This practical guide on natural alternatives has more than 200 supporting
studies that represent the best of science-backed strategies for nutritional
interventions in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Ivermectin
The use of ivermectin for
COVID-19 has been controversial.
Ivermectin is often recognized – 2nd to penicillin – for having the greatest impact on human health. And its discovery won the Nobel Prize in 2015. Ivermectin has an increasing list of indications due to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and is included on the
WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines.
Several studies reported antiviral effects of ivermectin on RNA viruses such as Zika, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, Hendra, Newcastle, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, chikungunya, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, Avian influenza A, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and COVID 19 virus.
If you are confused about the recommendations made by different professional
groups for the COVID-19 pandemic and you don't accept what you read at face
value, you've come to the right place. Before you continue to read this
long-form article, let's start with the end in mind and begin with the
conclusion that you may have been told from various mainstream media channels:
-
Most of the studies on ivermectin are small and are of low
quality?
- Ivermectin is for horses and dogs?
-
We shall wait for bigger and better quality evidence before we can
make formal recommendations? There’s no evidence that IVM works or the
effectiveness is yet to be proven?
- There are no randomized controlled trials of IVM?
In a nutshell, there are two conflicting recommendations from various
professional groups. One for and the other against.
The past two years saw basic health information censored and slapped with
"mis/dis/mal/information" labels amid a pandemic. 'Misinformation' is based on inaccurate facts. So, what are accurate and inaccurate
facts? That will depend on science and research. However, science and
research can be manipulated and is subjected to bias. Therefore, it is
wise to do your own research in consultation with your trusted doctor.
Unfortunately, some of the references used by many media channels are
based on outdated studies, or a biased selection of studies based on the
narrative that they would like to support.
According to the The Cochrane Review’s editor-in-chief, Karla Soares-Weiser:
“For each measure, though, lack of evidence of effectiveness is not
evidence that the interventions are ineffective. Rather, the details of
these reviews show why there may never be strong evidence regarding the
effectiveness of individual behavioural measures when deployed, often in
combination, in a general population living in the complex, diverse
circumstances of individuals’ everyday lives. Waiting for strong evidence is
a recipe for paralysis. Public health officials must, instead, take measured
gambles, based on circumstantial evidence from the reviewed studies and
other sources. When protecting the public from harm is the objective,
public health officials must act in a precautionary manner to take action
even when evidence is uncertain (or not of the highest quality),
particularly when the harms and costs of such action are likely limited." -
(source)
Natural Alternatives to Ivermectin
Ivermectin is a useful medication against Covid but we don't think it's a
miracle drug. There is more than one way to manage COVID-19.
In the event that you simply cannot get ivermectin, there are viable natural
alternatives. Although ivermectin is a relatively safe drug, it's still a
synthetic chemical that can have side effects. Nutrients are natural
alternatives that will benefit your body for optimal health.
We know there’s an ocean of information out there to navigate, so we’ve
compiled and covered 12 best natural alternatives for ivermectin.
We have perused hundreds of studies and identified multiple nutritional
supplements that can be a game-changer in the alleviation and
prevention of severe COVID-19.
Various dietary supplements can be used in combination with other
treatments of COVID-19. All these featured supplements have scientific
studies to back up their claims. These natural alternatives can easily be
purchased over the counter in most countries.
Nutrients and nutraceuticals tend to be agnostic to the COVID-19 virus
i.e. it doesn't matter if the patient is down with the Indian, European,
Delta, Omicron or Deltacron variants. The mode of actions tend to be
multiple and do not have a specific target like targeting the spike
protein alone.
Nutrients and supplements are also safer alternatives especially if
your risk is low e.g. age below 50 and no other chronic illness.
Discuss with your doctor on the benefit vs risk for each treatment. If
you are on multiple medications, be aware of supplement-drug
interactions that might enhance the possibilities of adverse effects.
The important key takeaway is that you should never attempt to self
medicate without the guidance of a licensed medical provider. If you are
not a medical doctor, you are likely to find the information below
overwhelming. The aim of this article is to empower you with a better
understanding of the options available and to discuss the options with
your medical doctor as an informed patient.
That said, here are some of the substitutes for ivermectin that, in some
parts of the country, will be easier to buy whenever we want them.
|
Nutraceutical Therapy by Mode of Action
|
We have provided the list below as a summary and followed by a summary
explanation and references for each option/nutrient:
- Vitamin D3
- Quercetin
- Zinc
- Nigella Sativa (Black Seed Oil)
- Melatonin
- Vitamin A
- Curcumin and Turmeric
- Vitamin C
- NAC and Glutathione
- B Vitamins and NAD+
- Probiotics
- Nattokinase
1. Vitamin D3 - Anti-inflammatory and Anti-coagulant
At this point, there is simply no question that
vitamin D
optimization is a crucial component of COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
In addition to the many studies published during 2020 and 2021, since
December 2021, four large systematic meta-analyses (
R,
R,
R,
R) have been published, looking at either vitamin D levels,
supplementation or both.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, published in
Pharmaceuticals
(Jan 2023), is titled “Protective Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on
COVID-19-Related Intensive Care Hospitalisation and Mortality: Definitive
Evidence from Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis”. Vitamin D cuts
the risk of death from COVID-19 by 51% and the risk of ICU admission by
72%.
In all cases, the data consistently show that low vitamin D levels
raises your risk of COVID while higher baseline levels and/or
supplementation lowers all risks by 1.5 to three times.
