Immune System and the COVID 19 Response

If you have been watching my Facebooks posts of the actual data surrounding the current SARS-CoV-2 situation, then you know that I don’t buy into the scare tactics and propaganda message that we’re all supposed to believe.  I’m convinced the the numbers, both at the beginning, and even more so now confirm that this virus is not nearly as deadly as CNN would like for us to believe.  Like the flu, our immune systems will adapt to combat it, and the tiny percentage of people who currently have severe symptoms (2% or less), will get even smaller.  If testing becomes widespread, since we know that many people are completely asymptomatic, the CFR (case fatality rate), will drastically plummet as well, ending up to be way less then the seasonal flu, and certainly less than that of cancer, abortion, car accidents, and many other life ending ailments of our society.

So you have to ask yourself, if you are researching the data for yourselves, and believe what I believe, then why did we take the actions that we have taken?  Long before the conspiracy theories started to emerge, I was asking this question.  I thought, “well the government must be aware of a real and credible threat of weapons of mass destruction on US soil”, (hence, the shelter in place, quarantine the healthy, no gatherings of 100 or more, no wait, 50 or more, no wait… 10 or more people).  Eventually, the connection between Gates, Fauci, the WHO, the CDC, and the NIH all came to light and I’m pretty much convinced at this point, that as usual, it boils down to money.  The big pharmaceutical companies are trying to make us dependent upon them for our health through vaccinations which will earn them billions of dollars, and by their own admission, not be very effective at preventing the disease 🙂

What We Have Been Doing

My goal with this blog post is to simply present some data that will help keep you healthy.  If the immune system is thriving then there is very little need, if any for vaccines and most modern medicines.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made in such a way that our bodies can by themselves, fight almost any attacker if, the immune system is healthy.

If you do a little research about things that can weaken the immune system, you will quickly find several lists from multiple sources.  I will be working through a couple of those lists here and talk about how they relate to our government actions during this “pandemic”.

Stress

The one item you will see in almost every list is stress.  Stress has been proven to weaken the body’s immune system.  According to the national cancer institute, stress increases the production of the cortisol hormone, which impairs the function of infection fighting T cells.

Has anyone been more stressed lately.  Right now there is more money, and health stress for many people than we as a society have experienced in years.  If you watch the news, you will be bombarded with the propaganda that the end is no where in site, and the numbers are still exploding all over the country, etc., etc.  It’s as if someone said, “let’s see just how stressed we can make them.”

Loneliness

Another well established cause of decreased immune system response is loneliness.  The Journal of Neuroimmunology published a study that demonstrated a likely connection between isolation and increased damage caused by free radicals.  Research published by the Psychological science suggests that simply hugging someone can have a stress buffering effect and reduce susceptibility to illness.

Our response to COVID 19 has been to socially isolate from one another.  A literal experiment in medical isolation is taking place, since there has never been a time in history that a society has quarantined the healthy.  In addition, we are being told that if we do have to leave our houses, then we should stay 6 feet apart.  Certainly no room for hugging there.

Lack of Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle can result in all types of illnesses, but in addition can result in a weakened immune system.  Too much sitting and avoiding exercise can affect your body’s ability to fight infection according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.  Eventually lack of exercise can lead to a weakened immune system, inflammation, and other chronic diseases.

Well we can’t continue to let those few people who value their health, and work out regularly continue to do so.  We should close all the gyms, parks, pools, and any other area where people might benefit from physical activity and exercise, right?  Is anyone else seeing a pattern here?

Lack of Sunlight

It is a well established fact that sunlight assists the body in the production of Vitamin D which is essential to a healthy immune system.  While too much exposure does seem to increase the risk of skin cancer, the benefits of getting plenty of sun, and being outdoors in general are amazing.  In addition to Vitamin D production, sunlight helps boost serotonin levels which can give you more energy and help keep you calm, positive, and focused.  It helps with vision and eye health when you get plenty of exposure when you are young.  Easing skin condition symptoms, treating jaundice, and reduced risk of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases are just a few of the other known benefits.

What we have done in many areas across the country is essentially scare people in to staying in doors and avoiding going outside altogether.  In many areas across the country, while in opposition to the constitution, this has been turned into a requirement.  Beaches were also closed in many coastal areas as well.  The overall effect has been a decrease in the amount of sunlight that many Americans are getting, which will result in a less functional immune system.

