Make Covid Your Bitch in 2022

Do you wake up every morning questioning whether your scratchy throat is due to a cold, covid, or cancer or are you mentally stable?

How are we almost two years into the pandemic and Covid numbers are at a record high?  Unfortunately, with the holidays behind us, these numbers are expected to surge even more, with experts anticipating a “blizzard” of increased cases in the upcoming days. 

As of last week, John Hopkins reported approximately 355,990 new Covid cases every DAY.  With numbers like these, it’s hard to imagine our lives ever returning back to normal.  As much as I have loved my alone time, I am also a few months away from adopting all the cats at the local animal shelter and calling it a year.

While reports show this new variant is not killing as many people as previous strains, especially if you are vaccinated, it appears to be much more contagious.  In all honesty, it’s hard to believe these never-ending reports as the end-all truth since there seems to be new information every fucking day.  However, one thing I do believe, based on the SCIENCE from actual SCIENTISTS and not from reddit users living in their mom’s basements, is that the vaccine is effective and everyone should get it if it’s available to you.  For me, there’s not much room for disagreement on this.  

Since I am vaccinated AND boosted, I am honestly not too worried about catching Omicron since studies have shown that those who have received all three doses have “a significant increase in protection”.  However, I absolutely pale at the slight sign of discomfort and a sore throat is no exception. 

Also, I do not want to be a total asshole and infect the immunocompromised or kids who don’t have the option of getting vaccinated.  Long story short, I don’t want this bitch by ANY MEANS.  In the beginning of the epidemic, every slight sign of a sore throat or a twinge of a headache would have me fearing the worst- inevitable pain and death. 

While my overall hypochondria has SIGNIFICANTLY decreased due to the sad truth that is perspective, I’m still on pretty high alert.  Not only is Covid going around like chlamydia on spring break, but there are other viruses that are looking to attack your immune system as well.  Whether you are a conspirator who doesn’t believe in Covid (if so, are you okay?) or still wear a hazmat suit to the grocery store, you most likely don’t want to get sick.  Unless, you’re a masochist but that’s an entirely different rabbit hole we don’t have time to go down.  

I am about to blow your mind with some tools to help keep yourself healthy and break out of your hermit shell.

It All Starts In The Gut

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000 times. Horse meet flogger.  Your immunity is centered in the gut, 70% of it to be exact.  As rudimentary as it sounds, your diet has a huge impact on your immune health.  Don’t believe me?  A study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association reported that 63% of hospitalizations from Covid were linked to bad diet.  The four conditions that are connected to ⅔ of COVID hospitalizations are obesity, diabetes, heart failure and hypertension (or cardiometabolic risk factors.)   I have already discussed the importance of a whole foods diet, how sugar is the devil, how a (healthy) high-fat diet reduces inflammation and the importance of exercise for your overall health.  But since one of my toxic traits is my overall lack of satisfaction, I am always looking for ways to improve my health even more. The following are some easy (and CHEAP) foods you can add to your diet to increase your immunity.   

• CITRUS- While lemons, grapefruits and limes are very high in vitamin C (which helps to boost immunity), they are also highly alkalizing to your body. 

  This might seem counterintuitive (it did to me) since citrus fruits are highly acidic before digested in the body.  However, research has proven that the pH level of a food doesn’t determine its acidity; it’s the effect it has on the kidneys.  Since citrus fruits have a low renal acid load, they’re considered alkaline.  Unfortunately, there is not much research on whether or not an alkaline diet is beneficial to long-term health.  However, this human guinea pig tried the fad over the summer and still incorporates some of the techniques today. I noticed a drastic change to my energy level and my digestion (mainly my acid reflux) greatly improved.

  Not only will warm lemon water boost your immunity, it will also make you feel and look like the epitome of wellness.

• SARDINES- I used to be absolutely repulsed by sardines without ever having tasted them.  Just the sight of those tiny, canned fishies would make me dry heave in the corner of the room. 

However, sardines are one of the HEALTHIEST foods you can eat.  Not only do they have the lowest levels of mercury of any fish, but they also have one of the highest levels of omega-3s which, in turn, reduces inflammation and supports your immune system in a MASSIVE way.

HELPFUL TIP (from my dad): Cut the sardines with pepper (jalapeño and bell are my favorite) to reduce the overwhelming fishy taste they produce.  Sardines desperately need a new PR team (I’m available!) since their health benefits are out of this world.   

Give me the D, Vitamin D that is

I will get more into the LIFE-SAVING aspect of vitamin D at a later date, but it would be irresponsible not to mention it while discussing immune health.  While spending 15 minutes in the sun can give SOME people an adequate amount of vitamin D for the day, many people are deficient, especially in the winter, while we hibernate to avoid the cold.  One report states that if your vitamin D level is at least 50 ng/ml, you will not die from Covid. 

Personally, I think that’s a pretty tough statement to COMPLETELY ensure.  However, there is scientific proof that vitamin D boosts your immunity tenfold and is so easy to implement into your daily routine.  HOWEVER, make sure you get the supplements that dissolve under your tongue.  Vitamin D supplements are typically null and void if you swallow them since they won't survive the gastro-tract.  If you take it sublingually, or under the tongue, it goes directly to the bloodstream. 

The Bee’s Knees

Let’s end this week on a sweet note.  I was recently listening to a podcast where I was introduced to Beekeeper’s Natural, a company that sells honey products.   Now before all the “enlightened” realists exit out of this post, these products are the real fucking deal.  The founder, Carly Stein, explained how an ingredient found in honey, propolis, has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties (to name a few) that have been SCIENTIFICALLY proven to protect your immunity and drastically improve your overall health.  Ever the curious skeptic, I had to try this product myself and immediately became obsessed.   Not only have I not gotten sick since taking it (knock on wood), but I also have more energy- thanks to the royal jelly.  This is not sponsored in any way but I felt it was too selfish to keep it to myself.    

Unfortunately, none of us will ever be fully immune to Covid.  Thankfully, with the vaccine and ensuring your immunity is in tip-top shape, you will be much more prepared and comfortable to get back into the world and live life again.  I’m calling it now- hot girl summer 2022 is officially on.