Health & Fitness

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is a perennial herb related to the ever-popular oregano, mint and lavender, all members of the Lamianceae family.¹ The plants are native to Malaysia and the Philippines.² Since it doesn’t produce seeds, it’s grown by taking cuttings from another plant.

The plant has a bushy growth and produces pale pink flowers. For centuries patchouli has been cultivated for the essential oil. Both the leaves and flowers are fragrant, but it’s the leaves that are harvested to produce the oil.³

The strongly scented oil is produced through steam distillation. It is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines⁴ and is popular in the making of soaps, perfumes, deodorants and detergents for its scent and its oil’s fixative properties.

History of the Aromatic Patchouli Plant

Patchouli has a long history from Asia and the Far East as perfume, incense and bug repellent. It gained popularity in Europe during the 1860s and then again in the 1960s during what’s now called the “hippie movement.”⁵ In fact, the scent of patchouli is known as the “scent of the ‘60s.”⁶

It was once valued so highly you could exchange 1 pound of the herb for 1 pound of gold. Legend holds that the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, who you may know as King Tut, was buried with 10 pounds of patchouli essential oil in his tomb for use in the afterlife.

In the 1800s it was used to scent fine silks and fabrics exported from India and to repel moths and other insects during transport. The scent soon became associated with fine fabric. Some English and French manufacturers took advantage of this and used artificial oil to perfume their garments and boost sales.

Historically,⁷ both the essential oil and the plant had medicinal uses. The wide range of benefits spanned emotional and physical conditions. For instance, it was used to treat depression, nervousness and insomnia. It was also used for physical maladies, including inflammation, athlete’s foot, dandruff, water retention and impetigo.

In the current market, a large portion of patchouli oil is produced in Indonesia, China, India and the Philippines; demand for the natural oil continues to grow.

Ditch DEET — Choose Patchouli as Your Bug Repellant

Long summer nights, bonfires and picnics are just around the corner — as well as mosquitoes. You may be tempted to pick up a bottle of insect repellent but think twice before you do. It was 1946 when the U.S. Army patented DEET,⁸ a common ingredient in popular insect repellent products. But, despite the length of its time on the market, it is not wise to use DEET.

Some experts believe that using small quantities is not harmful, but if you spend any amount of time outdoors during the summer months, you’ll likely use more than small quantities. Prolonged exposure can damage the cells in your brain, as scientists have shown in animal studies.⁹ It’s also known to trigger neurobehavioral deficits.¹⁰

The chemical was used heavily during the Persian Gulf War and resulted in soldiers who experienced a list of symptoms, including loss of muscle control, strength and coordination as well as memory loss, headaches and tremors.¹¹ The symptoms can show up months later, making it difficult to link to the product. Symptoms may be worse when DEET is combined with other chemicals or medications.

In a study of 143 National Park Services employees,¹² the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found correlations between DEET exposure and depression, anxiety, insomnia, muscle cramps and urinary hesitation. Skin rashes and blisters were also reported. This is the same chemical in the bug repellent you may have been buying.

When compared to 38 essential oils, undiluted patchouli essential oil has demonstrated its effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes for two hours.¹³ Another study team determined that the chemical composition of the plant has:¹⁴

"… the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of mosquitoes. This is the first report on the mosquito repellent and pupicidal activities of the reported P. cablin chemical compositions."

Get Skin and Hair Benefits From Patchouli

Patchouli essential oil has long been used to treat skin and hair conditions. In Asia it has traditionally been used to help treat dandruff and an oily scalp.¹⁵ New Directions Aromatics suggests adding five drops of it to your hair conditioner to treat your scalp and strengthen your hair.

