How can we defend ourselves against viruses? This is a highly important and unfortunately timely topic. Why unfortunately? Because we are dealing with a situation for which none of us was prepared in advance. Everyone's attention is focused on the still spreading - to a greater or lesser extent - SARS-CoV-2 virus infection causing COVID-19.
It attacks our respiratory tract, leads to failure, and above all is fatal. At present, no drug / vaccine has been found, and infected people require hospital care and health monitoring. The problem is real, but it should be remembered that in these circumstances panic is equally dangerous, followed by ignorance and a lack of appropriate action.
In my view, we stopped caring for immunity in the proper way a long time ago - especially antiviral immunity. Let's take a closer look at the topic of infections and the elements of the immune system that deserve special attention in order to increase the level of protection against viruses.
How to fight viruses? The immune system.
Let's start by noting that building
immunity is a long-term process – you could say that we build it consistently every day. This does not change the fact, however, that it is better to take the right steps late than never. A perfect example is the current situation in the world, which shows how important lifestyle / life hygiene is, as it affects the condition of the body. This in turn makes it possible to alleviate symptoms and, to put it bluntly, improves our situation.
You do not take care of yourself every day, and your immune system is falling into ruin? You have less chance of any viral infection passing you by - similarly when it comes to the severity of the symptoms themselves. Defence against viruses is severely limited.
The task of the immune system is to protect the body against pathogens (including viruses), and our role is to create the right conditions for this. Unfortunately, more and more people complain of weakened immunity, and thus problems with recurring infections. If we do not strengthen the system, its response is not sufficient in relation to a viral infection.
Which elements of the immune system will be particularly important in the context of protection against viruses? In this case, our mucous membranes serve as pillars and basic defence systems. They are the barrier that a pathogen must overcome, initiating infection, in order to reach the cells and enter the replication phase.
Mucous membranes, which are in almost constant contact with the external environment, have weapons to fight viruses. This refers to the so-called MALT system, i.e. Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue – in essence, this is mucosal immunity, characteristic of specific sites. For example, this includes, among others, GALT (including also BALT of the respiratory system), i.e. the system associated with the digestive tract, which plays a leading role in the topic of the intestines, and thus immunity.
Why are they so important and how does GALT actually work? Intestinal lymphoid tissue accounts for most of our immunity, and a large part of the cells located there are responsible for producing immunoglobulins. Care for the activity of GALT and its proper contact with
bacterial flora of the intestines determines the functioning of the remaining mucosal systems, and thus the body's entire immunity.
If you do not take care of your intestines and other aspects of lifestyle hygiene, a viral infection spreads rapidly, and the defence system against viruses is severely impaired. Then you significantly shorten the time from the pathogen entering the body, through its entry into the blood and transport through the bloodstream to the organs and infection of the cells there, to replication and further spread of the infection. In short: devastation guaranteed.
The risk is significantly reduced when we stimulate the elements that make up innate and specific immunity, which we count as part of GALT. At this point, strengthening supplements may help, which will beneficially increase the level of antiviral protection.
What will help in the fight against viruses?
Many people underestimate the issue of the intestines or simply do not have the knowledge that would determine their usefulness. Public awareness is unfortunately extremely low in this respect and may cost health and, in extreme cases, even life. I mentioned that proper communication between the GALT system and the microbiota determines the efficient functioning of the immune system.
Of course, proper intestinal microflora is also essential for the development of GALT itself. It is the bacteria living in the intestines that tell the body which factors are pathogenic and which are not. They ensure optimally high immune activity so that it can efficiently get rid of disease-causing microorganisms. An abnormal, weakened microflora increases the risk of viral infections (this also applies to problems with recurrent infections).
Rebuilding and maintaining the intestinal ecosystem in an optimal state is the basis. Scientists confirm that the use of appropriate
probiotics reduces susceptibility to infections of the digestive system, as well as the upper and lower respiratory tract.
