Debunking 4 Popular Immunity Myths 

Featuring Dr. Nick of @thefittestdoc and Aaron Hinde, co-founder and president of LIFEAID®

What’s stress got to do with it? Can’t I just double up on vitamins to stay healthy? With the expertise of Dr. Nick, MD, also known as “The Fittest Doc,” alongside co-founder and president of LIFEAID® Aaron Hinde, we are debunking some of the top immunity myths while providing health tips that will actually help keep your immune system firing on all cylinders.

1. STRESS IS UNRELATED TO IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH

“It is important to try to reduce anxiety in order to keep your immune system working at maximum capacity. Chronic stressors like a stressful job or home life or even persistent non-transient states of anxiety…tend to cause an inflammatory state physiologically and a persistent depression of our own ability to fight off infection,” says Dr. Nick. 

TIP: If you are feeling anxious, try meditating or practicing breathwork exercises to help reduce stress. Dr. Aaron Hinde, says “My daily life at LIFEAID can be hectic, so I’ve created a morning routine practicing breathwork and meditation to help me stay calm and grounded throughout the day.”

BONUS: Here is a simple breathwork exercise that you can do anywhere:

  1. Get into a comfortable position 
  2. Place your hand on your chest and your other hand on your belly
  3. Take a deep (belly) breath in while counting to five in your head.
  4. Pause, then slowly and fully exhale your breath.
  5. Repeat for a few minutes, until you feel calm & relaxed.

2. MYTH: EXERCISE LOWERS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

“From the research that I’ve seen, exercise is no different than any other stressor,” says Dr. Nick. “Transient stressors involving family, work and even exercise have been shown to be associated with strengthening the immune system.” Moving the body will release endorphins — the ‘feel good hormone’ — which reduces cortisol levels and thus improves your immunity response. 

TIP #1: Go for a 15-minute walk outside to release endorphins and reduce stress. (You will also be getting the added benefit of absorbing Vitamin D from the sun.)

TIP #2:  If you are not feeling well, skip the gym. “Self isolate to keep others safe,” says Dr. Nick. “Even though you may know what health issues you have, you have no idea what other people at the gym have.”

3. MYTH: HAND SOAP IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN HAND SANITIZER

“If hand sanitizer has 60 percent of alcohol or higher, then it can be just as effective as washing your hands with soap, if applied properly,” according to Dr. Nick.

TIP #1:  Make sure to wash hands for at least 20 seconds.  Many germs live underneath the fingernails, Dr. Nick recommends putting soap on the palm of one hand and cleaning your nails of the opposite hand by lighting scratching the soapy palm.

TIP #2: For maximum effectiveness, coat your entire hand (front and back) when using hand sanitizer, then let it air dry.

4. MYTH: THE MORE VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS THE BETTER

There is no proof of the added benefits from consuming extra vitamins and supplements (above & beyond the daily recommended amounts), unless your body is nutrient deficient. However, if you aren’t consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables, you may need to look for an extra immune boost from supplementation

Dr. Nick also adds, “There is no solid evidence that vitamins like echinacea, zinc and vitamin C effectively treat the common cold; However, there is absolutely some data showing there is a significant decrease in illness duration if taken before onset of symptoms.”

TIP: Need a boost? Try IMMUNITYAID. The IMMUNITYAID Wellness Blend delivers key vitamins and nutrients to naturally help boost your immune system, with 20x more Vitamin C than one orange, plus other natural ingredients like Echinacea, Zinc & Astragalus Root in every can. IMMUNITYAID is the simple and delicious way to get your vitamins and stay defended, with only 40 calories and a refreshing Orange Burst flavor kids & adults love!


> > > Be well.

The Benefits of Sunshine

Sunshine has a bigger impact on health than most would think. Simply going outside and getting some sunshine can boost your mood, energy levels, and immune function. This connection between sunlight and health sheds some light our synergistic relationship with nature.

While there is concern over potential damage to the skin and the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation, moderate sun exposure is still recommended. The benefits of moderate sun exposure go beyond the skin- they affect the entire organism.

Here are the top three reasons to go into nature and enjoy the sunshine:

1). Vitamin D

Vitamin D synthesis is perhaps the most well-known benefit of sunlight. Our skin naturally makes vitamin D in response to light stimuli and going into the daylight will promote it. It is a powerful antioxidant that boosts mood, energy levels, bone density, and immune function.

It is possible that going into the sunlight will not promote sufficient vitamin D and need to supplement. Ongoing research on this vitamin suggests that it has a unique role in preventing upper respiratory infections and certain types of cancer. Since vitamin D deficiency is common, it is recommended to supplement it if you spend most of the day indoors.

2). Circadian Regulation

The light stimulation from the sun helps regulate the circadian rhythm- a daily rhythm of hormone oscillations that follow roughly a 24-hour cycle. Melatonin is perhaps the most well-known hormone that follows this pattern. The circadian rhythm is key to getting good sleep at night and being productive during the day.

Light stimuli from the sun regulate our internal biological clock (the suprachiasmatic nucleus) which in turn influences many homeostatic functions in the body- like body temperature. Waking-up to the morning sunlight will help ensure that you are alert during the day and sleepy at night.

3). Biodiversity

Apart from sunlight, spending time outdoors is good for stimulating our immune system and gaining biodiversity in our microbial populations. The outdoors (the wind, the earth, the plants) is full of different types of antigens to which our immune system responds and adapts to. By going out and increasing our exposure, we are strengthening our immune function.

Microbial populations in our bodies become more diverse when we interact with nature. This is beneficial because a diverse microbial population in the body helps us better respond to our environment and synchronize with it. Microbes, especially those in our gut, have been found to play countless roles in our health- from digestion to even our behavior. So go out and enjoy nature!

—Content and images courtesy of Santa Cruz Core
(All rights reserved)


> > > Live well.

