Essentials to Supporting Your Health and Your Immune System
We are in an unprecedented time. With COVID-19 maintaining our health is critical. It is time to go back to the basics of health: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and minimizing our toxic body burden. As convenient as it is to just hop on a wireless screen, now it is more important than ever to practice safe tech and to educate your community and government about the need for safe technology.
Here are some practical steps everyone can take to promote their health and support a healthy immune system.
Sleep
Sleep is a time when your body intends to rejuvenate. The more well rested you are, the better your body will be able to ride out an infection. Now is the time to prioritize sleep above all else. This means curbing the urge to binge on late night movies and coronavirus news. Block light at night with light blocking curtains or a good cotton sleep mask. You can create a sleep sanctuary of reduced exposures to electromagnetic fields by removing electronics and wireless devices from the bedroom. Use a battery powered alarm clock instead of sleeping with your cell phone.
If you smoke or vape, now is the time to stop.
Smokers have been found to be more vulnerable to the COVID-19 Virus.
Nutrition
Ensure you are eating a healthy diet rich in dark greens and vibrant yellow fruits and vegetables. Decrease sugar and cut out sugared and/or artificially sweetened soft drinks (and junk food). Talk to your doctor about supplementation of Vitamin C, D and probiotics. Most people are low in Vitamin D and Vitamin D is critical to supporting immune system function. Vitamin C also plays an important role in immune function and sources include oranges, lemons, limes, berries, broccoli and tomatoes.
This is not medical advice. Always contact your doctor before supplementing.
Note: Harvard Health also reiterates the importance of Vitamin D, Vitamin C and zinc in their post “Ask the Expert: The role of diet and nutritional supplements during COVID-19” which states:
- “Many of the commonly available multivitamin/multimineral supplements do contain 1000 or 2000 IU of vitamin D, which is a good target.”
- “Zinc is a component of many enzymes and transcription factors in cells all over the body, and inadequate zinc levels limit the individual’s ability to mount an adequate immune response to infections.”
- “Vitamin C is a cofactor for many enzymes. It enhances the function of many enzymes all over the body by keeping their metal ions in the reduced form. It also acts as an antioxidant, limiting inflammation and tissue damage associated with immune responses.”
Use Safer Corded (non-wireless) Technology
Many workers are shifting to telecommuting and so are schools and colleges. Now we will be on screens more than ever before. Streaming video through a wireless connection results in some of the highest firsthand and secondhand wireless radiation exposures as the device emissions intensify to higher power to move the higher amounts of data needed for video.
There are many reasons to reduce wireless exposure now more than ever because wireless is linked to damaged memory, tumor promotion, and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress impacts the ability of the living cells in our body to heal. Gazi University scientists found that pulse-modulated radiofrequency fields induced oxidative damage in lung, heart, and liver tissues. People with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers) are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Thus it is more important than ever to reduce our daily wireless and electromagnetic radiation exposure, definitely not increase it, and to halt 5G.
Learn more about how to decrease firsthand and secondhand wireless at home here, how to decrease cell phone radiation here, and how to set up a safe computer workstation here.
Reduce Blue Light: Blue light damages skin and is well understood to impact our sleep and worse, it can damage our eyes, especially eyes of children as they are more vulnerable. Light at night is linked to cancer and can cause or worsen many health problems because it robs us of the healing naturally provided by deep sleep. Many health authorities recommend we eliminate and reduce blue light to protect our health. Practical steps include: 1. Use a blue light blocker covering for all your computer/laptop/tablet screens including cell phones, 2. Use blue blocking glasses when you are working on the computer, 3. Download a software program that reduces blue light and flicker.
Keep or start a regular exercise routine
The gym might be closed but you can still work out in your home by walking/dancing to music or doing yoga. If you are able to do so, go outside or on a walk as long as you can maintain a six foot distance from others. Exercise is associated with higher natural antioxidant levels and decreased risk of cancer and disease.
Meditation works
Research has found meditation, yoga and positive thinking can help support a strong the immune system. This study showed a reduction of pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults. A 2016 systematic review of 20 trials suggests mindfulness meditation can positively impact specific markers of inflammation, cell-mediated immunity, and biological aging. Take care of your emotional health.
Social distancing works
Research is finding that the combination of quarantining infected people and their family members, closing schools, alongside workplace distancing and homeworking is the most effective in reducing cases. Please follow CDC advice to maintain social distance at 6 feet when you are out.
Disinfect without Fragrance
The U.S. CDC recommends plain old alcohol as a disinfectant. This means you can use 70% rubbing alcohol found online or at your local drug and grocery store or you can even use liquor with a very high alcohol content (over 140 proof). Using rubbing alcohol is an effective way to disinfect and protect yourself from the coronavirus without putting your health at risk by using products that contain toxic chemicals. The Center for Environmental Health has created a great new infographic with details “Coronavirus- Protecting Yourself and Your Family.”
And yes ! as detailed by CDC. Please read more from the CDC on prevention here.
- Clean your hands often for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean your hands whenever you return home from being outside.
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Please consult your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This material is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.
Resources for Families
Coronavirus Prevention
US Government
Guidance on CoronaVirus , CDC the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
To Beat COVID-19, Social Distancing is a Must, NIH Director’s Blog
Coronaviruses National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Safe Technology
Healthy Tech Tips: How to Set Up a Safer Low EMF Computer Workstation
How to Reduce Cell Phone Radiation
Information on Tablets and iPads for Parents
Research Compilation on Cell Phone and Wireless Radiation
Screentime
Children’s Screentime Action Network: The Children’s Screen Time Action Network is a coalition of practitioners, educators, and advocates working to promote a healthy childhood by reducing the amount of time kids spend with digital devices. The Network is a project of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.
- A 2020 Guide to Unplugged Learning at Home: The Screens in Schools Work Group created a guide to help kids think of fun, educational activities if they’re stuck inside.
Nutrition
Micronutrients for HealthLinus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University
PDF of Micronutrients for Health
Can Light Emitted from Smartphone Screens and Taking Selfies Cause Premature Aging and Wrinkles, Journal of Biomedical Physics & Engineering
ANSES Summary of Report on Environmental and Health Effects of Blue Light
