Hello Zonians,
I hope this finds you all safe and well. I am sure many of you have questions and possible concerns regarding the current pandemic and the effects of COVID-19 (SARS- CoV-2) on the human body. There is a great amount of information and misinformation in circulation, and for months I have done exhaustive research on the subject. The following is for your consideration moving forward, and my recommendations on how to upgrade and optimize your immune system. I have included reference specifically to SARS-CoV-2, but a healthy immune system is an essential part of fighting all disease. The best way to combat disease is by giving our bodies the best possible chance to fight it. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions – I look forward to seeing you soon!
Vitamin D 2000-5000IU per day assuming minimal sun exposure. Maintaining a healthy vitamin D status is an imminently solvable but often ignored problem for many people, and may be an utterly crucial factor in protecting against susceptibility to lung injury. The enzyme that leaves the lung vulnerable to injury is ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme two: is an enzyme attached to the outer surface of cells in the lungs, arteries, heart, kidney, and intestines). The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters human cells via the ACE2 receptor. Viral particles can bind to a large number of ACE2 molecules, sequestering the ACE2 molecules from the cell surface and decreasing ACE2, this increases disease severity; and has been shown to happen with the virus that caused the original SARS outbreak, SARS-CoV-1, which also binds to the ACE2 receptor. The ACE2 function can cause neutrophil (white blood cell) infiltration, excessive inflammation, and lung injury. Once lung infection progresses to hypoxia (low oxygen levels), renin is released from the kidneys, setting up a vicious cycle for decreasing ACE2. Lower levels of ACE2 promote more damage, culminating in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Vitamin D prevents ARDS from happening by decreasing the gene expression of renin. In a preclinical model of acute lung injury, administration of vitamin D provided protection against lung injury by increasing ACE2 levels and decreasing renin production. It is important to note that the acute lung injury itself led to a decrease in ACE2 and this resulted in worse lung injury. Vitamin D increased ACE2 receptor levels only in conditions of acute lung injury where ACE2 levels decreased. When vitamin D was given to control animals, it did not cause an increase in ACE2 receptor levels. This means that vitamin D normalizes ACE2 receptor levels in situations where it is decreased. The primary source of vitamin D is via endogenous synthesis in the skin upon UVB exposure from the sun. Many aspects of modern life are at odds with our natural production of vitamin D (clothes, sunscreen, being indoors). This partly explains why approximately 70% of the US population has insufficient levels of vitamin D making it a necessary supplement choice.
In short: Unregulated ACE2 increases virus activity and leads to increase in inflammation and lung injury resulting in ADRS. Vitamin D helps regulate ACE2. Take it or suffer possible consequences.
ZMA and Zinc 40-50mg per day *no more as it may cause copper or iron deficiency Zinc is a mineral we get from food and is essential to life as it aids in proper hormonal production, fighting disease, metabolism production, and wound healing. Zinc directly inhibits at least three pathways the original SARS-CoV-1 uses to reproduce. Since zinc directly targets SARS-CoV-1, it is likely effective against SARS-CoV-2 as well. Zinc interferes with the virus replicating and causing trouble once it has entered a cell, but we currently have no reason to believe it stops the virus from getting in. If the virus cells can’t replicate, they won’t be able to establish much of an infection. Zinc can be obtained from foods, pills, and lozenges. Lozenges are best for releasing zinc in the mouth, allowing it to travel into our nose and throat. This is why people often take zinc for colds, which mostly infect the nose and throat. Foods and pills get digested and allow zinc to circulate through all the tissues of our entire body, including our lungs. It is believed the infection might start first in the mouth, nose, or throat, which means we should use a combination of lozenges and pills to maximize the amount of zinc throughout our bodies.
Vitamin C 1000-2000mg per day Vitamin C is vital to our immune system in many ways. First, it encourages the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body from infection. Second, it helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules such as free radicals. For most of us, vitamin C supplements help us get better from a cold about one day earlier, a small but helpful effect. Vitamin C can also be helpful in dire situations. For example, one study examined the effect of injecting patients with high doses of vitamin C when their lung function was in crisis. The vitamin C doubled their chances of survival. SARS -CoV-2 can incite cytokine storms (an overreaction of the body’s immune system) which can seriously harm or even kill a patient. These cytokine storms cause hyper-inflammation of the lungs, pneumonia, shortness of breath and inflammation of the airways. Although typically localized to the lungs, these cytokine storms have led to widespread inflammation throughout the body causing life threatening damage. Keeping inflammation down is a must.
High EPA/DHA Fish Oil 5 grams per day Polyphenols 1 gram per day ~ 1 cup blueberries There are many benefits to ingesting high-dose EPA/DHA omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils). Inflammation caused by all viruses can be reduced in the human body by increasing production of a group of hormones known as resolvins (enhance microbial killing, clearance, and are organ protective). One of the ways to accomplish this is by taking high-dose EPA fish oils. Taking into consideration the aforementioned danger of inflammation as a result of SARS-CoV-2, this is another excellent way to help your body fight disease.
