Tag: pomegranate peel

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Geert says we need to treat everyone prophylactically to stop breakthrough infections & slow the mutation rate.

We should listen to Geert. He is correct and has been correct.

Geert Vanden Bossche, PhD, DVM, has been warning us all along that the CoV ‘vaccines’ would just push the virus towards variants that escape the antibodies being created by the CoV jabs – and he was right. He is alarmed that the vaccine community is still talking about yet more vaccine modifications for the yet more variants. He likes the variant collecting to stamp collecting – get your name on a publication and maybe name another variant too! Oh, joy! Not really joyous.

I did get sick to what seemed like a different variant, Omicron maybe, this spring while visiting a nursing home on a daily basis – until they had an outbreak. The symptoms were a little different – less respiratory, more of a bad migraine, and extreme fatigue and napping and sleeping A LOT. The good news – upping the Basic Stack, having some extra Pomegranate peel/Plus tea, helped me recover within a week and adding the Basic Stack for my sister helped her within two weeks (worse risk factors and hadn’t been taking the supplements in advance). I gave extra supplements to my mother also and she also got better somewhere between the one to two weeks. The news has emphasized that “Covid19” is a death sentence, but realistically it is the US funded vent-and-sedate and Remdesivir protocols that are death sentences.

Geert tries to explain to us the problem in a way that we can understand – nice attempt – still not easy. The take home point though – what to do next? Treat everyone preventively/prophylactically. Stop the infection by establishing real herd immunity – where enough people do have natural immunity antibodies that the pressure on the viral species to create escape variants is reduced. Creating more and more vaccines will push the viral species to make an increasing range of escape variants that can bypass the jab antibodies. The jab antibodies can then even become a liability where they mark the infectious variant as “self” – ignore this protein – it is safe. > Roughly, this is tough topic, but he has not been wrong, all along. We should listen to Geert. He has provided audio or text:

Voice for Science and Solidarity by Geert Vanden Bossche, It is 5 past 12 ! “Hello everyone. My name is Geert Vanden Bossche. I’m a seasoned vaccinologist with background in veterinary medicine, in biology, immunology, microbial diseases. I have been sending out video messages before and this is probably the last one I’m going to do. I will still write articles, I will still do interviews…” · Geert Vanden Bossche

“It is 5 past 12!” – Geert Vanden Bossche

Our Cinderella outfit and couch turned back into a pumpkin maybe?

What to do? “Treat prophylactically with antivirals that are broadly accessible and affordable, says Geert:

“So how can we avoid vaccine breakthrough disease? Of course, by diminishing the infection rate!

When we diminish the infection rate we avoid breakthrough diseases. We will avoid recall of these less to non-neutralizing antibodies.  But we need to do better. We not only need to avoid vaccine breakthrough disease. We would need to reduce the infection level to an extent that we can even avoid vaccine breakthrough infection because as soon as we will have an infection the virus will break through the innate immune response and – in previously vaccine-primed individuals- automatically recall antibodies that are completely obsolete; antibodies that have no longer neutralizing capacity. So how can we do this? Of course, the infection rate can only be reduced via chemoprophylaxis with safe and effective antivirals that on top are broadly accessible and affordable. So, I don’t care which antivirals but they need to comply with those criteria.” – Geert Vanden Bossche, PhD, DVM

Geert goes on to say that staying on antivirals long term would not be good either but is needed to prevent more variants that evade the CoV jab antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA coronavirus species which mutate quite readily – it is part of how the species functions within a host. The dominant variant changes as the species spreads further into the body where there are differences in average warmth or acidity or other chemical levels. RNA viral species are more like interchangeable Lego blocks than “one” specific gene sequence.

If mass prophylactic prevention is his recommendation, then there are two steps to include, or three:

  1. Negative ionizers in public and private spaces to help remove positively charged spike exosomes or particles from the air.
  2. Intranasal rinse at the end of the day or after being in a public space.
  3. Preventive nutrient/phytonutrient or anti-viral medications, on a daily basis and increase to treatment levels at the very first signs of a cold or flu-like body aches. In my own experience with post CoV and post passive exposure to CoV jabs illness – keep treating long-term preventively and keep a moderate pace. Relapse is quite likely as this pathogen issue seems to be a latent intracellular risk which will need long-term care.

