COVID: How to Prevent & Treat Symptoms with Vitamins, Minerals & Herbs

Aala Nutrition
Feb 10, 2024
17 min read

Updated: Feb 16, 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic, on March 11, 2020. After the announcement, the powers at be forced solitude and vaccines to control the worldwide virus but didn't work. Individuals were still getting sick and dying. COVID is not likely to retreat any time soon; therefore, building up the immune system is our best defense. Without a line of defense, the virus will win and push through and cause mild to severe damage and even death. As seen, Western Medicine does not prevent and control COVID; there is a better way. Natural remedies such as vitamins, minerals and herbs will help destroy COVID, without devastating side effects. To make it through the winter battle, do your research and take your health into your own hands.

Worldwide, the cases of the COVID-19 virus are 771,190,439 and 6,961,001 deaths, to date. Just in Canada there are 4,716,205 cases and 53,297 deaths.

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID symptoms are different for each individual. The healthy and the young may get lucky with symptoms of just a cold or flu, for others, it could be fatal. Symptoms of COVID will usually start within five to six days and symptoms lasting anywhere from one to 14 days. On the other hand, long-term symptoms may occur in the elderly and individuals with a compromised immune system, for example, heart, lung, and autoimmune diseases, obesity, and diabetes. People who suffer from long-term covid are usually misunderstood and labeled crazy by the medical field because there is no conclusive test to indicate an illness leaving individual frustrated. For the compromised, they need to think ahead about prevention because it can mean life or death. Lastly, there may be cases where COVID is not visible to the naked eye, which makes it difficult for that person to control who they infect. Experts say, "COVID symptoms, most likely, will stay the same, but the order of symptoms may vary."

The most common symptoms of COVID are:

sore throat
runny nose
sneezing
new or worsening cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
temperature equal to or more than 38°C
feeling feverish
chills
fatigue or weakness
muscle or body aches
loss of smell or taste
headache
abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
feeling very unwell

Long term symptoms of COVID are;

General symptoms (Not a Comprehensive List)

Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)
Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough
Chest pain
Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

Neurological symptoms

Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
Headache
Sleep problems
Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
Pins-and-needles feelings
Change in smell or taste
Depression or anxiety

Digestive symptoms

Diarrhea
Stomach pain

Other symptoms

Joint or muscle pain
Rash
Changes in menstrual cycle

How to Prevent and Treat COVID

Do Your Research

The first line of defense is to do your research. COVID goes down many back avenues, when it comes to truth about the virus. Do not always trust what you read and hear in the paper and news. Go off on your own medical tangent and find out for yourself what is fact or fiction. For example, for a long period, many people believed COVID could be transferred from foreign objects, such as door handles, clothes, and food. Studies have shown, catching COVID from objects like door handles, food, and clothing is very unlikely. According to Emanual Goldman, Professor of Micro Biology, at Rutger's University says, "There is no need to be concerned; no cases confirm COVID can be transmitted by touching a surface." If you are still worried about contracting the virus, on an outing, wash your hands with soapy hot water.

Stay Home

If we are sick, we can get others sick. Stay at home, if you feel like you're coming down with something; don't be that person. Work, schools, and care homes are the top high-risk environments to attract and transmit the COVID virus. "According to WHO, the COVID‐19 virus (SARS‐CoV‐2) is transmitted through large droplets, airborne particles, and surface contact." Therefore, closed off spaces such as work, school, and care homes can lead to outbreaks.

Work Environment: I know times are tough, today. Low wages and high living costs can determine if we go another day with a roof over our head or if we have food on the table. These factors are the number one determinant when it comes to calling in or going to work sick. I know I have gone to work sick numerous times because I needed the money; being sick didn't stop me. Fortunately for Canadians, now, some provinces have allowed time off with pay. "B.C. became the first province in Canada to legislate a level of paid time off for workers, who fall ill. This new workplace protection applies to all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act, including part-time workers." The policy may, also, hold true in other provinces, countries, and states. Do your research to see if your government or work place provides sick leave benefits. We are all in this together.

