— one of the most underrated advice is exercise and sleep.
If you’re not active, start with some physical activity, and gradually add exercise intensity. Focus on strength training. Most importantly, make sure you are absolutely getting the amount of sleep your body needs.
2- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is associated with bone and teeth health, muscle strength and mass, and healthy immune function. It has been shown that even small deficiencies in Vitamin D can affect your immune system.
Very few foods naturally have vitamin D. Fortified foods provide most of the vitamin D in American diets: Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are among the best sources. Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks provide small amounts. Mushrooms provide some vitamin D. Sun exposure and supplements will help you get Vitamin D as well.
Completing an at-home Vitamin D test (along with the tests mentioned below) is a great place to start.
3- Testing for inflammation: Hs-CRP
Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (HS-CRP) is made by the liver in response to infection, tissue injury or inflammation. Elevated values have been shown to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis (fatty deposits lining the walls of blood vessels). If you have elevated levels, it’s a sign that something else is going on in your body that needs to be addressed, like an autoimmune condition, infection, or cardiovascular disease. A high HS-CRP value alone does not mean that a health problem is inevitable; HS-CRP values are usually considered in conjunction with cholesterol and triglyceride levels, body fat percentage and overall lifestyle in order to provide a clearer assessment.
This at-home general health check covers most of the above.
4- Blood glucose testing: HbA1c
A glucose level outside the optimal range could be a sign that the body is not correctly producing or using insulin. These conditions are hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), pre-diabetes (elevated blood sugar), and diabetes (high blood sugar). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measures the average amount of blood sugar (glucose) level for the past two to three months. The blood level of glucose is tightly controlled by hormones, especially insulin produced by the pancreas. Consistently, high blood glucose is typically observed in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes.
5- Full Lipid panel testing: Cholesterol
High cholesterol may put you at risk for heart disease or stroke . A low cholesterol measurement can indicate other health conditions. It is possible for your total cholesterol to be high when your other cholesterol results are in healthy ranges. In this case, it is recommended to focus on your triglycerides (if available), LDL, and HDL cholesterol results.
Useful links:
General health check (basic)
General health check (enhanced)
Disclaimer: This post is only intended to identify ways that may support your immune system. It is not recommending any treatments. Nor have any of these suggestions been proven effective against coronavirus. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider prior to using any of these suggestions. For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 virus, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.