Antivirals that are broadly accessible and affordable include citrus and pomegranate peel, Star anise, evergreen needle tea, dandelion leaf or root tea, and many other things found in Mother Nature’s cabinet.

What is frustrating Geert Vanden Bosche and many others who have tried to speak out is that this all seems by design rather than an accident. Waiting for the “authorities” to wake up to their “mistake” is likely a huge mistake. Waiting for the authorities to approve and recommend safe and affordable antivirals for widespread preventive or prophylactic use, is a fool’s game in my opinion.

(Effectivecare.info/g13-Pomegranate) (transcendingsquare.com Pomegranate Covid19) (Health Aids for Special Times, document)) (Spike protein risks & aids – summary page. *longest blog post ever… also is a document that is longer) (Protocol Collation and Therapy Goals, live document this one is even longer and newer but the Spike protein Risks and Aids includes some other information)

It is pomegranate season on the Northern Hemisphere. The pomegranate fruit wears a crown because an ancient royal wanted a crown that looked like the pomegranate fruit. The pomegranate is revered in the Bible and other ancient texts. That is an evidence trail suggesting efficacy to me.

Ways pomegranate protects against spike:

  • Blocks entry at the ACE2 receptor. Helps reduce the dysfunction of reduced ACE2 function.
  • Inhibits NET formation and inflammasome production – which kills good cells when it is an over-reaction.
  • Inhibits the fusion cleavage site from opening and freeing the S1 subunit which then can block nAChR function and has prion like domains and a galectin-3 like sequence.
  • Protects against liver, kidney, and brain damage. With a healthy microbiome, metabolites urolithin A and B can cross the blood brain barrier, reduce neuroinflammation, and promote new growth of hippocampal cells.
  • Promotes Nrf2 which helps promote glutathione production, immune function, and DNA damage repair.
  • Protects against misfolded protein conditions.
  • Improves gut health, membrane health, and cardiovascular health.
  • Acts as a modulator and can increase Nitric oxide production if low or reduce Nitric oxide production if it excessive.
  • Pomegranate peel contains potent antioxidants and diuretics which help with detox – have several servings earlier in the day if ill and drink plenty of water, or once a day as a preventive.
  • The fruit juice and seeds provide some of the benefits for reducing inflammation and protecting the brain, but the peel contains more of the phytonutrients with potent antiviral function.

If pomegranate/peel is not available to you, then sumac/Zataar contains similar phytonutrients and so do Goji berries. Green tea also contains some of the catechin benefits ~ 3 cups per day provides about 200 mg of EGCG which is a typical amount found in supplements of EGCG. If gut issues are also an issue though, green tea may cause discomfort due to the oxalate content.

*My pomegranate paper is needed, I will keep working on it.

This recent post has my Basic Stack graphics:

  • deNutrients – News to Use, Terrain theory and early treatment/prevention. “Bad news – SARS-CoV-2 has yet another way that it can enter endothelial cells “through an αvβ3 Integrin-Mediated Endocytosis” – and it bypasses the CoV vak neutralizing antibodies. This is not good news, but it is repetitive news. SARS-CoV-2 has a ridiculously long list of ways it can enter cells – including direct fusion…” · Jennifer Depew, R.D.

This post has a pdf of the Tables that I have more complete (not the pomegranate phytonutrient or medical benefit Tables are done yet though).

And the first half, or second half that I wrote first, of my academic paper project:

  • deNutrients – News to Use, My research paper, initial progress “Pomegranate phytonutrients for mast cell inhibition to reduce the pain and suicide risk associated with histamine excess in neurologic conditions, drug related akathisia or post infection illness. Abstract Problem – Retinoic acid deficiency or excess and histamine excess are seen in many neurological c…” Jennifer Depew, R.D.

And the “That’s not a Table” post:

Excerpt from Spike Protein Risks and Aids:

About Cellular Serial Passage for bioengineering viral mutations:

We don’t have a smoking gun, we have a smoking mink pandemic – serial passaging in ferrets and mice must have been used to develop the ACE2 receptor mutations in the SARS-COV-2 spike sequence. Ferrets are very similar to minks, and mink populations have been the only ones that have been very susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus – and they were very susceptible – suggesting that ferrets were used to increase the reactivity of the spike protein with the ACE2 receptors in humans and ferrets. Ferrets were chosen because there are close similarities to humans in the reactions to SARS coronavirus.

