Worried about coronavirus? 6 ways to support your immune system holistically

Coronavirus is a hot topic among patients, clinicians and travelers alike. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we want to provide our patients with the tools and resources to protect themselves safely and effectively. Despite the rapid expansion of the virus and daily terrifying reports by the media and our cohorts on social media, your individual risk of contamination remains very low. In fact, your risk of getting the flu is much higher, with 2020 primed to be the worst year for contraction of the flu on record. Boosting your immune system with vitamins, herbs and good hygiene practices will help you fight off any impeding viruses, bacteria or fungi that hope to pick up residence and wage war in your body.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Contracting a Viral Infection
Viral infections are opportunistic predators, which prey on the young, the elderly and those with compromised or weakened immune systems. So, how do you make sure your immune system is in healthy optimal condition? Follow the recommendations from our practitioners at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss below!

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6 Ways to Boost Your Immune System and Protect Your Body from Viral Infections

1.Get a Weekly or Bi-Weekly IV Vitamin Infusion Treatment

1. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we have two IV vitamin infusion formulas to support a healthy immune system, the Immunity Blend and Myer’s Cocktail. Both have a high concentration of amino acids, B vitamins, and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). Vitamin C particularly aids in the production of white blood cells, which are the cells in our body that help fight off infection. These infusions are good for prevention ad for patients who have been or are about to travel or patients who are recovering from a cold, infection or injury to speed up the recovery time. You can get these infusions in either our Lutz or St Petersburg office, during normal business hours. Our Nurse Practitioner, Ms. DeNeve recommends doing weekly treatments, alternating between the Immunity and Myer’s IV along with a weekly Vitamin D3 injection to give your immune system the ultimate protection. You can purchase a 4-treatment package at a discounted rate and get 2 treatments of Immunity Blend and 2 treatments of Myer’s Cocktail to cover all the bases! You can schedule your next IV treatment here. 

2.Take a Vitamin D3 Supplement

1. Vitamin D3 is a nutrient, hormone and immunomodulator that plays multiple roles within the body, including enhancing the immune system and protecting the body from viral infections. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we offer a few different supplements and injections for Vitamin D3. People who are deficient or have weak immune systems should either take a weekly oral vitamin D3 supplement or get a weekly injection. Both pathways provide 50,000 units of vitamin D3. Patients who have normal levels of vitamin D3 should take a 2,000 or 5,000 unit daily oral supplement to keep their levels up for optimal protection. Dr. Pacholec recommends everyone to be on at least 2,000 units daily to support optimal immune function, protect from viral infections and support hormone synthesis.

3.Boost Your Fiber Intake & Support Your Microbiome

1. Supporting your microbiome is extremely important to achieve optimal health, weight loss and immune function. The human body is estimated to contain about 38 trillion microbes, which is at least (if not more!) as many cells as we have in our whole body. The relationship between the body and our bacteria is defined as a symbiotic relationship in which the host and the bacteria benefit and support each other in multiple different ways. Research suggests that our gut microbiome influences many different aspects of human physiology, including metabolism, the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and the immune system. The diverse gut flora that creates our microbiome has co-evolved with our bodies to not only create a defense against pathogens, but also to enhance our immune function, which is highlighted by the fact that upwards of 80% of our body’s immune cells are found in the gastrointestinal system.
2. Dr. Pacholec recommends taking a prebiotic and probiotic supplement to maintain optimal levels of beneficial bacteria in the microbiome. We have multiple different options at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, including our new Functional Plant Protein, which is a vegan protein powder enhanced with prebiotics for microbiome support. This powder can be used as a meal replacement as well! We also offer a range of different probiotics, with at least 25 billion diverse species backed by clinical research to improve immune function and weight loss success. All of our products are available in both or Lutz, Fl and St Petersburg, FL locations.

4.Consider Peptide Therapy

1. Peptides are short chain amino acids which signal and direct molecules within the body. They are like managers, instructing where other cells should go and what duties they should perform. There are over 7000 known peptides in the body with a wide range of functions, including immune health, weight loss and cognition. There is a natural decline in peptide formation as we age, but thanks to modern anti-aging medicine, we can now replenish these peptides to feel more youthful, energized and have stronger immune systems.
2. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we have a couple different options for peptide therapy, including peptides for weight loss and immune function. Ms. DeNeve recommends the peptide, Thymosin Alpha-1 for patients interested in enhancing their immune function. It is also an FDA-approved medication under the trade name zadaxin for it’s immunomodulating properties. It received orphan drug approval status and has been widely researched for its effects on multiple types of cancer and viral illnesses. Some physicians are also using this peptide treatment for chronic fatigue and Lyme disease, as well as other auto-immune disorders. Clinical research has shown that this peptide improves host defense to infection, improves stress tolerance, inhibits viral replication, improves cancer defense, increases antioxidant and glutathione production and reduces inflammation.

5.Eat an Alkaline Diet Rich in Antioxidants

1. An alkaline diet rich in antioxidants will not only improve immune function; it will also improve weight loss success, increase energy, reduce inflammation and reduce your risk of osteoporosis. The purpose of an alkaline diet is to eat foods with a pH between 7-14. These foods include vegetables, herbs, fruits, herbal teas and raw, unprocessed seeds and nuts such as almonds. Meats, dairy, grains, beans, fish, coffee and processed foods are generally more acidic. If you are looking for recipe ideas, Dr. Pacholec recommends Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee De La Foret for herbal based alkaline recipes on how to support your immune system and reduce inflammation.

6.Use of Elderberry Extract Can Shorten Longevity of Flu

1. Elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra) has been proven to reduce the longevity and symptoms of influenza A and B in multiple placebo-controlled, double-blind studies. These studies have found it to be as effective as Tamiflu in treating the flu if it is administered at the onset of symptoms. These studies have found that it inhibits the replication of both strains of influenza, reduces fever and can lead to a complete cure within 2-3 days after the onset of symptoms. Our practitioners recommend everyone to be on Viracid during cold and flu season. This supplement contains a high concentration of elderberry extract, echinacea, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc and a few other herbal compounds to support your immune system during this vulnerable time. You can take this supplement daily or use it hourly when symptoms start to arise. We carry this supplement in both our Lutz and St Petersburg, FL locations as well as in our online store.

Along with supporting your immune system, it is important to also practice good hygiene! Your immune system won’t have to work so hard if you are able to keep out the pathogens in the first place. Proper hand washing and sterilization, especially in crowded places like restaurants, airports or shopping malls is the best way to prevent the spread of viruses and harmful bacteria. However, supporting your immune system with proper nutrition, vitamin supplementation and herbal support will help protect you and your loved ones should you come into contact with some type of pathogen. You can call one of our offices for more information or order some of the supplements discussed above from our online store.