COVID-19 Recovery
Ed Bauman Shares COVID-19 Recovery Reflections
Below are suggestions with a top-down preference if you are adapting to a COVID-19 or variant infection. It is important to eat well during your recovery albeit you may experience diminished taste, smell and appetite. Chicken soup with herbs, garlic and greens, miso onion, mushroom broth, smoothies and guacamole and pesto are suggested. More tea, less coffee, sugar and alcohol are keys to a speedy and durable recovery. Stay hydrated. Doses and combinations will vary depending on your health status, medications, progress and challenges. Be in touch via text or email. Rest and Recovery are the Rx.
Multivitamin/Mineral: Important if you are not eating well or often. Comprehensive micronutrient and phytonutrients in a good blend. Take one cap with each meal. Good brands include Source Naturals, Host Defense, Garden of Eden, New Chapter, and Primal Multivitamin. A mixed green powder is a suitable replacement.
Activated Quercetin with Bromelain: Lowers pain, chills, cytokine storm. 1000 mg, 2-3 times/day while symptomatic. Favorite brands are Source Naturals, Solaray, and NOW.
Buffered Vitamin C: The role of vitamin C in supporting the immune system has long been known. Limits viral replication. Flushes viral debris out of the body. Take 1,000 mg in fresh citrus, coconut , pomegranate or pineapple juice, every three hours until symptoms recede.
Vitamin D3: Adequate vitamin D status is critical for optimal immune function and this cannot be achieved without supplementation during the winter months. Studies have shown that people with vitamin D deficiency are eleven times more likely to get a cold or flu, while supplementing with vitamin D can reduce colds and flu by 42%. Vitamin D also protects barrier systems to limit penetration into internal organs. 5,000 IU, 2 times/day if fighting infection.
Zinc citrate: Found in seafood — especially oysters — red meat, and pumpkin seeds are the best food sources. Restore taste, smell and appetite. Depleted by stress and immune response. Take 30 mg, 2 times/day. Zinc lozenges also may be helpful.
Probiotics: A healthy gut flora supports a healthy gut, a major barrier against pathogens and integral to the immune system. Look for brands that offer several species of good bacteria and contain at least 5-10 billion organisms per capsule. Lactobacillus plantarum and spore forms of Bacillus are the best for immunity.
Fish Oil (Arctic Cod Liver Oil): This old-time remedy for good health and robust immunity. Important for the eyes, liver and nerves. Cod liver oil contains the best food source of vitamins A , D and K. Take 1 Tbsp., 2 times/day.
Energy Tonics: Lessens fatigue, tempers and overactive immune response. Tincture of ginseng, ashwagandha, ginger and tulsi. Some or all of these. Add turmeric to lower inflammation.
Food and Plant Antivirals: Garlic, oregano, thyme, olives, green tea, andrographis, astragalus, lomatium. Creates a host environment where viruses neutralized, buffered and flushed out.
Mushroom Extracts such as reishi, maitake, shiitake, turkey tail, and cordyceps: These provide immune-supporting properties and modulates immune response. Cooking with medicinal mushrooms like shiitake in soups.
Sea vegetables: Premier source of iodine, selenium, germanium, and fibers that soothe and heal the gut. Examples include nori, dulse, kombu, kelp, hiziki. Sea vegetables are a wonderful booster to soup, salad and grains. 1 tsp. to 1 Tbsp.
