5 New Ways to Outsmart Covid-19 — Until We Can All Get Vaccinated
New strategies to win the war on Covid-19 are being researched at a breakneck pace, but getting definitive results can take months to years. So we spoke to in-the-know experts to find out the most promising protective bets and how you can put them to personal use until we all have access to the vaccine. Here’s what they recommend:
Try a ‘berry pill.’
The Mayo Clinic is studying the potential of fisetin, a compound in strawberries, to curb the severity of Covid-19 infections. “It enhances the body’s ability to get rid of older immune cells, paving the way for new cells that fight viruses more effectively,” says Grain Brain author David Perlmutter, M.D., who takes fisetin daily as part of his anti-Covid regimen. One to try: Life Extension Bio-Fisetin (Buy on LifeExtension, $11.25). Check with your doctor before supplementing.
Swish some mouthwash.
German studies suggest it cuts Covid-19 transmission by reducing virus levels in the throat. Plus, Michael Roizen, M.D., emeritus chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic, recommends gargling with mouthwash for 30 seconds twice daily, since it increases nasal secretions that cleanse the nose. “This may help oust viral invaders,” he adds.
Stir starch into a smoothie.
Resistant potato starch may speed Covid-19 recovery, Yale scientists say. “It’s broken down in the gut into a fatty acid that’s been shown to lower the risk of viral respiratory infections,” says Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., author of Fiber Fueled. (Buy on Amazon, $14.29) He advises adding a teaspoon to soup or a smoothie, then increasing intake by one teaspoon daily until you reach two tablespoons. One to try: Gut Garden Resistant Starch Prebiotic Fiber Blend (Buy on Amazon, $39.99).
Pop a melatonin gummy.
A University at Buffalo team is testing melatonin to ease Covid-19 severity. In a Cleveland Clinic study, the sleep hormone lowered the likelihood of testing positive for Covid by 30 percent. Dr. Roizen recommends one to three mg. of melatonin before bed. One to try: OLLY Sleep Melatonin Gummy with L Theanine, Chamomile, and Lemon Balm (Buy on Amazon, $16.99).
Wear your glasses.
Eyeglasses limit infection risk, since eyes are a portal for the virus to enter. In fact, Chinese scientists found that Covid hospitalization rates were 82 percent lower in folks who wore glasses than those who didn’t. Don’t need prescription lenses? Clear glasses and sunglasses work too. Check out our picks for the best eyeglass frames for women!
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
