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Hi All!
Here is the current issue of my weekly “Sunday Share,” a list of what I have been engaging with, excited by or otherwise found intriguing.
For all sorts of unfortunate reasons, it is clear that the US and many other countries have woefully missed the boat when it came to a proactive approach to contain the Coronavirus. Almost all reputable experts are now expecting a dramatic increase in community-based infections – perhaps of historic proportions.
While I’ve seen plenty of good advice about the importance of such strategies as hand-washing and social distancing, I haven’t seen much information devoted to how to rapidly enhance your immune system when faced with an imminent challenge of this nature.
So, my new issue of the Sunday Share is entirely devoted to my own top choices for fortifying the immune system against a potential threat of this magnitude. I have curated my recommendations from previous issues, so consider this a quick cheat-sheet for some powerful remedies that might just save your life or the life of a loved one. And if not save your life, almost certainly enhance it…
At a PCC in Dallas, Texas I met the former US Olympics Team chiropractor and all-around strength athlete Dr. Steven Horwitz. Steven recounted how he had insisted on receiving massive infusions of Vitamin C before and after undergoing a particularly radical surgery. He swore by the healing results. Intrigued, I followed up with local Vitamin C infusions. But they were very pricey indeed.
Then, after reading Dr Levy’s Curing The Incurable, I discovered his recommendation that liposomal Vitamin C, is five to ten times more powerful/absorbable than normal delivery systems and has the same clinical efficacy as the infusions — without the high cost. I have been taking liposomal vitamin C daily ever since and am convinced it has helped me remain relatively robust and illness-free.
If I was only allowed to take one supplement to strengthen and protect my immune system, it would be liposomal vitamin C, no question…
Cryotherapy
After publishing Wim Hof’s The Way of the Iceman—and after a longtime interest in cold shock therapy as a method for strengthening the immune system — I began nitrogen-based cryotherapy. I loved the exhilaration of it and the enhanced recovery. More recently, I discovered a local facility that offered a more powerful full-immersion cryotherapy based on electrically cooled air.
Unlike the nitrogen-based system, the full-immersion version fully stimulates the upper chest and face for an optimal impact on the CNS and the vagus nerve. The resulting reduction of chronic inflammation in the body lowers the body’s battle-burden, freeing up its energy to better fend off pathogenic attacks. Hopefully, you can find a full-immersion cryotherapy facility near you. The one I am using is called US Cryotherapy. Here’s a link to explore further: https://www.uscryotherapy.com
Grassfed Beef Organs, from Ancestral supplements
Recently, the brilliant book Go Wild reminded me of what we are missing out on by not including a variety of organ meats in our diet, so I’ve been helping my health along by at least popping some capsules on a regular basis. Need some convincing? Here’s some info for you to consider from Ancestral’s product page:
- GRASS FED LIVER (600MG) provides nature’s most nutrient dense superfood. Liver is the only meaningful source of natural vitamin A (rich in heme iron and B12). Supports optimal liver health and energy demands.
- GRASS FED HEART (600MG) is the richest source of naturally occurring coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Supports optimal heart health, regulates blood pressure and is a nutritional powerhouse for mitochondria.
- GRASS FED KIDNEY (600MG) is a potent bio-available source of naturally occurring selenium and B12. Supports strong kidney health, aids in detoxification pathways and the antioxidant defense system, bolsters immunity.
- GRASS FED PANCREAS (600MG) provides nature’s all natural source of enzymes. Supports a strong functioning pancreas, supports blood sugar signaling and contributes an abundance of key enzymes for optimal digestion, health and wellness. We are not what we eat… we are what we digest.
- GRASS FED SPLEEN (600MG) is nature’s most concentrated source of heme iron. Supports a strong immune response and aids in the metabolic health of our blood cells… Well known for its ability to build blood.
The more I read or listen to wise health advice, the clearer it becomes that reducing chronic inflammation in the body is a non-negotiable, if you are ever going to be truly vital and as resilient as you can be. These days, there a ton of suggested supplements clamoring for us to join their anti-inflammation bandwagon. What to jump on, who to trust, what to take? The problem is partly that it’s very hard to assess their efficacy — particularly when you’re already downing a handful of other supplements.
