While the best way to prevent infection of COVID-19 is to avoid exposure to the virus, some local medical professionals say people can help prepare their immune system through a holistic approach.
Owensboro pharmacist Jesica Thomason Mills said two components she thinks can help tackle the coronavirus are using common sense and alternative medicine.
Mills, who owns Owensboro Family Pharmacy, said she hasn’t seen a lot of tips on what someone can do to prevent getting the coronavirus besides washing hands and staying at home. While those methods are effective during a pandemic, Mills said, they aren’t long-term measures that will help prevent exposure when another novel virus or flu season comes around.
Pamela Legate, a naturopathic doctor in Owensboro and author of Blessing Your Body, said there is no scientific evidence that proves alternative remedies can prevent or cure COVID-19.
However, incorporating homeopathy can strengthen the immune system and help lessen the impact or prevent the illness from overcoming the body.
“The way this virus works is it creates such a flood on the system to start with,” Legate said. “So if we can even dampen that viral load to where what’s coming into your body doesn’t hit you so hard, then your chances of recovery and then building immunity to it are much stronger and gives you a better outcome.”
Legate said eating whole foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins are one way people can defend themselves against the virus.
“Your best healing mechanism is your own body,” Legate said. “I’m drinking carrot juice by the gallons right now because it’s a great source of Vitamin A.”
Mills also said being prepared begins with a strong immune system and less stress, and not just treating the symptoms when it arises.
This includes incorporating good habits such as eating home-cooked food rather than consuming fast food, taking antioxidant vitamins and exercise, Mills said.
“I feel like if we had done that as a nation, if we had worked on stress and meditation and cortisol level and not always been stressed out, then it wouldn’t reach the pandemic level that it is,” Mills said.
In addition to two the medical professionals, Melissa Logsdon — owner of Free Your Mind Body and Soul Wellness — echoed the message of using common sense and releasing stress and anxiety.
She encourages people to practice meditation, prayer, breathing exercises or something as simple as getting some sun and exercise.
“I feel like a lot of people, a lot of their anxiety and stress are coming from watching a lot of news,” she said. “I remind people to do some breathing exercises step away once in a while.”
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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
