Epidemiologist, Dr. Harvey Risch, MD, PhD, shares more math detail about herd immunity in a video about the Covid epidemic and Hydoxycloroquine and its friends. Herd immunity occurs, in epidemiological definition, at the peak of the epidemic case rate graph and helps the rate start dipping downward. He states that herd immunity can help – did help at that peak point, but it can never be expected to ~ make an infection outbreak stop altogether. Treatment is still needed for those who are still getting sick – even though the outbreak is almost over. Infectious microbes tend to mutate to become a milder illness, because they want a surviving host, not a dead one.
Hydroxychloroquine does help CoV patients if it is used very early, for outpatient treatment, within the first week of symptoms when it is mild cold like or headache/diarrhea/nausea, etc. It is given along with zinc ideally, one of the “friends” and antibiotics. SARS-CoV-2 can also infect bacteria, so the antibiotic knocks out any infected bacteria also. Otherwise the virus replicates within the bacterial cell and bursts out of it in large number which may then infect many more of the patient’s cells in addition to other bacteria.
Another friend mentioned is Ivermectin, Dr. Hirsch states that the hydroxychloroquine helps but not enough on its own – the Ivermectin can help too (so can many other nutrients and plant phytonutrients). Background info – the SARS-CoV-2 virus can get into cells by other methods than entry at the ACE2 receptor, and inflammation reactions need to be controlled by immunomodulators and antioxidants – which would include many potential therapeutic phytonutrients and vitamins such as vitamin C and E.
Dr. Hirsch discusses legal issues regarding drug approval, randomized clinical trials, and the ethics problems in conflicts of interest in published research. Causality, efficacy – does a drug help or harm? Bad study design can make a drug seem dangerous – give the wrong dose, at the wrong stage of illness, or to more at risk patients than people who had average health prior to infection, or to make a study look safe – have an “inert” placebo that is not really inert, instead also causes side effects similar to any expected from the experimental treatment… there are many ways to modify the
Hydroxychloroquine and its friends, Dr. Harvey Risch, MD, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology, Yale University. 24 June 2021
More on the math and history of “herd immunity” in the epidemiologic study of clinical infectious disease:
Abstract: “The term “herd immunity” is widely used but carries a variety of meanings [1–7]. Some authors use it to describe the proportion immune among individuals in a population. Others use it with reference to a particular threshold proportion of immune individuals that should lead to a decline in incidence of infection. Still others use it to refer to a pattern of immunity that should protect a population from invasion of a new infection. A common implication of the term is that the risk of infection among susceptible individuals in a population is reduced by the presence and proximity of immune individuals (this is sometimes referred to as “indirect protection” or a “herd effect”). We provide brief historical, epidemiologic, theoretical, and pragmatic public health perspectives on this concept.” (Fine, et al, 2011) Full text article (1)
The opening line says a lot: “Though coined almost a century ago [8], the term “herd immunity” was not widely used until recent decades, its use stimulated by the increasing use of vaccines, discussions of disease eradication, and analyses of the costs and benefits of vaccination programs.”
Herd immunity was about herds of animals that got sick, and then got better.
The immune system works when given the nutrients that it needs in a timely fashion. Rest is also important, hydration, lack of light at night, a healthy microbiome, and other things. Health is not a “right” as much as it is a goal that we have to work towards every day with our choice of habits.
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.
Herd immunity is about herds of animals that got sick, and got better.
This is an email reply that I just sent, the quote is from the organization’s fundraising request that I received:
Dear MoveOn, “But experts say that we need 80% or more of the population to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity—a goal that may be hard to reach if we don’t fight back against the rampant lies, conspiracy theories, and misinformation about the vaccine being spread by Donald Trump and the right wing.2” < that is false. Survivors of CoV have a stronger natural immunity then the vaccinated would have and herd immunity is a concept that initially was based on a herd of animals that got sick, and then recovered with natural immunity – if 80% get sick and recover, then the illness tends to fade away, and the other 20% are protected. COVID-19 Is Probably Lab Grown, Nobel Prize Winner Says – His Claims Are Rejected by the Scientific Community – -note the date – April 18, 2020 -> listening to Nobel Prize winning scientists is a good idea. https://ponderwall.com/index.php/2020 Science requires listening to scientists. The rampant lies have been spread by Dr. Fauci and others. I am a concerned citizen of the US and traditional Democratic supporter – but coercion to get an experimental and dangerous product is Nazi like – I cannot support anyone who doesn’t follow the Nuremberg code. I am not a Nazi. The Democrats seem to be now. Truly, check yourselves.