I have to point out that one of the articles I found listed sunlight as detrimental to the immune system.  I knew that didn’t sound right, but then I realized that the recommendation to stay out of the sun to keep your immune system healthy can directly from the World Health Organization.  No I’m not kidding.  I will add links to the articles I used here below.

Poor Diet

According to the Nutritional Journal, a diet high in saturated fat impairs the immune system.  Salt and sugar might also have negative effects.  Obesity in general affects the immune system by reducing the number of functional white blood cells needed to fight infection according to a review in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.  The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics stresses that good nutrition is an important part of a healthy immune system.

Has anybody put on a few pounds during the shutdown?  I can’t help but consider that we closed all of the dine in restaurants, but left open all of the fast food restaurants.  Fast food having long been established as high calorie, high in saturated fats, and lower quality food in general.  Seems odd that we also simultaneously ran out of meats in the local supermarkets.

Alcohol and Nicotine

Excessive drinking can reduce the immune system’s response to invading pathogens.  It also impairs the process of attacking and breaking down bacteria and viruses which puts people who drink excessively at a higher risk for infections.  Nicotine increases cortisol levels, while reducing B cell antibody formation and T cells response to antigens.

While being at home isn’t an excuse to give in to addictive vices, many of those who are already addicted to these substances certainly have a lot more time on their hands to partake of them.  Many out of boredom or as a way to deal with the increased stress of the situation have turned to or increased their intake of substances to help take the edge off.  Alcohol abuse, overdoses, and suicides are up all across the country right now.  Those who keep it under control are still lowing their immune system even more.

Lack of Exposure to Germs

It is a widely accepted hypothesis that children who are exposed to lots of dirt and germs, living in less “sterile” environments, have a stronger, healthier immune system.  A Swedish study has confirmed this in a study of over 300,000 children who were exposed to a higher level of germs by putting items back in their mouth after they had fallen to the ground, as opposed to washing them off first.  Those children had less allergies, less asthma, and less eczema than other children.  Most doctors who specialize in immunology seem to think this strengthening or weakening of the immune system continues throughout our lives.  In other words, by exposing ourselves to small amounts of viruses and bacteria regularly, we develop a stronger more functional immune system.

What we have done in response to COVID 19 is magnify and increase the bad behaviors that we were already employing that hurt our immune system.  Now instead of using a little hand sanitizer occasionally, we’ve purchased all that there is and are sanitizing after touching anything.  We are washing and bleaching everything, trying to kill every virus and bacteria on every service to avoid being exposed to a particular one.  We are being told to wear masks, proven to be ineffective against SARS-CoV-2 transmission, yet could reduce our exposure to other bacteria and viruses that would help us fight off COVID 19 if exposed.  Lack of exposure to “germs” only increases our likelihood of contracting a severe infection that our bodies cannot fight off.

What Should We Do

I’m seriously concerned that, if everybody calms down and goes back to normal, our immune systems will be so weak, we will no longer be able to deal with even small amounts of bacteria and viruses.  So we can realistically expect a spike in common colds, allergies, possibly COVID19, and many other ailments.

I am not suggesting that you rebel against the established authorities and their restrictions, unless they inhibit religious freedoms or other constitutional rights, and even then, it is important to handle those situations correctly.  Remember, your leaders are likely watching the news too, and to some degree they are afraid, and also feel the weight of responsibility of doing what is best for many people.  That is something you likely don’t have to consider.  There are some actions that you can take however to help prepare your body to deal with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the many other infections, colds and diseases that will spike in the coming months.

Reduce Stress

One of the best ways you can do this is to stop watching the news.  There are some psychological stress tests that include watching news as a way to push the limits of a persons stress level.  Remember that their bottom line, is directly tied to your emotional response to the stories that they present.  Their goal is to get you stressed out by the way they present data and spin the stories.  That is how money is made in the “attention economy”.

I also highly recommend daily prayer and bible reading.  By far the best way to reduce stress, is to know and cultivate a relationship with the true and living God.  He is not concerned, stressed out, or worried about this situation in the least bit.  But He does care for you more than you can even understand.  Getting to know Him, knowing that He is in control, and knowing that He loves you, is an indescribable source of peace in seasons of struggle.

