Much has been said on how to prevent infection by the SarsCov2 coronavirus (COVID-19). Washing hands, using sanitizers, keeping physical distance, wearing a mask are all good primary prevention advice, but it may be said that a virus anywhere is a virus everywhere. The Sars-Cov2 that produces the COVID-19 seems to have certain particularities such as being highly infectious with a fairly fast mutation rate, both which enhance the chances of getting infected and it lasting more than usual for a viral infection. Like the flu virus, COVID-19 is transmitted from infected people to others via respiratory fluids.

Co-Morbidities and COVID-19

So, what can we do? Most of the individuals that get complications when infected by Sars-Cov2 have a compromised immune system, apparently due to two main factors:

1. Co- morbidities (Preventable Lifestyle Diseases)
2. Nutrient insufficiencies or deficiencies.

The immune system is one of the most complex systems in our body requiring multiple metabolic steps for its proper functioning. Moreover, its multiple metabolic steps require many enzymes which need numerous cofactors (vitamins and minerals). If these cofactors are not provided in an optimal level, the immune system will not be capable of responding properly to defend us from invading organisms and viruses.

Factors that make someone more likely to contract COVID-19:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Hypertension
• Age
• Chronic pulmonary disease
• Chronic liver or kidney disease
• Radiation therapy
• Autoimmune conditions
• Chronic neurological disease

All the above preventable lifestyle diseases lead to chronic inflammation. Here are some stats about people living in the U.S.

• 42% are obese
• 75% are overweight
• 6/10 have 1 chronic illness
• 4/10 have more than 1 chronic illness
• Obesity increases the risk of death three times!
• 12% of the population is metabolically healthy – yes, HEALTHY – only 12% Yikes!

Obesity and COVID-19 For Younger Patients

Obesity is linked to severe coronavirus, especially for younger patients. The U.S. has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, and preliminary research shows younger patients are at particular risk.

Hypotheses:

• May already have compromised respiratory function prior to infection.
• Abdominal obesity (more prominent in men) can cause compression of diaphragm, lungs and chest capacity.
• Causes chronic low-grade inflammation and an increase in circulating, proinflammatory cytokines, which plays a role in the worse COVID-19 outcomes.

What Is the COVID-19 Virus?

The Sars-Cov2 coronavirus is an RNA virus with spikes on its capsid or protein coat. The virus spike protein utilizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its cell surface receptor and affects organs such as lung, intestine and heart with high numbers of these receptors.   

The most common clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and dyspnea. Loss of smell and taste are strongly associated with this viral disease. Other reported symptoms include sore throat, myalgia, fatigue, headache, and diarrhea.

Findings: if you have smell and taste loss, you’re more than 10x more likely to have COVID-19, and the rate of recovery for someone with this symptom is high – 2-4 weeks. Reference: Int. Forum of Allergy and Rhinology, April 12, 2020

COVID-19 and the Cytokine Storm

Most of the critical and fatal damage that occurs with this infection is due to the cytokine storm induced by the virus. The cytokine storm refers to an excessive and uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that significantly upregulate reactive oxidative species that destroy the tissues. In infectious diseases, the cytokine storm usually originates from the infected area, spreading through the bloodstream. Damage has been reported to the alveoli in the lungs where the gas exchange between O₂ and CO₂ occurs, to the vascular systems that carries O₂ through all the body, and to the red blood cells that transport the O₂. This explains why respiratory distress and sepsis occurs in a number of COVID-19 patient, which increases their need for intensive care and respirators, and risk of death.

Scavengers of reactive oxygen species, such as vitamin C and other antioxidants, can play an important role in minimizing the cytokine storm and preventing tissue damage. But in doing so, the level of vitamin C can be rapidly depleted if not replenished. To prevent tissue damage and lower the risk of death, we must prepare the immune system to function quickly and more effectively! Only by having a prepared and strong immune system will you be able to protect yourself and reduce your infection risk. So here are a few recommendations to optimize your immune system to help you fight more effectively any viral infection. This protocol will not prevent you from becoming infected but will provide your body with necessary cofactors to ameliorate many of the serious complications of the disease.