  • “SARS-CoV-2 has extensive capacity to evolve to evade neutralizing antibodies targeting a small number of antigenic regions.” – Dr. John B. @DrJohnB2 – https://twitter.com/DrJohnB2/status/1412482410143436804?s=20
  • This topic was discussed in part, in the introduction – the CoV injections are more likely to promote mutations due to the limited number of proteins included (the spike protein), as well as being likely to induce a non-neutralizing type of antibody that would make a future infection more dangerous instead of a neutralized non-risk – ADE, Antibody-dependent enhancement [of virulence].

Karthik K, Senthilkumar TMA, Udhayavel S, Raj GD. Role of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 and its mitigation strategies for the development of vaccines and immunotherapies to counter COVID-19. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2020 Dec 1;16(12):3055-3060. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1796425. Epub 2020 Aug 26. PMID: 32845733; PMCID: PMC7484565. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7484565/

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

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Pomegranate peel catechins – inhibition of NET formation

“We could show that the flavonoids (−)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin hydrate, and rutin trihydrate as well as vitamin C and the pharmacological substances N-acetyl-L-cysteine and 5-aminosalicylic acid inhibited PMA induced ROS production and NET formation.” (Kirchner, et al, 2013)

Why care about NET formation? because it may be associated with worse risk of coagulation and blood clots forming in severe COVID-19 illness. ((Thierry and Roch, 2020), (Kiefer, 2020) Interleuken-6 (IL-6) can increase NET formation by neutraphil white blood cells attempting to ensnare pathogens and IL-6 levels tend to be elevated in more severe COVID-19 illness.

NET-neutraphil extracellular traps: “Thrombosis [coagulation/blood clotting], sepsis, and thick mucous secretions share neutrophil extracellular traps as a common causal agent. In addition to phagocytosis and degranulation, neutrophils can kill pathogens by extruding neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a process termed NETosis.” (Yanuck, et al)

Rutin is found in citrus peel and other plants. Epicatechin and catechin hydrate are in pomegranate peel or juice possibly (more in the peel). N-acetyl-L-cysteine is available as a supplement also known as NAC, and 5-aminosalicylic acid is a medication. Acetylsalicylic acid is aspirin and it also inhibits NET formation. (search results) Salicylic acid may be in some spices/plant foods. Many spices used in Indian cooking are good sources of salicylic acid. (post: Carrots, Spices, and baby aspirin help prevent cancer)

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

Reference List

  1. (Kirchner, et al, 2013) Kirchner T, Hermann E, Möller S, et al. Flavonoids and 5-aminosalicylic acid inhibit the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Mediators Inflamm. 2013;2013:710239. doi:10.1155/2013/710239 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3871909/
  2. (Yanuck, et al) Yanuck SF, Pizzorno J, Messier H, Fitzgerald KN, Evidence Supporting a Phased Immuno-physiological Approach to COVID-19 From Prevention Through Recovery. athmjournal.com/ https://athmjournal.com/covid19/research/evidence-supporting-a-phased-immuno-physiological-approach-to-covid-19-from-prevention-through-recovery/ *”interventions for one phase may not be appropriate for a different phase. The 4 phases addressed are: Prevention, Infection, Inflammation & Recovery.“
  3. (Thierry and Roch, 2020) Thierry AR, Roch B. SARS-CoV2 may evade innate immune response, causing uncontrolled neutrophil extracellular traps formation and multi-organ failure. Clin Sci (Lond). 2020 Jun 26;134(12):1295-1300. doi: 10.1042/CS20200531. PMID: 32543703. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32543703/
  4. (Kiefer, 2020) Julie Kiefer, Clues to COVID-19 Complications Come from NET-Like Inflammatory Response. Jun 29, 2020, healthcare.utah.edu, https://healthcare.utah.edu/publicaffairs/news/2020/06/nets-covid.php
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Citrus & Fig Marmalade Jam

Figs are also rich in quercetin (1) and pomegranate peel also contains significant amounts of the phytonutrient, (2). Quercetin can act as a zinc ionophore when zinc is present and carry the zinc into infected or cancerous cells where the zinc disrupts replication, see the last post, and Treatments vs ‘a cure’.