The TSA (trial sequential analysis) revealed "the protective role of
vitamin D and ICU admission showed that, since the pooling of the studies
reached a definite sample size, the positive association is
conclusive." To put it another way, the results suggest "a
definitive association between the protective role of vitamin D and
ICU hospitalization."
Words like "conclusive" and "definitive" aren't typically used lightly in
scientific research. So, this finding is indeed impressive — although not
altogether surprising, since a wealth of other data also shows vitamin D's
protective effect against COVID-19. What does raise eyebrows, however, is
why the study, which has major implications for public health, isn't being
talked about — and vitamin D isn't being widely recommended for COVID-19?
Vitamin D, as an immuno-modulator, is a perfect candidate for countering
the immune dysregulation common with COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency
affects the body’s susceptibility to infection and has been associated
with influenza, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and
other viral diseases [
Source]. Surveys indicate that most people in the United States
consume less than recommended amounts of vitamin D.
Scientists from Harvard
reported in 2021
that hospitalized patients with a 'Vitamin D blood serum level' of ≥30ng/mL
had a much lower mortality rate than those with <30ng/mL.
Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis (
Nutrients 2021) suggested that COVID-19 mortality risk correlates inversely with vitamin
D3 status, and a mortality rate
close to zero could
theoretically be achieved at 50 ng/ml 25(OH)D3.
"The consumption of vitamin C and D supplements, in addition to a
healthy diet, could be promoted as a co-adjuvant therapy for
COVID-19..."
For more evidence, check out the evidence tracker on vitamin D
and COVID-19 from
c19vitamind.com (constantly updated), with more than 100 published
treatment studies and more than 130 sufficiency studies by more
than 1,000 scientists.
Trusted Source
Vitamin D has also been shown to have an
anticoagulant effect. A decrease in 25-hydroxyvitamin
D [25(OH)D] concentration has also been associated with an
increased risk of venous thromboembolism (
PubMed).
Safety: Daily intakes of up to
25–100 mcg (1,000 IU–4,000 IU) vitamin D in foods and dietary supplements are safe for
children (depending on their age) and up to 100 mcg (4,000 IU) are
safe for adults. These values, however, do not apply to individuals
receiving vitamin D treatment under the care of a physician. Higher
intakes (usually from supplements) can lead to nausea, vomiting,
muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration,
excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones. In extreme cases,
vitamin D toxicity causes renal failure, calcification of soft
tissues throughout the body (including in coronary vessels and heart
valves), cardiac arrhythmias, and even death.
Excessive vitamin D in combination with lack of vitamin K2 may cause
over-absorption of calcium, which in turn may result in calcium
deposits in your heart and kidneys and why some experience symptoms
of vitamin D toxicity. Part of the explanation for these adverse
side effects is that vitamin K2 keeps calcium in its appropriate
place — in your teeth and bones and out of soft tissues and
arteries.
Vitamin D and Omicron variants
Will Vitamin D Work Against Omicron BA4, BA 5 and XBB variants?
Vitamin D is not variant specific because it's primary mode of
action is to support the body’s immune system which reacts in a
variety of ways against viral attack, not just in a specific
antibody reaction to a specific spike protein.
2. Quercetin - Anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, zinc ionophore and
anti-viral
As of November 2023, there have been 11 published studies of
quercetin and COVID-19 (
c19quercetin.com).
Quercetin is also no. 1 in this COVID-19 prevention studies league
table:
Quercetin is a pigment that is found in plants, vegetables, and fruits,
and serves as an immune nutrient offering many health benefits.
Elderberry, red onions, white onions and cranberries are the richest
sources of quercetin. It is a flavonoid and antioxidant that may
help to reduce inflammatory cytokines, infections, allergies
and
anti-blood clot property. Research has found that quercetin may be particularly beneficial
for viral respiratory infections.
Quercetin as a Zinc IonophoreQuercetin
is a zinc ionophore (
J Agric Food Chem. 2014). A 2015 study found
that that Quercetin shows inhibitory activity in the early
stages of a wide range of influenza viruses, including H1N1 and
H5N1 (
Viruses 2016). Although influenza is not in the same family of viruses
as the coronavirus, it’s plausible that a similar mechanism
could apply here. There is actually some evidence that Quercetin
has
already proven effective at treating Ebola and Zika viruses.
Quercetin and Vitamin C
Incidentally, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the bioflavonoid
quercetin (originally labeled vitamin P) were both discovered by
the same scientist — Nobel prize winner
Albert Szent-Györgyi. Quercetin and vitamin C also act as an antiviral drug,
effectively inactivating viruses.
Quercetin DosageThe
FLCCC I-MASK+ protocol recommends 250 mg daily for prevention and 250 mg twice
daily for early treatment.
Quercetin works best when taken with vitamin C and
Bromelain, as vitamin C helps activate it and bromelain helps
with the absorption.
Precaution: Quercetin should be used with caution in patients
with hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and relevant thyroid
hormone levels should be monitored.
Quercetin and ivermectin interactions? According to Drugs.com: "No interactions were found between ivermectin and
Quercetin. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Always consult your healthcare provider."
Quercetin and COVID-19
A word about quercetin: Some physicians are recommending this
supplement to reduce viral illnesses because quercetin acts as a
zinc ionophore to improve zinc uptake into cells. It is much less
potent than HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) as a zinc transporter, and it
does not reach high concentrations in lung cells that HCQ does.
