I have gathered information from several world-renowned physicians, holistic doctors and immunologists to bring you answers to your most frequently asked questions in regards to COVID-19! I have found many incredible research papers to back up any claims being made. Do remember that the information shared below is compiled form several doctors and practitioners and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a doctor before taking any supplementation or if you have COVID-19. The information shared below is for informational purposes only and to provide you with scientific evidence in regards to the body’s immune function.
Is the data on chloroquine (CQ)/hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin believable?
Dr. Gautret’s released a great study with data from France even though there has been criticism of some physicians for the open-label nature of his study. (Gautret et al. (2020) Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a treatment of COVID‐19: results of an open‐label non‐randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents – In Press 17 March 2020 – DOI : 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105949, available at HTTPS://WWW.MEDITERRANEE-INFECTION.COM/HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE-AND-AZITHROMYCIN-AS-A-TREATMENT-OF-COVID-19/), Check out the article for your informational purposes only.
What is the mechanism of action of CQ/HCQ and azithromycin?
Below are several research article showing the effects of Zin and chloroquine as well as other natural compounds and their ability to potentially prevent the replication of Coronaviruses.
There are a lot of potential mechanisms, including change in endosome pH, alteration of viral protein replication assembly, etc. However, there is some rational basis suggested already in the literature for CQ/HCQ, illustrated by the evidence below:
Zinc inhibits coronavirus (and arterivirus) RNA polymerase activity in vitro and zinc ionophores block the replication of these viruses in cell culture (full text article available at HTTPS://WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV/PUBMED/21079686).
- Zinc + zinc ionophores (compounds that affect the cellular transporters for zinc) have been shown to efficiently inhibit the RNA-synthesizing activity of coronaviruses specifically. Essentially, Studies indicate that the virus cant replicate in the presence of Zinc which means it cant multiply.
- Specifically, Zn2+ was found to block SARS-CoV(1) RNA
- Importantly, when Zn2+ was chelated (with MgEDTA), the inhibitory effect of Zn2+ was reversed. This means that Zn2+ is the most effective and it’s chelated forms reversed it’s action.
- A worthy note in this study is that the zinc ionophore used was pyrithione, and several others were mentioned including hinokitol and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (chloroquine was not mentioned or studied in this article)
Here is a high-quality article which you can dive into to learn about the effects of Zn2+ against Corona and Ateriviruses. In PLoS Pathogens (te Velthuis AJW, van den Worm SHE, Sims AC, Baric RS, Snijder EJ, et al. (2010) Zn2+ Inhibits Coronavirus and Arterivirus RNA Polymerase Activity In Vitro and Zinc Ionophores Block the Replication of These Viruses in Cell Culture. PLoS Pathog 6(11): e1001176. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1001176)
This is another article explaining Chloroquine’s interaction with zinc: it is a zinc ionophore (full text article available at HTTPS://WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV/PMC/ARTICLES/PMC4182877/)
- Chloroquine functions as a zinc ionophore–it enhances zinc uptake into cells in a concentration-dependent manner. This means that CQ helps zinc get absorbed into the cells to prevent viral replication which could indicate why it MIGHT be effective against coronavirus.
- Normally copper antagonizes zinc uptake; however, copper had no effect on chloroquine-induced zinc uptake
This is another high-quality article in PLoS ONE (Xue J, Moyer A, Peng B, Wu J, Hannafon BN, et al. (2014) Chloroquine Is a Zinc Ionophore. PLoS ONE 9(10): e109180. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0109180)
Another article about Zinc ionophore activity of quercetin and epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) available online at HTTPS://PUBS.ACS.ORG/DOI/ABS/10.1021/JF5014633)
- It is important to note that other substances (including natural substances) can also act as zinc ionophores, not just Chloroquine.
- Quercetin and EGCG (active compound in green tea) are both polyphenols that increase zinc transportation into cells. These incredibly nutritious compounds can help zinc get absorbed into cells. DRINK UP ON MATCHA!
Here is one more article on Zinc Ionophore Activity of Quercetin and Epigallocatechin-gallate: From Hepa 1-6 Cells to a Liposome Model. Husam Dabbagh-Bazarbachi, Gael Clergeaud, Isabel M. Quesada, Mayreli Ortiz, Ciara K. O’Sullivan, and Juan B. Fernández-Larrea. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2014 62 (32), 8085-8093. DOI: 10.1021/jf5014633.
- Does resveratrol help treat acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)? Resveratrol has been mentioned as a potential treatment for ALI/ARDS which is a feared complication of SARS and the leading cause of death for CoV-2/COVID-19.
There are no clinical trials (at least on clinicaltrials.gov) currently being done on resveratrol for ALI/ARDS. There is very little in the literature on this topic, although there is a relevant 2019 mouse model study that is very encouraging (Hu L, Chen Z, Li L, Jiang Z, Zhu L. Resveratrol decreases CD45 CD206 subtype macrophages in LPS-induced murine acute lung injury by SOCS3 signalling pathway. J Cell Mol Med. 2019;23(12):8101-8113. Full text at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31559687). You can read this article to learn more!
Why are Covid-19 patients getting Hypoxia?
Hypoxia appears to be due to microvascular damage in lung.
Several immunologists are concerned about the ventilators since there is strong thrombotic tendencies in COVID-19, driving microvascular damage in the lungs. With damage to small vessels, there’s circulatory compromise. That would certainly drive the hypoxia. Low O2 drives factors that would promote more clotting. That would complete the loop of hypoxia and increased clotting tendencies. None of that underlying biology is improved by ventilation, though a person experiencing those problems might need a ventilator.
These patients also have large clots appearing elsewhere. So, anti-coagulation is important when the disease process gets more severe. Baseline attention should be paid to this in people at risk with regard to clotting. Fish oil, curcumin, and berberine are all worthy of consideration for supplementation however Labs tests need to guide the use of these supplements in these patients. You have to be careful when taking anti-inflammatories if you have a virus as you want the immune systems inflammation to target the viruses effectively. Berberine is known to inhibit HIF1alpha which is a major driver of the clotting process so supplementation could potentially prevent clotting.
Is there a way to avoid contracting COVID-19?
There is not way to avoid getting it just as you can’t avoid getting a cold or flu. It is highly contagious and will affect the entire population in a matter of time. Frequently washing your hands, washing produce from the store, avoiding public restrooms, etc can help but at the end of the Day, COVID-19 is just another virus that will be very hard to avoids. I believe most of us have already been in contact with it. It only triggers symptoms and causes issues if you’re immune system is too weak or imbalanced to effectively eradicate it from the body. If you follow the suggestions below, you will have better ability to fight off viruses and pathogens before they take hold in the body! It is more important now than ever to be as healthy as you can!
What can we do for prevention BEFORE contracting COVID-19?
You want to make sure you have adequate Vitamin D levels, take extra vitamin C, probiotics, Matcha green tea and quercetin, eat an alkaline diet, reduce stress and most importantly, get good quality sleep! Take melatonin to help you sleep!