Patchouli oil is a common ingredient in cosmetics since the scent masks noxious odors from potentially toxic chemicals.¹⁶ The oil also has some unique qualities that help your skin. For instance, it’s traditionally been used to treat eczema and acne as well as aging skin.¹⁷

In one animal study, the data showed patchouli oil could help prevent photoaging in the presence of UV light, possibly due to its antioxidative properties.¹⁸ The astringent properties help reduce the appearance of aging skin by enhancing muscle and nerve contractions. The astringent properties also have a positive effect on varicose veins and hemorrhoids.¹⁹

It’s known as a cell rejuvenator, which reportedly helps speed the healing of cuts, reduces the appearance of acne scars and diminishes the development of scar tissue as wounds heal.²⁰

Antidepressant, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The oil is frequently used in aromatherapy to help boost mood, reduce issues with insomnia and calm nervousness.²¹ One to two drops on your pillow may help you relax, gain control of your emotions and enjoy deeper sleep.²²

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have long used patchouli oil to soothe the pain and discomfort as the result of inflammatory conditions. Currently, scientists are beginning to identify the actions responsible for this effect at the cellular level.²³

There is some evidence that the analgesic effects of patchouli oil may be related to its anti-inflammatory properties.²⁴ This is encouraging for those with inflammatory conditions such as gout and arthritis, which may respond to the oil.²⁵

In practice, it has also demonstrated the ability to help control nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and appetite.²⁶ The antiemetic property may be related to patchouli’s ability to reduce exaggerated contractions of the gastrointestinal tract.²⁷

Prebiotic and Antibacterial Capacities Support Health

Patchouli oil has been used to treat fevers and colds as well as headaches.²⁸ In an animal study,²⁹ a bioactive component of patchouli oil was active against H1N1 flu virus in two different experiments. In one, mice were infected with a lethal H1N1 virus; treatment increased survival rate and time. In the second group with a nonlethal infection, the length of infection was reduced.

The oil has antibacterial properties as well.³⁰ Using lab testing and molecular docking technology, a tool in structural molecular biology, researchers found “antimicrobial test in vitro proved that patchouli oil had strong antimicrobial effects.” A review of the literature found patchouli was effective against specific strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi, including:³¹

Klebsiella pneumoniae	Helicobacter pylori
Escherichia coli	Bacillus subtilis
Staphylococcus aureus	Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Enterococcus faecalis	Aspergillus species
Candida albicans	Influenza A (H2N2) virus

The plant is traditionally used for gastrointestinal disturbances, leading one research team³² to investigate its potential for prebiotic effects on the beneficial bacteria living in your gut microbiome. Scientists treated mice with three active components of patchouli essential oil over 15 days and collected fecal and mucosal samples.

They found that the treatment group had a greater diversity of gut microbes. Some of the bacteria known to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) beneficial to the gut, were thriving. They also found three harmful bacteria were reduced in the treatment group. The researchers found the additional production of SCFAs to be helpful, writing:³³

“Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major bacterial metabolites with divert beneficial effects to the host energy metabolism and immune responses. Animal and epidemiological studies also reveal that SCFAs derived from the prebiotic uptake reduce the symptoms of various difficult diseases, such as autism, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, as well as cancer.”

Grow and Make Your Own Infusion

As described in the video, patchouli is easy to grow and maintain. It’s a warm weather herb that enjoys the sun and thrives in the areas marked by the USDA as hardiness zones 10 and 11.³⁴ In cooler climates, the plants will thrive indoors on a sunny windowsill when kept above 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 Celsius). The plant enjoys moist soil.

The leaves are ready to be harvested about five to six months after you’ve planted your cutting. The stems begin to turn brown and the plants become more aromatic as harvest time approaches. The leaves should be dried at home for three to four months before you use them to make oil or brew up a cup of tea.

Leaf.tv offers a simple method of diffusing the leaves in oil at home for your personal use.³⁵ Whole, dried leaves may also be added to hot water for a calming yet energizing tea.³⁶

from Articles https://ift.tt/2vPc4y5
via IFTTT

The common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an herb belonging to the Asteraceae family and is native to Europe. It is versatile and often grown as fodder for livestock. Traditionally, most parts of the plant are used in cooking and medicine.

Chicory has a woody stem, long taproot and bright blue flowers. More rarely you may find it with white or pink flowers.¹ Currently the plant is cultivated throughout the Netherlands, France and Germany and is so common it may be found growing along the roadside in temperate regions to a height of 3 to 5 feet.²

Chicory is a healthy addition to your meals as it contains a variety of vitamins including A, B6, C, E and K. The plant also contains calcium, iron, manganese, potassium and zinc. It is rich in inulin, which is why it’s believed to carry numerous digestive health benefits.