The level of protection against viruses increases, and any existing symptoms may be alleviated. In addition, they support the rebuilding of a leaky intestinal barrier, which in such a state constitutes an open path to inflammation, and therefore to disease-causing factors.
In short: If you want to increase immunity and thus reduce the risk of illness, take care of the condition of your intestines. An effective and safe option will be to choose a high content of strains with proven, documented action, i.e. Bifidobacterium.
It is worth noting that in some people with COVID-19, symptoms from the digestive system are observed, which may have been caused by viral infection of the intestinal mucosa or antiviral agents. Sources also indicate that a disturbance of the microflora was observed in patients, including a significant reduction in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
An excellent idea would be to introduce
lactoferrin or Colostrum, if only because of lysozyme and the beneficial bifidogenic effect. They regulate the GALT system, ensure the continuity of the intestinal barrier and support the elimination of pro-inflammatory cytokines. According to studies, lactoferrin found in colostrum blocks some viruses' access to the receptors they need, and also limits the replication of some viruses causing flu-like symptoms.
Moreover, according to scientists, the use of certain doses of lactoferrin in prevention and in the fight against COVID-19 may prove very helpful. Of course, more research is needed showing the effect of Lf against the virus, but strengthening the body's immune functions significantly increases the chances of fighting infections.
In light of current events, the role of vitamin D3 and its impact on immunity are often mentioned. Statistically, a significant percentage of the population shows deficiencies of this vitamin, which is partly due to the region where they live, but... let's not blame everything on geographical location. We simply do not take care to take larger amounts of it. This is one of the cardinal mistakes we can make.
Studies confirm that vitamin D3 has an immunostimulating effect, and it is also able to increase the number of T lymphocytes, whose role includes the elimination of infected cells. Regular supplementation (for the body it is much better to take it with vitamin K2) increases protection against viruses. What is more, it is an activator of the antiviral action of cathelicidin.
Macrophages and so-called dendritic cells are associated with vitamin D and a peptide produced by epithelial cells of the gallbladder. The former have the ability of phagocytosis, remove harmful metabolic products, dead, non-functional cells and pathogenic microorganisms.
The vitamin activates the differentiation of dendritic cells, i.e. specialized antigen-presenting cells, which of course do not perform only one function - they also work well in the fight against viruses.
These cells are also linked to interferon, which is part of innate immunity and promotes the activation of macrophages and NK cells. The latter detect and at the same time get rid of cells infected by the virus.
Scientists confirm that a correlation between the level of vitamin D3 and COVID-19 may exist. A large percentage of people infected with the virus had vitamin deficiencies, while hospitalized people with extremely low levels showed a significantly elevated level of inflammatory factors characteristic of the infection.
A very good option will be to include zinc in your daily supplementation, because it participates in the production of immune cells and antibodies. Zinc administration affects the immune response, may shorten the duration of illness and alleviate cold symptoms. In people supplementing zinc, a lower level of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also observed. In addition, zinc supports the maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal barrier, as well as the activity of lymphocytes and the previously mentioned NK cells.
NK cells and lymphocytes are also activated by vitamin C, the appropriately high level of which is worth maintaining in order to preserve the integrity of the vascular endothelium.
It is worth mentioning that the basic source of energy for cells of the immune system, including NK cells, is glucose, and they are linked to insulin receptors. It can therefore be concluded that disturbances in glucose and insulin metabolism weaken the functioning of immune cells, and thus the system. Therefore
insulin resistance may lower immunity and affect the ability to defend against viruses.
How to fight viruses? Summary.
There may still be no drug or vaccine for the devastating coronavirus, but a properly functioning immune system increases the chances and reduces the risk. It should be remembered that immunity must be cared for comprehensively, just like the condition of the whole body, of which the influence of disturbances in glucose-insulin metabolism on immunology is an ideal example. In addition to following the tips mentioned earlier and introducing strengthening supplements, it is worth considering reducing exposure to stress, a healthy diet, anti-inflammatory measures, antioxidants, and proper hydration. Hygiene in everyday life is essential!
