MAILBAG: Protect Yourself Against New COVID Variants
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 29, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“Most of my family has been hit with COVID. We’re thinking it’s the latest variant. Are there any extra, new recommendations for protecting yourself against the variant? (Aside from washing your hands?) My husband and I have tested negative so far, but we want to be careful.”
–Tammy from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Hi Tammy,
I wish I had some fantastic breakthroughs to share with you about how to avoid a COVID infection. But for now, the recommendations remain the same regardless of the variant that’s circulating.
The silver lining is that we already KNOW how to reduce our risk of getting sick.
As we head into the fall and winter months, we’ll spend much more time indoors. That means we must protect ourselves and others from getting sick again. After all, there’s plenty of evidence now that repeat COVID-19 infections raise your risk for complications.
So, let’s do a quick refresher. And then stick around after because I DO have one more trick you can add to your bag of “anti-COVID” tricks that you likely have not heard of before.
You can reduce your risk of becoming infected with all of the COVID variants (or ANY virus) by taking a few simple steps:
- Wash your hands often. It may sound obvious, but it’s so critical to stopping the spread of infections that it bears repeating. Most people have no idea how often they touch their faces. (Spoiler alert… it’s a LOT!) But each time you do, you transfer whatever’s on your hands to the places closest to your mouth and nose. And, of course, that’s the route infections take to get into your body.
- Avoid crowds when possible. The more people you’re around, the more potential exposures to the virus you have. Stick to smaller gatherings whenever you can.
- Wear a mask. The subject has been contentious. But the bottom line is – masks work. There’s a reason doctors like me wore them long before the pandemic began. Studies show masks ARE effective at reducing the spread of viruses. Plus, they may help reduce the amount of the virus you’re exposed to, potentially reducing the severity of an infection if you do get sick.
- Stay healthy. Giving your body what it needs to function at the top of its game can help you dodge infections of all sorts. Fuel up with healthy foods, including lots of fresh veggies, good fats, and proteins. And avoid inflammatory sugars, vegetable oils, and processed foods. Get plenty of good quality sleep. And exercise regularly.
And now for that new bit of advice.
Recent research revealed nasal irrigation can significantly reduce the severity of viral infections sending your risk of being hospitalized plummeting.
Nasal irrigation is rinsing out your nose with a salt solution. I like to dissolve ¼ teaspoon salt in a cup of lukewarm distilled water.
Then, using a neti pot or bottle (available online at Amazon or Walmart), I direct the salt-water solution up one nostril, allowing it to exit through the other. If you need help visualizing it check YouTube for some demonstration videos.
I suggest trying nasal irrigation in the shower. It can feel a bit strange or uncomfortable your first time. But I promise it doesn’t hurt.
P.S. Cold, flu, and COVID symptoms overlap, making it difficult to tell them apart (even for experts). But some tell-tale signs are more common in each type of infection. You just need to know what to look for.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
EAR Test Protects Your BRAIN?
Hearing loss has a habit of sneaking up on folks. Typically, it happens so slowly that you don’t notice it until you’ve lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of hearing. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 8 percent of adults 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. That number jumps to 25 percent for people...
Missing "Lucky Penny" Mineral Harms Your Heart
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Some nutrients get all the glory. There are the vitamin A-Listers like C, D, and E. And although minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium might be considered B-List stars, they ALSO get their fair share of attention. But one vital nutrient never gets to walk the red carpet. And that...
Risk of Stroke SURGES 50% Worldwide?!
It’s NOT good news. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that the chance of having a stroke has skyrocketed by a whopping 50 percent in the last twenty years. According to the WHO, that means your stroke risk is now about one in four. Next time you’re in a crowd, look...
Is Tofu GOOD for You? (The Truth REVEALED)
I often wonder why so many people are passionate about tofu. There’s something about it that triggers strong emotions. Some folks HATE it, while others LOVE it. But is it good for you? Well, it’s complicated. Tofu is a fermented soy product. It tastes bland alone. But it takes on the taste of whatever you...
Bizarre New Cell Phone Risk (Beware)
I sometimes joke with my (adult) kids. “Do you know,” I ask, “that the PHONE you carry around with you all the time can make phone calls?” They laugh and mumble, “Old,” under their breath. I swear the generations who grew up with a cell phone attached to their palm will do almost anything to...
MAILBAG: Crush COPD Symptoms NATURALLY
“Got any natural treatments for COPD?” – Mike, Ann Arbor, MI Dear Mike, Unfortunately, COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, is a common condition. In fact, it’s now the third leading cause of death in the United States. COPD causes the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult or uncomfortable. Persistent coughing, excess mucus production, wheezing,...
The COVID-Triggered Habit Harming Your Health
Boy, a LOT has changed in the last few years. COVID altered our lives in so many ways. I used to largely ignore hearing a cough or sneeze in public. But now they get my attention EVERY time. In fact, protecting myself from them has a side benefit. I’ve dodged many of the other sniffle-and-...
Fruit-Aisle Secret to Better Heart and Brain Health
Aging often gets a bad rap. But there are a bunch of advantages to getting older (and wiser). And honestly, it sure beats the heck out of the alternative. But we can all agree that getting older has one BIG drawback… Over the years, you start to collect illnesses. First, it could be your blood...
Knock Out Severe Knee Pain NATURALLY
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, You might know the old saying, “Walk a mile in his shoes.” Well, it’s a perfect fit when talking about knee pain. Except it might be more accurate to say, “Limp a mile.” Because all too often, when you tell someone you suffer from chronic knee pain, they blow you...
"Bright Idea" Battles Dementia WITHOUT Drugs
Mainstream medicine giving the thumbs up to a drug-free, non-invasive treatment for ANYTHING is like spotting a unicorn. But that’s precisely what’s happened with dementia. You probably already know how poor the options are for treating this disease. Heck, even the MOST enthusiastic supporter of drug therapies will admit the existing Alzheimer’s meds are a...