Quercetin may help reduce risk of viral illness if you are
basically healthy. But it is not potent enough to replace HCQ for
treatment of COVID once you have symptoms, and it does not
adequately get into lung tissue unless you take massive doses (3-5
grams a day), which cause significant GI (gastrointestinal) side
effects such as diarrhea.
Editor's Note: Studies typically use advanced formulations for
greatly improved bioavailability.
3. Zinc - Anti-viral
Zinc is another powerful immune nutrient known for its
benefits for providing immune health support and inflammation
reduction as well as for improving cold and respiratory
symptoms, wound healing, acne reduction, and lowering the risk
of age-related diseases. This trace element is essential to to
cell function and involved in over 100 enzymes. Research on
atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus suggests that zinc
deficiency may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation.
Aging is associated with compromised immunity, that just means
that your immune response to pathogens and infections starts
to slow and is less robust, including a reduced vaccine immune
response/efficacy.
Improving zinc intake/zinc
status improves/modulates/enhances immune function. The
flip side is, while some aspects of immunity slow, others
increase. Uncontrolled immune responses drive excess
inflammation. Zinc helps to balance all of this.
The
National Institutes of Health (NIH) states:
“Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular
metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of
approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in
immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA
synthesis, and cell division. Zinc also supports normal
growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and
adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste
and smell.”
Foods that are high in zinc include oysters, crab, lobster,
mussels, red meat, and poultry. Cereals are often fortified
with zinc. Most multivitamin and nutritional supplements
contain zinc.
Zinc and COVID-19
The use of zinc for SARS-CoV-2 was a topic routinely
flagged by COVID fact checkers as “misinformation,” so word
didn’t really get out about its potential as an anti-COVID
agent. However, there are
more than 35 studies
that provided evidence on zinc’s promise for keeping people
healthy if they get COVID.
Zinc gluconate (
R), zinc acetate (
R) and zinc sulphate (
R) have all been shown to reduce the severity and duration of
viral infections such as the common cold. Zinc also appears to be
the key ingredient in treatment protocols using hydroxychloroquine
(HCQ).
The reason for this is because
HCQ is a zinc ionophore
(zinc transport molecule), meaning it’s a drug that improves your
cells’ uptake of zinc. Once inside your cells, zinc prevents viral
replication. This is also why zinc and zinc ionophores need to be
taken very early in the illness, or as a prophylactic.
The
problem is that zinc is largely insoluble and cannot easily enter
through the fatty wall of your cells. Getting all the way into the
cell is crucial, as this is where the viral replication occurs.
This is why zinc ionophores are so important.
Aside
from hydroxychloroquine, other natural, and safer, zinc ionophores
include quercetin and epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG). If given
early, zinc along with a zinc ionophore should, at least
theoretically, help lower the viral load and prevent the immune
system from becoming overloaded.
Check out the evidence tracker on zinc and COVID-19 from
c19zinc.com (constantly updated).
Safety: Taking zinc long term is typically safe
for healthy adults, as long as the daily dose is under the
set upper limit of 40 mg of elemental zinc (
PubMed). Be aware that typical daily doses of zinc provided by
zinc lozenges generally exceed tolerable upper limits for
zinc, and for this reason, they
should not be used for longer than about a week.
Excessive doses may interfere with copper absorption,
which could negatively affect your immune system as
it
can cause copper deficiencies, blood disorders and potentially permanent nerve damage.
Zinc can also impair the absorption of antibiotics, and use
of zinc nasal gels or swabs has been linked to temporary or
permanent loss of smell.
When it comes to zinc supplementation, more is not
necessarily better. In fact, it can frequently backfire is
you do not also maintain a healthy zinc-to-copper ratio. As
explained by Chris Masterjohn, who has a Ph.D. in
nutritional sciences,
in an article and series of
Twitter posts:
“In one study, 300mg/day of zinc as two
divided doses of 150 mg zinc sulfate decreased important
markers of immune function, such as the ability of immune
cells known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes to migrate
toward and consume bacteria.
The most
concerning effect in the context of COVID-19 is that it
lowered the lymphocyte stimulation index 3 fold. This is a
measure of the ability of T cells to increase their
numbers in response to a perceived threat. The reason this
is so concerning in the context of COVID-19 is that poor
outcomes are associated with low lymphocytes …
The
negative effect on lymphocyte proliferation found with 300
mg/day and the apparent safety in this regard of 150 mg/d
suggests that the potential for hurting the immune system
may begin somewhere between 150-300 mg/d …
It
is quite possible that the harmful effect of 300 mg/d zinc
on the lymphocyte stimulation index is mediated mostly or
completely by induction of copper deficiency …
The
negative effect of zinc on copper status has been shown
with as little as 60 mg/d zinc. This intake lowers the
activity of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme important to
antioxidant defense and immune function that depends both
on zinc and copper …
A study done with
relatively low intakes of zinc suggested that acceptable
ratios of zinc to copper range from 2:1 to 15:1 in favor
of zinc. Copper appears safe to consume up to a maximum of
10 mg/d.
Notably, the maximum amount of zinc
one could consume while staying in the acceptable range of
zinc-to-copper ratios and also staying within the upper
limit for copper is 150 mg/d.”
