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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Amid concern about what doctors are calling a possible ‘twindemic’ this winter, new studies suggest your blood may reveal your likelihood of contracting COVID-19 or any other illness .
With COVID-19 reaching unprecedented numbers at the start of the flu season, many are wondering how they can protect themselves from both diseases.
Unlike the flu, there is currently no vaccine on the market for COVID-19. However, there can be simple ways to boost your immune system, making it less likely to catch either virus, one being a blood test.
“It tests 23 different vitamins and minerals, basically A to Z,” said Amy Neary, who runs Any Lab Test Now in Colorado Springs. “It gives you results down to the nanograms of what your body needs.”
One of the tests offered by his laboratory is a vitamin deficiency test. It is a test provided by several laboratories in southern Colorado. The theory is that if the test reveals vitamin deficiencies, you are more likely to get sick. It’s a test that has recently exploded in demand, according to Neary.
“It tells you what your body specifically needs to function optimally,” Neary said.
Reese Watt is a Colorado Springs resident who took the test.
“I don’t want to give [COVID-19] to someone else if I don’t have any symptoms, ”Watt said.
“I don’t want to give it to my grandparents if I’m going to visit them, or something else at the grocery store, or something like that, even though everyone has masks, I’m just trying to be as responsible as possible to take care of the people around me, ”he says.
So how does the blood test work?
A very small amount of blood is drawn and the results are given within 2-4 working days. The results are very detailed, with bar graphs showing how rich – or deficient – your blood is with dozens of vitamins.However, medical experts say that when it comes to immune health, fighting diseases like the flu or Covid, there are a few vitamins that matter more than others.
“Vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, iron, protein, all of these are necessary for a healthy immune system,” said Kelly Smith, Colorado Springs-based dietitian.
And a strong immune system probably means you’re less likely to catch Covid or any other deadly disease. But vitamin D is especially important. In fact, recent studies from the University of Chicago, Yale, Mayo Clinic, and JAMA all indicate that vitamin D may be crucial in maintaining a strong immune system.
“If you’re vitamin D deficient, it impacts your susceptibility to infections,” said Dr Anthony Fauci, a leading infectious disease expert who served on the president’s coronavirus task force.
Fauci said in an Instagram interview with actress Jennifer Garner that he takes vitamin D to stay healthy.
“I wouldn’t mind recommending, and I do, that I take a vitamin D supplement,” he says.
But how effective is vitamin D in fighting this new coronavirus?
“What needs to be done is a randomized clinical trial,” Smith said.
Smith wants to see more evidence regarding the effectiveness of vitamin D against Covid. That being said, she also recommends anyone at risk to get tested for vitamin D deficiency.
“I would probably have them tested,” she said. “You will see less incidence of respiratory disease, especially acute respiratory disease or other coronaviruses.”
So let’s say you get the test. You have a vitamin D deficiency. What to do?
“It’ll probably look like an old grandma, but eat your fruits and veg,” she says.
Eat more seafood – like salmon or tuna – fortified dairy products or mushrooms. All of them have vitamin D.
Or you can also take vitamin D supplements. Just know that if you have taken vitamin D supplements, it is important to take vitamin D3 – this is the best way for your body to absorb it. But before taking any supplement, even over the counter, you should first talk to your doctor. “
A healthy diet, including clean water and plenty of sleep, is also essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep or struggling to lose weight, this could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. If you want a blood test, you don’t always need to from a doctor’s prescription – it depends on the laboratory. However, it is best to consult your doctor before taking the test or, again, adding supplements to your diet.
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