“Immunity is the Buzzword Right Now” As we approach the final stretch of the pandemic, we bring three women dreamers across healthcare to share their essentials for immunity boosting, in our first-ever multidisciplinary approach article. We have Dr. Saila Reddy, an internist and functional medicine doctor, also certified in culinary medicine. We have Pratibha Shah, an internationally renowned Ayurveda expert, and Isabel Frankel, who brings her homeopathic perspective. They bring their Top 10 Tips Everyone Must Know for Building Immunity! How are you building your immunity? Share your tips in the comments? 

The Ayurvedic Perspective , with Dr. Pratibha Shah

Immunity is the buzz word right now. There has been a noticeable surge in an already up-trending market of immunity boosting supplements in the wellness industry. But it seems the subject of immunity boosting can elicit completely opposing views in the medical fraternity in the context of COVID-19. Specially since we now know that the acuteness/high mortality of the COVID patients comes from the cytokine response triggered by the infection. I would like to make the distinction that Ayurvedic herbs, formulations and lifestyle recommendations aim at Immunity MODULATION, Immunity PRESERVATION and Immunity PROTECTION versus Immunity BOOSTING, while treating infectious diseases and other conditions where immunity is at play.

Immunity Modulation: What is immunity modulation? ‘The immune system is our main protection from sickness and disease. While being a strong force in our body, it is also very delicate in its balance and function. Immune modulation is more than just boosting the body’s immune system. It involves bringing the ratio of the different immune cells back into balance to enable the immune system to function correctly. This is very different from simply stimulating the immune system.’2  The key word here is ‘balance’ or optimization of the state of immunity – downregulating or upregulating as needed in ways that are more organic and naturally brought about by the body’s own systems rather than artificially stimulated. 

Immunity Preservation: Immunity preservation means all the things one can do to hold on to the state of immunity one has (not diminish it further). And immunity protection simply means protecting the level of immunity one has, through diet, lifestyle choices as well as herbs and formulation that facilitate the same. With this preface, here are my top 3 Immunity preservation, protection and modulation tips:

• Ensure optimal gut health: Gut health encompasses a wide range of parameters including microbiome3, appetite, digestion, absorption, assimilation, elimination, etc. Gut is the physical as well as the physiological center of our being and is therefore the core from which well-being or disease emanates/originates. Here are a few spices, herbs and formulations that help improve gut health.

o   Spices – ginger, turmeric, round pepper, black pepper, cumin, carom

o   Single herbs and simple formulations – Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), milk thistle, Triphala, Trikatu, Sanshamani vati, Sudarshan vati)

Lifestyle Choices. Reduce stress, optimize sleep, move – lifestyle choices play a major role in our overall health status. The impact of stress4 on our immune system is very well studied and documented. Scientific evidence is also beginning to point that sleep has powerful effects on immune functioning. Studies show that sleep loss can affect different parts of the immune system, which can lead to the development of a wide variety of disorders. Last but not the least, some kind of physical activity is essential to keep our various systems activated and optimally functioning, including the immune system.

My favorite single herb, immune modulators – Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica)

The Functional Medicine Perspective with Dr. Saila Reddy

Nature.  When you stop living within ‘The Natural Laws’ of this Universe and the earth that we live on, things are going to always go wrong for you. Exposure to Nature strengthens your immune system. It increases energy, boosts your mood and helps you maintain your focus. Be in nature on a daily basis, go for a run or a jog. Blast your happy song and release the dopamine.That was my refuge, nature and the wild. If you can’t go out any day, simply bring in an element of nature such as a flower, plant, our water fountain. Any herb, a nature’s remedy, that we can grow and use regularly for well-being, is most worthwhile.

Vitamin D.  Contrary to popular belief, recent discoveries suggest that it has far more beneficial effects on your body’s health systems than just on your bone health. Because current scientific research suggests that all cells and tissues in your body have vitamin D receptors – further concluding that every cell and tissue needs vitamin D for its well-being. Not only that, but vitamin D is responsible for the regulation of over 2,000 genes in your body. Vitamin D engages in very complex metabolic processes within your body, and scientists believe that it serves a wide range of fundamental biological functions relating to many aspects of your health.

