Category Archives: Wellness

Get Your Interferon On!

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Two weeks ago preliminary results of a clinical trial came out in Great Britain which were very promising for Covid-19 patients. A group of 101 patients participated and results showed that those that received an inhaled form of interferon beta, developed by a company named Synairgen, had a 79% reduction in severe complications, such as needing ventilation. In addition, those that received inhaled interferon beta were twice as likely to fully recover from the virus without complications.

Fingers crossed for us all that when this data comes out in a peer reviewed journal, that the results hold up, and we are one step closer to an effective therapeutic!

Interferon is a key component of our body’s viral defense. There are a few types of interferon and they all come into play at different points in our immune response. This article is an informative discussion of the different impacts of interferon treatment to assist in disease fighting. During the infection process Covid-19 reduces our body’s cache of interferon. The exact mechanism by which it does this is not known at this point. Hopefully, scientists will solve this puzzle soon.

Until then there are some natural ways to increase our bodies’ manufacture of interferon, hopefully enough to help fend off viral invaders.

Natural interferon boosters include:

Licorice – This is a good study outlining its immune boosting components

Astragalus – An all around immune booster. There is some evidence it can increase interferon beta in conjunction with lactobacillus acidophilus

Elderberry – An established antiviral. As above, there is some evidence it can increase interferon beta in conjunction with lactobacillus acidophilus

Black Tea – Tea drinkers who drank 5 or more cups a day produced 5 times as much interferon as non-drinkers

Vitamin C – There is ample evidence of Vitamin Cs immune boosting properties including interferons.

Be aware, because Interferon boosts our immune response there has been some debate as to whether this type of immune system boosting is a great thing to do given that one of the most devastating effects of Covid-19 is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) which, in an overly simple explanation, is when our immune system overreacts in the extreme in our lungs to fight off pathogen attacks (or due to injury an/or exposure to toxins) and begins to become inflamed to the point of choking off respiration. Some types of interferon play a part in this inflammatory process (the beta interferon plays a part in pausing this inflammation). Take this into consideration, do your research, and make a decision that you feel is best for you!

Personally, I am boosting my immune system as much as possible to hopefully keep any viruses floating around from taking hold – if any serious infection were to take charge (knocking on wood…) I will follow all directions of the medical professionals taking care of me and make sure they are informed of any natural herbs and supplements I am taking. Our immune system is our first line of defense. If the initial defense line holds strong we are most likely going to be O.K.. If the line collapses and all the invaders infiltrate, then reinforcements will be needed. ARDS is an abnormal overreaction – as of yet all the factors that lead to ARDS during COVID19 are not known. So I am banking on not letting the infection take hold initially. Again, knocking on wood for us all.

References for further information:

Good summaries of the preliminary data can be fround her by the BBC and here by New York Times article on preliminary data from Synairgen

CBS News piece also a good explanation of the preliminary Synairgen data

Breakdown of uses, interactions and contraindications of licorice

These two teas are my “go to’s” when I am starting to get that run down virus-y feeling…Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat and Breathe Easy teas the Yogi brand Breathe Deep tea. All three are licorice based and delicious.

This is the elderberry brand I am currently using

I take this astragalus

I take a sustained release 1000 mg vitamin C to keep my immune system up

Quercetin – Zinc it Through

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A video by Medcram caught my attention last month because it describes an interesting mechanism thought to explain why hydroxychloroquinine could help individuals fight the caronavirus.

And more to the point, the power of Zinc in general to battle viruses if it gains entrance into an infected cell.

Dr. Roger Seheult does a great job of explaining the findings of this paper which details how zinc disrupts the replication of caronavirus RNA within a cell. The key to this process is materials called ionophores, which are compounds which can assist ions in transporting through cell membranes. Hydroxychloroquinine, Dr. Roger Seheult explains, is a zinc ionophore.

Here is another paper where something allowing entrance of zinc into a cell helps battle the virus, this recent paper preprint, indicates that the addition of zinc sulfate to a combination of hydroxychloroquinine and azithromycin “increased the frequency of patients being discharged home, and decreased the need for ventilation, admission to the ICU, and mortality or transfer to hospice for patients who were never admitted to the ICU.”

I am not a chemist – my best summary of this process is that its a complex buddy system that allows zinc to partner-up with certain compounds to hitchhike into our cells and fight caronavirus RNA replication – A buddy system I’m certainly going to try and facilitate within my own body with all the virus still floating around at the moment.

There has been some debate in the popular media and some reservations in the medical community about the use of hydroxychloroquinine due to heart complications.

Interestingly there is already a fairly common, safely used, and available zinc ionophore on the market to help get zinc into cells, Quercetin.

Quercetin may already be a familiar name, it is a flavinoid frequently recommended as a healthy antioxidant supplement. It has some ability to stabilize mast cells that release histamine and wreck havoc this time of year. (Some further reading on its effect on mast cells here). It is found in foods particularly in apples, berries, onions and capers.

There are many healthy reasons to take quercetin to begin with, but the one-two punch with zinc sulfate seems to be a no brainer for myself given the present circumstances.

As always, I am not a doctor, check with your healthcare provider if you are on medication or have any health conditions. Take this information – do your research – convince yourself what is best for your body!

For further reading on the many properties of quercetin, this blog post by Peter Lloyd-Thomas is a wealth of information.

I personally have switched to this zinc and am now taking this quercetin

Kaleacious Daily Smoothie

Featured

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This is the latest and greatest version subject to change with the season and how my body is feeling…

  • 2 Cups (or half a bag if your spouse is not looking…) chopped organic greens, good frozen choices are kale, spinach and broccoli rabe.
    • It is beneficial to switch your greens up. Don’t use too much raw spinach as it is high in oxalic acid which can cause kidney stones in sensitive people — In this case I took to the yard and grabbed a small basket of greens such as broccoli leaves (yes! they are a super food) and sorrel.
  • 1 Cup wild organic blueberries
  • 1 small handful of frozen organic pomegranate seeds if available and/or a kiwi
  • 3 tbl Ground Flax Seed
  • 3 tbl hemp hearts
  • 3 scoops D-Ribose
  • A couple of thumbs coarsely chopped ginger (to your tolerance)
  • 3 tbl hydrolyzed collagen
  • 3 scoops Vanilla Grass Fed Whey Protein
  • 4 tbl MCT Oil or olive oil
  • A splash of lemon juice
  • A splash of tart cherry juice
  • A squeeze of stevia for sweetness
  • any veggie or fruit that is about to go bad that trips your fancy!