The Fittest Doc Answers: Are You at Risk for COVID

Special guest Dr. Nick, MD—the “Fittest Doc”—sits down with Aaron Hinde D.C. (president and co-founder of LIFEAID) to debunk some common myths about the Coronavirus. The two doctors also share important facts, health tips and suggestions to stay healthy and protect our community during this time. Watch the interview now to learn more about COVID-19, including how practicing gratitude & mediation are beneficial to help boost your immune system! (35:45)

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:


Full transcription of the audio recording from the interview with Dr. Nick, MD, and the co-founder of LIFEAID Aaron Hinde, on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Aaron Hinde: Hey, doc, how’s it going?

Dr. Nick: (0:01) Hello. Hi, how are you, Aaron?

Aaron Hinde: (00:03) Looking good, doing well. Thank you. Thanks for taking the time today. And thank you, everyone, for joining. We’ve got an interesting conversation with Dr. Nick from SteadyMD, @thefittestdoc on Instagram, and Dr. Nick and I have had a chance to hang out together, and I can tell everyone on the line right now, he absolutely is the fittest doc as you can see from the image there on the phone. So what did you just squat the other day? You almost did a 500-pound squat, right?

Dr. Nick: (00:35) Yeah, 485 successfully, and 500-pound fail.

Aaron Hinde: (00:39) Oh, man. Congrats. That’s amazing. That’s amazing. Well, I can speak from experience, being in the healthcare field for 10 years myself and meeting hundreds of docs, you definitely are the fittest doc. So keep up the good work.

Dr. Nick: (00:53) I’m pretty sure Julie Foucher is, but this is a Coronavirus talk so–

Aaron Hinde: (00:58) We’ll give you the fittest male doc. How about that?

Dr. Nick: (01:00) Okay.

Aaron Hinde: (01:02) So today, we’re going to talk about something very topical, very much in the media. Everybody’s talking about it; everybody’s very concerned about it; which is the Coronavirus. So we wanted to get an authority figure like yourself, somebody educated in medicine to kind of set the record straight. There’s just a lot of fear mongering going on right now in the media and misinformation being spread. So wanted to set the record straight. So why don’t you just tell everybody, what is a coronavirus? How does it spread? Is there something we should be afraid of here?

Dr. Nick: (01:40) So Aaron, first of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this. But essentially, coronaviruses are actually pretty common human viral infections. They were initially identified in the 1960s, and they commonly spread person-to-person. There are, in total, seven coronaviruses that can infect people. Amongst them, there are actually two common what are known as alpha coronaviruses, two common what are known as beta coronaviruses. These common variants are among the viral infections that cause the common cold. Additionally, there are also MERS Coronavirus, SARS, that, you know, everybody heard about a couple years back. That is a coronavirus variant. And now, this coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is also known as SARS Coronavirus too. So this is what’s called a novel coronavirus, and that essentially implies that is a coronavirus that, in the past, was not known to infect human beings. And as I stated earlier, it’s currently known as, specifically, COVID-19. So these last three, MERS, SARS, and COVID-19, are notable because they were initially relegated strictly to animals. They subsequently evolved and are now capable of making people sick.

Aaron Hinde: (03:28) So they made the jump, so to speak, from animals to humans.

Dr. Nick: (03:32) Absolutely.

Aaron Hinde: (03:34) Similar to how we anticipate AIDS first started in an animal population and–

Dr. Nick: (03:39) Sure, sure. Absolutely. So in terms of spread kind of between people and how that happens– So it is currently thought that this is a primarily respiratory droplets exposure spread virus. So it may be possible, yes, that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or an object that the virus has been on and then touching their mouth, touching their nose, touching their eyes. But currently, it is not thought that that is the main way that the virus spreads. Also, there is currently no evidence to support the suspicion that COVID-19 can be spread through transmission of food. So I know that some people have concerns about certain– whether it’s items coming in from China or other places exposed to COVID-19 or food, people seem to have a concern about that. And insofar as we’ve currently seen, that is not a concern. There’s nothing, essentially, as of right now, to support that from an evidence-based standpoint.

Aaron Hinde: (05:01) No, I appreciate you clearing that up. So what type of symptoms would someone expect to get? How long is the incubation period? What symptoms would develop? And how could you mitigate the spread of COVID-19?

Dr. Nick: (05:19) So currently, the incubation period – which I know a lot of people have heard so far, for COVID-19 is thought to be 14 days– oftentimes, it can actually– symptomatically, people can start showing symptoms within three to six days in general. At least for that two-week period, at least for 14 days right now, it’s thought to be the incubation period. Symptomatically, when patients do start to experience symptoms, actually, that implies that all patients experience symptoms, and that’s not entirely true. So essentially, as of right now, the range of infected patients is all the way asymptomatic – no symptoms at all – to fever, to kind of symptoms of an acute respiratory illness, including but not limited to cough, difficulty breathing, to myalgias, which are essentially–

Aaron Hinde: (06:23) Muscle pains.

Dr. Nick: (06:23) –tenderness and kind of– Exactly, muscle pain, to fatigue, to what’s called an ILI, and influenza-like illness, and at its most severe, currently, COVID-19 has presented in a small but important population with severe pneumonia, with kind of respiratory failure and, in some people, with septic shock. So it has a wide variety of presentations, and given the current death rate, the current death toll, rather, of this, it can absolutely be presumed that a number of individuals have this asymptomatically. There have already been a number of cases of recoveries all around the world, so yeah.

Aaron Hinde: (07:17) There was one estimation that the reason that kids are not contracting this symptomatically, say, is because they’ve already got some form of the coronavirus or one of the seven type of mutations that you discussed earlier in school, and so they already have some built-up immunity. Is there any truth to that?

Dr. Nick: (07:40) Yeah, you know, that’s an interesting thought. In terms of what is known from the CDC, in terms of what is known by the governing health bodies, there’s currently no known data specifically regarding– as such, I can’t comment on that with any amount of certainty.

