Today we indeed live in tough times! We not only fight coronavirus a deadly virus that threatens our lives but are also fighting against the human race going extinct. The human race throughout the years has faced many catastrophic events that has derailed us from the normalcy of our daily life, which provoked us into practising various survival tactics. Whether it be war, a tyrannical political uprising, genocide’s or Pandemics.
“We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survive” ~Winston Churchill.
We humans learn to adapt to severe and drastic changes, rebuild ourselves and fight back only to rightfully stake our claim in this world that we share with many. The past has only proven this ability to be a fact! We have overcome immense turmoil’s only to make better versions of ourselves for our future and our offspring’s. As many catastrophic events have passed us by, we humans have always evolved into greater wisdom and understanding of reality and consciousness to know what we must do to surge through perils and plainly Exist!
Facts of Covid-19
This Coronavirus is part of a bigger group of viruses which cause illness in animals and humans. However, in humans, they already existed a form of Coronavirus that caused respiratory infections like the common cold and the more severe diseases like the Middles East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which has been around for a while but the widespread was not as severe as the Covid-19.
As you all are aware that the Covid-19 mostly affects the respiratory system of the body, while symptoms initially mimic the common flu, it does comes with dire consequences if you are suffering from an underlying illness which weakens your immune systems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer. It is then that virus turns sinister and become fatal those whose body’s immunity level is already low.
According to the WHO Organization, about 80% of the people affected with the virus recover without needing hospitalization. Which is estimated to be 1 out of 5 people affected with Covid-19 only become seriously ill. These stats definitely give us some positive hope of surviving this virus.
So, if you’re a healthy person and are not dealing with any prior illnesses, chances are your body will fight the virus, during the time the virus gestates itself while you’re being the host to it, you would need to self-isolate yourself and wait it out till your Immune Systems fights this battle for you. Rest and recuperating appropriately helps builds up your immune system so strong that your precious network of white blood cells, work as warriors and fight and eliminate any virus from your body. So, what exactly is your immune system? And how do we keep it fighting fit?
The immune system, the army that protects your body!
Your immune system is made up of organs, cells and chemicals that fight microbes (infections) they are:
- White Blood Cells: Also known as Leukocytes are cells of the immunes system that work in protecting the body against infectious disease and foreign invaders
- Antibodies: Also known as Immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shape protein produced by plasma cells, which is used by the Immune System to neutralize Pathogens (infectious Germs) and viruses.
- The Complement System: Also known as the Complement Cascade, is part of the immune system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism.
- The Lymphatic System: or Lymphoid System is an organ system in the vertebrates which is part of the circulatory system and the immune system. These networks of Lymphatic vessels carry a clear fluid called Lymph (derived from Latin word Lympha refers to the God of freshwater) towards the heart.
- The Spleen: Truly multi-tasks in your body as it being an integral cog in your immune system! It acts as a filter for your blood, while it recycles old blood cells, it also stores platelets and white blood cells there. The spleen is known to fight certain bacteria’s like pneumonia and meningitis.
- The Thymus: Is the primary lymphoid organ (part of the lymphatic system) of the immune system. T Cells are within the Thymus, which are critical to the adaptive immune system (a.k.a acquired Immunes system, the subsystem of the immune system) is where the body adapts to specifically to Foreign Invaders
- Bone Marrow: Part of the immune system and Hematopoietic system (systems that are involved which creating cells of blood) Bone marrow is the primary site for the productions of new blood cells.
The immune system records every microbe it has defeated in your body, by using a certain type of White Blood cells, B and T lymphocytes which are more commonly known as memory cells. So, these little warrior cells recognise which virus or microbe that has re-entered into your body and begins to fight it before it multiplies and makes you feel sick. So, it becomes absolutely imperative that we keep these little soldiers in their best form and do everything we must to boost our immunity levels!
Boosting your immunity levels, fight coronavirus naturally!
Vitamin C: We all commonly know that Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that helps with boosting the immune system as it aids in the productions of white blood cells. Adding a healthy amount of natural Vitamin C to your daily meal is extremely beneficial. All Citrus fruits like Grapefruit, oranges, clementine’s, tangerines, lemons and limes are rich in Vitamin C and it can also be found in Kiwis and Papaya.
Beta Carotene: Once consumed your body converts into Vitamin A and boosts your immune system. It can be naturally found in Carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy vegetables like Kale and spinach, romaine lettuce, squash cantaloupe, red and yellow bell peppers, peas and broccoli.
Allicin: Found most popularly in Garlic, is an organosulfur compound, that helps boosts the virus fighting T-cells in your bloodstream an assists white blood cells within the body that encounters viruses like the common cold. Whole garlic contain Alliin, when crushed or eaten the compound turns into Allicin. Adding extra Garlic to your diet is the way to go!
Gingerol: A chemical compound that is found in Ginger that is known to be anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants properties. It also is a natural blood thinner and anti-bacterial that helps boost the Immune System.
Vitamin D: An easy and popularly loved source of it is Yoghurt. Vitamin D helps regulate the Immune System assists in boosting your natural defences against diseases.
Vitamin E: is an antioxidant and it helps the immune system by fighting infections as it widens the blood vessels, this prevents clots forming in them. Nuts are a good tasty source of Vitamin E, such as Almonds, Sunflower seeds, peanuts and Hazelnuts.
Curcumin: Found undeniably in Turmeric as it gives it, its distinctive yellow colour. Known to be a brilliant anti-inflammatory, it also helps in decrease exercise-induced muscles damage and its antiviral properties, Curcumin is a sure shot Immune booster! Luckily for us Indians, we are accustomed to adding Turmeric into our cuisine quite routinely.
Vitamin B-6: Plays a vital role in the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Rich sources of Vitamin B-6 are found in Poultry such as Chicken and Turkey. Making stock from chicken bones brings out gelatine, chondroitin, and other nutrients that work great for healing and immunity.
Zinc: Is a mineral that boosts the immune system and helps to battle infections such as the common cold and heals wounds effectively. Shellfish such as Oysters, Crab, lobster and Mussels are super rich sources of Zinc. If you are allergic to shellfish, you certainly do have alternates, like red meat, whole grains such as quinoa, rice oats. Legumes like chickpeas, lentils and hemp seeds are also a good source, and surprisingly Dark chocolate too contains a reasonable amount of zinc.
When you understand the complexity of how your Immune System functions, you truly start to realise how much we neglect it by not allowing ourselves to help boost it by eating right. Our Immune System works overtime when dealing with viral infections, diseases and unknown illness that suddenly attack our bodies without warning, such as Coronavirus. It has been proved that the ratio of those recovered from the virus is decently fair as of now and we can credit this to the fact that our Immune System is constantly and relentlessly fighting to keep us safe from all harm.
So, it is our duty to do the best we can to help support these little soldiers in our Immune System by giving them a positive boost! Nourishing ourselves with all the right Vitamins and Minerals to help strengthen our Immune System, would indefinitely help us live life with much vitality, positivity and inner peace!
Happy Healing Ya’ll!!!
