By Roger French, Health Director, Natural Health Society
The Federal Government’s medical advisers appear to have forgotten some of their elementary training, and
this is that our bodies have powerful defences against pathogenic microorganisms – our immune systems.
However, our immune systems are only fully effective if they are strong. If they are weak, then we may well
be susceptible to some nasty infectious disease.
For the immune system to be strong, the body as a whole needs to be strong, that is, healthy.
Orthodox medicine knows this. Harvard Medical School states, “Following general good-health guidelines is
the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system strong and healthy (Harvard
Health Publishing, Sept. 2014)
A strong immune system
A healthy body and mind – and therefore immune system – depend on the usual factors with which we are
so familiar. Namely:
- An abundant intake of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Adequate, but not excessive,
protein, abundant fibre, and a balance between acid-forming and alkali-forming foods. In short, a diet high in
fresh vegetables and fruits (in that order), to the extent of about three-quarters of total food intake. - Regular exercise, both aerobic and strength exercise.
- Fresh air and sunshine. Sunshine in small doses daily, and never sunburn.
- Adequate sleep, rest and relaxation.
- Minimising exposure to toxic man-made chemicals
Especially nutrition
Nutrition is especially significant for the immune system. As Harvard Health Publishing says, “Scientists have
long recognised that people who live in poverty and are malnourished are more vulnerable to infectious
diseases”. The inevitable deficiencies in at least some essential vitamins and trace minerals is known as
‘micronutrient malnutrition’. It tends to be more common in elderly people, partly because such deficiencies
have accumulated over decades.
The Harvard Medical School also endorses the role of exercise in immunity: “Just like a healthy diet, exercise
can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system.”
Similarly with stress, Harvard states that modern medicine recognises the close relationship between mind
and body, and that a wide variety of illnesses are linked to emotional stress.
Ignoring the above aspects of a healthy lifestyle means that not only can we expect to have impaired
immunity, but also ‘toxaemia’ at some level. A state of toxaemia is the result of a build-up of metabolic
wastes (from food) and an accumulation of toxic chemicals.
The puzzle essentially solved
Applying these requirements to the COVID19 pandemic, it is easy to see why some people become
seriously ill and a tiny proportion die. It is extremely significant that a large majority of infected people have
only mild symptoms or none at all. In other words, this situation which puzzles people, including many
doctors, is readily explained when we understand the full picture instead of being focussed solely on
avoiding the potentially dangerous virus.
Most Australians eat nothing like enough fruit and vegetables and eat disproportionate quantities of the acid-
forming foods – those rich in protein, refined carbohydrates and fat.
Worse still, some people consume a lot of junk foods which exacerbate the toxaemia and the compromised
immunity.
For most of us now, with or without the above problems, there is the stress caused by the Government’s
‘draconian’ restrictions. Severe financial hardship and a huge amount of worry can be caused by losing your
job. It can be even worse for small businesses. Imagine having spent, say, $50,000 in fitting out a new shop
only to find that suddenly there are no customers.
We are all being told that we must stay in our homes except for going out to buy food or other goods, going
to work or visiting a doctor or for certain other needs. For people living alone, this can be akin to solitary
confinement. For families, it can still be extremely frustrating. A vast number of studies have shown that
loneliness and social isolation can have very destructive consequences. In fact, some researchers consider
that prolonged social isolation can be as harmful as smoking. Wow – that’s bad!
Creating a strong immune system through healthy lifestyle can be supported by supplements and herbs.
Critical vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals which are critical for the immune system to function at its best include vitamins A, C,
D and E, and the minerals zinc, selenium and magnesium.
A former Centers for Disease Control chief recognises the usefulness of vitamin D from sun exposure and/or
supplementation in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection through strengthening immune function.
(Mercola.com, 7 th April 2020)
Even in the conventional treatment of existing disease, the value of vitamins C and D are being recognised.
Dr Mercola reports that seriously ill coronavirus patients in New York state’s largest hospital system receive
1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C three to four times a day, in conjunction with other conventional
treatments. He adds that vitamin C at extremely high doses kills pathogens, including viruses.
Helpful herbs
To boost your immune system, the following are seven of the most powerful herbs and spices. The list is
taken from ‘Healing Herbs and Spices to Boost the Immune System’ by Kendra Lady.
(https://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/seven-healing-herbs-spices-boost-immune-system/)
When considering taking herbal remedies, it is wise to consult a trained naturopath or herbalist.
