The MERS Virus first appeared in the Arabian Peninsula in 2012, thought to have originated in camels before jumping to humans. While there have been very few cases of the MERS virus in the United States, it is becoming a serious problem in the middle east and most recently in South Korea [1].
[box]Health authorities have been keeping a close eye on this virus due to its infectious nature and potentially deadly side effects.[/box]
What Is the MERS Virus?
MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is a viral respiratory illness that is generally not life threatening. However when coupled with existing health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity or a weakened immune system it can be fatal.
Symptoms of the MERS virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, kidney failure and most notably severe respiratory illness. [2]
CDC MERS Prevention Tips
The CDC provides a few pointers to help protect yourself from the MERS virus:
- Washing hands often
- Avoiding contact with sick individuals
- Avoid touching your face and mouth with unwashed hands
- Frequently disinfecting surfaces
These pointers are all important to help reduce your chances of being infected with the MERS virus, but they differ little from any other hygiene recommendations. Because there is no cure or vaccine for the virus, the best thing you can do besides avoiding coming in contact with the virus, is to fortify your immune system to better deal with it if you are infected.
Fortifying Immune Function
Many variables determine a person’s overall immune health, however one determining factor is the level of reduced glutathione present in the body.
A healthy diet and active lifestyle are a great start for promoting immune health, but in order to really take control of your health and ensure you are getting all the necessary nutrition, it’s essential to supplement.
Some important immune fortifying supplements include: Vitamins C, E and D, methyl-B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, ginseng and probiotics.
Two key supplements rise above the rest when it comes to promoting immune health and function, L-glutathione and N acetyl-L-cysteine.
Glutathione, The Immune Boosting Super Supplement
Glutathione is the body’s master detoxifier, responsible for cleansing our cells of toxins, heavy metals and oxidative damage. It plays a key role in our immune function, fending off infection and disease unlike any other antioxidant in the body.
To get an idea of just how integral glutathione is for our immune health, anyone experiencing a health problem, from the common cold to Alzheimer’s disease, has depleted reduced glutathione levels. Measuring glutathione levels is also one of the best ways to determine a patient’s overall body toxicity level.
N acetyl-L-cysteine possesses some seriously powerful benefits when it comes to the influenza virus, minimizing symptoms and significantly shortening the lifespan of the virus. One of the premier benefits of NAC is its ability to naturally promote glutathione production in the body. By supplementing with NAC as well as L-glutathione you can directly raise GSH levels and boost production, fortifying immune health and promoting healthy cellular activity.
Because the MERS virus is so new, there is no direct evidence showing that glutathione can improve the condition of those affected. But because it plays such an important role in our immune function, it is reasonable to believe it is important to supplement levels when risk of infection is increased or you do become infected.
Again, there is no cure for the MERS virus, but by practicing proper hygiene, avoiding those infected and fortifying your immune system you can help safeguard yourself from this potentially fatal virus.
