In the midst of Covid-19 fears and information overload, we can easily become distracted, losing sight of very basic facts of health.  In this short paper, I hoped to remind our patients of scientific truths to help protect your health and wellness.

  1. Hormones are proven to strengthen the immune system. Every immune system cell has hormone receptors!  For women not using hormone replacement after menopause, a weakened immune can result in:
  • Reduced resistance to infectious diseases (like Covid-19)
  • Increased risk of inflammatory and/or auto-immune diseases
  • Greater risk of cancers
  • Increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease

           ***Similar statistics are seen in men as hormones decline.

  1. Optimal Thyroid function and thyroid hormones are crucial to the production of energy and a robust immune system. The immune system requires an energetic response. Many patients have sub-optimal thyroid and are unaware of the deficiency.
  2. Sugar and a high glycemic index diet reduce your immune system’s response to infectious diseases. Example: the sugar in a soft drink can suppress the immune system response to a viral pathogen for 4-6 hours.  To maintain a healthier body and immune system, we suggest a Paleo-type eating style:
  • Healthy proteins (e.g. free-range beef & chicken, wild caught/cold water fish)
  • Plenty of healthy fats (e.g. olive oil, butter, grapeseed oil, coconut oil)
  • Fresh or frozen vegetables with low glycemic index (non-starchy)
  • Limit fruit to berries as lowest sugar-containing fruits
  • Avoid grains (e.g. breads, rice, chips, crackers, pasta)

During a pandemic like Covid-19, by maintaining hormone/thyroid balance and cleaning up your eating style, you will have the best chance of emerging from this crisis with optimal health.  I look forward to happy and healthy days ahead!   

Maturitas. 2010 Dec;67(4):316-20. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.08.003. Epub 2010 Sep 1. Menopause and aging: changes in the immune system–a review.  Gameiro et al

Endocrinol., 04 June 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00350, Thyroid Hormone Action on Innate Immunity. María del Mar Montesinos and Claudia Gabriela Pellizas*

Exp Cell Res. 2018 Jul 15;368(2):215-224. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.04.032. Epub 2018 May 1. A high-sugar diet affects cellular and humoral immune responses in Drosophila. Yu S1, Zhang G1, Jin LH2.