Polyphenols are a powerful group of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. Ingesting water soluble polyphenols will activate an enzyme known as AMPK. Once AMPK is activated it will aid the immune system in repairing existing inflammation; as well as, orchestrate the immune system to attack and neutralize the virus. The most effective way to ingest these antioxidants is through whole foods (supplements are available but I strongly recommend whole foods, a “superfood” powder would be a viable substitute ie. raw cacao powder). Blueberries are my personal preference because they have one of the highest amounts of polyphenols in just one cup.
NAC 600 mg per day N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an effective and inexpensive way of increasing L-cysteine and glutathione (GSH) levels in the human body. GSH is a critical aspect of the immune system as it is the “master detoxifier” and body’s main antioxidant. NAC is a derivative of the natural amino acid cysteine, and serves as a substrate for the synthesis of (GSH) and has a powerful antioxidant effect. Why does this matter? NAC can relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions by acting as an antioxidant and expectorant, loosening mucus in air passageways. As an antioxidant, NAC helps replenish glutathione levels in your lungs and reduces inflammation in your bronchial tubes and lung tissue. Considering what we know of SARS-CoV-2 and the symptomatic patterns among other respiratory viruses – NAC is a no brainer – take it.
AHCC 500 mg per day Beta Glucans 400 mg per day ACHH is an a-glucan based standardized mushroom extract. It has been extensively investigated as an immunostimulant both in animals and in humans affected by viruses like: West Nile, influenza, avian influenza, hepatitis C, papillomavirus, herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV by promoting a regulated and protective immune response. Although the efficacy of AHCC has not yet been specifically evaluated in respect to SARS-CoV-2 its action in promoting a protective response to a wide range viral infections, and the current absence of an effective vaccine, could support its use in the prevention of diseases provoked by human pathogenic coronavirus including SARS-CoV-2. Beta glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides. These glucose polymers are components of the cell wall of certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. These substances increase host immune defense by activating macrophages and natural killer cell function. Studies have shown glucan supplementation enhanced the immune system response against influenza in mice, and one in particular, found that two week oral feeding with glucan mixture significantly reduced the effects of influenza.
Exercise and Sauna Yes, exercise and sauna are good for a host of reasons, but I am going to focus on disease resilience, specifically lung disorders. Exercise causes muscles to release a powerful antioxidant called extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) that can help protect lungs. This potent antioxidant hunts down free radicals protecting our tissues and helping to prevent disease. Further, EcSOD may prove beneficial against multi organ dysfunctions syndrome in which multiple organs begin to fail. Regular exercise may reduce the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a major cause of death in patients with the SARS-CoV-2. Zhen Yan of the University of Virginia School of Medicine is urging people to exercise. His findings strongly support the possibility that exercise can prevent or at least reduce the severity of ARDS which affects between 3% and 17% of patients with SARS-CoV-2. Also, based on information, the federal Centers for Disease control and prevention estimates 20% to 42% of patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 will develop ARDS. Sauna is all about heat shock proteins and the mild hyperthermic response that induces a wide array of beneficial physiological responses. Research shows that the body’s response to the heat reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. It can also activate cellular defenses providing protection against a wide range of both acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. Heat shock proteins mediate immune function and are produced when you engage in exercise and heat exposure.
Diet and Sleep Diet, as we know, plays an extremely important role in our health. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, cited a recent national report describing poor diet as the leading cause of poor health in the United States; and the cause of more than a half a million deaths per year. Doctor Mozaffarian explained that poor metabolic health is the immunity impairing factor underlying cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity related cancers; leaving these nutritionally compromised Americans especially vulnerable to the lethal SARS-CoV-2 virus. Only 12% of Americans are without high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or prediabetes and although these statistics are horrifying, unlike SARS-CoV-2 they happen gradually enough that people just shrug their shoulders. Beyond age, immunity impairment is the largest factor for illness and death from SARS- CoV-2. Metabolic syndrome (excess fat around the middle, hypertension, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, poor cholesterol profile, suppressed immune system, pneumonia, cancers) are all associated with systemic inflammation. Dr. Mozaffarian explains SARS-CoV-2 kills by causing an overwhelming inflammatory response that disables the body's ability to fight off pathogens. Therefore, improving your nutrition may be especially beneficial as the virus is not projected to peak in parts of the United States until this summer. Cutting down on all processed and high sugary foods, along with eating a balanced diet of fruits (berries specifically), vegetables, beans, whole grains, and high quality lean meat will help boost immunity and reduce the risk of all the aforementioned.
Sleep is our body’s way of recovering and repairing our cells, it is essential for our ability to fight disease. Ample sleep significantly supports our immune system which reduces the risk of infection and can improve the outcome of individuals currently fighting disease. Keep in mind, the antithesis, sleep deprivation weakens the body’s defense system and makes us more vulnerable to contracting a virus. When our bodies do not get enough sleep it ignites our inflammatory system creating more inflammation, and chronically stressing the inflammatory system can trigger disease. Strive to get AT LEAST 7-8 hours of sleep each night.