Spiralout
Rising Star
If you don't have a daily supplement/vitamin regimen already; now would be a good time to start.
A multivitamin is the first thing in order.
Vitamin d3 is needed in higher doses than you will find in multivitamins. If you haven't been taking any vitamins, I would start on the higher side: around 2,000-4,000 iu a day, for a few days, and then 1,000-2,000 a day. ***see bottom***
Vitamin c should also be taken in higher doses than is found in a multi. I take about 1-3 grams a day.
Most multivitamins will have a sufficient dose of zinc, but having some lozenges on hand in case you start feeling sick, is a good idea. Lozenges may work better than other routes of administration.
Magnesium is also not usually in sufficient quantities in a multivitamin and most people are deficient. Your best source is leafy green vegetables ( ideally grown yourself). This doesn't seem to be related directly to the virus but it is an important nutrient for good health and so, by proxy, indicated.
I also take quercetin. There is only preliminary evidence, but it may be useful in inhibiting the growth of viruses. Glycyrrhizin, a chemical in licorice root, may also have viral attenuating properties. I have surplus of herbal tea that I was using years ago to help with breathing problem ("breath easy") which has licorice root as the first ingredient. Whether or not it helps; it is sweet and tasty (and it isn't sugar).
Any supplement (and anything you consume for that matter) should ideally be sourced from scrupulous vendors. This means that the product is tested by a 3rd party lab and they are willing to share this test with you. At the very least, if you are sourcing something from a grocer, pharmacy, et cetera; you should make sure it is certified by USP or NSF and it isn't expired. Many supplements and vendors do not properly store supplements and many supplements have actually been found to contain much less of the active ingredient, expired ingredients (in some cases, fish oil being an obvious one, this is actually quite dangerous) or nothing at all. Be shrewd. Many places are not accepting returns or exchanges at the moment.
***Some of these compounds, or dosage levels, may be contraindicated in some circumstances and individuals. Circumstances can vary wildly depending on the individual and their is no substitute for advice from a doctor and lab work. If you are able to talk to your doctor please do so. They will, or should be, familiar with finding optimal vitamin and nutrient levels.
Vitamin D, for example, can be toxic in too high of a dose. This can be serious. On the other hand, having a vitamin D deficiency can predispose you to myriad ailments; including respiratory problems and decreased immune system functioning. 2,000 iu seems to be somewhere in the middle, between insufficient and toxic, but the only way to really know is to have bloodwork done. If you are already vitamin d deficient then taking a higher dose for a few days should not be an issue; as your body is looking to replenish its supply.
Quercetin has not had enough research done on it to say with any degree of certainty that it is safe; but it seems to be well tolerated and without much risk. Glycyrrhizin can cause blood pressure issues when used by the wrong people or in the wrong doses.
Aside from all of these things; good sleep ( regular sleep and wake times; not exact of course but within a range) and amount of sleep (7-9 hours a night), a healthy diet, lessening stress, proper hygiene , and being vigilant, especially if you need to be out in the public, are all extremely important. Hygiene, sleep and diet are probably most important; supplements and vitamins just being a subset of diet.
If anyone can help critique this is would be much appreciated.
I am not a doctor and don't pretend to be one. However I have done a fair bit of research so as to to keep myself healthy. None of this is medical advice. Please talk to your doctor.
A multivitamin is the first thing in order.
Vitamin d3 is needed in higher doses than you will find in multivitamins. If you haven't been taking any vitamins, I would start on the higher side: around 2,000-4,000 iu a day, for a few days, and then 1,000-2,000 a day. ***see bottom***
Vitamin c should also be taken in higher doses than is found in a multi. I take about 1-3 grams a day.
Most multivitamins will have a sufficient dose of zinc, but having some lozenges on hand in case you start feeling sick, is a good idea. Lozenges may work better than other routes of administration.
Magnesium is also not usually in sufficient quantities in a multivitamin and most people are deficient. Your best source is leafy green vegetables ( ideally grown yourself). This doesn't seem to be related directly to the virus but it is an important nutrient for good health and so, by proxy, indicated.
I also take quercetin. There is only preliminary evidence, but it may be useful in inhibiting the growth of viruses. Glycyrrhizin, a chemical in licorice root, may also have viral attenuating properties. I have surplus of herbal tea that I was using years ago to help with breathing problem ("breath easy") which has licorice root as the first ingredient. Whether or not it helps; it is sweet and tasty (and it isn't sugar).
Any supplement (and anything you consume for that matter) should ideally be sourced from scrupulous vendors. This means that the product is tested by a 3rd party lab and they are willing to share this test with you. At the very least, if you are sourcing something from a grocer, pharmacy, et cetera; you should make sure it is certified by USP or NSF and it isn't expired. Many supplements and vendors do not properly store supplements and many supplements have actually been found to contain much less of the active ingredient, expired ingredients (in some cases, fish oil being an obvious one, this is actually quite dangerous) or nothing at all. Be shrewd. Many places are not accepting returns or exchanges at the moment.
***Some of these compounds, or dosage levels, may be contraindicated in some circumstances and individuals. Circumstances can vary wildly depending on the individual and their is no substitute for advice from a doctor and lab work. If you are able to talk to your doctor please do so. They will, or should be, familiar with finding optimal vitamin and nutrient levels.
Vitamin D, for example, can be toxic in too high of a dose. This can be serious. On the other hand, having a vitamin D deficiency can predispose you to myriad ailments; including respiratory problems and decreased immune system functioning. 2,000 iu seems to be somewhere in the middle, between insufficient and toxic, but the only way to really know is to have bloodwork done. If you are already vitamin d deficient then taking a higher dose for a few days should not be an issue; as your body is looking to replenish its supply.
Quercetin has not had enough research done on it to say with any degree of certainty that it is safe; but it seems to be well tolerated and without much risk. Glycyrrhizin can cause blood pressure issues when used by the wrong people or in the wrong doses.
Aside from all of these things; good sleep ( regular sleep and wake times; not exact of course but within a range) and amount of sleep (7-9 hours a night), a healthy diet, lessening stress, proper hygiene , and being vigilant, especially if you need to be out in the public, are all extremely important. Hygiene, sleep and diet are probably most important; supplements and vitamins just being a subset of diet.
If anyone can help critique this is would be much appreciated.
I am not a doctor and don't pretend to be one. However I have done a fair bit of research so as to to keep myself healthy. None of this is medical advice. Please talk to your doctor.