Dear Patients:
In addition to social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, and wearing masks, another way to stay safe and add to your armor is with these 4 supplements. The supplements seem to boost the immune system and create an inhospitable environment for bacteria and viruses. My medical philosophy is to be proactive and prevent illness instead of waiting for someone to become ill before stepping in and prescribing antibiotics to them. In other words, I practice “proactive” medicine instead of conventional “reactive medicine.” The main supplements I recommend for proactive immune health are:
- Xlear Nasal Spray: This all-natural spray is made from a type of sugar called Xylitol. Think of it as both a lubricant to prevent the dry nose so common in winter and a barrier to bacteria and respiratory viruses such as colds, flu, and likely COVID (as it is a respiratory virus that starts in the nose). Xlear forms both a physical barrier and prevents respiratory viruses from adhering to the mucosa and taking root in the nostrils where it replicates and spreads. You can use it several times throughout the day. I would take 1 spray in each nostril twice daily when not ill, 2 prays twice daily when exposed to other people who are ill, and 3-4 times daily when acutely ill.
- NOW brand Zinc Picolinate 50 mg. There are several forms of zinc but the picolinate gets absorbed well and zinc prevents viral replication. Take it with food. I usually say to take this every day as soon as you feel like you are coming down with something and once the infection clears you can cut it down to three times per week.
- NOW brand Vitamin D 5,000 IU daily. Take it with food. Take this daily as now that we avoid the sun, most of us are deficient as vitamin D is made in the skin. I always recommend having your doctor measure your level before you start as well as regularly every few months to make sure you are at the right level.
- NOW brand Selenium 200 mcg daily with food. This is effective in supporting a strong immune system against bacteria and viruses but seems also effective in preventing cancers so daily use all year round is acceptable.
So, these four can be taken to protect as well as treat. The only thing I would change is to increase the selenium to 400 mcg (2 pills) if symptoms appear. I would also take double the Vitamin D to 10,000 IU of vitamin D when coming down with something and take that dose until you have recovered. Then use 5,000 IU once daily thereafter.
I have partnered with a company called Doctor’s Supplement Store so my patients can order their supplements from a reputable source that has an independent third party verifying purity and potency to avoid counterfeiting and contamination. Please go to www.dssorders.com/DrMessenger and create an account using the registration code AM366 when prompted. Once you log in to DSS, I have listed instructions to guide you when ordering.
I hope that helps and I wish you and your families a happy and healthy year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Messenger
