Covid variants –  Building Our Proactive Health Plans

Covid variants are perhaps the best example of evolution in action, right in front of us. We

normally think of evolution happening over vast time spans. These covid variants must be very fit,  truly exemplifying survival of the fittest. We must continue to be vigilant to stop the spread, the vaccine is NOT a “Get out of jail for free card!”

Viruses are not static – they morph and evolve, providing a constant flow of challenges to the scientific community. Let’s do our own forensics – and see what we can do to protect ourselves against these coronavirus variants – and hopefully other looming pandemics. 

How do these covid variants happen?

Let’s first have a crash course on virology. Viruses are probably the best example of our concept of “ to infinity and beyond”. They are the most abundant form of “life” on earth, and probably elsewhere! Exponential growth is an understatement. Literally, trillions to the power of another few trillion.

A virus has a shell, capsid, which protects its viral material, or genome, safe. Some particularly resilient viruses such as Hep C, coronavirus, herpes, HIV have an extra protective coating referred to as envelopes. 

Viral envelopes hate soap, soap is their kryptonite, which is why washing with soap is paramount to destroy the virus.

Every time the coronavirus transmits  between people,  it picks up microscopic changes to its genetic code.  The result is coronavirus variants.  Researchers are observing  patterns as to how the virus is mutating. Covid-19 seems to be the lead track star of viruses – redefining how fast a virus can mutate. The bottom line is, we do not know how many variants exist now, or, potentially how many there could be in the future. 

Remaining vigilant about preventing transmission is no less vital now – it is even more important now to help halt the potential for mutations. 

Hand washing with soap, masks, distancing, covid-19 testing, abiding by lockdowns…..are all vital to harnessing this virus from further mutations. The vaccine is NOT a get out of jail for free card!!!

Hopefully, our vaccines will be able to keep up with these mutations. We know that every year (less actually) our flu vaccines need to be updated. The coronavirus vaccines will demand constant updates – more than any software we have ever complained about updating!

Evolution in action…survival of the fittest: In most viruses and disease-causing bacteria, the use of treatments and vaccines challenges them to evolve ways of escaping them so they can continue to thrive…..These viruses certainly appear to have an evolutionary advantage. 

Covid Variants and Beyond…Minimizing our Susceptibility to Future Attacks

What can we do to proactively strengthen us against these multiple coronaviruses?

Yes, we ALL must abide by the rules to prevent transmission. But how can we strengthen ourselves, that if we come into contact with these viruses, we minimize our risk of a deadly reaction? 

I have many articles on here about the role of chronic inflammation in every one of our chronic illnesses from heart disease, diabetes, vascular disease, arthritis, depression, cancers… ……..Chronic inflammation is the ultimate underlying cause of a compromised ability for our body to shake off  any nasties that hit us. AKA – defences are down. 

In patients with a severe reaction to the virus, the lungs are damaged, and patients need supplemental oxygen. The risk of mortality these cases  is over 40%. 

March 2021 Journal of Immunity: Donna Farber, PhD, professor of microbiology & immunology, Chief of Surgical Sciences Columbia University:  “Even though individuals are getting vaccinated, severe COVID-19 remains a significant risk for certain individuals and we need to find ways to treat people who develop severe disease.”

“People refer to patients experiencing a cytokine storm in the blood, but what we’re seeing in the lungs is on another level. The immune cells in the lung went into overdrive releasing these cytokines.”

Very complicated science. Bottom line is – lowering our levels of chronic inflammation, is probably our best defense against a drastic reaction to the virus. This explains why, people who already have underlying chronic conditions are more vulnerable to covid 19 and covid variants.

Please read the many articles I have here on chronic inflammation, and how we can reduce our risk, to not just covid, but all of our chronic diseases. The research continues to support this necessity. My goal in chronic care management, is to bring reducing chronic inflammation, to the very top of our health “to-do” list. All of our other “healthy lifestyle” habits, fall under the umbrella of reducing inflammation. However, please be careful you are not “paving the road to hell with good intentions”. In other words, get the true science on lowering inflammation, and not the pop science. 

In Health,

Shira

Contributing Author “The Successful Body” 2021

 

 

Proactively lower your levels of chronic inflammation, as recommended by the American Heart Association and hundreds of studies and peer reviewed science.

Inflammation and ROS (Reactive Oxygen species) oxidative stress, break down the proper functioning of the cell, and we age. If we lower our levels of chronic inflammation…….think we can live a better, healthier life….and a much more comfortable one!

We will lower your oxidative stress by 40% in the first month. We have hundreds of studies confirming this, accolades from major medical institutions as the greatest therapeutic medical discovery. Oxidative stress causes chronic inflammation – let’s give your cells the loving they need, calm the flames of inflammation.

Is your health worth $40/month?

Happily explain.

In Health,

Shira Litwack

Shira has been in chronic care management and prevention for 30 years, researcher,  specializing in lifestyle habits including holistic nutrition, medical fitness and oxidative stress reduction. She has created and provided oxidative stress assessments, to help clients identify potential health risks. Lowering chronic inflammation for disease prevention and management is the focal point of BICH.

She partners with companies that  provide immediate, affordable, accessible, reliable solutions for populations: Affordable, accessible healthcare, chronic care management, home testing…..Remote Patient Monitoring, Virtual Health, EMR

She is frequently called upon by the media, has her own podcast bringing current research to the public.

 

Articles featured in:  Corporate Wellness Association, European Registry of Exercise Professionals, The National Post, Investment Executive Magazine, Directory of Greater Toronto, Canadian Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Anytime Fitness, Today’s Black Woman, Today’s Seniors, Medical Fitness Network, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Willow (Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support),Myeloma Canada, Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Urban Poling for Breast Cancer, ROW – Recovery on Water for Breast Cancer, Sirius XM Doctor Radio, Medical Fitness Network