Sincerely, Jennifer Depew, RD
Bipartisan lying is going on though, I was listening to a conservative talk show host this morning, who went on and on about how the Democrats are communists — no, truly, no, they are oligarchs – working for the sake of rich people and corporations. The current Democratic Party is not communist at all, nor very democratic either based on the way primaries are run.
For Review:
The Nuremberg Code and its impact on clinical research. (massdevice.com)
“What Are The Nuremberg Code’s Ethical Guidelines For Research?“
“The Nuremberg Code aimed to protect human subjects from enduring the kind of cruelty and exploitation the prisoners endured at concentration camps. The 10 elements of the code are:
Voluntary consent is essential
The results of any experiment must be for the greater good of society
Human experiments should be based on previous animal experimentation
Experiments should be conducted by avoiding physical/mental suffering and injury
No experiments should be conducted if it is believed to cause death/disability
The risks should never exceed the benefits
Adequate facilities should be used to protect subjects
Experiments should be conducted only by qualified scientists
Subjects should be able to end their participation at any time
The scientist in charge must be prepared to terminate the experiment when injury, disability, or death is likely to occur.“
Disclaimer: These are opinions of mine and should not be taken as individual health advice. The information is being shared for educational purposes, within the guidelines of Fair Use.
Unusual gene insertions within the SARS-CoV-2 viral gene sequence were found that resemble the protein structure and genetic code of a snake venom toxin. That is the bad news. The good news is that an anti-clotting snake venom anti-toxin medication was found helpful in the treatment of patients with severe COVID19. The anti-clotting medication is Tirofiban/Aggrastat, see image, and Dr. Fauci was emailed about the success of the treatment on April 27, 2020. It would have been nice of Dr. Fauci to let the rest of us know the good news last year.
*7-6-21 – addition – that was sarcasm and sarcasm is no longer adequate – it was Dr. Fauci’s job to let the US public know of effective remedies rather than obstruct investigations and use of early treatment. He and Ralph Baric and their team need to be investigated by an independent (non US corrupt) group and be charged with global homicide – seriously. We can’t just joke about bioweapons or gain of function ‘vaccine’ research that accidentally gets out, gets covered up, and early treatments suppressed for the apparent purpose of pushing emergency approval through for an inadequately tested experimental genetic manipulation treatment.
Image via Dr. Tau Braun, on Facebook.
The other good news is that nicotine is protective, by blocking access to the toxic spike protein to nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) which both nicotine and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine can activate (agonists of the receptor type, rather than antagonists).
“Based on the clinical observation of low prevalence of smoking among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, we examined and identified a “toxin-like” amino acid (aa) sequence in the Receptor Binding Domain of the Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 (aa 375–390), which is homologous to a sequence of the Neurotoxin homolog NL1, one of the many snake venom toxins that are known to interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).” (1)
Anyone feeling a little tired? – a similar type of nerve toxin from a cone snail: Neurotoxin homolog NL1: “Antagonist [inhibitor] of muscle and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) with highest affinity for neuronal alpha-7/CHRNA7 nAChRs.” (9)
The Cholinergic System
The Cholinergic System effects health and cognition in many ways: “The cholinergic system is the network of acetylcholine receptors clustered within certain brain regions which the activation of, or inhibition of, in total effects most of our actions. More specifically effecting the cholinergic system might cause symptoms of “dry mouth, tachycardia or bradycardia [rapid or slow heart rate], drowsiness, sedation, and short-term memory loss,”…” Low levels of acetylcholine can cause difficulty forgetting traumatic memories, while higher levels help with the formation of new memories. (The Cholinergic & Dopaminergic Systems: previous post)
Formaldehyde – a neurotoxin that also inhibits acetylcholine receptors.
Formaldehyde has an inhibitory effect on acetylcholine receptors as it leads to increased break down of acetylcholine, so excess amounts of it may worsen symptoms of spike toxicity. Increased formaldehyde levels leads to an increase in levels of the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, resulting in less of the neurotransmitter being available for stimulating the acetylcholine receptors of nerve cells. (12)
Formaldehyde is found in smoke toxins whether you are the smoker, or there is fresh secondhand smoke, or a long term lingering thirdhand smoke on the walls & surfaces of everything in the home. Formaldehyde is also breathed in from smog or air pollution, and may off-gas (be released) from vinyl or other environmental sources. More bad news – we also make our own formaldehyde when our stress level is elevated. (References & more info, The Cholinergic & Dopaminergic Systems – also has dietary tips for Parkinson’s Disease: previous post)
Formaldehyde is a chemical used to embalm corpses. No need to make it for ourselves.
Peace – tranquility – focus on the now, not the worries of the future or the regrets of the past. By focusing on the present we can take decisive action steps towards a different future.