Some varieties are cultivated for salads and others for the long taproot that is baked, ground and either added to coffee or used as a coffee substitute.³ Chicory has a long list of roles it plays in human health, including as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. It’s also gastroprotective without all the side effects you might experience with medicines made from chemicals.

Ancient Roots

The history of chicory can be traced back to ancient Egypt in writings in the Ebers Papyrus dated about 4,000 BC. A Greek doctor was the first to write about the restorative powers of the plant.⁴

Horace, Virgil and Pliny the Elder all wrote about the health benefits of chicory. By the 1600s monks were raising the plants and the Dutch discovered chicory could be added to coffee to change the taste. One of the benefits when used in coffee is that it's more soluble, which means you can use less of it when brewing coffee.

The mixture of chicory and coffee likely began in Holland, but it wasn't until 1801 when it was introduced to France that it became popular. Once brought to the U.S. in the 1800s,⁵ it grew in popularity with coffee aficionados and became synonymous with New Orleans traditions.⁶

By 1840, New Orleans was importing more coffee than all but one other city in the U.S., with some using chicory to flavor their favorite beverage. It was during the U.S. Civil War that chicory became popular as a way to stretch coffee supplies, since shipments were being held up by the Union Army before reaching port.

During shortages in the Great Depression, chicory coffee was used again as it's more economical and helps to stretch supplies. But New Orleans natives, having embraced chicory as an essential part of coffee history, believe it's all about tradition and taste.

Inulin Feeds Beneficial Bacteria

The gut-brain axis is a point of bidirectional communication between your primary brain in your head and what is referred to as your “secondary brain” in your gut. This communication links your cognitive center and emotional responses with your intestinal function.⁷

The importance of your gut microbiota to these interactions cannot be overstated. Clinically, the evidence of dysbiosis in central nervous system disorders such as anxiety and depression, is evident. Thus, it is important to care for your gut microbiota for more reasons than you may have thought.

For instance, alterations in diet have been found to reduce symptoms in children with neurological issues such as autism and seizure disorders.⁸ By addressing the gut-brain interaction through correcting digestive imbalances, you can impact physical and mental health. Chicory offers a unique and powerful means of changing your gut microbiota and improving your gut-brain axis.

Many of the health benefits are associated with the prebiotic fiber called inulin. Although it is indigestible, it helps nourish beneficial bacteria found in your gut. Once in your intestines, inulin ferments and is converted to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and then to healthy ketones to feed tissue. Lona Sandon, Ph.D., from the University of Texas, commented on the way SCFAs are used:⁹

"When this fermentation takes place, short chain fatty acids [SCFAs] are formed. These seem to produce more of the appetite-controlling hormones that help us feel full. Because fermentable carbs don't start to break down right away, they don't contribute to the big spikes and crashes in blood sugar. They also act as prebiotics, which feed the healthy probiotic bacteria in the gut and keep things running smoothly."

Caring for the Gut Supports Brain and Immune Health

Inulin has also been found to increase the concentration of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Using 12 volunteers who ingested 10 grams per day of inulin for 16 days, scientists compared their fecal samples with those in a control group who did not take any supplements. They wrote:¹⁰

“In 10 volunteers carrying detectable levels of bifidobacteria. B. adolescentis showed the strongest response to inulin consumption, increasing from 0·89 to 3·9 % of the total microbiota (P = 0·001).”

A second bacterial species¹¹ that responds well to the addition of inulin to the diet is Bilophila. Both bacteria are beneficial to your gut microbiota, and ultimately to your health.

The growth of beneficial bacteria helps reduce your risk of leaky gut by producing nutrients that protect the lining of your intestines. Acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion appear to respond to the addition of inulin to your daily nutrition as it helps reduce the body’s acidity.¹²

The anti-inflammatory properties of chicory root¹³ and its ability to boost beneficial bacteria may influence symptoms of inflammation in the bowel. Chicory’s sedative qualities may help reduce anxiety, relieve stress and provide a natural alternative to sleeping pills.¹⁴

Constipation — The Bane of Western Society

It’s estimated that 16% of the general population deals with chronic constipation.¹⁵ While many will experience this as a temporary problem linked to a change in diet or hydration, chronic constipation is characterized by hard, dry, difficult-to-pass stools that happen less than three times per week.

