Oxidative Stress, Immune System, and Viral Infection

Here’s what you need to know about oxidative stress, the immune system, viral infection—and how it all relates to COVID-19. 
 
Timestamps
0:12 What is oxidative stress? 
0:45 Viral infection and oxidation
1:55 Risk factors related to COVID-19
3:42 The mitochondria and COVID-19
5:27 How can we switch things back?

Today we’re going to talk about oxidative stress and viruses. 

Oxidative stress is basically a situation where you have an imbalance of too much oxidation and not enough antioxidants. 

Your body makes both oxidants and antioxidants. 

1. Endogenous oxidation is the oxidation that your own body creates—it comes from within.
2. Exogenous oxidation is coming from outside of the body. A few examples would be: pollution, smoking, and consuming refined carbs and sugar. 

With the COVID-19 virus, on a blood test, you’ll likely see high amounts of neutrophils and low lymphocytes. 

Neutrophils release both hydrogen peroxide and bleach as weapons against the virus, but this creates a lot of oxidation. So, the immune system is creating a lot of oxidation in response to COVID-19 or some other virus. The virus is also creating more immune reactions, which contributes to even more oxidation. 

There are also risk factors related to COVID-19 that can create oxidation, such as:

• Diabetes 
• Obesity 
• High blood pressure

With these pre-existing conditions, the endogenous antioxidants are way low. So, there is an imbalance created from the virus itself, the immune reaction, and the pre-existing condition. 

To have a long healthy life and minimize the complications of this condition and the side effects of the viral infection, you need to bring your antioxidants up and your oxidation down. 

Viruses like COVID-19 also attack the mitochondria. This is called apoptosis—your cells are dying. But, some cells will survive and adapt. Because the normal machinery to burn fuel is damaged, the cells with adapt to another way of using fuel called fermentation. The body doesn’t usually use this system, but it will use it as a survival mechanism if it needs to. While using this backup system, these cells metabolize glucose. This is one way a virus can actually trigger cancer. Cancer cells create a lot of inflammation, free-radical damage, and oxidation. 

How do we switch things back?

• Healthy keto 
• Consume foods high in antioxidants 

Great antioxidants:
 
• Vitamins A, C, D, E
• Alpha-lipoic acid 
• Copper 
• Zinc 
• Selenium 
• Manganese
• Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 

Things that will help increase antioxidants:

• Supporting your microbes 
• NAC
• Quercetin 
• Fasting 
• Exercise 
• Sleep 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 58, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg’s Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Thanks for watching! I hope this video helps you better understand oxidative stress, the immune system, viral infection, and how it all relates to COVID-19.