School Environment: Schools become prevalent because of seclusion and kids just being kids. Children may be more easily to bounce back from COVID compared to adults and seniors, while on the other hand, they are most likely to receive and transmit the virus. According to Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., M.P.H, toddlers and preschoolers can have as many as 12 colds and seven to eight infections a year and still be normal. For example, in most adults, they produce antibodies to the virus at levels which spike for a few weeks then decline. In contrast, infants and young children, in a study, produce protective antibodies at levels that spike and remain high for up to a 300-days. In addition, the blood of adults, with COVID, were shown to have high levels of proteins called inflammatory cytokines. In adults, the cytokines are associated with severe symptoms of COVID and death, but these cytokines do not show in babies or children.

Finally, Florian Wimmers, PhD, a postdoc, in Pulendran’s lab, and his colleagues did a study of COVID-19 in children. In the study, they received nasal and blood samples from 54 infants who became infected with SARS-CoV-2 before the age of 2. Samples were also collected from 27 other children who tested negative, during the observation. The infected children in the study were all mildly symptomatic. In addition, in the four years of study of COVID, the team couldn’t find any samples with kids having severe infections. Therefore, don't worry, kids are resilient and will recover in no time.

Care Home Environment: When it comes to care homes, it is almost imposable to slow down the number of COVID infections being transmitted. A care homes is one big house with hundreds of people living under one roof, with no were else to go. According to Stats Canada 2016, "Of the 500,000 Canadians living in residential care facilities, the vast majority (425,000) live in either nursing homes or retirement homes or assisted living facilities." In these senior homes, they were hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, in Canada. During March 2020 through August 2020, residents of nursing and seniors’ homes reported more than 80% COVID-19 deaths (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2020). With the number of deaths increasing, changes needed to be made. To protect the elderly and the staff, the following were implemented.

Ventilation and/or air purification systems were installed
PPE practices were updated
Started screening residents, visitors and employees
Hand hygiene was vamped
Flow and placement of residents, visitors, and employees were looked at
Reduced the number of person-to-person contact

Why We Need to Take Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs?

There are many ways to prevent and treat COVID without using invasive methods like the vaccine shots. Even if you receive a vaccine shot, there are no guarantees you will not get sick. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs will make a huge difference during the COVID, cold and flu season. You may think you are getting enough vitamins and minerals through a healthy diet such as vegetables and fruit, but you are wrong. Today supplementation is a must because the foods we eat, today, have been stripped of its immune and disease fighting components.

"Biochemical nutritionist Dr. Aileen Burford Mason told Globe and Mail reporter Picard, "When I hear people say, 'you can get all your nutrients form food,' I ask them: where is there a shred of evidence that is true? They are in denial." (Pawlick, 2006).

Fruits and vegetables grown, today, have lost all their vitamins and minerals, due to soil depletion. Intensive agricultural methods strip nutrients from the seeds we sow, for example, by watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. In a Kushi Institute study of nutrient data from 1975 to 1997, it showed calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped 27 percent; iron levels 37 percent; vitamin A levels 21 percent, and vitamin C levels 30 percent. In an additional study, it indicates one person has to consume eight oranges, today, to get the same amount of Vitamin C our relatives received centuries ago. Therefore, supplementing with vitamins, minerals, and herbs is essential to keep our bodies healthy and free from illness.

What Supplements do I Need to Protect Myself From COVID?

Vitamin D

Vitamin D can be very helpful in reducing many symptoms of COVID, and it also can be a preventative. There have been reports of long term COVID being found in individuals with low levels of vitamin D. A study at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele showed COVID-19 survivors reported signs and symptoms of COVID 6 months after being discharge from the hospital which indicates long COVID syndrome. With the long term COVID cases, they had lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels than those without the syndrome. In addition, the lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels showed an independent risk factor for long COVID occurrence.

There are a few ways we can get our vitamin D intake. Firstly, we can strip down and sit in the sun for 30 minutes a day, but for some, this would be difficult. For example, in Canada, they only have 4 months of hot weather where they can sit outside in a bathing suit. On the other hand, during the rest of the year, Canadians are covered up. Secondly, we can get vitamin D from fish, meat, eggs, and dairy, but the meat we buy does not have nearly enough vitamin D. The only meat containing larger amounts of vitamin D is beef kidneys containing 23.3(OH)-D3, where our required amount is 25 (OH)-D3. Other meats such as beef strip loin and chicken have 1.4(OH) and 2.5(OH)-D3, which is not nearly enough. Lastly, we can receive our vitamin D from supplementation. By using supplements, you know exactly how much vitamin D you are getting and absorbing; there is no guessing. Remember, vitamin D is fat soluble; therefore, you need to take it with a fat, or it will not be absorbed.