Echinacea
It helps encourage healthy cell growth, promotes a strong upper respiratory system and provides numerous
antioxidants that boost the immune system. Echinacea works by stimulating the immune system to produce
natural killer cells It can be consumed in the form of a capsule, liquid or tea.
Ginger
This rhizome contains chemicals called sesquiterpenes which target cold viruses and soothes a sore and
scratchy throat. It has powerful pain relieving properties. It’s pretty safe, but pregnant women shouldn’t ingest
more than two grams of dried ginger per day.
Turmeric
This rhizome, closely related to ginger, contains the active ingredient, curcumin, which provides its
characteristic orange-yellow colour. Curcumin eases inflammation, resists infections and improves overall
health including that of the immune system.
Elderberry
It is important to note that the seeds, stems, leaves and roots can be toxic to humans, but the berries contain
anthocyanidins which support a healthy immune system. It can be consumed as a tea, syrup or supplement.
Garlic
When this this pungent bulb is cut or crushed, a compound called allicin is released. This has potent anti-
bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It is thought to stimulate the immune system and boost the
efficacy of white blood cells. Garlic can help prevent chest infections, particularly when eaten raw. Dietary
doses of garlic are pretty safe.
Ginseng
Ginseng, specifically Panax ginseng, contains high levels of antioxidants that can boost the immune system
and also promote a healthy respiratory system. There are a variety of ginseng supplements on the market.
Ashwagandha
stimulates infection fighting white blood cells and is good for immune system support.
Cinnamon
This eighth spice (from another source) contains an active ingredient, cinnamaldehyde, which has anti-
bacterial and anti-viral properties. Cinnamon is also high in immune-boosting antioxidants.
NOTE THAT no supplement or herb is a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. These can help, but they won’t
fix us.
Well put Roger
This is the most sense I have heard in relation to this situation. Besides ignoring our responsibility for our own health needs or low income creating it as a problem, the fear generated by the media with their ‘updates’ from government representatives, who know very little about good health as a study, is also hugely responsible for the lowering of morale leading to fear based stress creating lower defenses. Now, with so many with little or no income and in isolation, are we likely to see a higher level of ill health through poor diet and lack of adequate exercise? When people do go out for fresh air they are afraid now of huge fines – another ill thought out idea based on ignorance of the needs of the body!
Regards Jane
Love your work Roger, my sentiments exactly. what we need is for our society to understand these prerequisites for good health. Once these principles are learned and applied, the inevitable results are excellent and vibrant health. I would add to your comments, the body also needs regular consumption of clean water in addition to the high water content foods described above. Another important prerequisite for health is how we manage psychological influences, for example, people need to have a purpose, have positive loving relationships, and a sound belief system.
In these uncertain times finding purpose incorporating meaningful engaging activities with friends and loved ones, even if it is only with technology at present, and believing “this too will pass” and believing in something, whether it be God, Universal Intelligence, the Sixth Sense, or Natural Laws of the Universe or in one’s own capacity to endure.
As an Environmental Health practitioner, I have seen first hand the benefits of improved personal hygiene practice, good cough, and sneeze etiquette in the paddock to plate production and sale of food. I fully endorse the CMO recommendations for handwashing and staying home if you are sick, social distancing, and limiting face to face social integration if you are elderly or currently immune-compromised, however for the rest of us that are healthy and especially those that follow good healthy eating and living practices, following good hygiene practices, all restrictions on movements, travel or work should be removed. True some may be exposed to COVID-19 or the seasonal flu or a cold, but 99% will recover completely.
No person or country can go into hibernation without consequence. We just need to look to nature, nothing in nature stays the same, it is either growing or decaying, people are the same, either getting healthier or declining, economies are the same, either growing or going backward.
I think any reasonable person who evaluates all the facts will come to the conclusion that, with current policy and restrictions, our economy is collapsing into a recession not seen since the great depression of 1930, and general population wellbeing, particularly pertaining to mental health will leave many scarred for a very long time, with some not recovering at all.
My advice to all is to obey the laws that are in place and do all you can to live a healthy and productive life by following the counsel from Roger and within my post, help who you can, and if you need help ask for it, we are all in this together, and this will pass in time.
“Dr” Mercola is a “internet businessman” who makes $5 million a year selling supplements. Yet you quote him as a CDC and the sole medical expertise. He is widely seen as unreliable. Please another NY hospital dosage source – other than someone who sells it – otherwise all data is suspicious
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.
Awesome! Its genuinely amazing paragraph, I have got much clear idea concerning from this paragraph.