Orange Marmalade is a sweet jam made from citrus juice and peel. I made a modified low sugar version using the orange zest part of the orange peel that I had been removing when eating an orange with the white pith left on (see last post – it acts as a decongestant fairly quickly when eaten in that large of an amount (the whole orange with the white pith layer left on).

*This was an initial attempt and turned out too thick – just skip the jam part of the recipe if you want to simply make a fruit sauce preserve. Freeze the amount that you won’t be able to use fresh within a week or two as low sugar fruit sauces or jam are more likely to spoil – the large amount of sugar makes jams and jellies less likely to spoil. See: How does sugar act as a preservative? (sciencefocus.com) However if the goal is a way to preserve citrus peel for antiviral benefits than low sugar is going to be more supportive of immune function than a full sugar product.

— the point is not a recipe – the point is demonstrating a way to save time and preserve a large batch of outer citrus peel at once so small amounts can be used throughout the day and keep congestion cleared. Fruit preserves can be a mix as the jam package suggests and the basic ratios and which fruits might be more similar in acidity are grouped together on the instruction sheet pectin package.

*simpler way to get bioflavonoids in the diet of many people at once -add powdered citrus bioflavonoids citrus bioflavonoid powder to applesauce or yogurt or a smoothie type beverage or a breakfast porridge or soup. It is available in varied concentration. The preserved citrus jam could be used in a similar way but might be stronger in flavor than a concentrated powder.

I also had some fresh pomegranate peel on hand which I had peeled the outer more tannin rich layer from, (4), and an eight ounce package of dried figs and one pear for sweetness and to reduce the acidity somewhat.

Stevia is an herbal alternative sweetener which also has health benefits, including activation of the p53 protein, (3, also discussed in the last post), and I used a low sugar pectin mix that uses calcium to aid in gelling, Pomona’s Universal Pectin. It includes basic recipes that you can modify depending on your available fruit and sugar preferences. So without going into the specific jam details, here is a list of ingredients that I used, roughly estimating it as a double batch, however it thickened readily and I could have used pectin and calcium for one batch. (pomonapectin.com)

The cardamom powder and pomegranate peel cause the darker color, Citrus peel and fig would likely look more like a traditional orange marmalade.

Citrus Fig Savory Marmalade: Ingredient list (trial 1)

  • 2 1/2 cups minced orange peel
  • 1 1/2 cups minced inner pomegranate peel
  • 1 cup pear, peeled and minced
  • 1 1/2 cups figs, stem removed and minced, (8 ounce package dried)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon cardamom, powdered spice
  • 1 cup brown sugar – added to the stewing fruit, simmer gently to preserve phytonutrients, approximately 20 minutes to soften the citrus peel.
  • 6 tablespoons lime or lemon juice, bottled – for a double batch following the Pomona’s directions
  • 2 tablespoons of the calcium water solution – for a double batch
  • 1 cup Stevia sugar substitute with 1/2 cup = 1 cup sugar – measure into a separate bowl and mix in the pectin powder – to add to the fruit at the end, stir in thoroughly and let simmer for 1-2 additional minutes
  • 3 tablespoons of the Pomona’s pectin, (pomonapectin.com)

The jam cooled to a firm consistency, I could have used a single batch of lime juice, calcium water, and pectin. It made six cups which I froze most of and will keep the rest in the refrigerator as low sugar jams are more likely to mold/spoil than full sugar jam – the large amount of sugar acts as a preservative as it is too concentrated for bacteria to grow in, though mold may still occur. See: How does sugar act as a preservative? (sciencefocus.com)

The jam is mildly sweet and slightly spicy with the cardamom which also may have some antiviral and anticancer benefits by helping activate the p53 protein, which is involved in apoptosis – the killing and safe removal of infected or cancerous cells by our white blood cells. (6)

In addition to using a spoonful on toast, it is good added to a breakfast hot cereal or yogurt and would be easy to add to a cookie recipe if fresh orange peel isn’t available, see previous post: Dark Chocolate Orange Peel Cookies – Recipe.

