CADZinc
CADZinc, My acronym for Anti-Covid Health. We all know the havoc that Covid is playing on our World. We know that it has also seriously affected the Athletic world, and Wrestling. It is great that there is finally a vaccine, and hopefully it proves to be the remedy that we need in order to get our lives back to normal, but with that being said, we also have a built-in disease fighter in our bodies known as our immune system. Between the two of these, or if you, cannot or choose not to get the vaccine, you should keep your immune system as strong as possible.
I talked in the other articles about macro-nutrients–the large substances your cells need for growth and maintenance of body functions. Vitamins and Minerals are small substances known as micronutrients that your body also needs to help you maintain health and well-being. They are essential. Most of them work in conjunction with others in order to properly do their job for your body, and most have a maximum and minimum, or normal amount, that your body needs for optimal health. Not maintaining the proper amounts, by either not in-taking them in your food, or because you are allergic or sensitive to them in one way or another, will cause health issues and disease. The only real time you need to take the synthetic, or man-made supplements of these nutrients are when you can’t get them from food.
I am going to start with Vitamin C. It is one of the most important vitamins for immune health, and I believe to help prevent, and even cure cancer. There is good research on these topics if you choose to delve deeper. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, garlic, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and dark green vegetables, to name a few.
I personally have been doing a little study on Vitamin C by drinking a little shot of orange juice daily, for about four years, and have found that I haven’t had near the upper respiratory infections such as the common cold, bronchitis, strep, etc. as I had before I started the Vitamin C regiment. Some people worry that Orange juice has too much sugar, but you don’t need that much daily–as I mentioned a shot (an ounce or two) is sufficient, and you can also dilute it with water, or eat the orange which will disperse the sugar slower into the bloodstream. Vitamin C has been shown in some research to not have a harmful maximum, or it has one that is very hard to reach, so try to get more by eating other foods that contain it, along with drinking the OJ.
Vitamin A is the next vitamin for Covid health as it is not only great for your immune system, but it aids in the growth and repair of epithelial cells which are one of the main cells in your lungs. Vitamin A helps with the growth and maintenance of these cells throughout your body, and especially helps in the airflow cells of your respiratory system. Foods like Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini, Green Leafy Vegetables, Fish–such as Salmon, Mackerel and Trout, are all great sources of Vitamin A. Unlike Vitamin C, Vitamin A does have a maximum allowance, and having too much or too little can cause other health issues, so better to just make sure you are eating healthy Vitamin A foods, and not taking supplements unless prescribed by your doctor. Vitamin A is also great for healthy skin, and all wrestlers know that skin infections are prominent in the sport.
Vitamin D is also a tremendous Vitamin and necessary for immune health. Being deficient in Vitamin D has actually proved to make matters much worse for those suffering with Covid. Like Vitamin A, Vitamin D helps with the growth and maintenance of the Epithelial cells in the lungs and the rest of your body. It promotes strong bones and helps with inflammation. It has been shown to benefit those with cancer. One of the best ways to increase Vitamin D is to go outside and get some sunshine. It will not only help your immune system, but it will give you positive energy and increase physical health and motivation. We mostly get Vitamin D through the sun, or by foods that have added Vitamin D like milk, although there are good food sources for Vitamin D such as salmon and mackerel. So actually, eating either of these fish can give you Vitamins A and D!
Zinc is the last but not least micronutrient necessary to assist the health of the immune system, and helping it battle Covid. Low zinc has been shown to be a culprit in increasing risk of getting Covid and suffering more. I recently read that a couple of symptoms of low zinc are lack of taste and smell. “Zinc, a nutrient found throughout your body, helps your immune system and metabolism function. Zinc is also important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell” (mayoclinic). Ironically, or maybe not, these are also main symptoms of those suffering from Covid! Some researchers in Spain have actually also done a study on this exact thing and have determined that these go hand in hand. According to news-medical.net, “Zinc levels affect both innate and adaptive immunity. Zinc balances our immune responses and drives a direct antiviral action against some viruses” .
Zinc is also good for the skin, and is in many skin products. If you are near my age, you remember the lifeguards with zinc on their noses. You can get zinc by eating meat and shellfish, also garlic has been shown to help with the absorption of zinc in the body.
So, remember CADZinc and boost your immune system for a healthier body, and hopefully NO Covid!
Here are a couple more links if you would like to read more on the subject: News-Medical Net Mayo Clinic Zinc