Jumping ahead to my own present time – I am using a half a nicotine patch per day (= 10.5 mg), for the last few days and it has helped my health, after a colitis like flair-up that was lingering longer than ever before. To me three weeks of colitis is three weeks too many – however some people suffer from it most days for years. It can end lives prematurely. I lost 30 pounds in three weeks during my initial problem – extreme stress was happening at that time. of the nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors can be involved in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. (2)
Nicotine activates most types of nAChRs.
Nicotine activates most of the subtypes of nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, except for two subtypes, which it inhibits: “Nicotinic receptors are so named because they are activated by the tobacco plant alkaloid nicotine, but curiously, α9 and α9α10 nAChRs are not activated by nicotine and instead are inhibited by this ligand [8,13,25].” (2) Those two types have not been identified within the gastrointestinal tract, although many other subtypes are found there. (Table 1, 2)
Where are they found? It is the standout details that provide clues.
“Upon its release, acetylcholine activates a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) composed of α9 and α10 subunits14,15,16,17. In vertebrates the expression of these 2 subunits is limited mainly to the cochlear and vestibular end organs14,15,18,19. ” (3)
>>> “Neurons of the medial olivary complex inhibit cochlear hair cells through the activation of α9α10-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).” (3)
Vertigo & Tinnitus can result from cochlear hair cell damage.
Vertigo and tinnitus might be related to something affecting the cochlear hair cells. They are very delicate and prone to irreversible damage. Dehydration, certain medications, and lack of magnesium may all be risk factors in addition to very loud noise, particularly if typically on one side more than the other – so one set of cochlear hair cells are damaged and the other is still okay – leaving the person off balance in perception and causing vertigo or tinnitus. The conditions have been reported as symptoms of COVID19 and as adverse reactions following CoV injection.
Magnesium is needed to protect cochlear hair cells.
“... intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate improved hearing recovery…” (4)
Epsom salt soaks provide a topical source of magnesium and sulfate which is absorbed through skin pores, bypassing any potential intestinal malabsorption.
Nicotine activates nAChRs, except for the type found in the inner ears.
Bath time over – back to the subtypes of nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors – toxins can be very specific to subtype. Conus imperialis snails have a toxin that affects only the α7 subtype, making it useful in research of the brain’s cholinergic system. “It has no effect on nAChRs composed of α2/ß2, α3/ß2, α4/ß2, α2/ß4, α3/ß4, or α4/ß4 subunits.” (5)
That doesn’t rule out an effect on the α9 and α10 subunits, does it? Do the snake venom like toxin on the spike protein effect the α9 and α10 subunits? Based on reports of tinnitus and vertigo, it seems likely that they are effected by the spike protein.
Nicotine for better hearing and balance? Odd world today. Though, the nicotine doesn’t activate the α9 and α10 subunits so it might not protect them – bath time is fun according to Ernie from Sesame Street.
What other nutrients might help the inner ear cochlear hair cells?
Antioxidants and polyphenols and other NfKB inhibitor phytonutrients would also help protect the hair cells of the inner ear. Supplements of the antioxidant/metabolite CoQ10 and vitamin E have been found beneficial for tinnitus patients. (4) Nrf2 promoting foods have the double bonus of increasing our own antioxidant production and inhibiting the inflammatory NfKB. See: Nrf2 Promoting Foods for nutrient and foods that might be helpful.
“The levels of nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, oxidative stress, nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-kappa), glutamate receptor (N-methyl-D-aspartate), and calcium are elevated in patients with tinnitus.12,13 About 21% to 42% of tinnitus cases are induced by exposure to noise.14 About 34% of tinnitus patients have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting there may be some linkage of neuronal mechanisms that cause both tinnitus and PTSD.15 Evidence for increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation has also been found in patients with PTSD.” (4)
*Adequate levels of acetylcholine is needed to help forget things like trauma memories. (The Cholinergic & Dopaminergic Systems: previous post)
Reducing glutamate in the diet and use of glutamate inhibitors may be protective as excess glutamate is formed as a result of damage to hair cells.
“When hair cells become damaged, gluta-mate—an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for converting vibrational sound into electrical signal—is produced in excessive amounts. Excessive amounts of gluta-mate are very toxic to neurons. Damage to peripheral auditory and somatosensory systems causes imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the mid-brain auditory cortex and brainstem. This imbalance causes hyperactivity in the auditory cortex leading to the perception of phantom sounds (tinnitus).” (4)
Avoiding loud noise also protects the hair cells, which are motion sensitive and can be broken by physical pressure change. Loud noises do cause a change in the air pressure as the sound wave passes by – the vibration of a loud concert has the beat of the music.