Another factor to keep in mind is that certain additives can
inhibit zinc absorption, which is the complete opposite of
what you’re looking for. For instance, research has shown
citric acid, glycine, mannitol and sorbitol can reduce zinc
absorption,48 so zinc lozenges containing these ingredients
may be less useful.
Zinc Form and DosageThere are several
types of zinc supplements. Supplements contain several
forms of zinc, including zinc gluconate, zinc citrate
and zinc picolinate. The percentage of elemental zinc
varies by form. To find out the percentage of elemental
zinc in each form, check out
elemental zinc percentage.
Chelated zinc is a general form of supplementary zinc in
which the zinc is chelated — or bound — to a compound to
make it easier for the body to absorb. Zinc picolinate or
zinc gluconate are formed when zinc is chelated to
picolinic acid or gluconic acid, so the main difference
between zinc gluconate and picolinate is what compound it
is bound to.
Most people do not lack an intake of zinc, but in
disease state, there might be an increase in demand by
the body. The
FLCCC I-Prevent protocol recommends 20 - 50 mg a day for
prevention and the
FLCCC I-Care protocol recommends 75 - 100 mg a day for early
treatment of COVID-19. This should not be taken long
term without evaluation of your zinc/copper ratios.
The ideal zinc form should come from zinc lozenges to
spread the zinc through the tissues of the nose, mouth and
throat. It should be accompanied by at least 1 mg copper
from food and supplements for every 15 mg zinc.
Do take note that you should keep the dosage back to
within 40 mg/d once the exposure risk is back to
normal.
4. Nigella Sativa (Black Seed Oil) and Cytokine Storm -
Anti-inflammatory
Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is a small flowering plant that grows
in Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Southern Europe (
Source). This shrub produces fruit with tiny black seeds. Commonly
referred to as black seed, N. sativa seeds go by many other
names, such as black cumin, black caraway, nigella, fennel
flower, and Roman coriander (
Source).
Black seed oil is extracted from N. sativa seeds and has been used in
traditional medicine for over 2,000 years due to its many
therapeutic benefits.
Thymoquinone which is the active ingredient in N. sativa seeds has
demonstrated effects in significantly reducing the cytokine storm
chances and consequent mortalities (
Source).
Summary results of more than 10 published clinical studies are available
on this dedicated webpage:
c19ns.com.
5. Melatonin- Anti-inflammatory and anti-viral
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, mainly
during the night, that helps regulate circadian rhythms [
Source]. Its levels decrease with aging. Most
melatonin supplementation studies have evaluated its ability to control sleep and wake
cycles, promote sleep, and reduce jet lag.
The potential utility of melatonin in treating COVID patients has not
gone unnoticed, with a PubMed search combining melatonin and COVID
producing more than 50 citations.
Check out the evidence
tracker on melatonin and COVID-19 from
c19melatonin.com (constantly updated). As of January 2023, there are more than 15
published
clinical studies of melatonin for treatment and prevention in COVID-19 and the
results are promising even when it's given as a late treatment.
Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in your pineal gland and many other
organs. While it is most well-known as a natural sleep regulator, it
also has many other important functions. For example, melatonin is a
potent antioxidant (
Antioxidants, 2020) with the rare ability to enter your mitochondria, where it helps
“prevent mitochondrial impairment, energy failure and apoptosis of
mitochondria damaged by oxidation.” It also helps
recharge glutathione and
glutathione deficiency has been linked to COVID-19 severity.
Production of melatonin diminishes with age, contributing to immune
dysfunction and increasing oxidative stress, inflammation, and
infection susceptibility (
Ref). In addition, infectious viruses can suppress melatonin production,
disrupting circadian controls and impairing immune function (
Ref).
According to a review
(Cardinali et al. 2020), melatonin might counteract the consequences of COVID-19 via salutary
effects on the sleep/wake cycle and more generally on chronobiology,
as well as through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Based on melatonin’s therapeutic potential and well-established safety
profile, it has been suggested those at higher risk for severe illness
and complications from viral respiratory infection, including the
elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, may benefit most
from regular use of 3–10 mg melatonin at bedtime (
Ref).
Fluvoxamine (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) might also exert beneficial
effects in COVID patients through its well-characterized ability to
substantially increase (~ 2–3-fold) night-time plasma levels of
melatonin. This increase appears to result from fluvoxamine’s
inhibition of the melatonin-metabolizing liver enzymes
(von Bahr et al. 2000).
An
Iranian randomised controlled trial (Arch Med Res 2021), studied 74 mild to moderate hospitalized
patients. The study showed that adjuvant use of melatonin has a
potential to improve clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients and
contribute to a faster return of patients to baseline health.
Some researchers have suggested high doses of melatonin, ranging from 50
to 200 mg twice daily, might help treat patients hospitalized for severe
acute respiratory illness (
Ref).
In a small
Philippine case series study of 10 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, high dose melatonin
(hdM) was given in addition (adjuvant) to standard therapy. According
to the authors:
"High dose melatonin may have a beneficial role in patients treated
for COVID19 pneumonia, in terms of shorter time to clinical
improvement, less need for MV, shorter hospital stay, and possibly
lower mortality."
Safety: If you take a melatonin supplement, be
careful:
Too much can cause daytime sleepiness. There is no federal RDA nor any formal advice on supplement dose
ranges. Based on an on-going
Spanish study, a 2 mg daily dose protocol is being investigated for prevention of
COVID-19. Do take note that the dosage for 'prevention' and 'treatment' is
different, For prevention or maintenance, a lower dosage is normally
recommended whereas a 'treatment' or 'therapeutic' dosage is normally
higher.
