We are all familiar with the adage “health is wealth” but with the onset of the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, this maxim is now in question. Every day we hear about seemingly healthy individuals who become quite sick from this virus. Why is that?
It’s clear that those at the highest risk for severe illness and death are over the age of 65, obese, and have existing comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. And yet we also read about younger individuals with no known health issues who experience significant symptoms or even die. And what about the large percentage of people who have antibodies to the virus but exhibit no outward signs of illness? Is it all just random or is there more to the story?
The coronavirus attacks when one’s immune system is weakened – as happens when we are compromised with leaky gut, inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, and poor dietary and lifestyle choices. For many people, there are no obvious signs that they are immuno-compromised and vulnerable, so it can appear the virus is attacking randomly. This, however, makes no sense. When something isn’t fully understood, it appears random, and as scientists and researchers acquire more data, randomness typically falls into predictability.
What if the individuals who don’t get symptoms of COVID-19 have a more balanced immune system and those who get symptoms but fully recover have less than optimal but still functional immunity? If any part of this is true, it begs the question: how can we strengthen our immune resilience? Even if we ultimately discover additional factors that contribute to one’s susceptibility besides compromised immunity, doesn’t it make sense to optimize our health, our well-being, and our immune function right now? And is this not more critical than ever before?
I’ll admit, this isn’t a popular idea. Most are living in fear that COVID will “get” them. So few people are willing to do the hard work required to optimize gut function, eat nutrient-dense foods, cut out sugar and gluten, get adequate sleep, prioritize exercise, manage stress effectively, and take the right supplements to support their biochemical individuality and specific weaknesses as determined by lab testing.
It’s far easier to wait for a vaccine. But a vaccine, when it comes, will arrive with its own laundry list of problems and there will be those who can’t or won’t take it. It’s far easier to believe that conventional medicine will somehow circumvent humankind’s extreme departure from the vitality of our ancestors. Unfortunately, our planet is too far gone and so are we. There is no magic pill that will make this all go away. If we want to be among the survivors of COVID-19, it’s going to require each of us to step into personal responsibility for all aspects of our life.
Herd immunity happens when the majority of us have been exposed to the virus and, unless our plan is to never re-enter society without a mask and gloves, we will all likely come in contact with it.
So yes: it’s safe to say that immune resilience is the new wealth.
And immune resilience isn’t about the building up of conventional medicine’s war chest of drugs. It’s about coming back into balance with nature. Our lives depend on it.
***
FAQ
The following frequently asked questions expand on the key concepts discussed in this article and provide additional context for practitioners exploring immune resilience.
What is immune resilience?
Immune resilience is the body’s ability to maintain balanced immune function and respond effectively to health challenges. According to this article, immune resilience is supported by healthy gut function, balanced blood sugar, low inflammation, and dietary and lifestyle habits that promote overall health.
Why does the article describe immune resilience as the new wealth?
The article argues that immune resilience is increasingly valuable because immune health may influence how individuals respond to infectious illness. Rather than relying solely on external interventions, the author emphasizes investing in habits that strengthen overall health and immune function.
Why do some people experience severe illness while others have few or no symptoms?
The article suggests that differences in immune balance may help explain why illness severity varies between individuals. It proposes that compromised immune function may increase vulnerability, while more balanced immunity may contribute to milder or absent symptoms, although additional contributing factors may also exist.
Can someone appear healthy while still having compromised immune function?
Yes. The article states that individuals may have underlying immune vulnerabilities without obvious outward signs. Factors such as gut dysfunction, inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, and poor dietary or lifestyle habits may be present before noticeable symptoms develop.
How does the article connect gut health and immune resilience?
The article identifies leaky gut as one factor that may weaken immune function. It presents gut health as an important foundation for maintaining balanced immunity and reducing susceptibility to immune compromise.
Why are blood sugar balance and inflammation important for immune health?
The article identifies blood sugar imbalances and inflammation as contributors to weakened immune function. Supporting metabolic balance and reducing chronic inflammation are presented as important components of building immune resilience.
What lifestyle habits does the article recommend to support immune resilience?
The article recommends prioritizing daily habits that support overall health and immune function, including:
- Optimizing gut health
- Eating nutrient-dense foods
- Eliminating sugar and gluten
- Getting adequate sleep
- Prioritizing regular exercise
- Managing stress effectively
What role does nutrition play in building immune resilience?
The article emphasizes nutrition as a central component of immune health. Specifically, it recommends nutrient-dense foods while reducing sugar and gluten as part of a comprehensive strategy to support balanced immune function.
Does the article recommend individualized supplement protocols?
Yes. The article supports using supplements based on an individual’s biochemical individuality and laboratory findings. Rather than recommending the same supplements for everyone, it emphasizes a personalized approach informed by testing.
What is biochemical individuality, and why is it important for immune health?
Biochemical individuality refers to the concept that each person has unique physiological needs. The article suggests that laboratory testing can help identify specific weaknesses so nutrition and supplementation can be individualized rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Does the article suggest vaccines alone are enough to optimize immune health?
No. The article emphasizes that strengthening immune resilience through nutrition, lifestyle, gut health, and individualized support remains important regardless of other medical interventions. The central message is that long-term immune health requires personal investment in overall wellness.
What is the article’s primary message for practitioners?
The article encourages practitioners to view immune resilience as a long-term health strategy rather than focusing only on disease treatment. It emphasizes supporting foundational physiology through nutrition, lifestyle, gut health, metabolic balance, stress management, and individualized care.
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Floyd Barry, FNTP MRHP is owner and Executive Director of the Institute of Restorative Health. She’s a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, educator, and real food advocate. Through years of experience working with the most complex client cases, including reversing her own autoimmune condition, Margaret uses a powerful system for restoring health by addressing the root cause of illness.
Today, Margaret teaches fellow practitioners the same proven system she uses to get her clients life-changing results through the Institute of Restorative Health – a two-year comprehensive functional nutrition certification program for qualified health professionals. Margaret also runs Restorative Corporate Wellness, a team of Restorative Health Practitioners facilitating health transformations with corporate clients. She is the author of Eat Naked and its follow-up cookbook The Naked Foods Cookbook. She’s also the host of the Clinician’s Corner podcast, where she interviews some of the world’s top experts in the fields of functional health and nutrition.
