From eNewsletter 8/5/2020
DID YOU KNOW that coronavirus spokesperson and media darling Dr. Anthony Fauci touts wearing goggles to prevent transmission from the coronavirus, yet has never discussed testing vitamin D levels or improving diet?
Maddeningly, Drs. Fauci, Birx, Redfield, Adams, and other public health spokespersons have failed to share critical recommendations to motivate and protect us.
The pandemic is the perfect time for a public health revolution as our country hovers at a 42% obesity rate and 60% of children lack healthy cardiorespiratory fitness.
Obesity is the highest risk factor for getting severe COVID-19. Wouldn't it be incredible for Drs. Fauci, Birx, Redfield, and Adams to be in lock-step with a persistent plea to eat well and exercise? It would not only help us fight COVID-19 now, but help immeasurably for the long-term. Why not start a weight challenge with incentives for the amount of weight lost collectively as a nation?
It is unacceptable for Dr. Fauci to admit publicly that he takes vitamin D, C, and zinc supplements, but has not suggested that we do the same.
It is unacceptable to ignore what many nations around the world understand: the link between vitamin D deficiency and increased COVID-19 deaths is undeniable.
The World Health Organization announced this weekend what we have said from the beginning of the pandemic: there is no silver bullet for SARS-CoV-2 and there might never be. This further validates the need to prime our bodies to be as healthy as possible. No amount of meds and vaccines will accomplish this. Eating and sleeping well, exercising, taking your nutrients, and managing stress will.
We appreciate that you have been doing everything possible to keep yourself and your family healthy during the pandemic. At times, our frustration reaches a fever pitch and we must appeal to you to help spread our message, and vent ;)
STAYING SAFE DURING RE-OPENING Continue with extra immune support until summer of 2021. SARS-CoV-2 is not going away anytime soon. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 is not the only virus we fight. There are influenza (flu), norovirus (stomach flu), adenovirus (common cold), and four other coronaviruses (common cold), among others. Prevent and Fight Coronavirus 2.0 is our must-read protocol.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Steve & Bonnie: Here's the latest research you may find fascinating!
Nutrients for Modulating the Immune System The authors of last week's study in Clinical Immunology created this amazing image that shows just how important vitamins and minerals are to the immune system (they used abbreviations as you can see). In the authors' own words, "Diet and nutrition are essential for healthy immunity. However, a group of micronutrients plays a dominant role in immunomodulation. The deficiency of most nutrients increases the individual susceptibility to virus infection with a tendency for severe clinical presentation. Individuals at high-risk for specific nutrient deficiencies likely benefit from supplementation. The individual dietary and nutritional status assessments are critical for determining the comprehensive actions in COVID-19." Moreover, they state: "The viral-host resistance relies on the support from a dominant group of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, folate, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Zn), selenium (Se), and magnesium (Mg)." Hair Loss One anecdotal side effect of COVID-19, which the WHO and CDC have not yet added to their lists, is hair loss. Stress from a major illness can affect your hair adversely. When you're sick, you also do not eat as well or as much as you usually do, especially protein. Most importantly, Americans were zinc deficient prior to the pandemic, and almost our entire cache of zinc storage is going towards fighting COVID-19, leaving nothing to support hair growth and vitality. If you have read this newsletter over the years, you know how important zinc is not just for preventing hair loss, but for hair growth and vitality.
Lingering Effects According to a survey from Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, one-third of outpatients (not treated in a hospital) with COVID-19 are unwell weeks later. Surprisingly, delayed recovery (symptoms of fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath) was evident in nearly a quarter of 18- to 34-year-olds and in a third of 35- to 49-year-olds. Another interesting point is that of underlying conditions, psychiatric conditions were significantly correlated with prolonged recovery. Many may not regard depression and anxiety as an underlying medical condition in regards to COVID-19 risk. This could potentially have an impact, as depression and anxiety rates have skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to a survey performed by Mental Health America. Long-Term Immune Response While antibodies have been much discussed, it's important to recognize that for people to retain immunity to the virus over time, good T and B cell responses are necessary. It appears that people won't gain long-term immunity by having neutralizing antibodies circulating in their blood for years. Rather, it will likely be provided by T and B cells. It's a bit like having a fire department available to call on. This way, you don't need the firemen always hanging around on site just in case a blaze breaks out. Obesity: Leptin May Be the Missing Link According to a study in International Journal of Obesity, researchers believe the link to obesity and severe COVID-19 is related to leptin levels. In those with obesity, leptin levels are always high, and that can affect the response to a COVID-19 infection. The hormone leptin regulates appetite and metabolism. Leptin also regulates the cells that fight infection. Leptin is produced by fat cells, and to a lesser extent by tissues in the lungs. The more fat a person has, the more leptin circulates in their body. Elevated leptin levels hamper the body's ability to fight off infections, in the lungs and elsewhere. High leptin levels promote a low-grade systemic inflammatory state. One way to bring down leptin levels is to know your genetic predisposition. A gene called BDNF, which we screen for in our Pure Genomics panel, is linked to proper leptin functioning. If you have one or more BDNF mutations, the chances are greater that your leptin levels could be skewed. There are many things we can do to "calm" the BDNF gene. Vaccine Side Effects This Wired Magazine piece is spot on about the media's lack of coverage of the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines during the clinical trial phase.
VITAMIN H OR B7 (BIOTIN)
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