From an old post:
A review of the negative side effects possible with an excess intake of the hormone calcitriol: [drugs.com]
Ringing in the ears and inner ear pressure is not mentioned on the list but – I am personally and professionally pretty sure that tinnitus can be part of the cluster of symptoms that might occur from a calcitriol overdose. The symptom list would be similar to a list of magnesium deficiency symptoms. The symptoms won’t go away simply by taking a magnesium supplement alone however. The intake of the vitamin D would continue to signal the bones to release calcium into the blood if it is being converted into hormone D. When excess of the calcitriol/hormone 1,25-D is present the intestines preferentially absorb calcium and magnesium is wasted in the kidneys and is poorly absorbed in the intestines.
An Epsom salt bath or foot soak can help relieve physical and mental symptoms and slightly reduce the ringing in the ears. Zinc, inositol and B vitamins seem to be involved in the tinnitus – magnesium alone doesn’t make it go away. B1 and zinc seem to be involved with the risk of cardiac arrhythmia as well as adequate supplies of taurine, an amino acid that can be converted from the more common cysteine but in the elderly that conversion can malfunction.
α9 and α7 are structurally similar, bad news doesn’t stop does it?
Back from the search engine – Structurally 7 and 9 are similar, (9 is curvier, haha): “Despite the recent upsurge in research interest in these subunits, there is much unknown about their functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms. They are most similar to the α7* nAChR; α-bungarotoxin and strychnine are antagonists of α7* and α9* receptors and α7* and α9* highly permeable to calcium. Recent evidence suggests a functional interaction of the subunits and potentially a structural association.” (6)
The alpha 9 and 10 subunits are not found within the brain’s cholinergic system, just in the inner ear, at the post-synapse area of the nerve connections – however the 9 and 10 subunit types are found throughout the rest of the body and immune system:
“There is an emerging literature that the distribution of the α9 and α10 subunits in peripheral tissues is widespread and non-synaptic, regulated in disease states, and may not always be assembled as heteromeric receptors. One or both subunits are expressed in most immune cells, dorsal root ganglion, keratinocytes, brain glioblastoma, colon, human breast cancer. Their expression levels may be prognostic in cancer and osteoporosis, and recent evidence suggests they may be involved in immune regulation. Importantly, they are potential targets for treatment of pain, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.” (6)
The alpha-7 type of receptors are found in the colon and are involved in glutamate release. They may be involved in pain relief. “Additionally, α7 nAChRs located on DRG neuron terminals in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord modulate the release of glutamate and have been proposed to be involved in nicotine mediated analgesia [34].” (2)
A computer modeling image shows the α7 receptor being blocked by a snake toxin, (7), the receptor is made of five similar subunits that form a channel through the cell membrane. Once activated the channel allows certain minerals to pass through, such as calcium. Excess can cause overactivity to the point of cell death.
Figure 4. Structural model of the α7 receptor–α-Cbtx complex. The five subunits of the receptor are depicted with their β-sheets colored blue and the apical helices colored red and yellow. One toxin molecule is shown at an arbitrary subunit interface with its β-sheet in yellow and its backbone in red. (A) Top view of the model. (B) The receptor is seen perpendicularly to the 5-fold axis with the toxin in an equatorial position. (Fruchart-Gaillard et al, 2002) (7)
“How can this situation explain the antagonistic property of the snake toxin? Small ligands also bind at the interface of two α7 subunits (10–13) on loops A, B, C, D, and F for ACh, nicotine or DHβE and A, B, C, and E for conotoxin ImI (α-ImI). This and previous (13) pairwise analyses indicate that α-ImI and α-Cbtx clearly bind to overlapping sites. Even both toxins possess an arginine residue that seem to establish homologous cation π interactions with the α7 receptor. ” (7)
Nicotine is a strong agonist of the α7 subunits, and activating that type of receptor helps reduce inflammation. (10, 13)
“We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of nicotine, a potent α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonist, with regard to TLR expression and signaling during sepsis.” (10)
Nicotine for prevention of snake venom-like poisoning? Odd world today.
Lobeline sulfate is chemically similar to nicotine, but less potent of an activator of the nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. (8)
“Where there is a will, there is a way,”
– as my mother always said. And when the first attempt doesn’t work, you try something else until something works. That is the stick-with-method. Try, try again.
Feeling a little better, rather than worse, may be the goal – sorry. Autoimmune conditions may have occurred.
There are no guarantees in life and trying dietary solutions or any treatment may not restore full health. Infections or other traumatic damage can increase risk of autoimmune antibodies developing – and there is often ups and downs rather than any true cure like resolution. Once autoimmune antibodies are formed the memory immune cells remember. Avoiding any dietary chemicals that were similar to the one the body is reactive against can help reduce the level of antibodies that are currently being produced rather than a memory cell type waiting to be needed again. Wheat gluten is similar to the thyroid hormone for example.
