By Melissa Crispell ND, CNS, CNHP
Unless you’ve been totally absent the last few weeks, you’re fully aware of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit our world. There is an overabundance of information coming from all angles. You may be in an area that has a shelter in place order; dealing with the changes to your daily routine may be difficult; you may have all the little buddies at home and still be trying to work; you may even be fearful and not sure how to process all the information. We hear you and are here for you.
As we’re at home practicing “social distancing” now might be a convenient time to start a new routine. Maybe we should look at this as a 2020 restart to all of our New Year’s resolutions. I am definitely not making light of the situation but more trying to seize an opportunity to set an example and encourage you to do the same.
You’re in the right place if any of these were on your list to do better this year:
- Start a supplement regimen
- Eat better
- Sleep better
- Less technology
- Meditate
- Exercise
- Hydrate better/more
Our immune systems are a community of cells, processes, and chemicals that defend us from pathogens, viruses, bacteria, toxins and other foreign invaders (both real and perceived) all day every day without any request from us. The only input required is all the things listed above that we say we want to do a better job of. Keeping the immune system in good working order is key to preventing infection and disease.
Problems can pop up when we ignore any of these areas for too long. Our immune systems simply can’t handle the workload without support. If the cycle of defend during the day and repair at night while we’re sleeping is upset, the likelihood of dysfunction and disease might increase.
Support for the immune system comes in many forms. Looking closely at what could be causing hidden triggers (of the immune system) can start with the LRA by ELISA/ACT test. These tests detect the items I was referring to above– things perceived as foreign invaders. When we have delayed hypersensitivities, our body is perceiving (sometimes) very innocent items as problematic. I’m not talking about immediate reactions that can result in anaphylaxis. I’m talking about delayed responses that create chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation that present in different ways for different people. Some might experience muscle aches and soreness not provoked by strenuous activity or exercise. Some might experience skin issues with no resolution from elimination diets, pills or creams. Others might succumb to the idea that “I’m getting older that’s just what happens”. Even worse some struggle with auto immune conditions and frustration that they’ve been everywhere and tried everything, so I’ll have to learn to live with this.
Another form of support for the immune system is supplementation. Not just any old supplement off the shelf will do though. Supplements designed by a biochemist, provided in nature’s intended forms, and delivered in a way our system can actually use, will do the body the most good. If you’re just beginning your new supplement regimen, I trust you’ve tested your predictive biomarkers along with your LRA test. This will help you determine what supplements your body needs, the amounts to take, and what will work best for your system.
Many people are deficient in Vitamin D3 which is a fat-soluble nutrient and key player in your immune function. (1) Maintaining an adequate level of D3 supports a healthy immune system with enhanced viral protection especially from respiratory and intestinal infections. (2) Try 5-10 drops of PERQUE D3 Cell Guard daily or enough to keep your 25-OH-D levels in the best outcome goal range of 50-80 ng/ml. If you’re looking for K2 as well, you may want to try one (1) capsule per/day of PERQUE K2D3 Plus Guard. PERQUELiva Guard Forté delivers D3 as well. 1-2 capsules per day delivers D3 and much needed liver detox support with milk thistle, Vitamin E and CoQ10. Please check with your health professional if you are taking other Vitamin D supplements before combining all of the D3 products.
If you’re looking for more resources to help you in the pursuit of a 2020 restart, please download your free copy of the Joy in Living: The Alkaline Way. In this book you’ll find recommendations to help you meditate more, hydrate more/better, and achieve restful and restorative sleep. You may also want to visit Dr. Jaffe’s COVID 19 recommendations at: : https://www.perqueintegrativehealth.com/coronavirus-resource-center/
About Melissa Crispell
Melissa Crispell is a Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Natural Health Provider, Certified Lifestyle Educator, Certified Wellness Coach, and Certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist. Melissa has been published in Living Well, DC Practice Insights and Acupuncture Today. In addition, she has spoken at the Easter Seals Annual Caregiver conference, Functional Medicine Success Summit, American Association for Naturopathic Physicians, and is a member of the Health Studies Collegium speaker’s bureau and National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.
Melissa has served over 9 years as a Clinical Training Specialist for PERQUE Integrative Health, teaching physicians and providers all over the world how to grow their functional medicine practice using medical grade supplements and functional immunology. Melissa’s mission is to empower people of all health statuses to take control of their wellness journey. This includes debunking myths and sharing basic health concepts that are frequently overlooked. Melissa believes that when we have better information, we make better choices.
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