Typical doses of 1–10 mg/day melatonin appear to be safe for short-term
use (
Source). Reported side effects, which are usually minor, include dizziness,
headache, nausea, upset stomach, rash, and sleepiness. However, some
reports have linked high blood levels of melatonin with delayed puberty
and hypogonadism.
Studies have not evaluated melatonin
supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but some research
suggests that these supplements might inhibit ovarian function (
Source). Therefore, some experts recommend that women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding avoid taking melatonin.
6. Vitamin A
Summary results of 10 vitamin A and COVID-19 studies are available on this
dedicated webpage:
c19early.com/va.
Based on this early treatment mortality studies drug league table below,
vitamin A might even out-perform vitamin D, ivermectin and
hydroxychloroquine:
That said, most clinicians will use the multi-drug or combination approach
to get the best outcome. Further, the sorting of the table above is based
on only 1 vitamin A study.
7. Curcumin and Turmeric - Anti-inflammatory and anti-viral
Curcumin, a yellow carotenoid from turmeric, is a nutritional
therapeutic recommended as part of the FLCCC I-CARE early treatment
protocol, and has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and
immune modulating properties.
There are more than 20 completed
studies of curcumin in COVID-19 that suggest that it improves clinical
outcome of patients.
Curcumin also acts as natural zinc ionophores and can promote the
cellular uptake of zinc and can be used with zinc to increase the
effectiveness of these compounds in the inhibition of the virus
(Ref).
Curcumin has been demonstrated (
Ref) to suppress several inflammatory cytokines and mediators of their
release such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1, IL-8
and nitric oxide synthase.
8. Vitamin C - Anti-inflammatory
Vitamin C, which most of us reach for with any cold or flu, was used
in high doses to great effect by COVID-19 early treatment doctors.
Vitamin C may be one of the most well-known immune nutrients
that protect against immune deficiencies and which supports the
prevention and recovery from the common cold and upper-respiratory
issues, and also protects your cardiovascular system, eyes, skin,
and other parts of your body. Research has found that vitamin C may
help to optimize the immune system.
Do take note that the vitamin C dosages given in the hospitals
intravenously are different from those over the counter vitamin C
supplements. Therefore, when you come across studies on vitamin C,
you need to differentiate those that are given intravenously vs oral
vitamin C.
Vitamin C and COVID-19
Check out the evidence tracker on vitamin C and COVID-19
from
c19vitaminc.com (constantly updated).
Safety: The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
for vitamin C is 75 to 120 milligrams per day. Taking large doses
of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on a regular basis lowers your level
of copper, so if you are already deficient in copper and take high
doses of vitamin C, you can compromise your immune system.
While generally considered safe even in high doses, way too much
vitamin C — anything above 2,000 milligrams daily—can cause
headaches, insomnia, diarrhea, heartburn, and other issues.
Be aware that there are
side effects and risks
associated with taking
high doses of vitamin C. People sometimes assume there is no harm in taking large doses
because vitamin C is water-soluble (i.e. excess vitamin C is
excreted from the body), but this is not the case. In addition to
causing gastric distress and diarrhea, high doses of vitamin C (over
500 mg per day) over the long-term may increase the risk of
cataracts. High-dose vitamin C can also reduce the effectiveness of
certain medications and interfere with certain blood tests.
Furthermore, very high-dose vitamin C (typically 2,000 mg per day or
more) can increase the risk of
oxalate nephropathy
— a condition in which oxalate crystals are deposited in the kidney,
leading to kidney damage and/or kidney failure. Cases of this were
shown to rise during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic,
likely due to increased use of very high dose vitamin C (
Fong, Kidney Int Rep 2022).
That said, temporarily taking megadoses of vitamin C supplements to
combat a case of the cold or flu is likely not going to cause a
problem.
Many vitamin C supplements that are above the US RDA are sold in
the market. It’s important to seek a physician’s advice if you
intend to take high dose vitamin C on a long term basis. To be
on the safe side, you may also request for your kidney functions
to be monitored.
For long-term, daily use, your best bet is to eat a diet that is
full of high quality organic vegetables and fruits that are
minimally processed. Not only will you get vitamin C, but you
will get all the other accessory nutrients and micronutrients
that are needed to optimize it.
Vitamin C, Omicron and Deltacron
Will Vitamin C Work Against Omicron or Deltracron? Vitamin C is
not variant specific because it's primary mode of action is to
support the body’s immune system which reacts in a variety of ways
against viral attack, not just in a specific antibody reaction to
a specific spike protein.
9. NAC, Glutathione and COVID-19 - Anti-inflammatory and
anti-coagulant
N-acetylcysteine (
NAC) is a precursor to glutathione. It is an antioxidant and increases
glutathione levels in the body (
Source). NAC has mucolytic activity, so it helps reduce respiratory
mucus levels. Laboratory research suggests that NAC might boost immune
system function and suppress viral replication. NAC also decreases
levels of interleukin-6 and has other anti-inflammatory effects.
Much of the research on NAC has used an inhaled, liquid form of
this compound. This form—which is classified as a drug, not a dietary
supplement—is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as
a mucolytic agent and for decreasing respiratory secretion viscosity (
Source). Products containing NAC are also sold as dietary supplements.