Demyelination conditions such as the autoimmune like condition Multiple Sclerosis may involve misfolded proteins too.
Multiple sclerosis also has been found to likely involve misfolded proteins. “MS may be a transmissible protein misfolding disorder, study suggests. SAN DIEGO – Multiple sclerosis appears to be a transmissible protein misfolding disorder like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, results of a new study suggest. ” (11)
Strategies that support myelination and prevent demyelination may also be helpful for protecting against a prion like toxin that does other damage too. Malnutrition is a risk factor for demyelinating conditions of which MS is one, however excess calories and carbohydrates may also be a risk factor. Our body needs to get hungry in order for the cellular debris mechanisms to function. When we are eating a lot of food, the body is busy using or storing those nutrients and there is no time or need to scavenge for extra tangled piles of misfolded proteins. Niacin, B vitamins, C, magnesium, CoQ10, are all needed for energy production in our mitochondria and also may help with the cellular debris functin.
Other tips for promoting good myelin coating around the long axons of nerve cells are on this webpage: G12. Demyelination.
See previous posts for more about the potential prion like risks of the spike protein:
Excess free iron is a frequent problem. Vitamin C would help, quercetin, resveratrol, artemisinin, lactoferrin, and possibly turmeric might all help as an iron chelator to protect against some of the vascular risks and excessive level of inflammatory cytokines.
“Artemisinin is an iron chelator and helped me right away with post recovery fatigue. In 1-2 days had more energy. Took am & pm. Still using 1/day. It felt like anemia of chronic infection – standard body response to move iron out of pathogen risk.” (one of my Tweets) -> (artemisinin-arteannuin-b-and-covid-19/)
Anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (post) is a natural immune response of the body, which seems to be an over-response in the case of COVID19 and LongCovid. Iron is stored as ferritin instead of being made into new hemoglobin for immature red blood cells. Less oxygen carrying capacity is in the blood – but also less potential nutrients for a pathogen. This condition is readily reversible with vitamin C and iron chelators – and address the underlying chronic infection that is causing the immune response. – And in the meantime avoid high altitudes such as mountain drives or airplane flights as hypoxia and loss of consciousness may result. Airplane pilots have experienced some problems post CoV injections.
“(Reuters) – United Airlines and its pilots’ union have reached an agreement to prohibit the airline from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations to its pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association said. “Pilots who elect not to be vaccinated will not be subject to any discipline,” “ – @GillianMcKeith. (ref)
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
Farsalinos K, Eliopoulos E, Leonidas DD, Papadopoulos GE, Tzartos S, Poulas K. Nicotinic Cholinergic System and COVID-19: In Silico Identification of an Interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and Nicotinic Receptors with Potential Therapeutic Targeting Implications. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(16):5807. Published 2020 Aug 13. doi:10.3390/ijms21165807 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7461543/
Lola Rueda Ruzafa, José Luis Cedillo, and Arik J. Hone. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Interactions with Gut Microbiota. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2021, 18(3), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031189 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/3/1189/htm
Fruchart-Gaillard C, Gilquin B, Antil-Delbeke S, et al. Experimentally based model of a complex between a snake toxin and the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99(5):3216-3221. doi:10.1073/pnas.042699899 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC122499/
Tae-Hoon Kim, So-Jin Kim, Sun-Mee Lee, Stimulation of the α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Protects Against Sepsis by Inhibiting Toll-like Receptor via Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Activation, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 209, Issue 10, 15 May 2014, Pages 1668–1677, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jit669 https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/209/10/1668/855517
Zendehdel R, Fazli Z, Mazinani M. Neurotoxicity effect of formaldehyde on occupational exposure and influence of individual susceptibility to some metabolism., Environ Monit Assess. 2016 Nov;188(11):648. Epub 2016 Oct 31. parameters. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27796833
de Jonge WJ, Ulloa L. The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor as a pharmacological target for inflammation. Br J Pharmacol. 2007;151(7):915-929. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707264 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2042938/
There has been concern shared by un-CoV-vaccinated women about having experienced menstrual changes after being around people who had received a CoV injection. A breast fed baby died after the breastfeeding mother received a CoV injection – yes it might be random coincidence, but maybe it wasn’t, maybe something was transmitted in the mother’s breast milk.
The spike protein itself has been found to cause blood clotting problems as it can cause cells to fuse together into clumps – which would be clot like. Anemia and renal inflammation were found in a person who experienced health symptoms after a “Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine 24 days before“. (10)
This article is brief and is fact checking a claim that the Pfizer vaccine can be shed. It states that it cannot be transmitted between people: ‘Vaccine shedding’: No, COVID-19 vaccine does not spread by inhalation or skin contact (2) Well of course not, the vaccine includes a complex lipid coated nanoparticle encasing the mRNA – which of course can not be transmitted between people.