Some of the more serious health problems associated with chronic constipation include colorectal cancer¹⁶ and kidney disease.¹⁷ Although the condition can cause significant health problems, thankfully the most common causes — not getting enough fiber and/or water — are easily addressed.¹⁸

The first step is to add fiber. Foods rich in inulin are a good choice for adding bulk to the stool and improving intestinal movement, which in turn helps reduce constipation. It’s important to stay hydrated as well or the additional fiber will make things worse when your body attempts to maintain hydration by pulling water from your intestines.

Since inulin is resistant to digestion it's fermented in the colon, accounting for the increasing microbial biomass in the stool.¹⁹ In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using an inulin supplement, the researchers wrote:²⁰

“Inulin significantly increased stool frequency compared to placebo … This was accompanied by a softening of stools and trend toward higher satisfaction versus placebo (p = 0.059). In conclusion, Orafti® Inulin was effective in volunteers with chronic constipation and significantly improved bowel function.”

In addition to affecting older adults more than others, the risks associated with chronic constipation are greater in the elderly.²¹ The loss of mobility, the use of multiple medications and/or ignoring calls to defecate may increase risks leading to impaction and incontinence. As stool gets lodged in the colon or rectum, liquid stool can bypass the impaction and be mistaken for diarrhea.

In the elderly, an impaction can increase the risk of confusion, ulceration, intestinal obstruction or bowel perforation. These problems can become life-threatening if left untreated. In one study,²² supplementation with 15 g of chicory inulin was assessed in an elderly population, evaluating bacterial levels in the stool as well as the impact consumption would have on constipation.

After 28 days the researchers found that those taking inulin experienced satisfaction with their digestion and reported a reduction in difficulty with having a bowel movement. Some reported flatulence (gas) but not enough discomfort to stop taking the supplements.

Weight Management Helped by Chicory

Obesity is more than a major global health issue — It’s actually considered an epidemic.²³ The World Health Organization reports there are 2 billion overweight adults worldwide, of which 650 million are obese. These numbers mean 39% of all adults ages 18 and older are overweight.

Following a reasonable weight loss and weight management program increases your potential for successfully reaching your goal. Including foods high in inulin, like chicory or chicory coffee, can help you achieve your desired results. This is because inulin can help promote weight loss and increase feelings of satiety.

Inulin helps regulate ghrelin, a hormone associated with food seeking behavior. In one animal study,²⁴ researchers analyzed the impact chicory could have on the weight loss process by reducing ghrelin and thus the drive to overeat. They found that ghrelin was lowered when the rats were fed oligofructose, a subgroup of inulin.²⁵

In a recent pilot study²⁶ involving animals, researchers sought to address the prebiotic effects chicory has on the gut microbiome as well as its possible effect on appetite control. Over the course of five weeks with an intervention, researchers studied the modulation of bacterial groups in the animals. At the same time, they used tissue samples in the lab to study the effect inulin had on satiety hormones produced by the cells.

They found chicory root had a positive effect on the gut microbiome of the mice. In the lab, tissue digestion of chicory root significantly increased the levels of satiety hormones, which may have in turn reduced appetites.

Consider the Side Effects of Chicory

Although there are many benefits, like anything else too much of a good thing is not necessarily a better thing. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding should not consume chicory. This is because it can cause muscle contractions that may stimulate menstruation and lead to a miscarriage.²⁷

If you have a history of allergies to daisies, ragweed or marigolds, an allergic reaction chicory is not uncommon as they belong to the same family. Consult with your physician if you have any underlying medical conditions that may be affected by chicory, such as gallstones, since too much chicory can exacerbate gallstone symptoms.

from Articles https://ift.tt/2Q0AdZv
via IFTTT

As of March 5, 2020, there were 98,067 reported cases of novel coronavirus infections affecting 88 countries and territories, 80,430 of which were in China. Worldometer.info provides an easy overview of confirmed cases and deaths that you can check for the latest statistics.¹ Also, as of March 5, 2020, there were 11 deaths reported in the U.S., 10 in Washington state and one in California.²

As of March 5, 2020, of the 3,356 reported deaths, 3,013 were in China, predominantly in the Hubei Province in and around Wuhan City, which is ground zero for the outbreak. The virus was initially labeled 2019-nCOV before being renamed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization.³

COVID-19 — An Escaped Bioweapon? 