Aaron Hinde: (08:02) Sure, sure. Now, I have read from the WHO that the mortality rate, the death rate with this is significantly higher than, say influenza or the common– People of the common cold, as high as three and a half percent. Now, when I read that, my first thought was, “Well, they’re taking known cases, meaning you have to be symptomatic enough to go in and get treatment, and then three and a half percent of those people are dying.” But we’ve also read – and please clarify this – that up to 80% will be mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, so much so that they’re not even going to seek medical treatment. So it appears to me that, when this all plays out, that three and a half percent is going to be way on the high side, and this could easily come in well under 1% or even a tenth of a percent because of the number of asymptomatic people that will never seek treatment as a result.

Dr. Nick: (08:57) Yeah, Aaron, so what you’re speaking on there is what’s called a case fatality rate. So originally, when this first hit, the data coming out of China, coming out of approximately 70,000 in China, estimated that the case fatality rate was 2.5%. However, just this week, the WHO, the World Health Organization, released their own figures and their own numbers, saying that the number was 3.4%. So they actually– I mean, the percentage according to them was actually a little bit higher. And that number was computed looking at the number of confirmed cases and then case fatality within that. However, as you noted – and I think that’s a very notable observation that you made – there are likely thousands and thousands of people who are infected, and as I noted earlier, who are infected and asymptomatic. And if you look at the map here, the numerator and the denominator of figuring out the case fatality rate, people who are walking around infected and asymptomatic, and furthermore, those who stay asymptomatic over the course of their infection and completely recover from it? Those people, if they were counted, would change the denominator–

Aaron Hinde: (10:22) Significantly. Significantly.

Dr. Nick: (10:23) Absolutely. So as such, I think that, essentially, as more testing kits become available worldwide and they become more widespread, we will be able to accurately calculate how many people are infected and the case fatality rate. But essentially, if you want to look at it compared to other infections, flu is estimated at a case fatality rate of .06 to .1%, kind of depending on the year and the impact of the flu for that year. SARS was calculated at about 10%, and MERS Coronavirus was calculated at about 30, 34%.

Aaron Hinde: (11:05) Gotcha. Okay. That’s good information. And just to put things in perspective, I read the 2017-2018 flu season, about 35 million Americans got some form of influenza in that flu season. We’re talking about, worldwide, so far, 110,000 cases of Coronavirus worldwide that have killed approximately 3,500 people as of this morning. And put that in more perspective: 26,000 die every day in this country from– worldwide – I’m sorry – from cancer; almost 50,000 from cardiovascular disease. 3,000 people die a day from mosquito bites, believe it or not.

Dr. Nick: (11:47) Wow. Did not know that.

Aaron Hinde: (11:49) Yeah. Okay, so let’s talk about your immune system. We had a question I saw come through: does seasonality come into effect here? As things warm up, we always see the common cold, influenza cases go down, I think because we’re getting more vitamin D exposure. But would love to have your thoughts on that. Would you expect to see some seasonal adjustment here?

Dr. Nick: (12:13) You know, that is another thing that I think would be irresponsible any healthcare practitioner to comment as of now, because insofar as I know, Aaron, there is no absolute data speaking on COVID-19 and its uniqueness. As I stated – right? – this is a novel coronavirus. So given that we simply don’t have enough data to state with certainty that this is something that, over the summer, will decrease.

Aaron Hinde: (12:46) Because there are so many people that are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic that have a possibility to contract this, what is the difference between the symptomatic group and the asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic group? In your estimation.

Dr. Nick: (13:02) How so?

Aaron Hinde: (13:03) I’m just saying, why would I get severely sick and somebody else not be symptomatic at all? Does that have to do with how well our immune system is functioning or–?

Dr. Nick: (13:15) I understand. So one could argue that that absolutely plays a part. With the data that has come out of China thus far, rather, there is absolutely a male predominance. There seems to be a male predominance with this, though I will disclose that that was likely biased by the fact that men in that cohort in China were very commonly smokers and had chronic lung disease. But otherwise, the people who seem to be hit the hardest, at least from the data coming from China, are immunocompromised. So those who are post-transplant, have cancer, even something like diabetes and the elderly who chronically live in a state of immunocompromised compared to the younger and healthy. Paradoxically, at least for now, insofar as I know, there have not been any diagnosed cases in children younger than nine years old. So it seems that, at least for now, from what I’ve observed, children seem to be relatively spared.

Aaron Hinde: (14:34) Great, that’s good to hear. What can we do to boost our immune system? And there’s a lot of– Let’s start with exercise. There’s differences in opinion. “Should I go to the gym? Should I not go to the gym? Should I do low-impact, easy exercise, or should I go more CrossFit style, high impact? High intensity, I should say.”

Dr. Nick: (14:59) So exercise, I think– From the research that I’ve seen, exercise is no different on the body than any other stressor. So I think a better question here is how does stress affect the immune system? And how I would answer that is that it very much depends. So transient stressors, such as those associated with work, with family, or even exercise, absolutely have been shown to be associated with a bolstering and strengthening of the immune system. Unfortunately, more chronic, consistent stressors, those that are not remitting in nature such as a chronically stressful job or home life or even persistent non-transient states of anxiety, especially those of the untreated type, tend to absolutely cause a persistent inflammatory state physiologically, and with that, a persistent depression of our own ability to fight off infection.

Aaron Hinde: (16:10) So those people that are kind of constantly in that fight-or-flight mode, you want to get out of that. I know in my job–

Dr. Nick: (16:16) Absolutely.

Aaron Hinde: (16:16) –obviously here at LIFEAID can be pretty hectic on a daily basis. And as a part of my morning routine, being very clean with my diet, practicing breath work, meditation, making sure I get really good sleep, staying hydrated right when I wake up in the morning and throughout the day. Do you practice any of that? How does that tie in, do you think, to your overall immune function?