Health can taste delicious. The taste buds will become more sensitive to the natural sweetness in foods after eating a lower sugar diet for a while.

The following is a series of jam/jelly recipes using citrus and pomegranate peel (fresh and/or dried/powdered). Both citrus and pomegranate peel have anti-inflammatory and other health benefits including antiviral properties.

The simplest way to prepare citrus peel for later use would be to mince the washed peel (collected over a few days in the refrigerator), and simmer it with water and a little brown sugar and possibly a spoonful of coconut oil or butter to help draw out fat soluble phytonutrients.

In a sauce pan bring the orange peel, 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil & 1 tablespoon of stevia to a boil and remove from heat. (From Dark Chocolate Citrus peel Cookies recipe)

Citrus Plum: Ingredient list (trials 3 & 3.2)

  • 1 1/2-2 cups minced orange peel
  • 1 1/2 cups minced inner pomegranate peel and/or 6 tablespoons powdered dehydrated pomegranate, inner peel
  • 2 cups plums, minced
  • 1 cup prunes, minced,
  • 3 cups water – if more or less fresh fruit is available then adjust the water up/down to make up the difference, leaving a cup to simmer the citrus peel for a few minutes initially with the brown sugar, before adding the fresh plums and other ingredients.
  • 1-2 teaspoon cardamom, powdered spice
  • 1 cup brown sugar – added to the stewing fruit, simmer gently to preserve phytonutrients, approximately 20 minutes to soften the citrus peel.
  • 6 tablespoons lime/lemon juice, bottled, or 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of the calcium water solution – for a double batch
  • 1 cup Stevia sugar substitute with 1/2 cup = 1 cup sugar – measure into a separate bowl and mix in the pectin powder – to add to the fruit at the end, stir in thoroughly and let simmer for 1-2 additional minutes
  • 2 teaspoons of the Pomona’s pectin, (pomonapectin.com), if the 6 tablespoons of powdered dried pomegranate inner peel is used. The fresh pomegranate peel and citrus peel have pectin type fiber and less additional pectin may be needed to thicken the jam or jelly made with it, however the powdered dried peel is more thickening. Some additional pectin still seems to be needed for a full gel reaction

Additional trial, larger batch, notes – 2 cups citrus peel, 6 Tbs pomegranate peel powder, 2 cups brown sugar, 1 cup Stevia powder, 1-1 ratio equiv to sugar, 4 cups water, 4 cups fresh plums, 1 cup prunes, 1 Tbs cardamom, 1/2 cup lime or lemon juice, 2 Tbs calcium water, 2 teaspoon Pomono’s pectin (mixed with one of the cups of brown sugar).

The fruit jam can be made into a chocolate sauce or thicker ganache that can be used as a cookie or cake filling or frosting, or be made into chocolate truffle candies.

Citrus Chocolate Ganache/Fudge sauce

Simmer one-two cups of the citrus plum jam in a double boiler, – metal bowl that fits in a sauce pan that has a couple inches of simmering hot water – and add one teaspoon of vanilla, (optional), and one tablespoon coconut oil per cup of jam, stir until it is mixed in evenly, and then add 1/4 cup cocoa powder per cup of jam, stir until the powder is all incorporated into the chocolate fudge mixture. It will be lumpy because of the fruit pieces but the chocolate sauce should mix into a chocolate-y smoothness where there isn’t fruit pieces.

Whether the mixture will be a thin or thick sauce or a frosting like ganache texture depends on the ratio of cocoa powder to liquid that you use. Pomegranate juice could be used to thin the ganache if a sauce were needed. Thicker ganache can be rolled into truffle like dessert candies, coated with cocoa powder to prevent stickiness. Store and serve chilled from the refrigerator or freezer.

Chocolate citrus peel truffles (without a solid chocolate coating added).