How Much Vitamin D should I Take?

The require amount of vitamin D levels are different all over the world. The Endocrine Society is 10,000 IU while the Canadian's dietary intake recommends staying below 4000 IU. So, how much is too much? Studies show, when taking 5000 IU, there are no adverse side effects. Furthermore, even amounts of 50,000 IU were considered safe to take once every two weeks, for many years. Finally, studies also state, it is safe to take 10,000 IU for long periods of time without causing side effects. Taking vitamin D should be a daily ritual for most people. If you are not bathing in the sun with your skin exposed, you are low in vitamin D. There are many options out there to choose from, even if you are vegan.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most important water-soluble vitamins for several cellular movement of the innate and adaptive immune system. Several studies show vitamin C is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant, but most importantly, it boosts the immune system. In addition, vitamin C recycles glutathione, which is the key antioxidant produced by the body. Glutathione protects our DNA, RNA, and all of our cells, tissues and body functions.

The water-soluble vitamin was used during the COVID pandemic. There were many studies showing high doses of vitamin C can help with lung issues and inflammation. In a study with 76 patients with COVID, 46 of them were given 6g intervenors of vitamin C and the other 30 none. The results showed, by giving high-dose vitamin C, it reduced serum hs-CRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) levels and PCT (procalcitonin) levels, in patients. CRP and PST are acute-phase inflammatory proteins relating to the body's systematic infection. If the CRP and PST markers are high, organs can fail. There have been reports stating individuals, with COVID, had higher levels of hs-CRP and PCT. Vitamin C can also reduce the production of chemokine which reduces the inflammatory changes of lung injury caused by sepsis. When inflammation was lowered, there were significant reductions in mortality with patients with severe pneumonia.

How Much Vitamin C Should I Take?

The RDA, in Canada, (required daily intake) of vitamin C for 19 years and up is 90 mg a day, for children 9 to 18 years is 65 mg, 4 to 8 years is 25 mg, 1 to 3 years is 15 mg and 0 to 1 year is up to 50 mg. The RDA amounts are nowhere near enough to help and prevent chronic illness and diseases. Research has shown vitamin C, in high doses, is safe when taken orally. The limit when it comes to Vitamin C should be up to bowl tolerance. Bowl tolerance is "the amount of oral vitamin C someone can tolerate depending on the person and their health." Studies indicate, when there is an infection, the body's ability to absorb vitamin C increases because the body uses up a lot more vitamin C under stress. The phenomenon shows how physiology adapts to meet the body’s needs. When someone takes too much vitamin C, diarrhea occurs. When loose stools appear, this means you have exceeded the limit of vitamin C to be absorbed into the small intestine. If the small intestine can no longer absorb vitamin C, you’ve reached bowel tolerance and vitamin C needs to be decreased.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are the essential minerals in our blood, sweat, and urine which helps with nerve impulses, contracting muscles, hydrating, and regulating pH levels. Each electrolyte carries an electric charge. Electrolyte and acid-base imbalance is common in many different diseases. In COVID patients, there can be unpredictable electrolyte and acid base patterns, when there is organ and respiratory failure.

Sodium- When the concentration of sodium is low, in your body, Hyponatremia occurs. Sodium enters the body through food and drink and leaves the body primarily in sweat and urine. Sodium help keep fluids in a normal balance, in the body. In addition, sodium plays a key role in normal nerve and muscle function.

Potassium- Potassium is necessary for the normal functioning of all cells. The mineral regulates the heartbeat, ensures proper function of the muscles and nerves, and is vital for synthesizing protein and metabolizing carbohydrates.

Chloride- Chloride regulates fluid and types of nutrients moving in and out of cells. In addition, chloride provides proper pH levels, stimulates stomach acid and actions of nerve and muscle cells, and it facilitates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide within cells.

Calcium- While most electrolytes carry electric charges, most of the body's calcium is uncharged. Also, 99% of calcium, in our body, is stored in the bones, but it can also be found in cells (particularly muscle cells) and blood. Calcium is essential for:

-Formation of bone and teeth

-Muscle contraction

-Normal functioning of many enzymes

-Blood clotting

-Normal heart rhythm

Magnesium- Magnesium is well known but is considered the forgotten electrolyte. Studies show approximately three-fourths of Americans do not take the recommended dietary allowance of magnesium. Magnesium is required for proper growth and maintenance of bones; furthermore, it is required for proper function of nerves, muscles, and other parts of the body. Finally, magnesium neutralizes stomach acid and moves stool down the intestine.