NAC and COVID-19
Considering many COVID-19 cases involve blood clots in addition to
excessive oxidative stress, and NAC effectively addresses both, NAC
should be seriously included in standard of care for COVID-19.
For a compilation of more than 10 studies of NAC and COVID-19, check
out the list of studies
here (constantly updated).
However, in terms of early treatment, the improvement rate is not as
impressive as the other natural alternatives i.e. quercetin, black
seed oil and vitamin A.
That said, NAC is a
natural alternative for aspirin and an over-the-counter supplement that both prevents blood
clots and breaks up existing ones i.e. anticoagulant effects.
Studies have shown that NAC may protect against coagulation problems
associated with COVID-19, as it has both anticoagulant
(source)
and thrombolytic effects
(source), meaning it may both prevent clots and break up clots that have
already formed.
A
2017 paper found NAC has potent thrombolytic effects, meaning it breaks
down blood clots once they've formed.
Consider taking around 500 milligrams/day of NAC, as it helps
prevent blood clots and is a precursor for your body to produce the
important antioxidant glutathione.
Foods that have a positive impact on glutathione production
include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, green tea,
curcumin, rosemary and milk thistle. Getting quality sleep may
also help.
Different types of exercise can influence your levels as well.
In
one study, researchers enrolled 80 healthy but sedentary volunteers to
measure the type of exercise that may have the greatest effect.
They found that aerobic training in combination with circuit
weight training showed the greatest benefit.
NAC and Bromelain was shown to degrade spike protein
In a lab study
published in March 2021, the combination of Bromelain and Acetylcysteine (BromAc) present
a synergistic effect on COVID-19 virus spike protein
destabilization.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) vs Glutathione
N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC), as a precursor of glutathione, helps to
replenish intracellular glutathione, a vital cellular antioxidant. NAC
has a low molecular weight and is well absorbed via oral
administration as compared to glutathione.
NAC may also protect against coagulation problems associated with
COVID-19, as it counteracts hypercoagulation and breaks down blood
clots.
Glutathione and Zinc
To improve your glutathione, you need zinc, and zinc in combination
with hydroxychloroquine (a zinc ionophore or zinc transporter) has
been shown effective in the treatment of COVID-19.
Glutathione and Molecular Hydrogen
One of the best ways to increase glutathione, though, is molecular
hydrogen. Molecular hydrogen does so selectively and will not increase
glutathione unnecessarily if you don’t need it. You can view Tyler
LeBaron’s lecture on the details of how it does this in “
How Molecular Hydrogen Can Help Your Immune System.”
Glutathione and Selenium
Selenium is also important, as some of the enzymes involved in
glutathione production are selenium-dependent.
Safety: As an FDA-approved drug, the safety profile of NAC
has been evaluated (
Source). Reported side effects of oral NAC include nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, and epigastric discomfort. No
safety concerns have been reported for products labeled as dietary
supplements that contain NAC. (
Source)
For NAC contra-indications, check out
here.
10. Probiotics and COVID-19 - Anti-inflammatory
Probiotics are living non-pathogenic microorganisms that, when
administered in adequate amounts, can have a positive impact on
health. Bacteria in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera,
as well as Streptococcus thermophiles and Saccharomyces boulardii,
are examples of common probiotics (
Ref).
You can find a list of more than 20 published clinical studies
on probiotics and COVID-19 from
c19probiotics.com (constantly updated). However, with an overall improvement of
25% for all studies, the improvement rate is not as impressive as the
other natural alternatives i.e. quercetin, black seed oil and vitamin
A, based on the aggregated analysis on
C19early.org. However, the improvement rate of 61% (based on 8 studies) has made
probiotics ranked No. 6 in the COVID-19 all mortality (death rate)
studies league table, better than ivermectin and quercetin.
11. B Vitamins and COVID-19 - Anti-inflammatory
'B vitamins' as a topic is a complicated subject and that's
probably why they are called 'B Complex'.
B vitamins may constitute a long list, but each one is important
for different reasons. B vitamins are especially effective in
boosting your immunity when you combine the foods containing them
so they can all work together for maximum effect. These include
vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5
(pantothenic acid), B7 (biotin), B9 and B12.
B vitamins can be found in a variety of foods including red meat,
beans, milk, cheese, broccoli, spinach, avocados and brown rice.
Despite the availability of vitamin B-rich foods, many Americans may
be deficient in this nutrient — and not even know it. According to a
blog post from Harvard University, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, “3.2
percent of adults over age 50 have a seriously low B12 level” and “up
to 20 percent may have a borderline vitamin B12 deficiency.”
Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutrition expert at Harvard Medical School,
explains
that:
"In a poorly regulated immune system, the body's cytokine storm
induced by COVID cause lots of inflammation in the body, just as if
little grenades were being tossed around. This is what causes the
worst outcomes and death in COVID.
It follows that
anything that improves immune system function and decreases the
chances that an infected person will have a catastrophic cytokine
storm may improve the outcome of COVID-19 cases and decrease the
overall death rate. Therefore, it’s quite feasible that B-vitamin
supplementation could contribute to preventing the worst COVID
outcomes.”
Thiamine (vitamin B1), a water-soluble B-complex vitamin, is
rapidly depleted during times of metabolic stress, including severe
illness. Thiamine deficiency is common in hospitalized patients,
especially those with critical illness (
Ref). Thiamine is needed for cellular energy production and helps
regulate reduction-oxidation balance, immune function, nervous
system function, and vascular function (
Ref).
