Chronic viral infections can be one of the main problems in the development of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We all suffer from viral infections at some point in our lives. Our immune system is our natural defense mechanism to eliminate viruses from our bodies.
Many viral infections remain in our bodies and become chronic. In fact, humans are estimated to carry between 8 and 12 persistent viral infections. This happens when the immune response is not enough to eliminate the virus permanently.
Chronic viral infections can have a huge impact on your health. These are linked to a number of health problems, including autoimmune diseases and even cancer. This article will discuss the symptoms of chronic viral infections and the natural solutions to beat these infections.
What are viral infections?
A virus is a small infectious agent that carries genetic material, RNA or DNA, surrounded by a layer of proteins, lipids (fats) or glycoproteins. They can only replicate within the cells of another organism, which is why they are considered parasites. Viruses can infect humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms.
There are more than 400 viruses that can cause infections in your body. When our bodies are invaded with a virus, our adaptive immune response acts to eliminate the primary infection. In the case of some viruses, the immune response is not sufficient to eradicate it and therefore it becomes chronic.
Chronic viral infections can be the result of a variety of viruses. These escape from our immune system modulating or regulating our immune response. These viruses cause persistent infections that can last a lifetime.
How do viruses spread?
A virus exists for the sole purpose of reproducing itself. When it reproduces, its offspring spread to new cells and new hosts. Viruses are transmitted from person to person and from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
Viruses are transmitted through:
- Direct contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, coughing, or sneezing
- Sexual contact
- Contaminated food or water
- Insects that carry them from one person to another
After the initial infection, some viruses remain present in the body. Certain triggers can provide energy for these viruses and then the inactive virus is reactivated. Viruses like HIV and the herpes simplex virus (HSV) are especially harmful because they can hide in our bodies and persist only as DNA.
How viral infections affect our health
Chronic viral infections are systemic and can last for months or years. They can cause various diseases as they compromise our immune system and alter the genetic material within the cells they have invaded.
Chronic viral infections are a major cause of inflammation and can cause many undesirable symptoms and health conditions. One of the main symptoms of chronic viral infections is fatigue.
Viruses can affect your central and peripheral nervous systems. Human herpes viruses (HHV) are common in the brains of the elderly. They are generally inactive, but can become active in response to stress or a weakened immune system.
The herpes simplex virus is known to damage the central nervous system and the limbic system in the brain. There is strong evidence that it is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease. This can happen years or decades after the initial infection.
Many autoimmune diseases are linked to chronic viral infections, including autoimmune thyroid diseases and multiple sclerosis (MS). When suffering from autoimmune diseases, the body's immune system triggers an inflammatory response in its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected and attacks these tissues. As a result of this, an autoimmune condition can develop.
Studies have also linked chronic viral infections to cancer. In fact, it is estimated that one in ten cancers arises from viral infections.
Common viruses
There are 8 types of herpes viruses that affect humans. After the initial infection, all herpes viruses remain dormant within our cells and can later reactivate. The most common viruses are EBV, CMV, HSV, and VZV.
- Antiviral diet
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to improve your body's ability to heal from a viral infection. The foods you eat can help suppress or stimulate viral growth. To protect your body from susceptibility to viral infections, you must eat a diet high in lysine and low in arginine.
Lysine is an essential amino acid that plays an active role in body growth and development, collagen formation, calcium absorption, and cholesterol regulation. This is very compatible with the immune system and can help suppress the growth of a viral infection.
Arginine is an amino acid that competes with lysine for absorption. It is known to stimulate viral growth. Eating foods that are high in lysine and relatively low in arginine is important when you have a viral infection.
Foods that you should include in your diet:
Foods with an adequate ratio of lysine to arginine include:
- Salmon - Coho, wild
- Dairy - grass-fed cheeses and yogurts
- Poultry - grass-fed, organic recommended
- Beef - grass fed steaks
- Fruits that you can include in an antiviral diet are lemons, limes, avocados, and blueberries. You can also include most vegetables.
Foods to avoid:
Foods to avoid on an antiviral diet include nuts, most seeds (including sunflower, sesame, pumpkin), grains (wheat, rice, oats), caffeine, chocolate, pasteurized dairy, and sugar. The vegetables that you will want to avoid are Brussels sprouts, onions, and corn, as these foods are rich in arginine.
It is also important to avoid inflammatory foods that can weaken your immune system, such as sugar and processed foods. Consuming refined sugars can suppress the body's immune responses.
Other foods you should make to a lake are processed foods and vegetable oils, as well as meat and dairy from conventionally raised animals and farmed fish.
- Fasts
Fasting is a great strategy for reducing the impact of chronic viral infections. Fasting is one of the oldest and most powerful healing strategies. You can start implementing it intermittently.
Intermittent fasting is when you consume your calories in a set amount of time and fast for the rest of the day. This fasting strategy is great for reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system.
- Supplements to fight viral infections
An inadequate intake of micronutrients at any stage of life affects various functions within the immune system, manifesting itself in a decrease in resistance to viral and bacterial infections and an increase in the severity of symptoms. If this is your case, it is advisable to take the following supplements in doses that your doctor indicates:
Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folate, Zinc, Iron, Copper and Selenium.
Given the importance of micronutrients in immunity and the fact that many people of all ages have single or multiple micronutrient deficiencies that can have detrimental immunological effects, there is a rationale for micronutrient supplementation to restore concentrations to recommended levels, especially after infection, and to support immune function and maintenance.
Remember that supplements are not a "cure" but help the body to relieve itself a little more. Following diet and lifestyle strategies, getting a good night's sleep, and staying in a toxin-free environment are also essential to get the best benefits from these supplements.
Normal blood levels may range slightly depending on what blood tests are used, and your doctor may have, but the variances are small. In addition, what are “normal” ranges for nondiabetics are not the same for diabetics; it is generally accepted that target blood sugar measurements for people with diabetes will be slightly higher than those without diabetes. Gluco Shield Pro
