I found this article, written in 2013 to be helpful in understanding how the Coronavirus affects the body.  What is a Coronavirus? The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is now called COVID-19. Research evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV( Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ) and the original SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) that caused wide-spread disease across the world belong to the Coronavirus family.  The Coronavirus is identified based on its structure with envelopes with spikes (called peplomers) on its surface much alike a coronal (crown-like appearance). How does it attack and spread?  The virus attacks cells by fusing its outer layer envelope into the host cell and penetrating into the cell. The coronavirus usually infects animals.  In humans, this virus typically causes a mild flu. Researchers believe that

Thymosin alpha-1 (Ta1) is a peptide originally isolated from thymus gland as the compound responsible for restoring immune function. Ta1 helps regulate the immune response. It enhances the Natural Killer (NK) system and stimulates the immune response by stimulating stem cells and augmenting the production of new immune cells. The immune system, now activated, then acts in concert to kill bacterial, fungal, or viral infections and tumor cells. It also improves the response to vaccines by stimulating antibody production. The Natural killer (NK) cell system is your body’s immune system that shows strong function against stressed cells such as tumor cells and virus-infected cells. NK cells are made for killing. They are constantly on patrol, looking for harmful cells that would like to take up

People may respond differently to a viral illness due to the current state of their immune system. They immune system is a complex system. It can be under-activated or over-activated. An overactive immune system can cause continued inflammation in the body and conditions such as auto-immune illnesses. Auto-immune illnesses such as Rheumatoid arthritis and Hasimotos thyroiditis are caused by the immune system being over-activated that it begins to loose sense of the “enemy” and its own tissue, and begins to attack its ownself. Under-activated immune systems are conditions were the immune response is depressed such as in patients with immune systems disorders caused by genetics, old age, or infections. A good example is HIV patients, where the immune cells are attacked by the virus and

IV hydration therapy has become an integral aspect of functional and performance medicine in recent years. Adults of all ages are discovering the better way to supplement what they aren’t getting from their normal dietary habits. Of the various customized IV drips that are made today, the Myers Cocktail is one of the most well-known. What is a Myers Cocktail? The Myers Cocktail is a nutritional formulation that delivers essential substances that are not naturally synthesized in the body. These include: Necessary fluids. A sterile saline solution provides the ideal base for optimal delivery of vital nutrients into the bloodstream. In addition to ushering vitamins and minerals into the blood, IV fluids also provide an intense boost of hydration. Vitamin B12. This essential vitamin supports

The winter season in Scottsdale couldn’t really be described as cold, not compared to Colorado or other mountainous regions. However, there is something about this time of year that brings out our vulnerability to the flu. There are several reasons this may be. According to research, the following factors may influence our chances of coming down with sniffles, congestion, and coughing over the holiday season. These include: It is believed that the influenza virus peaks in the winter months. This is why every pharmacy in town offers fast, convenient flu shots. Indoor heating. When the weather turns colder, we naturally want to warm our houses and offices. The central heating feels cozy, but it also dries out the air. Dry air dries out the nasal

With statistics indicating an extended lifespan for most people in our country, there is a lot of attention directed at how to live well. Healthy eating, quality sleep, exercise, and supplementation are all facets of long-term vitality. The problem with the critical nutrients that we need is that they are somewhat difficult to get. Agricultural changes, GMOs, and climate change are just a few of the factors that have affected the quality of our foods. Due to the degradation of nutritional quality in produce, many people are turning to supplements to bridge the gap. This may only be a start. Multivitamins are commonly taken for convenience and perceived benefits. While this certainly is better than taking no supplements at all, a general multivitamin may not