Dr. Nick: (16:45) Yeah, so I think that those type of activities absolutely benefit immunity. Essentially, those are what I like to call mindfulness techniques, right? And they have absolutely been shown– Kind of one of my favorites with my patients is cognate immunity and CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, has absolutely been established for quite some time now in that it can positively affect mood with that, and essentially cause a lessening of mental stress and anxiety. And then, obviously, that will obviously positively affect our immune system. So kind of personally, what I try and do for myself is practice gratitude. I have a gratitude journal that I try to write in when I wake up in the morning. And something that I’ve been getting into more recently that I used to be into in high school and then fell out of it, was meditation. And I definitely think that’s something that’s definitely beneficial for us in the long run.

Aaron Hinde: (17:54) It’s funny: we’re discussing ways to reduce chronic stress and therefore boost your immune function, yet in most– And a lot of people know, I don’t have a television. I don’t listen to typical radio, and just don’t subject myself to newspapers and all that. So I’m not into the hype and hysteria that is being kind of forced on people right now. But all of that is very fear-driven, creating this chronic stress response, which is the exact opposite of what we need to be doing for our immune system. It’s very ironic to me.

Dr. Nick: (18:33) That’s paradoxical.

Aaron Hinde: (18:34) It’s very paradoxical.

Dr. Nick: (18:35) Absolutely.

Aaron Hinde: (18:37) Let’s get into supplementation. Do you take any specific supplements yourself for immunity? And do you think vitamin C, vitamin D, echinacea, these types of things are worthwhile?

Dr. Nick: (18:51) So personally, Aaron, I do not. I do not take any supplements, simply because I eat a whole foods-based diet. As you stated earlier, you’re very good about your diet. I think that, when you are eating a whole foods-based diet, it becomes redundant. Now, let’s back up: I’m not saying that, if you take certain supplements while eating a whole foods-based diet, that there’s anything bad with that. In fact, essentially, your kidneys will excrete that. So at most, taking these supplements could be wasteful because you could quite literally pee them out. You could excrete them. But I think that, essentially, if you’re on a whole foods-based diet, you don’t need that. Now, otherwise, there are kind of some non-traditional therapies used for the common cold including echinacea, vitamin C, zinc. For those three that I just mentioned, there is really no solid evidence that either of those effectively treat the common cold. However, there absolutely is some data that show that a significant decrease in illness duration can be had if you are taking vitamin C before the onset of symptoms.

Aaron Hinde: (20:17) I’ve been on a diet ever since this thing hit of about five IMMUNITYAIDs a day–and after the fourth one, my pee goes totally bright yellow. So I think I need to cut it back just a little bit. [chuckling]

Dr. Nick: (20:30) Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, hey, you’re just peeing it out. It’s still helping you, but you have to keep in mind that your body can be saturated. Sure.

Aaron Hinde: (20:39) Absolutely. Absolutely. Let’s talk about the gym. In Italy, we read this morning on Morning Chalk Up that they forced closure of the CrossFit gyms in Italy. I reached out to many of my friends, gym owners here in the US. They’re all open and they say they’re as busy as they’ve ever been. So there’s really a mixed viewpoint here on what’s going on outside of this country and so far in the US. Should people stay at home? Go to the gym? What do you think?

Dr. Nick: (21:11) So I think– So if we’re talking about CrossFitters specifically, here’s our problem, my problem included, right? That most CrossFitters hate missing the gym, right? When you’re kind of at that place where it’s a habit of yours and you don’t want to not go. So I think it needs to be clear and communicated with people who are sick in any manner, especially if you have a fever and cough, myalgia, essentially the signs and symptoms that we mentioned earlier, that is absolutely paramount that you not be in the gym. That you stay home, essentially self-isolate, simply to keep others safe. As I mentioned earlier, the people who are hardest hit by this are those who are immunocompromised for whatever reason, and unfortunately, insofar as– or rather, even though you may know your own comorbidities, you may know what health issues you have, you have no idea what other people in the gym have. So people in the gym may live with type 2 diabetes, for example, and live in a state of persistent immunocompromise. As such, you are absolutely exposing them to literally infection and potentially, the escalation of that. So I think that keeping sick people out of the gym is important. Additionally, in terms of kind of gym owners– At my gym personally, at my CrossFit gym, we are providing sanitary wipes. This is here in Denver, Colorado, at CrossFit [Andrea?]. They provide sanitary wipes, and the coach, every single hour, when you’re done using your equipment, is encouraging people to take the Clorox wipes and wipe down your equipment. And yeah, that’s something that I’ve noticed at least myself in recent times a lot of gym-goers have been doing.

Aaron Hinde: (23:17) So if you’re feeling symptomatic stay home, not necessarily just for yourself, but for other people who may be immunocompromised that you don’t even know about at the gym. Make sure you wipe down your equipment. Basic stuff, right? Wash your hands. What do you think about hand-washing versus the antibacterial pump stuff?

Dr. Nick: (23:40) Sanitizer?

Aaron Hinde: (23:40) Hand sanitizer, yeah. One way or the other?

Dr. Nick: (23:43) They’re both efficacious. I mean, if the hand sanitizer has a high enough level of alcohol – which, I mean, most hand sanitizers that you can buy in the store absolutely do – they’re both efficacious. They both work. Hand-washing, if you’re going to do that, the minimum recommended time is 20 seconds. This’ll probably be a little bit nerdy, but kind of going through med school and scrubbing and going into surgeries, it’s commonly stated that you want to get under your fingernails. And kind of the best way to do that as you’re washing your hands is to do something like this: with the soap and the water and your hands, with all your fingernails, essentially, make sure to lather it and wash well. But yeah, the other things that you mention are absolutely recommended. At this point, I would not recommend that anybody cough into their hands or sneeze into their hands; I would recommend rather that you cough into your elbow and essentially– if you do have to cough into your hands or sneeze into your hands, then make sure that you wash your hands immediately afterward. If you do need to– I remember just the other day– This literally happened the other day, Aaron: I was at CrossFit, and the workout had– It was a barbell workout, so I needed to tape my thumbs, so I tape my thumbs, and just before 3, 2, 1, Go, I felt an eyelash in my eye. So I literally ran to the bathroom, took off the tape on my thumbs, washed my hands. Only after I washed my hands did I stick my finger in my eye, get rid of the eyelash – because I’m not doing a workout like that – and then proceed to join the class again. So you can absolutely touch your nose, touch your mouth, touch your eyes, if you feel that you need to. But do not do so before washing first.

