Coronavirus: How to be more resistant to it....
Four hundred variations Coronaviruses.
As many as four hundred different species of Coronavirus are known. Six of them are infectious to humans. Human coronaviruses can be divided into mildly pathogenic viruses and highly pathogenic viruses (* a Patogen is a pathogenic organism ).
The mild forms cause symptoms such as a simple cold and are otherwise harmless.
Two species were previously known to be highly pathogenic and therefore dangerous. These are the
1.SARS coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
2.Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.
These coronaviruses cause severe pneumonia and can be fatal. From experience with the SARS and MERS coronaviruses, we can say that these viruses can trigger a dysfunctional ( *deficient functioning) immune response that is disproportionate and does a lot of damage.
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets (sneezing, coughing, and during close personal contact. Infection occurs through the nose and is characterized in the early stages by respiratory symptoms and fever. At a later stage, respiratory problems (pneumonia) and impairment of smell and loss of taste may occur.
Effects highly pathogenic viruses.
Severe pneumonia due to a highly pathogenic Coronavirus is associated with very rapid replication of the virus, immense infiltration of immune cells and very greatly increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (*inflammatory response in the cells).
This massive immune response leaves damage in the lungs and can result in fatal pneumonia. A healthy person with a normally functioning immune system should not be affected by the mild Coronaviruses. Older people and those with one or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, among others, are often more vulnerable because this makes them more susceptible, even to the mild variants.
The new Coronavirus: 2019-nCoV
The new Coronavirus originated in Wuhan ( China).
It is a previously unknown variant of Coronavirus and is called the 2019-nCoV virus. Infection with the virus leads to the disease COVID-19. There is no vaccine on the market yet.
New Coronavirus is mild in most cases. The mortality rate increases with age and is greater with underlying health problems such as diabetes-long cardiovascular disease and obesity. So it is very important for our immune system to correctly target this virus. If our immune system effectively overcomes the virus, from then on we will produce immunoglobulins,(* antibodies ), which will prevent us from being re-infected from now on and thus have become immune.
Effective immune response
It is crucial that our immune system responds appropriately when a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria, enters our body.
In the case of a virus like the Wuhan Coronavirus, our immune system opts (*chooses) to initiate a reaction also called a Th1 response ( T helper cells are a part of the immune system). With the help of T lymphocytes, a very strong inflammation is created, killing the cells infiltrated with the virus.
Such immune responses involve a lot. It is a complex cascade of events that ideally leads to the death of the pathogen (*pathogen) and the establishment of immunological memory so that we are protected in the future.
Given that the new Coronavirus infiltrates the lungs, replicates rapidly and triggers a massive immune response, it is extremely important that this immune response is successful in defeating the virus and that this response ends again (in time). An excessive immune response that does not end in time can cause much more damage.
What you can do yourself
So it is important to ensure that the immune response is effective. What can you do, apart from observing the RIVM's prevention measures?
Nutrition
During our evolution, we ate a huge variety of fruits, root and tuber crops, nuts, vegetables and other plant foods. Thus, we lived for more than 100,000 generations, a time span during which our genome (*hereditary information of a cell) adapted to these foods. In the last two or three generations we have been eating mostly highly processed foods ( foods poor in vitamins and minerals). Variety has also largely disappeared from our diet. Herein lies an important explanation for the increased burden of disease.
Eat varied, fresh and unprocessed foods that contain enough healthy fats, Omega 3, protein, vitamins and minerals. See our blog: Importance of a healthy and comprehensive diet.
Immune system support
Support your immune system for prevention of a severe course with foods consisting of large amounts of fruits and vegetables. Ensure adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals and drink plenty of water before already.
- Approximately 600-800 grams of fresh vegetables
- 2 to 3 pieces of fruit per day ( sweet fruit in moderation )
- Whole grain rice and cereals
- Red meat in moderation, no more than once a week
- Vary every day by alternating lean meats with fresh seafood and vegetarian meals
- Whole dairy products and cheese in moderation
- Avoid refined sugars and artificial sweeteners
- Avoid soft drinks and refined fruit juices
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking
Eat a handful of various unprocessed nuts regularly such as, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and unroasted cashews. These are a good source of healthy fats and protein, iron, vitamin E, and vitamin B1. Eating unsalted and unroasted nuts protects us against cardiovascular diseases.
It is currently under investigation:
Vitamin C - Vitamin D3 - Vitamin K2 - Zinc - Omega 3 - Quercetin - Resveratrol - S-Acetyl-L-Glutathione- as support for our immune system.
Lifestyle
- Exercise at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity per day and preferably outdoors
- Provide plenty of stress-reducing activities such as sports, sauna, massage, Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises that bring relaxation
- Take a cold shower regularly
- Get enough sleep
In conclusion
The new Corona virus is keeping many of us busy. We can preventively ensure that our body is resistant to infection by such virus as is recommended for prevention of the flu virus. With the help of a healthy lifestyle, our body is more resistant to viral infections such as the Coronavirus.
References
- Mahallawi, Waleed et.al. (2018); MERS-CoV infection in humans is associated with a pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cytokine profile; 104. 8-13. 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.01.025.
- Chaolin Huang et.al, (2020); Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, The Lancet January 24, 2020
- Roxas M1, Jurenka J. (2007), Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations. Altern Med Rev.2007 Mar;12(1):25-48