A New Year Protocol
For your pharynges!
Happy new year! Wishing you good health and movement joy in 2022! I was all about to release a totally different new year's edition of Curious Mover, a step by step January Challenge. It seems like this more important topic has come up and thus kicked that edition to the curb, for the moment. More than once in my conversations, I found people don't have this information yet. I thought it would be more helpful to start 2022 by sharing this protocol. With Omicron surging, researchers have found and are still studying methods that might help mitigate, cut down, or reduce your chances of getting sick. I am not a doctor, but this hygiene practice has worked well for me. Without getting into politics, identity, religion, race, or vax status, it’s just a suggestion for adding an additional level of protection to the ones you already have in place, and you can get it at a drugstore, so why not.
Viral load
The virus replicates in the nose and mouth, where the virus is most transmissible and contagious. These are the areas for all testing, after all. Studies of the Delta virus show the viral load is similar between those vaxxed and those not (see HERE and HERE). Since Omicron is highly transmissible regardless of vax status, why not start a level of protection in your nose and mouth and help to cut down the viral load?
Wash yer Nose
I use Xlear every night. With Xylitol, saline, and grapefruit seed extract, it’s as natural as it comes. Xylitol prevents pathogens adhering to nasal tissue so they can’t affect it. It acts like our body’s own protective mucus and doesn’t dry out the nose like other sprays. Grapefruit seed extract has less research, but on my travels, people I met swore by it and added Grapefruit seed extract drops to their water to prevent getting sick from pathogens. On the Xclear website, they go into much more detail on the benefits of their products with killing THE virus. They have listed lots of studies HERE. I pass along this study. Any other types of nasal cleansing, like neti pot or sinus rinse, could work too!
Swish and Gargle
Have you heard of an outbreak at the dentist’s office where they have hands in people’s mouths all day, as well as hover inches above their faces? No? That is because they are diluting medical grade hydrogen peroxide and having their patients gargle. But instead of having to work out a ratio, just have some mouthwash at the ready. Mouthwashes that contain a chemical called Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) might help to kill the virus. This BBC article talks about the study from Cardiff University. Mouthwash such as Scope, or Crest Pro-Health contain this ingredient. Listerine and chlorhexidine mouthwashes too. And this study shows others, including Listerine brands once again.
These protocols are still being studied, but it seems like an easy way to access more prevention. There is still so much we don’t know, but I felt it was important to mention during this surge. Don’t let your guard down, just add to what you already have - take it or leave it! Everyone always needs to do what is best for them and their families. The Next Curious Mover, we will pick back up our January Challenge!