Aaron Hinde: (25:39) Yeah, no, great piece of advice. So solid question back to the vitamin C: any recommendation on dosage, how much vitamin C per day?

Dr. Nick: (25:49) Yeah, so the specific study that I referenced earlier looked specifically at dosages of 200 milligrams and above, so at the bare minimum, that’s what I recommend.

Aaron Hinde: (26:03) Great. Have you changed your own travel habits, or what would you recommend people that have travel schedules–?

Dr. Nick: (26:12) So essentially, listen: if people absolutely feel that they need to travel, then travel. But ultimately, I would recommend that people do not— There are a couple places that are absolutely recommended against at this point, and that’s China; that’s Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea. And essentially, absolutely avoid those areas. But if it’s, for whatever, reason, absolutely mandated, do so. If you have to do so, I would absolutely recommend avoiding close contact with anyone whom that you are aware has a fever and a cough or other respiratory symptoms.

Aaron Hinde: (26:59) Gotcha. Gotcha. Now, I read that this particular virus has an R0 of two to three, and R0 basically means, when you’re infected, how many people would you be expected to infect, right? So if I was infected, then two to three other people would be infected as a result of me. I haven’t done the math or looked at any of the math, but it seems like that could spread fairly quickly. And again, we’ve already stated, fortunately, most people will be minimally symptomatic if not asymptomatic. At what point do we reach herd immunity? Could you talk to herd immunity at all and what that means and at what point does this kind of become like the common cold, where, okay, you might get it on a seasonal basis, but it’s not that big of a deal?

Dr. Nick: (27:54) Aaron, I have to apologize: I just got a call and this got interrupted. So I need to pick up the question part of that. Would you say the question again?

Aaron Hinde: (28:01) Yeah, so I was talking about, as it spreads – and we’ll continue to see an uptick in cases because of the R0 being two to three – we’re going to reach a certain saturation point or something around herd immunity. I’ve read somewhere, potentially around 60%. After that happens, any estimate on how quickly that could happen, and then what happens after that? We get symptoms; we’ve been exposed to this virus. Will those symptoms just kind of run their course typically? Or is this something that we need to be concerned about every year now?

Dr. Nick: (28:40) So essentially, that R0 that you mentioned? That’s not what I’ve heard. There’s still– Like I said, right? This is a fast-moving story. As such, I do think it pays to be receptive to the CDC and information that’s coming out from the governing health bodies. But essentially, as of right now, from what I’ve heard, COVID-19 R0 is approximately– is anywhere from one to three. And that kind of changes, right? Depending on how many people are infected, both symptomatically and asymptomatically. Measles’ R0– Measles is essentially one of the most virulent infections that anyone can get, and the R0 for Measles is 15 to 20.

Aaron Hinde: (29:31) Oh, wow. Okay.

Dr. Nick: (29:32) Yes, right? So just keep that in mind.

Aaron Hinde: (29:33) In perspective, yeah.

Dr. Nick: (29:35) Absolutely. Absolutely. The R0s for influenza? Now that, we know for absolute certain, right? And that is 1.3. So given what I stated earlier, that the R0 of COVID-19 is between one to three, arguably, this could either be less infectious or more infectious than influenza. But it is absolutely not as infectious as other things such as Measles.

Aaron Hinde: (30:01) Good. That’s very helpful, put in perspective. Anything else that we haven’t covered that you think that the public needs to know regarding Coronavirus?

Dr. Nick: (30:13) No, other than that– I think that it’s obvious that this puts infection at the forefront of everybody’s thoughts. But I think what is important to realize and important to know is that there are many other– As I stated earlier, there are many other variants of Coronavirus, as well as rhinovirus as well as adenovirus as well as everything that kind of causes common infection that is spread to society commonly. The things that are notable that most healthcare practitioners are saying, the simple things: wash your hands; keep your hands away from your mouth, from your nose, from your eyes; cough into your elbow; stay out of work; stay out of the gym if you’re sick; all of those things are– these are– if you kind of step back and look at them, they’re basic. They’re very basic. But they are very effective, right? And unfortunately, people, because they’re so basic, tend to be dismissive of them, when in reality, they are–

Aaron Hinde: (31:25) Most effective.

Dr. Nick: (31:25) The most effective, yeah. They’re step one. So I would just recommend that everybody kind of keep basic sanitary protocols in mind, and yeah, that’s pretty much it.

Aaron Hinde: (31:36) Doc, last question, and again, really appreciate your time today. Why do you think this particular virus has gotten so much media attention and hysteria?

Dr. Nick: (31:48) Because it’s new and because it’s unknown and because it’s novel as I stated earlier. When something is entirely novel, when you have any novel coronavirus like MERS, like COVID-19, like SARS, you essentially– if something is novel, there is no immunity to it on a population scale, right? And as such, it can– depending on the R0s, it can be very virulent or it cannot be virulent. But essentially, I understand there’s a lot of fear. I think what I don’t agree with on a fundamental basis is that there’s a– It seems that there’s not a lot of evidence-based knowledge being perpetuated and spread about it, or spread on it rather. So a source that I always recommend is the CDC and the CDC website. Anyone can go there, not just doctors. But it is absolutely a great source for information, one, a source of information that is without the hysteria and anxiety that we are commonly seeing these days on television and elsewhere.

Aaron Hinde: (33:08) So avoid the news; go to CDC’s website for the latest and greatest; wash your hands; be smart; don’t transmit this thing around; stay home if you’ve got any symptoms going on whatsoever. Doc, really appreciate your time. Doctor Nick from SteadyMD, where can people find out more if– Quickly tell us what is SteadyMD, and if we wanted to engage your services, how could we do so?