Pomegranate Jelly, made with powdered pomegranate peel (and violets) – ingredient list

  • 6 tablespoons powdered dehydrated pomegranate, inner peel
  • 4 cups pomegranate juice
  • 1 cup violets, (optional) rinsed and drained gently
  • 1 cup brown sugar – added to the stewing fruit,
  • 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar or lime/lemon/juice (I was making a citrus free batch for people with allergy).
  • 2 tablespoons of the calcium water solution (if using Pomona’s Pectin)-
  • 1 cup Stevia sugar substitute with 1/2 cup = 1 cup sugar – measure into a separate bowl and mix in the pectin powder – to add to the fruit at the end, stir in thoroughly and let simmer for 1-2 additional minutes
  • 2 teaspoons of the Pomona’s pectin, (pomonapectin.com), if the 6 tablespoons of powdered dried pomegranate inner peel is used. The fresh pomegranate peel and citrus peel have pectin type fiber and less additional pectin may be needed to thicken the jam or jelly made with it, however the powdered dried peel is more thickening. Some additional pectin still seems to be needed for a full gel reaction
Pomegranate Jelly, made with powdered pomegranate inner peel, and violets (peppery). It was good served hot over a vegetable salad. Jam and jelly can be used as a tangy extra along with an entree (mint jelly and lamb, cranberry gelatin with turkey, chutney with Indian meals).
Purple violets and white with purple centers. If using edible flowers for cooking or fresh avoid chemically treated lawns or flowerbeds and private property or public lands.
More violets than lawn.

*Why violets? – they contain a fragrance phytonutrients that may help protect against retinal deterioration common with aging, and increase melanin production in the skin, helping protect against skin cancer potentially. How many violets is a serving? They are peppery, I enjoy eating a a few at a time.

Reference List

  1. Brian, 93 Quercetin Rich Foods, 2 October 2018, MyIntakePro.com https://myintakepro.com/blog/quercetin-rich-foods/ via @HiperacusiaCAT
  2. X. Zhao, Z. Yuan, Y. Fang, Y. Yin, and L. Feng, Flavonols and Flavones Changes in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit Peel during Fruit Development. J. Agr. Sci. Tech. (2014) Vol. 16: 1649-1659, http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1021.8526&rep=rep1&type=pdf
  3. Chen J, Xia Y, Sui X, et al. Steviol, a natural product inhibits proliferation of the gastrointestinal cancer cells intensively. Oncotarget. 2018;9(41):26299–26308. Published 2018 May 29. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25233 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5995179/
  4. J. Depew, G13. Pomegranate – Health Benefits and Preparation, effectivecare.info, https://effectivecare.info/g13-pomegranate
  5. Divya Sehgal, How does sugar act as a preservative?, sciencefocus.com, https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/how-does-sugar-act-as-a-preservative/
  6. Yu‐Jen Jou Chao‐Jung Chen Yu‐Ching Liu, et al., Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis reveals γ‐bisabolene inducing p53‐mediated apoptosis of human oral squamous cell carcinoma via HDAC2 inhibition and ERK1/2 activation. Proteomics, 15;19, Oct 2015, pp 3296-3309, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26194454
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Eat Food – Antivirals are found in common foods.

Chloroquine medications are dangerous, many medications are dangerous especially if taken in too large a dose. Chloroquines are typically used to treat malaria, a condition caused by a parasite. The mechanism of action is that the chemical can hold onto the mineral zinc and carry it into an infected cell where the zinc disrupts the replication of proteins, causing less virus replication. (6) It has been mentioned as a medication that potentially may be helpful for treating patients with the novel coronavirus that is currently causing a pandemic.

The chloroquine medications are also used by autoimmune patients and supplies of the drug are limited. Increasing production is a goal but will likely take some time. (7) There are other safer alternatives available in foods or phytonutrient extracts (1, 8, 9) that have an immune modulating effect – promoting removal of infected or damaged cells while also inhibiting an overactive immune response.

People with a heart condition may also be at more risk of dangerous side effects if taking chloroquines. The medication also needs to be given with zinc to be as effective as possible. The food or phytonutrient alternatives would also need to be used with zinc in the diet or added as a supplement. (1, 8, 9)

***** ONLY TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS THAT ARE PRESCRIBED FOR YOU BY YOUR OWN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL *****

***** ONLY EAT FOOD *****

Someone is dead because they consumed a household product containing chloroquine because they thought it might protect them from coronavirus infection, (10), – dead is not infectable by a virus, but dead is also dead.

