Boost Your Immune System to Protect Against Infection
Foundations Medical Center is committed to the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and workforce. We recognize that right now is an overwhelming time, leaving many patients anxious about the future and confused on which precautions to take. Beyond frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face, and practicing social distancing, our team has come up with a list of things you can do to boost your immune system and protect against infection.
Our Top Priority Supplements:
- Vitamin C: Begin taking 4-5 grams daily for 5-7 days, then 1000 mg daily for maintenance. We currently have medical-grade vitamin C supplements available at our office, as well as IV vitamin C and our Immune IV formulation (vitamin C, zinc, B-complex, trace minerals) available through our IV Spa. Call for an appointment.
- Vitamin D3: Begin taking 5,000 IU daily. Or, if you are currently experiencing symptoms, take 25,000 IU daily for 3 days, then stop it or return to your regular dose. We currently have medical-grade vitamin D supplements available at our office, as well as vitamin D injections (50,000 IU) available.
- Zinc: Begin taking 50-100 mg daily for 5-7 days, then 20-30 mg daily for maintenance. We currently have medical-grade zinc available at our office.
Other Helpful Supplements to Consider:
- Echinacea: This is a popular herb that has been traditionally used to help the common cold and flu. Use for up to 2 weeks at a time.
- L-lysine: Lysine is an essential amino acid that promotes immune function. Take 1-2 grams daily for prevention and 4-6 grams daily for as a therapeutic dose.
- Olive leaf extract: This extract is derived from the leaves of the olive tree and contains compounds called oleuropeins that have demonstrated antioxidant and immune-supporting properties. Take 2 capsules (1000 mg total) 4x/day with food or 1 capsule every hour while awake.
- Garlic (Allimax PRO): Allicin is a powerful compound found in fresh, raw garlic that has been shown to support overall immune response. 1-2 capsules (450-900 mg total) daily for prevention. 4-6 capsules (1800-2700 mg total) daily for one week if you begin to experience symptoms.
- Elderberry Syrup: This potent berry is a natural antiviral. Take one teaspoon 2-3 times daily. You can also find local elderberry syrup from Rusty Barn Farm (https://www.facebook.com/rustybarnfarm/).
- Metagenics UltraFlora Immune Booster: The majority of your immune system is actually found in your gut. This probiotic supplement contains two clinically-proven strains of “friendly bacteria” to support healthy nasal, sinus, and respiratory function. Take one capsule daily.
Give our office a call to see if we have the above supplements available for pick-up, otherwise all of these medical-grade supplements are available through purchase on Wellevate. Visit wellevate.me/foundations-medical-center to log-in or register. We are also able to share our protocol with a direct link to these products upon request.
Other Lifestyle Strategies to Keep in Mind:
- Aim for at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep per night. Sleeping less than this amount each night can make you three times more likely to develop the common cold.
- Drink up to 80% of your body weight in ounces of water daily. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, drink 80 ounces of water per day. Herbal teas and other decaffeinated and unsweetened drinks can also contribute to your daily fluid needs.
- Eliminate sugar and processed foods as much as possible. Even small amounts of sugar can significantly impair your immune system. Instead, nourish your body with whole plant foods such as citrus fruits, garlic, green tea, oregano, thyme, ginger, honey, onion, and cruciferous vegetables.
- Consider eliminating dairy foods from your diet as they may increase mucus production and contribute to inflammation in certain individuals.
- Practice stress management techniques such as mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, or calling a loved one. Studies have shown that meditation can help people with insomnia improve their sleep, so this practice may be extra helpful for those who have racing minds at night due to stress.
- Stay active as much as you can; any type of exercise is better than nothing at all. Physical activity can not only improve your sleep and stress levels, but some studies have shown that exercise can improve your body’s ability to fight off pathogens.
- Do a saline sinus flush daily or at least a few times per week to keep your nasal passages free and clear of pathogens and help alleviate any sinus symptoms. This can be done using a Neti pot, sinus irrigation system, or a NeilMed sinus rinse bottle.
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