From eNewsletter 3/22/2021
DID YOU KNOW that a recent study in Nature Communications highlighted the role of genetic susceptibility to an infection called Helicobacter Pylori (H.pylori), as seen in the above image, which can lead to peptic ulcer disease, reflux diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease?
Two of the genes the authors studied, FUT2, which has to do with vitamin B12 absorption, and ABO, which has to do with your blood type, confirms two things we always consider when assessing your gastrointestinal function:
Are you getting enough vitamin B12 through diet? Do you have genetic mutations that impede vitamin B12 absorption?
Are you consuming foods that go against your blood type? For example, those who are blood type 'B' often have gastrointestinal issues when consistently eating corn.
We can discern potential vitamin B12 mutations through our genetic screening and blood type via blood draw.
NEW! Single Edition Newsletter for March 22nd Purchase today's edition, including these 8 segments that aren't in our free version:
Well Connect Feature: Two Comfort Food Side Dish Recipes
Did You Know? Meds: Topical Steroids
Genetics Update: Proper Brain Function for Long Lifespans
Brand Buzz: Pancake & Waffle Mix; Cashew Cheese
Understanding Lab Tests: C-Reactive Protein Blood and Genetic Screening
Green Lifestyle: Unwanted Result of Water Treatment
Wild Card: Laughter's Link to Cardiovascular Risk
eInspire: Quote from a former President
Our COVID-19 Vaccine Opinion This document was updated March 22nd.
Virus Prevention And Treatment Vaccines will minimize COVID-19 related mortality and hospitalizations, but SARS-CoV-2 is not going away, as evidenced by its ever-mutating variants. 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. We highly recommend continuing your immune support. For more information, refer to our Prevent and Fight Viruses 2.0 Protocol.
COVID-19 Condition Monograph For those interested in conventional and integrative treatments for COVID-19 with over 250 references, this is our COVID-19 Condition Monograph.
Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) If you, or someone you know, has PCS, we provide individualized consultation or our Post-COVID Syndrome Action Plan.
WORRIED ABOUT COVID-19 MUTATIONS?
Steve and Bonnie: As of last week, epidemiologists were tracking 15 known SARS-CoV-2 variants (meaning these are mutations of the original virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic). Five of these variants the CDC and WHO consider concerning, and seven of the variants they do not know anything about yet.
In a JAMA study published last week, the authors stated: "without immune correlates of protection, only real-world experience can provide answers about COVID-19 vaccines’ efficacy against illness and death from SARS-CoV-2 variants."
The current data is a mixed bag showing more effectiveness against some strains than others. For example, a Biorxiv study published last week found that while antibodies derived from the Pfizer vaccine improved recognition of mutant viruses compared to those induced by natural infection, recognition was reduced 10-fold.
From the current state of affairs, we conclude the following:
As we have said before the pandemic even started, vaccines will not eradicate the virus. mRNA vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies, virus-specific helper T cells, and cytotoxic T cells that will help protect us enough against infection to keep us out of the hospital and prevent deaths. If we get sick, it will eventually resemble the flu or common cold.
Booster shots will be the norm. All you have to do is listen to Pfizer's CEO when asked how often you will need a COVID-19 vaccine: "Every year, you need to go to get your flu vaccine," the CEO said. "It's going to be the same with COVID. In a year, you will have to go and get your annual shot for COVID to be protected."
We take issue with the CEO's comment because until we have enduring evidence about how well the original vaccine can protect us, it is counterproductive. Moreover, optimizing vitamin D levels on a national scale can keep us out of the hospital and from death, at a much cheaper cost.
Vaccines are crucial to getting society back to normalcy, but they are not a panacea. Unless we are able to get ahead of SARS-CoV-2, the guessing game that is the yearly flu shot has shown us that playing "catch up" is not a successful path to travel.
The infallible path is to hone the best immune version of ourselves through optimal diet, lifestyle, and nutrients, as evidenced by the amazing preventive results our clients have achieved during the pandemic.
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