Dr. Nick: (33:34) So SteadyMD is a novel – here we go – is a novel service that has– started many years back, way before my time with them. But it essentially advocates for a personal relationship with your physician as opposed to going to the doctor like so many of us do these days, and either, A, having a different doctor every single time you come, or B, having your doctor rush you with your appointments despite the fact that you just waited 30 days or even more to see the doctor, and you probably have a lot of built-up anxiety about whatever you’re coming in for, and you only– You get into the room with the doctor and they seem to be rushing you in a five or ten-minute appointment. So SteadyMD gets rid of that by being membership-based. You pay a small fee monthly, and then you can get in contact with your doctor however many times you want with no copays, no waits. You message your doctor; you call us; you video chat us; whatever you’d like, and we’re there for you, to attend to kind of whatever your medical needs as well as preventative. I’ve probably given [inaudible] my mindset towards the lifestyle changes. I am very big on the preventative side of medicine and preventing the diseases of kind of lifestyle, of chronic metabolic diseases that unfortunately is prevalent in society. So yeah, that’s what SteadyMD is all about. You can check it out and read more about SteadyMD at www.steadymd.com. And there’s a frequently asked questions page that will answer a good amount of people’s questions.

Aaron Hinde: (35:26) Awesome. Well, check out SteadyMD, connect with Doctor Nick at @thefittestdoc on Instagram. I am Aaron Hinde, president and cofounder here at LIFEAID Beverage company, with FITAID. Thank you all for your time. Doc, thanks a lot for setting the record straight here. Appreciate it. Take care.

Dr. Nick: (35:44) Yep, take care.

[outro music]


You can follow both Dr. Nick, MD, and Aaron Hinde on Instagram at:
@thefittesdoc | @aaronhinde 
Stock up on IMMUNITYAID now at LifeaidBevCo.com:


For more information and updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the CDC, visit: www.CDC.gov 

5 Tips on Staying Germ-Free at the Gym

Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman • Images courtesy of: @crossfitonevalley & @jakehoneycuttphoto

We all know that going to the gym to stay active and fit is super important for our physical and emotional well-being, but many of us forget about the potential for picking up illnesses in communal spaces like the local CrossFit box or the community yoga studio. During your next sweat session consider some of these immunity boosting tips to keep your future trips to the gym germ-free. 

1. Drink Immunity Boosting Drinks

Often forgotten, drinking immunity boosting drinks such as turmeric shots, IMMUNITYAID, or apple cider vinegar can give your body the extra line of defense it needs to keep you nice and healthy while you’re working out. Helping to deliver an extra boost to your immune system, turmeric is also a good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, helping you recover from your workouts faster! The last thing you want is to have a bad cough that derails your PR attempts. Taking care of your body from the inside out is the first step to whole-body wellness.

2. Wipe Down Your Equipment

Whether you’re working with kettlebells or a yoga block, wiping down your equipment with an alcohol based sanitizer is a must. Forgetting can be easy when you’re leaving your CrossFit class in a post-WOD haze but cleaning your equipment is not only good for you, it’s also respectful to others who use the same wall balls and dumbbells. Germs can really proliferate on unclean equipment surfaces causing an illness to spread quickly through your local fitness center. Help keep sickness at bay by cleaning your (or other’s) gym equipment!

3. Drink Plenty of Water

We all know that drinking water is key to enhance your athletic performance but being well hydrated can also help your body in it’s defense against illnesses. Having a hydrated body can keep toxins from building up as well as assist in moving oxygen to your cells which could help with keeping your immune system functioning properly. 

4. Don’t Come to Class If You’re Sick

Thinking a good sweat session is going to kick your cold? Staying home when you’re sick can greatly reduce how many people you pass it to as well as your recovery time. Your body needs rest to fight off those germs and giving it something else to repair will only increase the time that you’re ill. Take the day off! Everyone, including your body, will thank you.

5. Take Care of Your Own Equipment

Washing your own wrist wraps, yoga mat, knee sleeves and weight belt will keep you and your gym bag healthy and clean. So next time you’re finishing up a workout, throw your stuff in the washing machine rather than in the back of your car. Not only will it keep nasty things such as staph from growing on your equipment, but it’ll smell better, too. 

CONCLUSION

Next time you’re at your local gym, try to take some of these tips along to help with keeping illnesses from taking root in your workout community. Not only will your fellow athletes be happy and healthy but so will you!

 

Cover image: Delanie, Gracie, Tiffany & Alexis Wade: @dwade556 | @gracie9421 | @alexis_wade99

Last image: Chase Hill | @chill_365

 


 

About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she’s not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.

You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @the_goodish_traveler or website: TheGoodishTraveler.com

 


> > > Live well.

NPR’s Info & Tips for Fighting Against COVID

Credit: Malaka Gharib/NPR
Reposted from NPR‘s Instagram post on Feb. 29, 2020:

Kids and parents: You may have heard the word “coronavirus” online or on TV. You probably have a lot of questions. Read our comic to get some answers.
—NPR

 

 

 

 

 

 


STAY WELL OUT THERE, EVERYONE!

Stock up on IMMUNITYAID Wellness Blend to help boost your immune system with vitamins you’ll actually enjoy drinking.

—Your LIFEAID family

 

FITAID MAKES A SPLASH AT MIAMI’S 2020 WODAPALOOZA


February 20-23, 2020

What a weekend!

While athletes crushed WODs in the Miami sunshine & rain, the FITAID booth sampled over 3,000 cans of our LOW-CAL and ZERO SUGAR workout Recovery Blends—FITAID, FITAID ZERO SUGAR, FITAID RX & FITAID RX ZERO SUGAR—as well as the new balancing LIFEAID HEMP Blend.