The real question, and concern is – can the spike protein be transmitted? The mRNA encodes for a slightly modified version of the spike protein, which would be produced by the person’s own cells – and have to be cleared by their detoxification system. Someone with poor detox function may have spike protein lingering in their blood plasma longer than someone with normal function.
“The consensus appears to be that we are dealing with a spike protein transmission from injected to non-injected. The Pfizer documents in particular refer to a known chance that this could occur through skin to skin contact or through exhalation. Most of the folks I know seem to lean more toward exhalation.” (6)
Then if the spike is released on a person’s skin or in exhaled air, then if someone else was exposed to enough of it, there might be symptoms. Blood clotting or other changes might be due to the stickiness, hook like effect, that clumps cells together. Spike protein is a toxin. Please stop trusting the experiment.
Other risks might involve the prion like ability of the spike protein to cause other proteins to also misfold, which may then cause others to misfold in a cascading effect. Prion like concerns about the spike protein.
Blood changes and menstrual changes may occur because it was found that the gene carrying lipid nanoparticles collect within bone marrow and ovaries – so within the injected person there would be more spike production in the bone marrow and ovaries. In someone who was just nearby a CoV injected person, it is unknown what would happen to any spike protein that was inhaled or ingested. Intestinal symptoms may also be a result of spike protein attaching to ACE2 receptors on cells lining the intestines.
People may be getting different symptoms due to personal genetic and nutritional differences. They may also have received different batches of the experimental treatments. Pfizer was testing two variations of the spike protein: “BNT162b1 (variant RBP020.3): a modRNA encoding the RBD; BNT162b2 (variant RBP020.2): a modRNA encoding P2 S.” (1)
Things that may help protect the body internally from the spike protein.
Pomegranate peel – the inner can be eaten in small amounts the outer rind is really only useful in a long steeped tea/extract (20-30 minute gentle simmer).
Pomegranate peel also helps reduce inflammatory chemicals and increase antioxidant/detoxification chemicals that we make for ourselves internally. See: Pomegranate Peel/extract may help increase NAD+. That post has a list of other beneficial phytonutrients that help promote our own production of NAD+.
Part of the benefit of pomegranate juice is due to a healthy microbiome changing some of the catechins into urolithin-A, a metabolite that can cross the blood brain barrier and reduce neuroinflammation & promote neurogenesis.
“In summary, the alpha and beta diversity results indicate that the ability to convert UA from its precursors is significantly associated with a higher microbiome richness and overall composition.” (7)
Citrus peel – it is a source of quinine, (various links), quercetin, hesperidin, and other beneficial phytonutrients that may help protect against the spike protein or help with detoxification. It can also help reduce appetite, insulin resistance, and Metabolic Syndrome. Citrus peel bioflavonoids also help clear respiratory congestion and open airways; research has found it helpful for asthmatic symptoms. See: Citrus Peel, or previous posts – include some citrus & some pomegranate peel links.
Can’t find a pomegranate in season? – or have a citrus sensitivity? (MCAS/Histamine)- how about dandelion leaf tea then? (3, 4) Look for dandelions in a wild area or lawn where the owner doesn’t use herbicides or pesticides.
Dandelion plant in a garden bed, long serrated leaves that can become somewhat lettuce like if allowed to grow into a larger rosette of spikey leaves. Allowing the leaves to dry before making tea may increase the phytonutrient content. (9)
Pine needle tea may also be protective as a source of beneficial terpenes, vitamin C, and other phytonutrients. Indigenous Americans use cedar or other evergreen needles for a medicinal tea. Avoid over-heating or boiling as excess tannins are a diuretic and may be an irritant in quantity; and the oily terpenes may add too much of a taste like turpentine. (5) It is recommended to boil water, let it cool somewhat, and then steep the prepped pine needles for 15 minutes or overnight for a stronger tea. (5, 6) Please be cautious about harvesting evergreen needles from a tree you don’t own, or in a way that is overly destructive to the plant.
Social media posts have mentioned pine or evergreen needles as a source of suramin, and that is not true according to a plant scientist. * Who may be wrong according to this in depth article – simply there is a step in between in the extraction process. Suramin is refined from another pine oil product, rather than directly from the pine needles or pine oil. https://thefreedomarticles.com/covid-vaccine-antidote-pine-needle-tea-suramin-inhibits-dna-rna-replication/ update 6/23/2021
Safe species of evergreens are good source of vitamin C, and also “shikimic acid [which] has been shown to hold anti-sticky platelet properties as well… very helpful in protecting against blood clots!”
