Groundhog Day.....Again - Surviving the Coronavirus
Remember that movie Groundhog Day? Where Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) wakes up and realizes that he is living the same day over and over?
It sometimes feels like we are trapped in the same crazy cycle but ours is caused by the Coronavirus. As a physician, I am often asked what we can do to stop the spread and prevent ourselves from contracting this apocalyptic-type virus. I’d like to take a few minutes to recap my previous videos (attached below) and expand on ways we can further protect ourselves.
Recent projections suggest that North Carolina will peak somewhere in the next two weeks as long as everyone continues to follow the stay at home order and social distance practices. This may feel like a redundant reminder since we are all constantly being bombarded by news sources telling us to do this, but this is super important to slow the spread. Similarly, many individuals, including my own family, are concerned to go out in public to do simple things like pick up prescriptions and go grocery shopping because it’s impossible to tell who has been following the instructions and who isn’t. While the grocery delivery systems are great, sometimes we can’t prevent the inevitability of going out to grab an essential or two. When it’s absolutely necessary to go out, there are a few things that we can do to help support and boost our immune systems. In previous videos we have discussed a variety of vitamins, supplements, and herbs that can be taken to help boost your immunity. I also can’t stress enough the importance of exercising and getting outside to enjoy the sunshine. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day! It’s so important to keep our bodies active and moving.
Something I haven’t discussed yet is the idea of Alkalinization. Essentially this is the process of making the body have a higher, or more basic, pH. This virus thrives in an acidic environment in your body. What many people don’t realize is that we often have a have a net acidic state due to dietary choices we make. For example, eating too much sugar, processed foods, gluten, and milk can create this acidic state. When are our bodies are in this acidic state, the virus can replicate itself much easier and increase the amount of virus in the body. Furthermore, this state can impair your natural immune function and increase inflammation. It’s imperative that we slow the replication of this virus and maximize our body’s immune function. So how exactly do we raise our natural pH? Here are some tips that I follow everyday:
Make sure you are eating lots of vegetables! You want to get more cruciferous (broccoli), leafy greens (kale), citrus fruits, and herbs in your diet if you can.
Use a greens drink or powdered vegetable in your morning smoothie. Some brands that I like include Organifi, IVL, Athletic greens, Patriot greens, and Garden of Life. If you aren’t a smoothie drinker, I simply add one scoop of powdered greens to a glass of water and drink it daily.
Take some baking soda. I realize this sounds a little crazy and probably unappetizing but consuming 1 teaspoon in 4 to 6 ounces of water twice a day is a great way to easily raise your natural pH.
Don’t forget about your fermented foods! This includes things like kefir, yogurt, pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi which are rich in probiotics.
Finally, eat prebiotic rich foods like garlic, onions, asparagus, apples, and flaxseed. We know 70% of your immune system starts in your gut so it’s important that protect that part of our body as best as we can.
Although it may seem like this Groundhog day won’t ever end, we will be on the other side of this sooner than you think. Stay positive, take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and follow the guidelines set by the state. As always, if you need anything don’t hesitate to reach out!
Here’s to your optimum health,
Dr. Gerry Farris
On Point Medicine
(704) 786-4970
