Hello Beautiful people,
I have been studying viruses, and different ways that you can boost your immune system in regards to novel COVID-19. I have studied researches from doctors all over the world and I have gathered the most important information that you can use to boost your immunity against novel COVID-19.
Unfortunately, no integrative measures have been validated in human trials. However, this is the time to be proactive. Using available in-vitro evidence, an understanding of the virulence of COVID-19, as well as data from similar, but different, viruses, these are some recommendations from Western & Eastern doctors who are interested in nutrition and natural ways to boost immunity.
Again, we stress that these are supplemental considerations to the current recommendations that emphasize regular hand washing, social distancing, stopping non-essential travel, and getting tested if you develop symptoms.
While the pathogenicity of COVID-19 is complex, it is important to understand the role of inflammation in this disease. The virulence and pathogenicity (including acute respiratory distress syndrome) associated with SARS coronaviruses develops as the result of viral activation of cytoplasmic NLRP3 inflammasome.
This inflammasome within activated (upregulated NFkB) macrophages and Th1 immune cells releases proinflammatory cytokines, namely IL-1B and IL18, which dictate the pathogenic inflammation responsible for the virulence and symptoms of COVID-19. For the purpose of making this easier for you to understand, I will refer to the above cytokines as inflammatory molecules
COVID-19 RISK REDUCTION
- Adequate sleep: Shorter sleep duration increases the risk of infectious illness. One study found that less than 5 hours of sleep (monitored over 7 consecutive days) increased the risk of developing rhinovirus associated cold by 350%. Important to COVID-19, sleep deprivation increases your inflammatory molecules in comparison to adequate sleep, which also ensures the secretion of melatonin, a molecule which may play a role in reducing coronavirus virulence (see Melatonin below).
- Stress management: Psychological stress disrupts immune regulation and is specifically associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. Various mindfulness techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery, etc. reduce stress, reduce these inflammatory molecules.
- Zinc: Coronavirus appear to be susceptible to the viral inhibitory actions of zinc. Zinc may prevent coronavirus entry into cells and appears to reduce coronavirus virulence.Typical daily dosing of zinc is 15mg – 30mg daily with lozenges potentially providing direct protective effects in the upper respiratory tract.
- Vegetables and Fruits +/- isolated Flavonoids: Many flavonoids have been found, in vitro, to reduce the inflammatory markers associated with pathogenic infections.Some of the specific flavonoids which have been shown to have this effect, and which can be found in the diet and/or dietary supplements include:
- baicalin11 and wogonoside12 from Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap);
- liquiritigenin13 from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
- dihydroquercetin14 and quercetin15 found in onions and apples
- myricetin16 found in tomatoes, organs, nuts, and berries
- apigenin17 (found in Matricaria recutita (Chamomile), parsley and celery.
At least 5 – 7 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of fruit daily provide a repository of flavonoids and are considered a cornerstone of an anti-inflammatory diet.
Vitamin C
Like flavonoids, ascorbic acid inhibits inflammatory activation. Clinical trials have found that vitamin C shortens the frequency, duration and severity of the common cold and the incidence of pneumonia. Typical daily dosing of vitamin C ranges from 500 mg to 3000 mg daily with even higher doses utilized during times of acute infection.
Melatonin
Melatonin has been shown to inhibit NFkB activation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In fact, the age-related decline in melatonin production is one proposed mechanism to explain why children do not appear to have severe symptoms and older adults do. Melatonin also reduces oxidative lung injury and inflammatory cell recruitment during viral infections. Typical dosing of melatonin varies widely from 0.3 mg to 20 mg (the latter used in the oncological setting).
- Sambucus nigra (Elderberry): There is preclinical evidence that elderberry inhibits replication and viral attachment of Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), different than COVID-19, but a member of the coronavirus family. Sambucus appears most effective in the prevention or early stage of corona virus infections.
- PLEASE note, Elderberry significantly increases inflammatory cytokines, including IL-B124 so should be discontinued with symptoms of infection (or positive test).
- An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry conducted by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration concluded that there is level B evidence to support the use of elderberry for influenza, which may or may not be applicable to COVID-19 prevention. Typical dosing of 2:1 elderberry extract is 10mL -60mL daily for adults and 5mL-30mL daily for children.
Vitamin D
In certain conditions, vitamin D has been found to decrease inflammatory activation However, 1,25(OH)vitamin D has also been found to increase some inflammatory molecules during the course of infection, and should, therefore, be used with caution and perhaps discontinued with symptoms of infection.
DURING SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION OR POSITIVE TEST FOR COVID-19, you are advised to avoid the following :
- Sambucus nigra (Elderberry)
- Polysaccharide extracts from medicinal mushrooms
- Echinacea angustifolia and E. purpurea
- Larch arabinogalactan
- Vitamin D
The following products are Likely Safe: Other commonly used natural immunostimulatory and antiviral agents including the following do not appear to increase inflammatory molecules a part of their immunomodulatory actions. Several of these, in fact, reduce these cytokines and may restore immune homeostasis. These are, therefore, likely safe to use both prior to, and during, COVID-19 infection. Whether these agents mitigate the symptoms or virulence of COVID-19 is unknown and therefore the benefit of these agents during COVID-19 infection is unknown.
- Allium sativum (garlic)
- Quercetin
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Full mycelium mushroom extracts
- Mentha piperita (peppermint)
- Zinc
Vitamin A
A scientific study found that 25,000iu daily for 4 months in 84 women resulted in lower serum IL-1b and IL-1b/IL-4 ratios in obese women. Oral vitamin A can causes Hypervitaminosis A especially at doses greater than 25,000 IU daily for more than 6 years or 100,000iu daily for more than 6 months monitoring liver function tests for hepatotoxicity during vitamin A dosing of any duration, even at lower doses, is advised given variable individual sensitivity.
Vitamin C
The information and understanding of COVID-19 continues to change rapidly. We encourage you to make integrative recommendations carefully and with consideration of the underlying mechanisms of both the COVID-19 infection and the intended intervention. It is also important to reiterate that there are no clinically evidence-based integrative prevention or treatment strategies for COVID-19 infection.
These are just some educational information, if you have any questions, call us 714-679-8608 for your consult or ask your doctor for his/her recomendation.