“So drink pine tea… we’ll have my own formula on offer at our store… its delicious! But, please be careful, as always, when sharing information about our plants. At best, it drives a frenzy of demand on the market for foraged herbal goods… sometimes that can damage our plant communities in more ways than you can imagine. At worst, the misinformation can damage our cause and feed the idea that those of us in alternative channels don’t actually do science.” (6)
Shikimic acid is also found in Star anise and is used in the production of the anti-viral medication Tamiflu. (6)
I found Star anise very helpful while I was sick with the respiratory symptoms of COVID19, just a few pieces broken off and added to a cup of tea was soothing for my throat. I seemed to become sensitized to it though and got similar symptoms from the blue spruce tea that I tried recently (urinary urgency, and over acidity possibly). Drink plenty of water following a medicinal tea as part of the benefit can be in peeing out an increased amount of toxins – but the kidneys need the water to be able to do that without endangering the delicate renal system.
*Caution is deserved with trying anything new. We are all different and also vary within our own state of health and aging. So pay attention to how you feel shortly after trying something and also the next day. Some side effects of dietary supplements can occur a few hours later or the next day.
Vitamin C is also critically important for healthy blood vessels and the prevention of excessive blood clotting.
Glyphosate from Roundup herbicide use may be part of the health problems and varying risk. Biofuel made from biomass grown with Roundup type herbicides is likely causing glyphosate residue in the air surrounding the production facilities and in the areas where that type of biofuel is used by many of the cars and trucks. Glyphosate is also in the food supply in the foods grown with it, ingredients from those foods, or animal products from animals fed Roundup crops. It is an amino acid that can take the place of glycine and cause misfolding of protein chains. Avoiding sources and taking extra Dimethylglycine may be helpful for health. It is available as a refined amino acid powder. See: Glycine & glyphosate & misfolded proteins – Seneff article.
Niacin and other B vitamins help with the removal of cellular debris from the extracellular matrix or pathogens, or damaged or infected cells.
Niacin may help prevent or treat migraines. – has a graphic of the Citric Acid Cycle and a list of all the nutrient cofactors needed in addition to niacin for our mitochondria to be able to function aerobically – using oxygen to burn glucose for energy. When the mitochondria have to burn glucose or glutamate anaerobically, without oxygen by fermentation, then cancer and other mitochondrial disease conditions may be more likely to occur.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the neurodegenerative disease that led to physicist Stephen Hawkings having to use a wheelchair most of his adult life. ALS can involve misfolded proteins and begins with mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction can precede Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s Disease also, and both involve misfolded proteins.
“Functional defects in mitochondria appear early before symptoms are manifested in ALS. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction is a promising therapeutic target in ALS. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Misfolded Proteins, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Neurodegenerative Diseases.” (8)
Our cellular debris removal system would remove misfolded proteins for reuse of the amino acids during good health. Niacin and the rest of the B vitamin team, magnesium, and vitamin C are needed for mitochondrial function.
Thiamin (B1) is commonly available in the diet but is needed in much greater quantity when an infection or inflammation is present. Deficiency typically is only common in cases where malnutrition is also present such as anorexia nervosa and chronic alcoholism. Higher dose supplements may be beneficial for chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). (12, 13) Benfotiamine is form that can be better absorbed across the blood brain barrier, (14), however standard forms of thiamine are also helpful.
“As far as type, people in my survey reported good results with thiamine HCL, benfotiamine, and thiamine mononitrate but some said one worked rather than the others while some swore by more specialized thiamines. Details in the article [12].” – Jeffrey Lubell (@JeffLubell_C19)
Vitamin C is also needed in greater amounts than during typical health along with magnesium and many nutrients. When the body has to do more work – it needs more fuel and tools that are single use or limited use. Some nutrients can be recycled while others need to be replaced for each chemical reaction. Liposomal vitamin C is better absorbed than standard forms which are acidic and may cause diarrhea in larger amounts or for people who tend to have diarrhea easily (IBS/IBD). Excessive amount are simply passed through and will not be absorbed. Smaller doses of vitamin C are beneficial for a viral infection and very large doses would only be needed in case of cytokine storm, and then Intravenous Vitamin C therapy can help.
Magnesium sources, also protein and phospholipids:
We need transport carriers for the electrically active mineral or the body can not keep extra of the active form, and it will be excreted in the urine instead of being held available as back-stock in case of emergency trauma or emotional stress.
Phytonutrients are numerous in fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and many beverages made with plant products. Eating a rich variety of foods provides the body nutrients and phytonutrients that have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immune system promoting benefits.
