To Our Dear Spring Center patients,
It has never been more necessary to maintain overall wellness, a healthy immune system as well as our mental health, than right now.
In these chaotic, uncertain and often scary times, we need to focus on what we can control and that is finding joy in the everyday.
Perhaps going for a walk and listening to the birds chirping, having a family game night with your favorite nostalgic board game, cooking your favorite meal, lighting candles and turning on your favorite music, Facetiming with an old friend, volunteering your time for those greatly affected by this pandemic.
Even though we continue to learn new information about the SAR-CoV2 virus and the infection it causes, I continue to be confident that our best defense against an adverse outcome of this virus is to support our immune systems.
We can do this by implementing all the key components of Functional medicine.
One of my favorites for immune support and overall health, is Vitamin D. We have research that individuals with insufficient Vitamin D were strongly associated with COVID-19 mortality, even when adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity. In fact, people with low vitamin D levels were 12+ times more likely to die from COVID19. In a different study, patients who supplemented vitamin D had significantly fewer respiratory tract infections, especially when taking daily vitamin D.
Vitamin C also affects several aspects of immunity. It supports both innate and adaptive immune cells, the movement of white blood cells to sites of infection, and antibody production. A controlled, randomized trial found that vitamin C both decreased susceptibility to viral respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as reduced the severity and duration of respiratory symptoms and lowered the mortality rate in severely ill elderly patients. Another study shows that daily supplementation in vitamin C with extra doses when ill reduced the time of having a common cold, fever and chest pain. Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid is known to function as an antioxidant. It reduces inflammation, improves endothelial dysfunction, and restores mitochondrial function. There are also suggestions that vitamin C may be directly viricidal, meaning it may directly kill the virus.
When people become infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus, the body’s level of oxidative stress markedly increases, which drastically increases the body’s need for antioxidants. One of my colleagues who contracted COVID19 in early March shared that she ramped up her intake of vitamin C and other flavonoids like quercetin when she became ill. During the peak of her illness she was ingesting 40,000mg of vitamin C per day without any GI upset. This was the amount of antioxidant support her body needed to fight the virus! So, should any of you contract the virus and become ill, you can begin increasing your vitamin C and flavonoids every hour while awake until you reach bowel tolerance. (Once you have loose stools, you have saturated your body’s need for additional antioxidants and you can back off your vitamin C intake).
Immucore and C-Flav contain Vitamin C along with other ingredients for enhancing numerous immune effects.
Immucore also contains zinc and the mineral selenium, as well as medicinal mushrooms. Selenium improves immunity and reduces inflammation, mainly through boosting the synthesis of enzymes, which protects WBCs from oxidative stress. Medicinal mushrooms exert antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Medicinal mushrooms are considered immunomodulators and are effective agents for treating and preventing diseases, immunodeficiencies and other depressed states of immunity. Since they also have anti‐inflammatory properties, they may be suited for treatment of the severe lung inflammation that often follows COVID‐19 infection.
C-Flav contains not only vitamin C, but several polyphenols and flavonoids that have synergistic effects with Vitamin C and beneficial effects on their own.
For example, hesperidin and rutin interfere with SARS-CoV2 binding and display antimicrobial effects while being very safe. Another critical ingredient in C-Flav is quercetin which has numerous beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunoprotective effects. Quercetin also has promising antiviral effects. It inhibits viral entry into the cells, it interferes with viral replication inside the cells, it blocks viral assembly and has immunomodulatory effects for a variety of viruses, including SARS-CoV2.
Although Initially thought to predominately impact the lungs, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in the stool of COVID-19 patients and in 1 study even after the respiratory PCR testing was negative, 20% of patients continued to shed the virus in the stool. Some patients have also exhibited many GI symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, sometimes with respiratory symptoms and sometimes without. We understand that use of probiotics may help to reduce cell inflammation, maintain a healthy gut microbial diversity and strengthen the immune system. Although gastrointestinal disorders are common in COVID-19, we don’t yet know if SARS-CoV-2 can affect the host microbial flora. Since many other infections do have the capacity to alter the microbiome, so we can assume that SARS CoV2 would similarly impact our gut flora, making probiotics a vital part of our COVID protection plan.
Additionally, UltraFlora Immune Booster contains a unique blend of targeted strains of bacteria to support respiratory function, in particular. The combination of Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 has ben shown in a number of studies to reduce the incidence, duration and severity of naturally acquired common colds in adults and children.
In efforts to keep our community healthy and safe, we are offering an extended sale through the end of August or while supplies last. STOCK up for you, your family & friends!
For a limited time only, stock up on Targeted Immune Support during these critical times. It is essential to keep our immune systems functioning at the optimal level to fight off any infections, including COVID-19.
SAVE 30% OFF each
or
SAVE 40% when you purchase all 3 Immune Boosters +
TOTAL: $65.57
(regular price $109.29) Save $43.72
sale thru 8/31 or as supplies last
SALE 30%
$31.00
Concentrated blend of mushroom extracts, zinc & Vit D for a Multidimensional Support for Healthy Immune Function.
SALE 30%
$19.25
Created from multiple sources rich in vitamin C. Includes antioxidant protection and enhances immune function.
SALE 30%
$26.25
Targeted Probiotic Support for Healthy Nasal, Sinus & Respiratory Function. Pure strains of “friendly” bacteria.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
Items to Note:
As always, please stay well and practice kindness to yourself and others. We are here for you as we are in this together.
In health-
Kelly K McCann, MD & The Spring Center Staff