Thiamine, at 200 mg twice daily, reduced mortality in patients with
septic shock and thiamine deficiency, and laboratory research suggests
it may inhibit the hyper-inflammatory immune response that accompanies
cytokine storm (
Ref). It is a key therapeutic in the MATH+ protocol (methylprednisolone,
ascorbic acid [vitamin C], thiamine, and heparin, plus other
supportive nutrients and medications), a treatment strategy proposed
for managing advanced stages of severe acute viral respiratory illness
(
Ref). Although high-quality clinical evidence is lacking, two US
hospitals implementing the MATH+ protocol in patients with a severe
acute viral respiratory illness reported mortality rates that were
approximately one-quarter of those reported from other US hospitals
using standard care (
Ref).
In a study in Saudi Arabia (
Al Sulaiman et al. Crit Care 2021), 738 critically ill COVID-19 patients from two centers were
included in the study. The in-hospital death rate and 30-day death
rate were significantly lower in the group that received thiamine as
an adjunctive treatment (a therapy given in addition to standard
therapy). In addition, the thiamine group also were less likely to
have blood clot during ICU stay.
Another study of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms found
26.3% among diabetics with COVID-19 were vitamin B1 deficient.
Niacin or vitamin B3 is a precursor to nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). There are
three main forms of niacin, which are dietary precursors to nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD). These are nicotinamide riboside (NR),
nicotinic acid and nicotinamide mono nucleotide (NMN).
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential cofactor
in all living cells that is involved in fundamental biological
processes.
Structurally, the closest molecule to NAD+ is NMN, requiring only
one enzymatic step to be converted to NAD+. NR, which is two
enzymatic steps away from NAD+, is also being
studied clinically (David Sinclair.
Trends Immunol.
2022).
A Phase 3 study published in
Advanced Science (June 2021), demonstrated that 229 patients with
mild-to-moderate COVID-19 receiving standard of care experienced a
3.5 day reduction in recovery time when receiving an added
nutritional protocol. Aimed at improving mitochondrial function, the
protocol included nicotinamide riboside (NR), L-serine,
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and L-carnitine tartrate. The results of
the study, which took place in conjunction with the ChromaDex
External Research Program (CERP) and ScandiBio Therapeutics, build
on findings from Phase 2 clinical data published in October 2020.
The addition of the nutritional protocol, or combined metabolic
activators (CMA), to the Turkish standard of care not only reduced
recovery time but improved liver health and decreased levels of
inflammatory markers.
Vitamin B9 and folic acid help repair tissues and aid in cell
metabolism and immune support. They’re found in dark leafy greens,
wild-caught, cold water fish like herring, mackerel, sardines,
anchovies and wild-caught Alaskan salmon, and pastured, organic
chicken.
B12, also known as cobalamin, is a powerful cold- and flu-fighting
nutrient in your system, as is vitamin B6, another important,
germ-combating vitamin that naturally benefits and strengthens
your immune system and even protects against the damaging effects
of air pollution.
Adequate amounts of folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are also
needed for your body to make the amino acid cysteine. N-acetyl
cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. Consuming adequate
cysteine and NAC is important for a variety of health reasons —
including replenishing the most powerful antioxidant in your body,
glutathione.
12. Nattokinase - Anti Coagulant
Nattokinase (NK) is an enzyme derived from a traditional Japanese food called natto, and it is thought to help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.
Nattokinase for Blood Clots
Nattokinase dissolves blood clots by directly hydrolyzing fibrin and plasmin substrate. It converts endogenous prourokinase to urokinase (uPA). It also degrades plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and increases the level of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). (
Source)
Tanikawa et al. (2022) examined the effect of nattokinase on the COVID-19 spike protein. In the first experiment, they demonstrated that spike was degraded in a time and dose-dependent manner in a cell lysate preparation that could be similar to a vaccine recipient. The second experiment demonstrated that nattokinase degraded the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. This was reproduced in a similar study done by
Oba and colleagues in 2021.
Nattokinase dissolves blood clots by directly hydrolyzing fibrin and plasmin substrate. It converts endogenous prourokinase to urokinase (uPA). It also degrades plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and increases the level of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). (
Source)
Human trials have demonstrated that NattoKinase (NK) provides support to the circulatory system by thinning the blood and dissolving blood clots. (
Source,
Source)
In a
randomized controlled trial (2015), a single-dose of 2,000 FU NK (NSK-SD, Japan Bio Science Laboratory Co., Ltd) appears to potentiate thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles.
In another 8-week
randomized controlled trial (2016), subjects were given 8 weeks supply of either a placebo or a nattokinase. Nattokinase NSK-SD® (subtilisin NAT) was encapsulated in veggie caps with 100 mg/capsule and standardized to at least 2,000 fibrinolytic units (FU) per each 100 mg daily oral dose. Subjects were instructed to take one capsule daily in the morning and to return the bottles with any remaining capsules at the 8-week visit.
The average level of vWF (Von Willebrand Factor) was reduced by 15% in the nattokinase group, whereas no consistent change was seen for the subjects consuming placebo for 8 weeks. The difference in vWF levels at 8 weeks between the two groups showed a statistical trend (P<0.09). This decrease in vWF levels was sex specific, as it was seen for the group of females consuming nattokinase (26% reduction, P<0.09) but not in the male group consuming nattokinase.