According to bioweapons expert Francis Boyle, whom I recently interviewed on this topic, the evidence suggests COVID-19 is a weaponized coronavirus⁴ originating from the Biosafety Level 4 facility in Wuhan City. It's the first BSL-4 facility in China, and was set up specifically to research coronavirus and SARS.

He describes COVID-19 as a chimera consisting of SARS (an already weaponized coronavirus), HIV genetic material and influenza virus, designed with so-called "gain of function" properties that allow it to spread a greater distance than normal.

It can travel 6 to 7 feet through the air, and some reports suggest the virus can shed that distance from contaminated human feces as well. Others have suggested COVID-19 may involve Prevotella,^5,6,7 a bacterium known to cause respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, and that this may explain some of the observed symptoms and how it can spread through feces.

The Bacteriophage Hypothesis

Bacteriophages — viruses that infect and reproduce inside bacteria, like a parasite — have been implicated "in the progression and maintenance of at least some pathologies, including those associated with protein misfolding," according to one 2018 paper, which further notes:⁸

"Here, for the first time, we propose the concept of bacteriophages as human pathogens. We suggest that bacterial viruses have different ways to directly and indirectly interact with eukaryotic cells and proteins, leading to human diseases."

In a February 2020 paper,⁹ Sandeep Chakraborty, a bioinformatics core member at UC Davis,¹⁰ notes that Prevotella "is present (sometimes in huge amounts) in patients from two studies in China and one in Hong Kong."

He goes on to cite RNA sequencing data¹¹ from Wuhan, China, published January 25, 2020, showing "millions of reads of Prevotella proteins" amid a few thousand COVID-19 viruses. Yet the researchers make no mention of the Prevotella in their paper. Prevotella bacteria was also found in six COVID-19 patients from the same family in Hong Kong.¹²

"These are the three studies I could find," Chakraborty writes.¹³ "But the clinching evidence is the presence of the same integration point of nCov and Prevotella in Study 1 and Study 2.

Moreover, detection of the nCoV can be made very spec[f]ic by looking for a 500bp in the spike protein, which would be a good candidate for vaccine development, protein-inhibition and diagnosis (which was non-specific for SARS in many cases, including the CDC test). And, since this is now DNA, the standard detection tests using RT-PCR, which looks for RNA is having large false negatives."

While this connection needs further verification and validation, it's an interesting finding that could be significant if true. From a treatment standpoint, it could indicate that antibiotic drugs might be useful, and for prevention, probiotics, prebiotics and/or sporebiotics might play an important role.

There's still a lot we don't know about COVID-19, and if it did escape from Wuhan City's BSL-4 facility, they're not giving out any details about it that might help health care workers figure out an effective treatment plan.

While vitamin C treatment is one avenue under investigation, and wearing medical-grade face masks is the route many have taken to avoid infection, taking steps to strengthen your immune function is likely one of your most important prevention strategies. I review several of these strategies below.

Vitamin C Treatment for Coronavirus Under Investigation

February 4, 2020, researchers at Zhongnan Hospital in China announced they will investigate the effectiveness of vitamin C infusion for the treatment of severe COVID-19 infected pneumonia.¹⁴

Many of the deaths associated with this viral pneumonia appear to be due to septic shock,¹⁵ and studies suggest high-dose vitamin C infusions can improve outcomes in cases of sepsis¹⁶ and respiratory infections.¹⁷ As noted in the Zhongnan Hospital's study description:¹⁸

"Viral pneumonia is a dangerous condition with a poor clinical prognosis … Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has antioxidant properties. When sepsis happens, the cytokine surge caused by sepsis is activated, and neutrophils in the lungs accumulate in the lungs, destroying alveolar capillaries.

