COVID-19: The Case for Preventive, Immunosupportive Therapy By Antonio Reale, ND, MS I
n recent weeks, healthcare providers and government offi- cials have issued warnings against the spread of COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus. Cases of COVID-19 are increasing exponentially, affecting global markets, airline travel, and virtually every sector of human interaction and exchange. With the amount of cases increasing here in the U.S. and the number of illnesses yet to reach its peak, there is heightened alert and a call for action. What can we do?
COVID-19: What Is It? Although loosely referred to as coronavirus, COVID-19 is a strain
of an already well known family of viruses, Coronaviridae. Human coronaviruses are known to cause flu-like symptoms and spread in a way that is similar to the common cold, so what makes this disease different? COVID-19 is a novel strain that for the first time is present in humans. Unlike other Coronaviruses, COVID-19 is unprecedented, which means scientists are still working to understand and map its spread and a vaccine is not yet available. While symptoms mimic those of the common flu virus, strains of COVID-19 have proven deadlier, resulting in a much higher fatality rate, especially in those who are immunocompromised.
Symptoms & Transmission Although researchers are still studying the specifics when it
comes to transmission, we know COVID-19 follows a similar mode of transmission as other viruses, person-to-person contact. Infected in- dividuals spread the virus through respiratory droplets while coughing or sneezing, as well as when coming into close contact with objects handled by someone infected with the virus. While some individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic, carrying the vi- rus without knowing it, others experience symptoms of cough, short- ness of breath, and fever, sometimes up to two weeks after exposure, making early detection more difficult.
Immune-Modulating Herbs & Supplements The immune system is our body's defense system, a virtual
army of cells that exists to protect us from outside invaders, whether bacteria, viruses, or other foreign agents. It makes sense, then, to strengthen our immune system during times of heightened illness.
We can do this through herbs that increase white blood cells, such as Astragalus, Echincaea, and Andrographis, as well as medicinal mushrooms like Reishi.
A very specific type of white blood cell, the Natural Killer (NK) cell, is aptly named because of its role in ridding the body of foreign invaders. A proprietary blend of the mushroom, active hexose cor- related compound (AHCC), is remarkably efficient at increasing the body's level of NK cells and therefore, host defense. AHCC has been studied for the adjuvant treatment of cancer and for its role in treating other viral infections, such as HPV and influenza. This is in addition to other immune supporting herbs, including one of my favorites for pediatric patients, Sambucus nigra. Sambucus, known commonly as Elderberry, is a great herb for boosting the immune systems of chil- dren because of its mild taste and because it lends itself well to syr- ups. I'll often use Elderberry syrup as a base for formulas with potent antiviral herbs since it helps to mask the strong flavor of other herbs.
While the use of immune-modulating herbs and supplements
may not directly treat or eradicate COVID-19, we can strengthen and support the body's defense system, rendering ourselves more resilient to outside infection. While generally safe for short periods, long-term use of immune-boosting herbs like Echinacea can be problematic for those suffering from autoimmune conditions so check with a health- care professional before supplementing.
Antiviral Herbs & Nutrients
Nature is blessed with an array of potent antiviral herbs, in addi- tion to vitamins and minerals that can help both boost the immune system and fight viral infections. While it's not possible to say whether these herbs exert their antiviral activity against COVID-19, botanical formulas can help reduce illness, helping to differentiate between this novel strain of coronavirus and other viral infections with similar symptoms. We can create botanical formulas to include antiviral herbs such as Lomatium, Ligusticum, and Thuja, all of which exhibit strong antimicrobial properties by producing cytokines, a group of proteins that stimulates the body's immune response.
Research has demonstrated antiviral properties of vitamin A and zinc, and zinc's role in supporting the immune system is well studied. Vitamin D, long praised for its ability to boost immunity, is one of the
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