In Nepal many herbs and spices are used in daily cooking, including “turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, onion, pepper, corm, fenugreek, and chili,” and even more variety of spices may be used on special occasions, or in pickles and other home-made dishes. (9)
Onion: Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic properties, beneficial against hyperlipidaemia and hypertension, etc. (Marrelli et al. 2019)
Black Cumin – Bunium persi: Antibacterial, antifungal, anticonvulsant effects, antihistaminic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, , antioxidant, etc. (Hassanzadaza et al. 2018; Shah et al. 2019) * may be helpful for MCAS/Histamine excess
Black Cumin – Nigella sativa, Antidiabetic, analgesic, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, spasmolytic, gastro-protective, etc. (Ahmad et al. 2013). *These seeds are used for Black Seed Oil, it may be helpful against SARS-CoV-2.
Chili: Antioxidant, cancer chemopreventive, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, and antimicrobial activities, pain relief, treatment of metabolic syndrome, etc. (Salehi et al. 2018)
Coriander: Antioxidant, diuretic, antidiabetic, sedative, antimicrobial, anti-convulsant, hypnotic, anthelmintic, antimutagenic, etc. (Nadeem et al. 2013)
Cumin: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, hypotensive, antiosteoporotic, tyrosinase inhibitory effects, etc. (Al-Snafi 2016; Gangadharappa et al. 2017).
Fennel: Antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitumor, activities, etc. (Rather et al. 2016).
Flax: Antifungal, antioxidant, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antidiabetic, antithrombic, antiobesity activities, etc. (Goyal et al. 2014, Tavarini et al. 2019).
Licorice: Anticoagulant, expectorant, antidemulcent, antiulcer, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, etc. (Batiha et al. 2020b). The whole root as an herbal preparation may have anti-viral benefits against SARS-CoV-2. It is an herb I happen to use anyway so was using it while sick, March 2020.
Star anise: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, expectorant, sedative, gastroprotective and antinociceptive, etc. (Patra et al. 2020, Wang et al. 2011). I also used Star anise in tea and it did sooth my sore throat. Citrus peel had a stronger mucus thinning (expectorant) effect for me.
Spearmint: Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, biopesticidal, larvicidal, anticancer, radioprotective effect, genotoxicity, and antidiabetic activities, etc. (Mahendran and Rahman 2020).
Mango powder: Antimicrobial, antitumor, antidiabetic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities, antipyretic, antiallergic hepatoprotective, etc. (Gupta et al. 2010, Kabir et al. 2017)
See the article pdf (Khanal et al, 2021, (9)) for more herbs, spices and foods and their phytonutrient content and their medicinal benefits. (9)
Nicotine? maybe yes.
Nicotine itself may have health benefits, especially for some genetic types – it is the smoking that is particularly a cancer risk. Nicotine may help block the spike protein. – more to this – will add later. link of interest: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Interactions with Gut Microbiota. (11)
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
A Phase 1/2/3, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Observer-Blind, Dose-finding Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of SARS-COV-2 RNA Vaccine Candidates Against COVID-19 in Healthy Individuals. Nov 2020, Pfizer – BioNTech, PF-07302048 (BNT162 RNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccines) Protocol C4591001 https://media.tghn.org/medialibrary/2020/11/C4591001_Clinical_Protocol_Nov2020_Pfizer_BioNTech.pdf
Hoai Thi Thu Tran, Nguyen Phan Khoi Le, Michael Gigl, Corinna Dawid, Evelyn Lamy. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) efficiently blocks the interaction between ACE2 cell surface receptor and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein D614, mutants D614G, N501Y, K417N and E484K in vitro. bioRxiv 2021.03.19.435959; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.19.435959 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.19.435959v1
Singh, A., D’Amico, D., Andreux, P.A. et al. Direct supplementation with Urolithin A overcomes limitations of dietary exposure and gut microbiome variability in healthy adults to achieve consistent levels across the population. Eur J Clin Nutr (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00950-1 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-021-00950-1
Wenzhi Tan, Piera Pasinelli, Davide Trotti, Role of mitochondria in mutant SOD1 linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, Vol 1842;8, 2014, pp 1295-1301, ISSN 0925-4439, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.02.009. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443914000489
Asmita Khanal, Hari Prasad Devkota, Sammodavardhana Kaundinnyayana, Prakash Gyawali, Ravindra Ananda, Rameshwar Adhikari. Culinary herbs and spices in Nepal: A review of their traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, Vol 21, 2021 http://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/2753
Lola Rueda Ruzafa, José Luis Cedillo, and Arik J. Hone. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Interactions with Gut Microbiota. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2021, 18(3), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031189 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/3/1189/htm