Early clinical studies have shown that vitamin C can effectively prevent this process. In addition, vitamin C can help to eliminate alveolar fluid by preventing the activation and accumulation of neutrophils, and reducing alveolar epithelial water channel damage.

At the same time, vitamin C can prevent the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, which is a biological event of vascular injury caused by neutrophil activation."

The researchers intend to treat patients with 24 grams of IV vitamin C per day for seven days at a speed of 7 milliliters per hour. The placebo group will receive an IV of normal saline.

The primary outcome measure will be the number of days without ventilation support during 28 days of hospitalization. Secondary outcome measures will include mortality, ICU length of stay, the rate of CPR required, vasopressor use, respiratory function, sepsis-related organ failure and more.

Dr. Marik's Sepsis Treatment Protocol May Be a Good Option

Time will tell what the outcome of that Zhongnan Hospital study will be. Chances are vitamin C will impart some benefit, although Dr. Paul Marik's sepsis treatment protocol might be an even better option.

One initial retrospective before-after clinical study^19,20 showed giving patients 200 mg of thiamine every 12 hours, 1,500 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) every six hours, and 50 mg of hydrocortisone every six hours for two days reduced sepsis mortality from 40% to 8.5%.

Research,^21,22 published online January 9, 2020, found Marik's intravenous sepsis protocol lowered mortality in pediatric patients as well. The study was performed at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and as noted by Science Daily,²³ the preliminary data from this study "supports the promising outcomes seen in adults."

Between January 2014 and February 2019, 557 pediatric patients with septic shock met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Forty-three received Marik's vitamin C-B1-hydrocortisone protocol, 181 received hydrocortisone-only therapy, and 333 received neither of these treatments. The 43 patients receiving the vitamin C treatment were matched based on clinical status with 43 untreated controls and 43 hydrocortisone-only patients.

At the 30-day mark, controls and the hydrocortisone-only groups had a mortality rate of 28% while the treatment group had a mortality rate of just 9%. At 90 days, 35% of the controls and 33% of those receiving hydrocortisone-only had died, compared to just 14% of the treatment group.²⁴

Essential Nutrition to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus

As for prevention, nutrition plays a crucial role and several nutrients are known for their immune-boosting properties and ability to ward against viral infections. As reported in a February 24, 2020 press release:^25,26

"In a compelling article²⁷ in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases … Mark McCarty of the Catalytic Longevity Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA, and James DiNicolantonio, PharmD, a cardiovascular research scientist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO, propose that certain nutraceuticals may help provide relief to people infected with encapsulated RNA viruses such as influenza and coronavirus …

COVID-19 is around 30 to 60 times more lethal than the typical annual flu. Both influenza and coronavirus cause an inflammatory storm in the lungs and it is this inflammatory storm that leads to acute respiratory distress, organ failure, and death.

Certain nutraceuticals may help to reduce the inflammation in the lungs from RNA viruses and others may also help boost type 1 interferon response to these viruses, which is the body's primary way to help create antiviral antibodies to fight off viral infections."

McCarty and DiNicolantonio list several nutrients available in supplement form that may be of particular benefit against COVID-19, including the following (below). For more details about each, see the full-text paper²⁸ published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases:

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) — Encourages glutathione production, thins mucus, lowers your chances of influenza infection and reduces your risk of developing severe bronchitis

Elderberry extract — Known to shorten influenza duration by two to four days and reduce the severity of the flu. According to the authors:29 "Given that elderberry is a very rich source of anthocyanins, there is reason to suspect that its impact on viruses might be mediated, at least in part, by ferulic acid, a prominent metabolite that appears in plasma following anthocyanin ingestion."

Spirulina — Reduces severity of influenza infection and lowers influenza mortality in animal studies. In a human trial, spirulina significantly lowered the viral load in patients with HIV infection

Beta-glucan — Reduces severity of influenza infection severity and lowers influenza mortality in animal studies

Glucosamine — Upregulates mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), reduces severity of influenza infection severity and lowers influenza mortality in animal studies

Selenium — "Since selenium is an essential cofactor for certain peroxidases, and selenium deficiency has been endemic in certain regions of China and other parts of the world, insuring adequacy of selenium nutrition might also be appropriate in this context," McCarty and DiNicolantonio note, adding:30 "Selenium deficiency also increases the rate at which viruses can mutate, promoting the evolution of strains that are more pathogenic and capable of evading immune surveillance."