Phosphate- 85% of the bodies phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth, in the form of hydroxyapatite. Phosphate provides cells with metabolic energy in the form of ATP and nucleotides. Kidneys are found to be the primary avenue of phosphorus excretion.

Bicarbonate- Bicarbonate is a carbon dioxide (CO2), which is gas left in the body when your body burns food for energy. Bicarbonate help keep your body hydrated and make sure your blood has the right amount of acidity. Too much or too little bicarbonate can be a sign of diarrhea, liver failure, kidney disease, and anorexia.

How Much Electrolytes Should I Take?

Electrolytes are found in mineral salts such as Celtic salt and Himalayan salt. Put one eighth of a teaspoon into each large glass of water you drink throughout the day, to stay hydrated. There are also premade electrolytes that are flavoured and can be added to any water or juice, Follow the instructions on the package.

Creatine

Feeling fatigued after or during COVID? Creatine may help with COVID-19 fatigue syndrome. Post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) is a long-term neurological disorder known as chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis. PVFS last for 6 months or more. Many recent studies show high occurrences of PVFS after COVID-19 in up to 45% of COVID-19 survivors. Creatine was used as a therapeutic remedy in post-COVID-19 patients to help with the recovery of various lung conditions. PVFS has been shown to be accompanied by irregular creatine metabolism in individuals recovering from COVID, therefore, supplementing with creatine could be a safe and inexpensive method of nutritional care for post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome.

In a trial with participants ages 18–65 years, who tested positive for COVID, in the last 3 months, were given 4 g of creatine monohydrate, each day. The results showed creatine improved brain and skeletal muscle creatine levels and lowered post COVID fatigue syndrome by 33%, in the right parietal white matter. In addition, creatine can help with lung and body pain. By taking creatine, it also helps with the triphosphate (ATP) recycling which supports energy metabolism in the brain and skeletal muscle.

Ginseng

Thousands of years ago, in China and Korea, ginseng was used as an anti-viral or anti-bacterial agent. The most common ginseng used, out of the 8 to 13 species, is the Panax ginseng. Panax's means "a cure for all diseases." Ginseng is found to have adaptogenic abilities. Adaptogens help with the innate immune system, which is the first line of defense from many infections. In the innate immune system lives the natural killer cells (NK cells). NK cells protect the body from potential threats, like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and cancer cells. NK's primary job is to kill, but they are also great communicators. To communicate, NK cells release cytokines to direct other cells to attack bad cells and pathogens. In studies, Panex ginseng increases the natural killing activity in animal model and enhance NK cells in AIDS patients. In a study by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), it shows ginseng and its active ingredients, ginsenosides and saponins, provide preventive and therapeutic benefits which promotes the host's antiviral immunity in COVID-19 patients.

How Much Ginseng Should I Take?

Panax ginseng has no standard recommended dose. In studies, it is often taken in doses of 200 milligrams (mg) per. On the other hand, other studies recommend 500–2,000 mg per day, if taken from the dry root. Because dosages can vary, make sure to read the product label for instructions on how to take it. Capsules of ginseng are, usually, in dosages of 100-600 milligrams a day. When COVID is evident, go with the higher dose to see fast results. When symptoms fade, lower the dose for maintenace.

Astragalus

Just like ginseng, astragalus is a another potent adaptogen. Adaptogens protect the body from stress and disease to help balance the body. Also, astragalus protect the body from stress and disease When you are dealing with a virus, such as COVID, astragalus helps the body balance out cortisol levels caused from the body being under stress from an illness. When it comes to COVID, Chinese Medicine considers the lungs to be delicate. If the lungs are vulnerable, the virus will go straight to the hot spot and start an attack. Traditional Chinese medicine believes Qi is the basic substance which constitutes the human body and maintains basic functions. There are two parts to Chinese Medicine, they are healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Maintaining the bodies normal activities refers to healthy Qi, whereas the pathogenic Qi refers to substances harming the body. Astragalus has many ways to help the body fight off infections, disease, and viruses, for example, it can;

Improves Lung Qi and Reduces Phlegm- In Chinese Medicine, astragalus is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antitumor activity, but it also has a beneficial effect on respiratory diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Research on living organisms and in a laboratory showed astragalus to prevent and protect the lungs from injury from autophagy-inflammation pathways. When astragalus was administered to rats having alveolar congestion, alveolar wall thickening, and pulmonary interstitial and lymphocyte infiltration, the results showed a reduction in lung tissue damage. In addition, the study indicated the rats who were given astragalus, helped with pulmonary edema.