Stay Connected

Even though you can’t be with other people in person, stay connected using visual communication technologies as much as possible such as Zoom, Face-time, Microsoft Teams and others.  While not a replacement for real in person interactions, these technologies can go a long way toward helping fight feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Exercise Regularly

Now more than ever, working out is an absolute necessity.  Many of you have suddenly become more sedentary than ever, especially if you are now working mostly from a computer.  I would put this at the top of your priority list below prayer and bible reading, and don’t let issues or distraction get in the way.  There will always be something that seems more important, but in the long run this is probably the most important thing you can do for your overall health.

I’ve been using a subscription to Beach Body on demand because it gives me a solid plan, and you get to see other people working out in the videos.  I think in my mind that helps replace going to the gym and seeing other people work out.  There are many other programs out there however, so do a little research, pay the fee, and get started on a workout routine today!  You might even find you come out of this in better shape than you went in.

Get Outside

Find a way to get outside if possible, and get some much needed sunlight.  There are still a few parks that are open, but if there aren’t any near you, walk down the street or around the back yard a couple of time per day.  If you absolutely can’t get outside, just sit near a window during part of the day when the sunlight is coming in.  This will go a long way toward helping improve your mood, motivation, and immune system.

Eat Healthy and Clean

I know it is easy right now to just eat fast food everyday.  However, it is extremely important that we eat healthy foods during this time.  Create a meal plan and go to the grocery store.  Cook and eat clean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables, salads, etc.  Prioritizing quality proteins above carbohydrates will help you maintain better body composition.  I also recommend using a daily multivitamin supplement to make up for any deficiencies in your diet.  Integrate 1-2 tsp of local honey into your diet to build immunity to allergens in your area.  You are what you eat, so it is important to eat healthy foods that support your immune system and fuel your body.

Keep Busy

If you’ve found yourself out of work, find temporary job to keep money coming in and fill up your day.  There are lots of jobs available in industries that are now supporting the situation.  If you’ve lost a job in manufacturing for instance, you can probably get a temporary full time job at the local grocery store, or in delivery services.  If you are still working, but just have more free time, get involved in a project or volunteer opportunity.  The local food-bank in your area is likely desperate for volunteers.  I just finished a music project with some songwriters in the area.

Sitting around with no vision or direction, and nothing to do is a sure way to allow vices and addictions to creep into your schedule.  If you currently smoke, or drink, or any other addictive substance, make sure you are setting limits on yourself in regards to the use of them.  One of the best ways to do that is to keep yourself so busy you don’t have extra time for those activities.

Relax About The Bugs

Your body needs exposure to bacteria and viruses in order to maintain a healthy immune system.  Stop bleaching and hand sanitizing everything and relax.  Your body was designed to fight off infections from viruses and bacteria on it’s own.  But like a muscle, if it doesn’t’ get used it will atrophy.  In spite of the current situation, my habits have changed very little.  Out of respect for the wishes of others, I generally try to keep my distance, but I’m not the least concerned if someone coughs or sneezes around me.

I actually hope that I do get exposed to SARS-CoV-19 in small quantities (and probably already have), so that my body will build the necessary antibodies to fight it off, when I get exposed to a lot of it.  This applies to any virus or bacteria.  Unless I’m getting ready to eat something, I intentionally do not use hand sanitizer now after leaving the grocery store.  I also do not wear a mask in public, because I know it will not prevent me from spreading the virus to others, and because I know that if the masks do anything, they will only harm our immune systems in the long run.

Conclusion

It seems like most of the actions we have taken as a society to “keep us healthy” are actually going to make us more susceptible to getting sick.  Whether you think this is on purpose, or just the result of mass hysteria is not the point of this article.  You can tell that I’m am somewhat biased, but my hope is that the information that I am presenting here will go along way toward keeping us healthy.  Stay safe our there and we’ll get through this together.

Finally I have to say that I am not a medical professional.  I do not offer medical advice in this forum but rather my opinions, and hopefully have provided you with a good resource of data on this subject.  If seeking medical advice, please consult your “holistic or preventative medicine” physician.

 

 

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Other Thoughts

Top 20 Conspiracy Theories – or NOT!

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’ve been saying these things since 2020.  Maybe someone with bigger words will communicate them better than I

Exercise Mandates?

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Great information as Canada closes their gyms.  Do you still think the mandates and lockdowns are about your