Quercetin plus zinc is also an antiviral that works as a zinc ionophore, (1), however it is readily available in some common foods or as a supplement and is nontoxic to cells. (1, 2) The zinc is disrupting protein replication within the infected cell so the virus can not be replicated to spread to other cells, for more replication, more infecting other cells, more replication, etcetera.

Onions are the richest source of quercetin (4) and citrus peel is also a very rich source. (3) Pumpkin seeds are the richest source of zinc in a vegetarian diet and is commonly available in meats in a non-vegetarian diet.

Pomegranate peel extract or the inner white membrane of a pomegranate is also a source of quercetin and another phytonutrient that acts as a zinc ionophore (epigallichatechin-gallate). (1) It also would be nontoxic to healthy cells and low risk compared to the chloroquine medications. (2) However it can have some side effects, acting as a diuretic and has COX2 inhibition activity. (recent post, older post) A tablespoon or two of the liquid extract or inner white membrane can be enough to provide some health benefits for an adult. (G13: Preparation & Benefits of Pomegranate)

Onions, citrus peel, pomegranate peel – we have choices, safe choices, to help our body’s own defense system stop the coronavirus. Chloroquines do not kill coronavirus – it helps our own defense system do its job – but with more risk to healthy cells, and normal function than onions, citrus peel or pomegranate peel or quercetin supplements. Zinc is a trace mineral which we need in small amounts, a larger dose taken for a week or two would be unlikely to build up to toxic amounts but please be aware that in large doses a zinc supplement could become toxic.

Eat food – that is what our body is designed for. If the GI tract is inflamed and the idea of eating food is no longer appealing due to pain or constant diarrhea than please see the recent post: ACE2, Diarrhea, & COVID19 – it gets complicated. and try to eat small servings of something that might help heal and stop the inflammatory reaction in the intestinal tract.

If nausea and vomiting are also symptoms, hold off on the food and just sip water that has a dash of lemon or lime juice or apple cider vinegar. Those all have a type of acid that is similar to stomach acid. In cases of severe nausea even plain water can be unsettling and larger amounts of anything can be a problem. Start gradually with small sips of the lemon water, or a lime or lemon popsicle may be soothing and not cause more vomiting.

Once feeling better some of the mucilaginous or hydrolyzable tannin foods mentioned in the recent post (ACE2, Diarrhea…) can help replace the mucous lining that coats the intestinal tract during times of health. It also serves as a defense system, helping to prevent entry of virus or other pathogens into the body between intestinal cells. And white blood cells patrol the area and actively defend against pathogens.

Pomegranate peel also provides hydrolyzable tannins if the white membrane is used in prepared foods like a bean soup (G8: Cookies & Bean Soup/recipes) or sweet potato dish. Pomegranate peel and citrus peel and onions (less so) are also sources of vitamin C which also helps our body’s natural anti-viral defenses. (5)

Addition: Table of drugs and phytonutrients that are being investigated for use as a COVID19 treatment, (@rubbersoul23,Eric/table) based on A SARS-CoV-2-Human Protein-Protein Interaction Map Reveals Drug Targets and Potential Drug-Repurposing, March 23, 2020, (biorxiv.org)

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. It is not intended to provide individual guidance. Please seek a health care provider for individualized health care guidance.

Reference List

  1. Husam Dabbagh-Bazarbachi , Gael Clergeaud, Isabel M Quesada, et al., Zinc Ionophore Activity of Quercetin and Epigallocatechin-Gallate: From Hepa 1-6 Cells to a Liposome Model. J Agric Food Chem, 62 (32), 8085-93 2014 Aug 13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25050823/
  2. Houston DMJ, Bugert JJ, Denyer SP, Heard CM. Potentiated virucidal activity of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and punicalagin against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) when co-administered with zinc (II) ions, and antiviral activity of PRE against HSV and aciclovir-resistant HSV [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2017 Nov 20;12 (11):e0188609]. PLoS One. 2017;12(6):e0179291. Published 2017 Jun 30. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0179291 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5493292/
  3. Shafiya Rafiqa, Rajkumari Kaula, S.A. Sofia, et al., Citrus peel as a source of functional ingredient: A review. J of the Saudi Society of Ag Sci, 17;4, Oct. 2018, pp 351-358 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X16300960
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