Strengthen Immune System-The immune system protects the body from bacteria, germs and viruses. Astragalus may increase the white blood cells which are located in the immune system. Astragalus contains beneficial plant compounds that may enhance your immune system. In animal research, astragalus is shown to help kill bacteria and viruses in mice with infections, also, it may help fight viral infections in humans.

Strengthens the Heart- There is data showing myocarditis is associated with COVID-19. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, which causes heart failure and sudden death. COVID-19 was significantly associated with an increased risk for myocarditis, with risk varying by age groups. In a study, astragalus showed it had its own advantages on alleviating cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricle enlargement after myocardial infarction.

The adaptogen also helps promote cardiac metabolism and myocardial cell proliferation, inhibiting fibrosis, the inflammatory response, and oxidative stress.

Boosts Energy and Stamina- COVID has been known to have long term effects on the body such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFS is brought on by precipitating factors like an infection, physical trauma, intoxication (including medication), operation and/or anesthesia, and serious life events. Usually, CFS will start out with flu-like symptoms followed by sever fatigue, but when the flu subsidies, the tiredness stays behind. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disease with no symptomatic treatments; however, astragalus has shown to have anti-fatigue activity. In a study with mice, astragalus regulated gut microbiota and increased short chain fatty acid production and anti-inflammatory bacteria. In addition, astragalus reverses the abnormal expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), NF-κB, and their downstream factors in the brain-gut axis and alleviated reduction in short chain fatty acids in the cecal content caused by CFS.

How Much Astragals Should I Take?

Astragalus is an adaptogen, therefore, it would be best to take it before and during the COVID season. In Canada, the peak months are December and January and then the virus starts to decrease in February. During December and January months, astragalus would be most beneficial for prevention. Prevention is the most reliable way to avoid getting sick. Tinctures, capsule, and teas are best ways to receive the benefits of astragalus. The best form is the form you will be most likely to take on a regular basis.

Tinctures are an easy and fast way to get herbals medicine into the blood stream. Take one full dropper 3 times a day, on an empty stomach. Once you start feeling better, lower dosage to 1 to 2 full droppers full a day for maintenance.

Capsules, on the other hand, could also be easy to take but require water to be on hand. Capsules, on the other hand, need to go through the stomach where they are digested before moving into the blood stream; therefore, it may take a bit longer to take action and will lose some of its potencies'. When taking astragals in capsule form, it should be taken on an empty stomach, so it doesn't have to be digested and get lost in the process.

Finally, teas are great for when you want to relax and take a time out. Teas are great because they can be drunk hot or cold, made ahead of time, and made week or strong for your ailment. For a medicinal effect, drink 3 to 4 cups of tea a day, until symptoms subside. When you feel like, almost, yourself again, lower the intake to 1 to 2 cups for maintenance.

At the end of the day, COVID is just another flu, but if you are someone with an autoimmune disease, heart disease, or any other compromising illness, you need to protect yourself. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs will fill in the gaps food use to provide. More and more people are getting sick because they are not aware of the severity of our food and water issue. Most foods today are processed, filled with toxins and moved across the country, while our waters are being bottles and filtered. When we add toxins to food and remove toxins from water, we have a vicious cycle; therefore, the toxic food we eat has no minerals to remove those toxins. So, please get your vitamins and minerals from supplements and herbs and try eating organic whole foods, to support your immune system; your body, mind and spirit will love you for it!

If you would like to learn more on how to protect your body from illness and diseases follow me on Facebook and Instagram at Aala Nutrition. On the other hand, if you do have an illness or disease and have been suffering for a long time, go to my web site at aalanutrition.ca for a free 30-minute consultation. In the consultation, you decide if I am the right fight for you. Take control of your health before the world does.

Aala Nutrition

Tammy McDougall

Functional Nutritionist

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