Zinc — Supports "effective function and proliferation of various immune cells," lowering mortality in the elderly by 27%

Lipoic acid — Helps boost type 1 interferon response. As explained in a 2014 paper:31 "Type I interferons (IFNs) activate intracellular antimicrobial programs and influence the development of innate and adaptive immune responses … (IFNs) are polypeptides that are secreted by infected cells and have three major functions. First, they induce cell-intrinsic antimicrobial states in infected and neighboring cells that limit the spread of infectious agents, particularly viral pathogens. Second, they modulate innate immune responses in a balanced manner that promotes antigen presentation and natural killer cell functions while restraining pro-inflammatory pathways and cytokine production. Third, they activate the adaptive immune system, thus promoting the development of high-affinity antigen-specific T and B cell responses and immunological memory. Type I IFNs are protective in acute viral infections but can have either protective or deleterious roles in bacterial infections and autoimmune diseases."

Sulforaphane — Helps boost type 1 interferon response

A 2005 study³² in The Journal of Infectious Diseases also found resveratrol has the power to inhibit the replication of influenza A virus, significantly improving survival in influenza-infected mice. According to the authors, resveratrol "acts by inhibiting a cellular, rather than a viral, function," which suggests it "could be a particularly valuable anti-influenza drug."

Suggested Daily Dosages

The provisional daily dosage suggestions offered by McCarty and DiNicolantonio to help control RNA viruses, including influenza and coronavirus infection, are as follows:³³

Nutraceutical	Daily dosage
Ferulic acid	500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg)
Lipoic acid	1,200 to 1,800 mg (in place of ferulic acid)
Spirulina	15 grams
NAC	1,200 to 1,800 mg
Selenium	50 to 100 micrograms (mcg)
Glucosamine	3,000 mg or more
Zinc	30 to 50 mg
Yeast beta-glucan	250 to 500 mg
Elderberry extract	600 to 1,500 mg

The Importance of Vitamin D Optimization

Solar ultraviolet-B radiation and supplemental vitamin D have also been shown to reduce pandemic fatality rates, which makes sense considering how important vitamin D is for controlling infections and lowering your risk for influenza and the common cold.

As detailed in "Vitamin D Prevents Infections," research shows high-dose vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of respiratory illnesses and lung infections in the elderly by 40%. As noted by an author of that study, "Vitamin D can improve the immune system's ability to fight infections because it bolsters the first line of defense of the immune system."

Research³⁴ published in 2009 pointed suggests fatality rates during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic were influenced by season, with greater numbers of people dying during the winter than the summer. According to the authors:³⁵

"Deaths during the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic have been linked to both the influenza virus and secondary bacterial lung infections. Case fatality rates and percentage of influenza cases complicated by pneumonia were available from survey data for twelve United States locations in the 1918–1919 pandemic.

This study analyzes case fatality rates and cases complicated by pneumonia with respect to estimated summertime and wintertime solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) doses as indicators of population mean vitamin D status.

Substantial correlations were found for associations of July UVB dose with case fatality rates and rates of pneumonia as a complication of influenza. Similar results were found for wintertime UVB. Vitamin D upregulates production of human cathelicidin, LL-37, which has both antimicrobial and antiendotoxin activities.

Vitamin D also reduces the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which could also explain some of the benefit of vitamin D since H1N1 infection gives rise to a cytokine storm."

As a general guideline, get your vitamin D level tested twice a year, in the winter and summer, to make sure you're in a healthy range of 60 ng/mL to 80 ng/mL year-round. (A compelling body of research suggests 40 ng/mL is the cutoff for sufficiency.)