COVID-19 Nutrition & Lifestyle Protocol

Food:

Follow a diet rich in “real” foods. What does that look like?

DO EAT

• Eat a lot of colorful foods because they are highest in antioxidants (Citrus fruits, Leafy greens, Broccoli, Red bell peppers, etc.)
• Garlic and onions
• Fruits and vegetables (aim for 25-29 grams of fiber/day)
• Grass-fed meats
• Wild fish
• Nuts and Seeds
• Snack – organic dark chocolate (
• Herbals – ginger, turmeric
• Bone broth
• Organic coffee & tea, especially green tea
• Healthy oils – EVOO, avocado, macadamia nut (oleic acid from these foods stimulate SIRT1, which is the defense enzyme)
• Mushrooms – shiitake, reishi, chaga, turkey tail, maitake, oyster, lion’s mane
• Hydrate well with water! (Your weight in lb. divided in half gives you the number of ounces to drink daily.)

Reference: Nutrition Support in the time of covid-19 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132492/

DON'T EAT

• Sugar
• White, refined carbohydrate-containing foods
• Limit processed meals
• Saturated Fats, especially from processed meats

Proper diet = enhanced immunity

        vs.

Poor diet = impaired immunity

Lifestyle:

• Get sufficient sleep – aim for 7-8 good quality hours
• Exercise at least 3 times a week
• Relaxation: Meditate, Listen to music, Read a book
• Consider a time-restrictive eating (intermittent fasting) – fast for 12-14 hours (ie: from 7pm to 7am)
• Humidity – keep humidity up at home to maintain airway health and mucus

Recommended Supplementation:

Take immune-optimizing supplements. There are a number of supplements you can take that will support your immune system.

1. Multivitamin and mineral, one daily
2. Vitamin C: 1,000 mg, three times daily, reduce if it causes laxative effect.
3. Vitamin D3: 2,000 - 5,000 IU daily depending on body weight, current levels and amount of time spent in the sun. If exposure to COVID-19 is suspected, increase to 10,000 IU per day for a few weeks. It’s ideal to take D3 with vitamin K2.
   
   Vitamin D deficiency is common in people who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. This deficiency appears to contribute to development of the condition. It’s important to correct a vitamin D deficiency. Levels above 60 ng/mL are ideal. References: Dancer RCA, Dhruv P, Sian L, et al. Thorax, 2015;70:617-24 & Grant WB, Lahore H, McDonnell SL, et al. Nutrients, 2020 Apr 2;12(4)

4. Zinc: 30 mg daily
5. Magnesium: 500 mg daily (in malate, citrate, or chloride form)
6. Selenium: 200 mcg daily (also contained in many multivitamin supplements)
7. Probiotics: >30 billion a day
8. A Zinc Ionophore such as Quercetin: 500 mg daily
9. NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine): 500 mg daily or Liposomal Glutathione
10. Melatonin: 1-5 mg daily, depending on individual tolerance and need
11. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA)

Other Suggested Supplements:

Echinacea, astragalus, rhodiola, mushroom blends (maitake, shitake, reishi, chaga, turkey tail, maitake, oyster, lion’s mane), ginger, garlic, elderberry, alpha-lipoic acid, CoQ10, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols with all four tocotrienols), vitamin A

Vitamin C to Support the Body's Innate Resistance to Pathogens

Vitamin C has 11 mechanisms that support the body's innate resistance to pathogens. It should be the first line of defense for nourishing the immune system. COVID-19 is a very serious contagious disease, but contagion to a virus largely depends on the susceptibility of the host. It is well established that low vitamin C levels increase susceptibility to viruses. It must be emphasized that only 200 mg of vitamin C per day resulted in an 80% decrease in deaths among severely ill, hospitalized respiratory disease patients.  