Sleep. One of the ways we can improve our Immune health, is by understanding when we go to sleep and when we wake up. It is one of the foundational protocols every single person must follow. Sleep is more important than diet. It is difficult to be healthy if you don’t get at least an hour of deep sleep, minimum 90 minutes of REM sleep; ideally an 1 ½ hour of deep sleep or more.

The Homeopathic Perspective: Isabel Frankel’s Top Tips

A Mindful Life. As a homeopath, I am also a holistic practitioner, so I encourage my clients to be mindful of multiple ways to stay healthy and support the work of Homeopathic medicines. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy, emphasized the importance of healthy living conditions and nutrition. So, yes, I also speak to my clients about exercise, getting out in nature, a healthy diet, and even breathing exercises. Homeopathy can also bolster the effectiveness of mental health counseling by supporting one’s emotional state. Vitamins C and D, zinc, selenium, and Quercetin are particularly helpful for extra immune system support.

Home Medicine Kit. Anyone can create a home kit of Homeopathic medicines that are helpful for acute conditions and can be purchased from a local health food store or online. Some flu medicines to consider are Aconite, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Gelsemium, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, and Rhus tox. With a book such as Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines, by Stephen Cummings, M.D. and Dana Ullman, M.P.H., you can match your particular symptoms to the appropriate medicine(s). Some Homeopathic medicines are general immune system boosters. For example, Thymulin is prepared from the thymus gland hormone. It was researched by Madeleine Bastide, Professor of Immunology at the University of Montpellier (France), until her death in 2007.

Take Your Medicine: I take Homeopathic medicines specific for my constitution and recommended to me by my private homeopath. In this way, my immune system remains strong and balanced. The recommended medicines help me feel better mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, not just physically. Keep in mind, with a chronic condition it is best to seek the care of a professional homeopath.

Thank you all for sharing your expertise with us! We ar excited to have you in our global women’s network! 

Bios:  Isabel Frankel, CCH, is a nationally certified homeopath and a 2014 graduate of the Teleosis Homeopathic Collaborative.  In addition to her independent practice, she volunteers her homeopathic services at The Association of Haitian Women in Boston and Animas Laser Therapy in Durango. In 2017 she traveled to Haiti to mentor Haitian medical professionals in the practice of homeopathy. One of her favorite professional activities is conducting workshops on the history and benefits of homeopathy for the uninitiated. She earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and psychology at McGill University in Montreal and a master’s degree in education at Boston University.  She has taught mathematics in Puerto Rico, Boston, and Cambridge. Ms. Frankel is a Level 3 Reiki Master, a martial arts practitioner, plays jazz flute, and is fluent in both Spanish and Haitian Creole. And she is the proud mother of two Haitian American adult children.

Sailaja Reddy is a mother, wife, physician, author, and a professional chef. Through her decades of professional medical experience as a primary care physician Dr. Saila became convinced that ‘the doctors of the future are the patients themselves’. After 25 years of practicing traditional internal medicine in Massachusetts, Dr. Saila founded a Functional medicine practice in Framingham, Mass. Dr. Saila has received advanced training in Functional medicine, Obesity medicine, Integrative medicine and Culinary medicine. She is a certified physician through the Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Saila also attended lifestyle modification courses at Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, Harvard Medical School. She regularly conducts health workshops and Health and fitness social media challenges that have a global reach. She has a YouTube channel on Healthy cooking has over 3,000 subscribers, and her official Facebook page has more than 90,000 followers. 

Pratibha Shah, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda), MPH, is an internationally renowned Ayurveda expert. Intensely trained in Traditional Health Sciences (Ayurveda, Energy healing) as well as Public Health. Pratibha Shah distils Eastern wisdom with an understanding of Western principles, for the best care of her clients. A strong sense of compassion and empathy, intent listening skills, in-depth thorough assessments and well contemplated individualized Master Wellness plans are a hallmark of her 30 years of practice. Client-centric Compassionate Care defines her best.Her pioneering initiatives in the field of Ayurveda, have brought her to attention at the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Consulate General of India, NYC. 

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