Dosage: Nattokinase 100 mg/day (equivalent to 2,000 fibrinolytic units [FU]), typically for a duration of 8 weeks, has been used in some studies evaluating thrombolytic/fibrinolytic and blood pressure effects.
Quercetin, Vitamin C, D, Zinc, Melatonin and the FLCCC Protocol
So how do we combine multiple nutrients together? Quercetin, Vitamin C, D,
Zinc, Melatonin and Black Seed Oil are part of the FLCCC I-PREVENT and
I-CARE protocols.
For updated prevention and early outpatient protocol for COVID-19 positive, check out FLCCC I-MASK+ protocol.
Quercetin, zinc, vitamin D and C are also part of the
Zelenko Protocol. In an effort to make it easier for patients, Dr Zelenko has
developed an oral supplement that contains all four key ingredients:
vitamin C, quercetin, vitamin D3 and zinc. It’s referred to as 'Z-Stack Supplement'.
Eliminate Seed Oils
Eliminate vegetable (seed) oils in your diet, which involves eliminating
nearly all processed foods and most meals in restaurants unless you convince
the chef to only cook with butter. Avoid any sauces or salad dressings in
restaurants as they are loaded with seed oils. Also avoid chicken and pork
as they are very high in linoleic acid, the omega-6 fat that is far too high
in nearly everyone and contributes to oxidative stress that causes heart
disease.
Metabolic Health
The ability to eliminate insulin resistance is a strategy that addresses the
majority of illnesses that you will ever encounter in your lifetime.
This
is why time-restricted eating, eliminating industrially processed seed oils
like soy, corn and canola oils, eating a cyclical ketogenic diet, exercising
and sleeping well can improve, if not eliminate, most conditions that you
would need to take medications for.
Ivermectin for COVID-19: Real-time meta analysis
Check out the evidence tracking on Ivermectin versus COVID-19
from
Ivmmeta.com (constantly updated).
Notes:
-
Ivermectin has a number of potentially serious drug-drug
interactions. Please check for potential drug interaction
at Ivermectin Drug Interactions - Drugs.com. The most important drug interactions
occur with cyclosporin, tacrolimus, anti-retroviral drugs,
and certain anti-fungal drugs.
-
Ivermectin is also lipophilic and therefore, bioavailability is maximized on a full
stomach; or best to be taken with meal.
Other Potential Treatments
There are over two dozen compounds that have shown effectiveness
in treating COVID-19. For a list of COVID-19 early treatment
studies, check out c19early.com (constantly updated).
.png)
Please check this page regularly for updates – new natural
alternatives may be added and/or dose changes to existing
alternatives may be made as further scientific studies emerge.
As you can see from the treatment league table above, some of the
'natural alternatives' (including diet (
R) and exercise (
R)) might even perform better than synthetic drugs.
Summary
The combination of quercetin, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and
melatonin offer a high virus inhibiting and anti-inflammatory
potential with a valuable degree of safety at a time of great
uncertainty.
That said, based on the above evidence, a combination of vitamin D,
quercetin, black seed oil, vitamin A and melatonin might even offer
a greater probability of improvement if given as early treatment.
Nutrients and supplements are safer alternatives especially if
your risk is low e.g. age below 50 and no other chronic
illness. Discuss with your doctor on the benefit vs risk for
each treatment. If you are on multiple medications, be aware
of supplement-drug interactions that might enhance the
possibilities of adverse effects.
However, if your risk is high e.g. age above 60, hypertensive,
diabetic and obese; you might wish to consult a doctor and
discuss
more potent alternatives in
the FLCCC's
I-CARE protocol.
If you review most of the above studies, you will find a very
common theme among most of the studies. A key highlight is that
'early treatment' results tend to be better than 'late
treatment' results. Therefore, the most important takeaway is to
get 'early treatment'. That said, you should never attempt to
self medicate without the guidance of a licensed medical
provider. If you are not a medical doctor, you are likely to
find the information above overwhelming.
Please also follow other precautions and measures (as advised by
your local health authorities and doctors) in order to minimize your
risk.
Treatments do not replace vaccines and other measures. All
practical, effective, and safe means should be used. Elimination is
a race against viral evolution. No treatment, vaccine, or
intervention is 100% available and effective for all variants.
Z-Stack Supplement
In an effort to make it easier for patients, Dr Vladimir Zelenko has
developed an oral supplement that contains all four key ingredients:
vitamin C, quercetin, vitamin D3 and zinc. It’s referred to as
'Z-Stack Supplement'.
Z-Stack Vitamin cocktail provides key ingredients needed in order
to help your body fight off this deadly invader. The Z-Stack
Vitamins are Kosher certified, GMP certified and made in the USA.
The cost of the Z-STACK vitamin cocktail is $55 per bottle for a
one month supply.
Where to buy Z-Stack: Z-stack is available on
Dr Zelenko's website. Here is the link: Z Stack Supplement
Note: To get 5% OFF, please use this coupon code: drfrancis
Disclaimer: Please do not consider these information as
personal medical advice, but as a recommendation for use in
consultation with professional providers. Consult with your doctor,
share the information on this website and discuss with her/him.
Tip: Remove synthetic folic acid and replace it with real folic acid aka folate. Syn-Folic will allow viruses through the cells, while real folate will not. Think about it. So, add real folate to your vitamins. Syn-Folic has been around since 1945. It needs to be removed from our foods, or we will keep getting sick from the virus. Your choice. Judgment day is coming. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2021/RA/D1RA03299B
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