Meet & Greets over the weekend included top athletes & influencers: Kelsey Kiel, Kenzie Riley, Hannah Eden, Cassidy Lance & Luke Parker

Pictured on podium, left to right: Sara Sigmundsdottir (2nd), Tia-Clair Toomey (1st), Kari Pearce (3rd)

CONGRATULATIONS to FITAID athlete Sara Sigmundsdottir on her 2nd-place finish at WZA 2020, crushing all the events over the weekend!

THANKS to everyone who came out and helped make WZA 2020 a success! We’re already looking forward to seeing you next year.
—Your FITAID Team


> > > Live well.

Happy Valentine’s Day from LIFEAID! Here Are a Few of Our Favorites

Meet the heroes behind the headsets here at LIFEAID Beverage Co., our rockstar Customer Success Team (CST)! Together, they field hundreds of calls, emails and chats each week, all with a smile—helping our amazing customers with their accounts, orders, returns, exchanges, subscriptions and more. The faces you see here are largely responsible for the happy campers who post rave reviews of our LIFEAID products and services.

Buckle up, it’s time to get to know your LIFEAID Customer Success Team: Jadé, Flory, Destiny and Rosemary. Here is a list of their absolute favorite things to help you make this your healthiest and happiest Valentine’s Day yet. Enjoy! 

Pictured above, from left to right: Flor, Destiny, Rosemary, Jadefront row, channeling his inner Bachelor

Jade (aka: Jadé)

Favorite thing about Valentine’s Day: I love rip-away clothing, safety words & aloe vera (just kidding)
Favorite date: fort building, long conversations about Batman (100% serious)
Favorite dinner:
sushi
Favorite music: the smooth stylings of Seal
Favorite LIFEAID product: PARTYAID … or should I say, “PartyJadè”
Favorite thing about myself: my opposable thumbs

Destiny

Favorite Valentine’s Day gift: a massage | Favorite date: dinner, always!
Favorite text to get from my Valentine:
“I washed the dishes, babe”
Favorite music:
50s/60s era
Favorite condiment: hot sauce
Favorite dance move: The Twist
Favorite thing about your pet: That I could probably leave it alone for a week and it would be fine (it’s a fish, I give him a new name every day)
Favorite LIFEAID product: the new LIFEAID Hemp Blend
Favorite thing about myself: my mind

Flor

Favorite Valentine’s Day gift: chocolate-dipped strawberries and flowers
Favorite thing to make for your loved one(s): Sopes. I love cooking authentic Hispanic foods & spending time in the kitchen with my family. We have always connected through cooking—it creates happiness & laughter in our home.
Favorite date: Getting ready for dinner and, of course, eating some great food!
Favorite dessert: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Favorite dance move: dancing and singing (I really enjoy singing in the car)
Favorite LIFEAID product: All of them! Although I find myself drinking FOCUSAID most often
Favorite thing about myself: my hair and nails

Rosemary

Favorite Valentine’s Day gift: anything homemade
Favorite Valentine’s Day music: love songs by George Strait
Favorite text to get from/send to your Valentine: “I love you”
Favorite animal print: cheetah, baby!
Favorite dessert: warm chocolate chip cookies
Favorite quote:
“And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” —Michael Scott
Favorite scent: rain, my boyfriend’s hoodies, and my 47,000 candles
Favorite thing to Google: cute baby videos
Favorite thing about myself: Is it weird if I say my feet? I also like my handwriting and my ability to fiercely love.

Share the LIFEAID love this February 14th!

At LIFEAID, we truly are passionate about helping others live their best, healthiest life. What better way to show someone you care about their health than with a case of LIFEAID Vitality Blend, great for helping to reduce mild inflammation from everyday stress while you thrive in life.

O U R  S P E C I A L  G I F T  J U S T  F O R  Y O U :

This Valentine’s Day, enjoy 25% OFF all cases of LIFEAID Vitality Blend! Offer valid for 24 hours only — shop this Friday (Feb. 14) to save some dough for your valentine! (Discount taken at checkout.)

Wishing you & your loved ones a happy and healthy Valentine’s DayYou are loved. BE YOU.

—From your team at LIFEAID Beverage Co. 

#ABetterWayToDrink

> > > Live well.

Scott Stallings Life-Changing Transformation

Source: PGA Tour video | April 2019

After being diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 2015, GOLFERAID athlete Scott Stallings changed his lifestyle. With two top-10s and a third-place finish in the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Stallings is looking to earn his fourth career victory at the Valero Texas Open.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

“The only time I really truly felt good is when I worked out. So when I was training and stuff, I felt great. It just kinda became a routine. It wasn’t a matter of if and when I was gonna do it, it was just a matter of what time of day.”

—Scott Stallings

FITAID Partners with Athlete & Coach Neal Maddox on The Jug Method

Santa Cruz, CA—Jan. 27, 2020

The Jug Method

Recently launched, just in time to help all of us reach our goal of getting in the best shape of our life in 2020, the new Jug Method is already sweeping the nation! Droves of fitness fanatics from all skill levels are flocking to replace expensive home gym equipment with simple water jugs. 

Founder and creator of the Jug Method, Neal Maddox is an eight-time CrossFit® Games athlete, elite coach & fitness guru who partnered with FITAID to share his revolutionary new fitness program with the masses.

“Whether you’re an elite athlete or just trying to get fit, the Jug Method is perfect for you! Ditch those expensive plates and barbells, join the Jug Arms movement today,” says Maddox with confidence.

Dip ‘n’ Sip, baby!

The unconventional program encourages members to “Dip ‘n’ Sip your way to improved strength with the Jug Method,” promising to get you lean, mean and green in record time.

There are already dozens of testimonials touting the benefits of Maddox’s program: “I’m cancelling all of my gym memberships and sticking to the Jug Method,” says one satisfied convert.

Just Jugs

Convenient and inexpensive, almost any kind of plastic jug (which you can adjust to desired weight by simply adding or removing liquid) can be purchased for less than a couple bucks at most any local retailer and put to use immediately with the Jug Method’s powerful, explosive movements.