Induced Scurvy

When the body no longer has sufficient ascorbic acid due to stress from disease, the body acquires the condition called "induced scurvy" in which it can longer maintain its organs. In scurvy, bleeding from damaged capillaries and organ failure occurs everywhere throughout the body. Depletion of ascorbic acid also results in the failure of the immune system, and disables recuperation of metabolic function, which may lead to severe and lethal pathologies such as ARDS, sepsis and multiple organ failure. A rapid application of high dose intravenous vitamin C can reverse induced scurvy and support normal inflammatory processes.

While Medical authorities are obsessively focusing on searching for a vaccine and/or drug for COVID--19, in vitamin C we have an existing, effective, clinically demonstrated method to support the overall health of the lungs and respiratory system. 

"Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live" - Jim Rohn

References:

Crisci CD, Ardusso LRF, Mossuz A, Müller L(2020) A Precision Medicine Approach to SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Management. Curr Treat Options Allergy. 2020 May 8:1- 19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32391242

Jayawardena R, Sooriyaarachchi P, Chourdakis M, et al. (2020) Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 14:367- 382. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32334392

Hemilä H. (2003) Vitamin C and SARS coronavirus. J Antimicrob Chemother. 52:1049- 1050. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14613951

McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ. (2020) Nutraceuticals have potential for boosting the type 1 interferon response to RNA viruses including influenza and coronavirus. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2020 Feb 12. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.02.007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32061635

Saul AW. (2020) Nutritional treatment of coronavirus. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n06.shtml

Hunt C, Chakravorty NK, Annan G, et al. (1994) The clinical effects of Vitamin C supplementation in elderly hospitalized patients with acute respiratory infections. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 64:212- 219. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7814237

Klenner FR. (1971) Observations on the dose and administration of ascorbic acid when employed beyond the range of a vitamin in human pathology. J Applied Nutrition 23: 3,4. http://www.doctoryourself.com/klennerpaper.html http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1998/p df/1998-v13n04-p198.pdf

Klenner FR. (1948) Virus pneumonia and its treatment with vitamin C. J South Med Surg 110:36- https://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/194x/klenner-fr-southern_med_surg-1948-v110- n2-p36.htm.

Klenner, FR. (1951) Massive doses of vitamin C and the virus diseases. J South Med and Surg, 113:101- 107. https://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/195x/klenner-fr-southern_med_surg-1951-v103-n4- p101.htm

All of Dr. Klenner's papers are listed and summarized in:

Smith LH (1991) Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C. Life Sciences Press, Tacoma, WA, 1991. ISBN-13: 978-0943685137. http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm

Cathcart RF. (1981) Vitamin C, titrating to bowel tolerance, anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy. Med Hypotheses. 7:1359-1376. http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html

Cathcart RF. (1993) The third face of vitamin C. J Orthomolecular Med, 7:197- 200. http://www.doctoryourself.com/cathcart_thirdface.html

Cathcart RF. (1981) Vitamin C, titrating to bowel tolerance, anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy. http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html

Cathcart RF. (1994) Treatment of infectious diseases with massive doses of vitamin C. http://www.doctoryourself.com/cathcart_C_summary.html

Additional Dr. Cathcart papers are posted at http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cathcart.html

Marik PE, Khangoora V, Rivera R, Hooper MH, Catravas J. (2017) Hydrocortisone, Vitamin C, and Thiamine for the Treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Retrospective Before-After Study. Chest. 151:1229-1238. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27940189

Fowler III AA, Kim C, Lepler L, et al. (2017) Intravenous vitamin C as adjunctive therapy for enterovirus/rhinovirus induced acute respiratory distress syndrome. World J Crit Care Med. 6:85- 90. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28224112

Gonzalez MJ, Berdiel MJ, Duconge J, Levy TE, et al. (2020) High Dose Vitamin C and Influenza: A Case Report. J Orthomolec Med. 33:1-3. https://isom.ca/article/high-dose-vitamin-c-influenza-case-report

Pierce M, Linnebur SA, Pearson SM, Fixen DR (2019) Optimal melatonin dose in older adults: A clinical review of the literature. Sr Care Pharm 34:419-431. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31383052

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