Pre-, Pro- and Sporebiotics May Be Useful Against Prevotella

Last but not least, should the inclusion of Prevotella bacteria in COVID-19 turn out to be accurate, prebiotics, probiotics and sporebiotics may be of significant use. A number of studies³⁶ have shown Bifidobacterium bifidum strain probiotics can help reduce Prevotella, while Lactobacillus strains tend to increase it.

Sporebiotics may be particularly beneficial. As explained in "How Spore Probiotics Can Help You," which features an interview with Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, spore-based probiotics consist of the cell wall of bacillus spores — the protective shell around the DNA and the working mechanism of that DNA — not the whole, live bacterium.

Bacillus spores have been shown to dramatically increase immune tolerance, which means they help repair damage in your intestinal barrier. Since they're not "live," they're also unaffected by antibiotics.

The bacillus very effectively modulates cytokines — anti-inflammatory cytokines are upregulated while inflammatory cytokines are downregulated, thereby restoring balance between the two.

Research has also shown that sporebiotics massively increase reproduction of acidophilus, bifidus and other microbes in your gut via the electromagnetic messages they send out. This is entirely unique. When you take a regular probiotic, they primarily take care of themselves. Bacillus spores, on the other hand, actually enhance many of the other beneficial microbes.

Bacillus spores also create 24 different substances that have strong antimicrobial properties. However, they do not kill indiscriminately like antibiotics do. They specifically suppress pathogens that do make a valuable contribution to the whole.

As COVID-19 continues to take its toll, taking measures to strengthen your immune system would be a wise strategy as a strong immune system is your No. 1 defense against all types of infections, both viral and bacterial, and the nutraceuticals discussed in this article can all aid you in that effort.

from Articles https://ift.tt/2PXxpfG
via IFTTT

 

from Articles https://ift.tt/2PY1Z8G
via IFTTT

If you’re using your AirPods daily, chances are they’ve accumulated plenty of unwanted grime - but worry not, there’s an easy (and cheap!) solution.

from Fitness | body+soul https://ift.tt/2TyE5D1

Infrared saunas, coconut oil, hot tubs and ice baths: American powerlifter Stefi Cohen shares the intense routine she uses to shred weight prior to competing. 

from Fitness | body+soul https://ift.tt/2v9tLbo

Penni Bowd always thought she was too busy to shop and cook, but when she decided something had to change she realised being prepared was the key to long-term weight loss. 

from Diet | body+soul https://ift.tt/2IuNOnx

Researchers have found high-contact surfaces can spread Covid-19 - and this includes all the equipment found in gyms. 

from Health | body+soul https://ift.tt/2v3CUlB

TV personality and cookbook author Magdalena Roze reveals her recipe for a healthy alternative to this Italian favourite.

from Nutrition | body+soul https://ift.tt/2Iw4YBf

A series of incredible photos have emerged online revealing how effective hand washing is as a frontline virus defence.

from Health | body+soul https://ift.tt/2Q0jDc5

Researchers have developed a method for completing whole-genome sequencing to determine salmonella serotypes in just two hours and the whole identification process within eight hours.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Iy0Dh8

A large-scale study analyzed 415,980 electronic medical records of older adults in England. People aged 75 or over with low blood pressure (below 130/80) had increased mortality rates in the follow-up, compared to those with normal blood pressure. This was especially pronounced in 'frail' individuals, who had 62% increased risk of death during the 10-year follow-up.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3cBqIcV

In Japan, puffer fish is considered a delicacy, but the tickle to the taste buds comes with a tickle to the nerves: fugu contains tetrodotoxin, a strong nerve toxin. In low doses, tetrodotoxin is shown in clinical trials to be a replacement for opioids for relieving cancer related pain. Scientists have now introduced a new route for the total synthesis (complete production of a natural product from current materials) of tetrodotoxin.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2wGLY06

Not seeing your hard work in the gym pay off? Chances are you need to make some other lifestyle tweaks - and one of them includes more rest. 

from Fitness | body+soul https://ift.tt/2PXKF3Q

In some cases of ineffective messaging, it might be appropriate, despite the aphorism to the contrary, to blame the messenger.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aDNPl6

Scientists have developed a new computational technique that could lead to fast, finely detailed brain imaging with a compact device that uses only sound waves.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2wIkKWU