Maddox is helping millions kick excuses to the curb by making fitness affordable and convenient, accessible from the convenience of your own couch.

Join the Movement

To learn more about the program or experience the power of the Jug Method for yourself, visit JugArms.com today, and let the Jug Method take your fitness to the next level. Show off your jug arms in a Jug Method T-shirt, now available online in vibrant white. And don’t forget to fuel your jugs with FITAID, the #1 Post-Workout Recovery Drink in America.

Join the Movement at JugArms.com 

Best Workout Playlist & Headphones for Work Outs

When you’re working out, having the right playlist changes everything, especially if you have the perfect headphones! Working out with music is a great source for motivation and has been shown to boost performance. Read on to see the benefits of listening to music while exercising, how the right headphones make an impact and which songs to add to your workout playlist to get the beats going and your heart pumping.

THE BENEFITS OF LISTENING TO MUSIC WHILE WORKING OUT

Whether you’re just getting in to the workout world or are a pro athlete, adding music to your exercise regimen can be extremely beneficial, from finding motivation and pushing through difficult exercises to getting you in the zone and helping you keep pace. Music helps provide a distraction from pain or difficulty while working out and can help make the experience more fun. Working out to music can boost your performance, and depending on the activity, the best exercise music is between 120-140 BPM. The main benefits of using a playlist for working out are:

  • Creates a good kind of distraction
  • Increases your effort
  • Puts you “in the zone”
  • Provides a good beat to keep pace
  • Elevates your mood
  • Makes you want to move

FINDING THE RIGHT WORKOUT HEADPHONES

When it comes to your workout, nothing should get in your way. It’s important to find the right headphones for working out that fit your needs. Comfort and functions are main priorities, and of course it doesn’t hurt to have some style thrown in there as well. From wireless headphones that offer rich sound and comfort to true wireless earbuds that keep your gym bag light and allow you to focus on both your music and surroundings, there are plenty of options available.

Man at Gym with BackBeat FIT 6100 Workout Headphones

WIRELESS HEADPHONES

With an adjustable headband, premium sound, and sweatproof construction, the right wireless sport headphones should do the audio heavy lifting when you’re lifting at the gym. Find a pair or workout headphones that stay put even when you’re hitting the gym hard. When you’re working out, you don’t want to worry about an uncomfortable fit or headphones falling off, so look for an adjustable head strap and memory foam ear cushions.

BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Sport Headphones  |  BackBeat FIT 500 Wireless Sport Headphones

WIRELESS EARBUDS

It’s important to find workout earbuds designed to stay in place during even your most rigorous training sessions. When buying wireless workout earbuds, look for a sweatproof and water-resistant design that doesn’t get in your way. Wireless earbuds are compact and stylish options that have the added security of a neck cord. This design is perfect for runners or anyone on the go and are designed to hear your workout playlist with clarity while being aware of other surroundings.

BackBeat FIT 2100 Wireless Sport Earbuds  |  BackBeat FIT 350 Wireless Sport Earbuds  |  BackBeat FIT 300 Wireless Sport Earbuds

TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS

Don’t let cords hold you back. True wireless earbuds are designed to deliver a freeing and reliable listening experience in and outside the gym. This style is the most compact design with no cords, so invest in earbuds that are equipped with soft, flexible yet super-secure earloops in an ultra-lightweight design that will stay put during your toughest workouts. Bonus points if they are sweat-proof and waterproof to add that extra durability needed in workout earbuds.

BackBeat FIT 3200 True Wireless Sport Earbuds  |  BackBeat FIT 3150 True Wireless Sport Earbuds  |  BackBeat FIT 3100 True Wireless Sport Earbuds

Woman Climbing with BackBeat FIT 3200 Workout Headphones

LISTEN: POLY’S ULTIMATE PLAYLIST FOR WORKING OUT

  • Side To Side – Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj
  • Around the World (La La La La La) – ATC
  • Sail – AWOLNATION
  • Run The World (Girls) – Beyoncé
  • The Distance – Cake
  • I Like It – Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin
  • Everytime We Touch – Cascada
  • Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
  • One More Time – Daft Punk
  • Titanium – David Guetta and Sia
  • When A Fire Starts To Burn – Disclosure
  • Turn Down for What – DJ Snake, Lil John
  • X Gon’ Give It To Ya – DMX
  • Burn – Ellie Goulding
  • Lose Yourself – Eminem
  • Call On Me – Eric Prydz
  • Love On Me – Galantis, Hook N Sling
  • I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
  • Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
  • Thunder – Imagine Dragons
  • Where Are Ü Now – Justin Bieber, Diplo, Skrillex
  • SexyBack – Justin Timberlake, Timbaland
  • Stronger – Kanye West
  • Tik Tok – Ke$ha
  • HUMBLE. – Kendrick Lamar
  • Pursuit of Happiness – Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat
  • The Edge of Glory – Lady GaGa
  • Fitness – Lizzo
  • Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO
  • Animals – Martin Garrix
  • Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer
  • Enter Sandman – Metallica
  • Beat It – Michael Jackson
  • Lose Control – Missy Elliott, Ciara, Fatman Scoop
  • Pound The Alarm – Nicki Minaj
  • Here It Goes Again – OK Go
  • Hay Ya! – OutKast
  • Last Resort – Papa Roach
  • Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
  • Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna
  • Push It – Salt-N-Pepa
  • Temperature – Sean Paul
  • Electricity – Silk City, Dua Lipa, Diplo, Mark Ronson
  • Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  • Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
  • Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees
  • Imma Be – The Black Eyed Peas
  • Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
  • Headstrong – Trapt
  • The Middle – Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

Working out can be made more enjoyable and effective with the right workout playlist and some high-quality sports headphones. Use the playlist above as a baseline to create your best workout playlist and get that BPM going – for both your heart and your music. Not only will you have more fun, but you’ll see your performance improve as well!


© All rights reserved. | Original photography and article from blogs.Poly.com

> > > Live well.