Endometriosis and Coronavirus
(Covid-19)


I am not a doctor and it is not my place to give medical advice, but I have been doing my homework about the coronavirus and what you can do help protect yourself.


Some people have been in touch and asked how they can support their system with supplements especially as they feel that their immune system is compromised by having endometriosis.

So I thought it may be helpful to share the research I have been gathering...

 

First of all, the most effective strategies to protect yourself are:

  • Washing your hands regularly throughout the day;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
  • Call your healthcare professional if you think you may be infected.
  • It's important to keep in mind that you need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to remove infection-causing germs.

Beyond that, there are a number of other measures you can take...

Ideally you should get enough sleep and eat a nutrient-dense diet to support your immune system.  If you are having sleep issues, which is common with endometriosis, there is advice about remedies and supplements you can try here


Not sleeping enough and eating processed foods is known to impair the immune system, so ensure you eat a clean, nutritious anti-inflammatory diet, which will also help with endometriosis as well as support your immune system.


There are also specific nutrients and supplements that have been shown to be effective against various cold viruses and the flu.  Interestingly, some of these supplements are also supportive and helpful for endometriosis.


Supplements that can support your fight against viruses

Vitamin C - reduces the duration of cold symptoms if you start taking it before getting sick.

Doctors in China are using intravenous vitamin C to fight COVID-19, and the Shanghai Medical Association endorses it .

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) - is a potent antioxidant. It increases levels of glutathione, which can block the replication of some viruses  (NAC is also a very helpful supplement for endometriosis.) It's already being used in some Chinese hospitals to help patients struggling with COVID-19.

Selenium - is another helpful supplement. It is an important mineral that has antioxidant and antiviral effects. A deficiency is associated with an increased risk of viral infection.

Green tea - Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol found in green tea. It has broad antiviral effects.  I have already covered the benefits of green tea to help endometriosis because of its many health benefits which you can read about here

Probiotic supplements – always a good idea to supplement with probiotics, particularly ones with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, as they enhance antiviral immune activity. They also reduce the occurrence, severity, and duration of viral respiratory tract infections.  I have covered the topic of probiotics and how they can support your immune system as well as your mental health here

Vitamin D - can help prevent upper respiratory infections and zinc inhibits coronavirus activity and replication.   Low vitamin D has been linked to increased symptoms of endometriosis which you can read about here


From the World Health Organisation


It is not known how effective these supplements are against COVID-19. It's still too early to know for sure, as COVID-19 has a different structure than other viruses. So you shouldn't rely just on supplements. However, it's still worth doing everything you possibly can to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19.

 

Further details about Vitamin C and virus protection

Vitamin C has been known to behave as an antiviral for decades.  

According to Johns Hopkins University, nearly 60% of all people infected with COVID-19 have fully recovered & this number is climbing rapidly. In China, where the virus was first detected a few months ago, the number of new infections continued to dwindle. That's great news!


Also, several studies are currently under way in China to see if high doses of vitamin C can help fight off coronavirus. Scientists at Wuhan University are testing its effects on 120 patients who have the virus, giving them daily doses of 24g of vitamin C for seven days.  So far results are promising


Try not to worry

Try not to get over anxious about this health crisis – not easy I know but the more you worry the worse it will be for your immune system.  Do your best to take the preventative measures and stay safe.


References:

Borchgrevink CP, Cha J, Kim S. Hand washing practices in a college town environment.

Can Vitamin C Prevent and Treat Coronavirus? MedicineNet Health News

Wu C, Chen X, Cai Y, et al. Risk Factors Associated With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Death in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia in Wuhan, China

Harthill M. Review: micronutrient selenium deficiency influences evolution of some viral infectious diseases.

Hsu S. Compounds Derived from Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) as a Novel Approach to the Prevention of Viral Infections.

Martineau AR, Jolliffe DA, Greenberg L, et al. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: individual participant data meta-analysis.