Surviving Covid With HPR

Maybe you don’t know anyone personally who has had it, maybe you do, bottom line; as athletes, we have had this ‘get out of jail free’ mentality for quite some time. (C’mon, I know you did) – it was all like, “I’m young(ish), I’m fit, I make healthy choices, and I have no comorbidities… I’m good, I’ll be so fine”. And then you get it. And it’s whole ‘nother zombie all together.

My wake-up call and intense reality check happened when I caught covid-19. I didn’t look for it. I didn’t plan for it. And I sure didn’t think I’d be so affected by it. So, this month I’d like to share with you my personal experiences on covid-19 and how certain things really helped me more than I could have asked for.

Being educated in health, wellness, and nutrition, I thought I was mentally and physically geared up and ready should there be any need to deal with the virus. But actually getting it is like being armed with the best kind of bullets for the apocalypse, and you’re firing away… but you still get bitten daily.

And that’s how many of us felt: bitten by an unseen zombie which you thought you were prepared for. I lost my taste and smell and experienced a deep cough. I do have asthma, but this cough was different. My heart rate skyrocketed, with my resting heart rate (RHR) sitting at 88BPM on some days and hitting 100BPM on others. I mean this is not healthy at all, especially when the South African RHR average is 73BPM and a professional athlete, like I am, is in the 40 – 45BPM range. It’s kind of like going through a HIIT workout 24/7 for 14 days nonstop; it’s crazy. Again, I know this is not everyone’s experience, but my body was not happy with this onslaught.

Despite not being able to taste my favourite chocolate HPR flavour, I made the choice to continue drinking HPR throughout my period of infection. But why drink a protein supplement without training? Well, friends, it’s simple, HPR Recovery Milk is exactly what it says it is, a recovery drink. Think about it: since my apocalypse car was revving uphill in second gear, desperately seeking its final destination (full health), it obviously needed fuel to do so. But if the covid zombies keep poking holes in the petrol tank, you have to start refueling more frequently to get anywhere. And when the fuel does reach the engine – it darn well better be good fuel; otherwise, what a waste. HPR is good fuel.

High Protein Recovery Milk contains the essential nutrients which your body needs to function optimally, namely protein, carbohydrates, and fats. The ratio between these macronutrients in HPR is considered physiologically perfect for recovery. The ingredients from vitamins and minerals (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium) can replace necessary electrolytes that your body is constantly using to reduce inflammation and fight against the virus by ramping up your immune system with essential micronutrients. The age-old question stands: “But if I am sick and coughing, won’t milk cause more phlegm making it hard to breathe? What about inflammation?”. Let’s debunk that myth right now, shall we?

According to Dr. Ian Balfour-Lynn, author and pediatric pulmonologist at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, “the milk-mucus connection is simply a myth”.² Despite conflicting information regarding inflammation, milk products have been researched in 52 clinical studies with positive outcomes published in Food Science and Nutrition, showing that milk actually has anti-inflammatory products. Sure, some may say they experience some of the above to be true, but, as an asthma sufferer, I have never had any issues with mucous or inflammation whilst drinking HPR.

Choosing to continue using my trusted ready-to-drink protein was a lifesaver. HPR allowed me to retain as much muscle as possible through my covid journey thanks to the macro and micronutrients this spectacular recovery milk offers. Drinking 2 – 3 HPR’s a day simply meant I got in 42 – 63g of protein. This helped me get closer to my daily intake goal of 120g of protein-based fuel (my car is not the same as your car).

I can honestly say some days, I struggled to eat, and HPR was my only saving grace. To my detriment, I lost 4kgs in 14days whilst having covid, and some may think wow 4kgs, bonus… But remember that’s 4kgs of hard-earned muscle and some bone density, not 4kgs of your jiggles… it was the kind of 4kgs a person doesn’t want to lose. Based on my knowledge and first-hand experience of covid, I can advise nutritionally to ensure getting in good-quality protein. Whether you are training or not training, HPR could be the very thing that eases the zombie attack to the best of your body’s ability.

How do we know if we are getting high-quality protein in? Want know if you’re getting in good protein? Catch up here: https://recoverymilk.co.za/2021/03/30/are-proteins-equal/https://recoverymilk.co.za/2021/03/30/are-proteins-equal/

Feel free to contact me with any nutritional questions you may have.

Candice De Mendonca
Tfh@thefitnesshybrid.com

NB: Disclaimer:
*Please note this article is not deemed to diagnose, cure, or treat covid it is merely written from our sports nutritionist and personal trainer’s first-hand experience.*

* Make sure you consult with your doctor with any covid queries you may have and treat accordingly.*

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/63517-milk-does-not-create-mucus.html²

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-dairy-inflammatory#dairy³

HPR is a specially formulated, high-quality protein recovery drink, packed with 21 grams of protein and 8 added vitamins that are crucial for high-intensity exercises. It provides all the necessary components to speed up muscle recovery so you can Recover Like a Pro.