For me it comes down at least initially to a combination of intuition and trust. Black Cumin Seed Oil has become a hot new product recently but in this case it has a potent history dating back many centuries. So I am taking this oil in capsules at night and sometimes adding it to my coffee in the morning.
Here is a benefit breakdown from a brand I like:
- POWERFUL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTION: With two potent phytochemical compounds, Nigellone and Thymoquinone, this supplement offers essential anti-inflammatory benefits and can be used to treat various chronic diseases that cause or feed from inflammation in the body.
- FORTIFY YOUR PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH: This black seed oil supplement comes in a 1oz or 4oz glass bottle and just 1-2 teaspoons daily will help you accelerate weight loss, strengthen your hair and will even help you get a goodnight’s sleep on those restless nights. Plus, its cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory and immune system benefits are known even from ancient Arabic cultures.
Since my late twenties I’ve been an avid consumer of ginseng for its adaptogenic and hence immune-enhancing properties. Of all the varieties out there, the one I found myself most returning to was Siberian Ginseng and in particular the one from Health Aid America called Sibergin.
To wet your interest, here’s some information from WebMD on the reputed benefits of Siberian Ginseng:
In addition to being used as an adaptogen, Siberian ginseng is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels such as high and low blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and rheumatic heart disease
It is used for kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, flu, colds, chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis. It is also used for treating the side effects of chemotherapy.
It is also used to boost the immune system and increase appetite.
Stamets 7 Mushroom Mycelium Powder
The immune-enhancing capabilities of certain mushrooms has a long history, particularly with the Chinese. In the last few years it seems that the mushroom-remedy movement has exploded in the US. And I am not about to dispute the evidence. One of the most reputable is the Stamets 7 product which I have been taking for a few months now. It’s a combo of Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, Royal Sun Blazei, Maitake, and Mesima. So far so good — it is feeling like another worthwhile immune protector to keep in my arsenal.
There are a lot of strong reviews on Amazon for the product. Here’s a fairly typical one that caught my eye:
“These were recommended to me by my homeopathic/naturopathic doctor about 90 days ago. I am seeing him due to major stomach issues/GERD/gastroparesis that plagued me for months and years. Since he was able to completely cure me of the aforementioned issues when other “western/regular” style doctors couldn’t even diagnose the problem I thought I would give these a go since I always seem to get sick during cold/flu season due to my job having me traveling a lot. I will say this, not only have I stayed 100% healthy this year (oh, and did I mention I have 2 children under the age of 4 who are sick all the time), but these also help with my energy levels (I don’t get the 2 o’clock crash I used to) and my overall feeling of health. These are an absolute must for anyone wanting to get healthier, but more importantly stay healthy despite being around sick people. Yes, they are a bit pricey ($360/yr), but if I don’t have to pay for my medical co-pays and antibiotics or other meds the trade off is the exact same. Pay now or pay later…up to you!”
As a wave of fresh paranoia about a new “killer” virus sweeps through the internet, I am reminded about an old standby of mine that I have used on and off for around forty years. That would be the ancient Native American remedy, Golden Seal. Originally I would glug it in tincture form and I am sure would overdo it, being the compulsive type I am. In fact, I remember getting fairly high on it in a spacey, yinnified kind of way…
While I am not sure how much Golden Seal would truly help against the coronavirus, I have turned to it frequently if I feel a cold coming on and it helps reduce symptoms very quickly.
Here’s a couple of customer reviews from Amazon that I would agree with, based on my overall experience with it over the years:
“I take it 5 days a week and 2 days off. Goldenseal should not be taken every day for very long. It’s a great antibiotic type herb. I take it for inflammation and respiratory, but it’s been helpful for many health issues: Goldenseal is also used for the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stuffy nose and hay fever. Some people use goldenseal for digestive disorders including stomach pain and swelling (gastritis), peptic ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, and intestinal gas.”
“This actually does clear up mild infections for me, such as UTI or an ear infection. Pretty amazing what our forebears knew.”
So, if it looks like the coronavirus is going to go nuclear on us, perhaps a bottle or two of Gold Seal may help stack the immune deck in your favor…
Thoughts, comments, wishes, suggestions? Hit me up by email at johnrducane@gmail.com