See my Corona Update June 2020 page for the important COVID-19 MATH+ protocol links and video descriptions
Dr. Been Medical Lectures explains 2020 study showing vitamin D deficiency correlates with higher C-reactive protein numbers leading to higher susceptibility to inflammation and cytokine storm - suggests greater vulnerability to severe COVID-19 symptoms.
>>Dr.Been Medical Lectures on Vitamin D & CRP and Cytokine Storm Study - 2020 :( apparently YouTube decided this biochemistry lecture was against policy. He now also posts his videos at drbeen.com so they are not lost if censored by the media. See the study below for some details. Here is the Vitamin D & CRP & Cytokine Storm Video - reposted again in June 2020
>>Preliminary study suggesting Vitamin D may help suppress Cytokine Storms - 4/2020 this shows some of the concepts
>>Bradykinin Storm Hypothesis Better Explains COVID-19 Complexities by Dr.Been Medical Lectures and Mercola.com - Sep 2020 A supercomputer analysis suggests a Bradykinin storm better explains all of the COVID-19 complications. Bradykinin is an inflammatory protein from immune responses and tissue damage. It dilates arterioles and produces nitrous oxide, prostaglandins, lung HLA gel, swelling and allodynia (pain). SARS-CoV2 causes septic shock, heart issues, ARDS, etc., and mimics ACE inhibiting drugs. Bradykinins can be dampened by medications, zinc, and vitamin D (and maybe NAC or bromelain??). See our Vitamin D and zinc pages.
>>For all interested in COVID-19 self and medical care, please see our Corona Update June 2020 for the full MATH+ protocol from Eastern Virginia Medical School (and videos) that gives strong at home, in-hospital and ICU care protocols.
Cytokines are immune signaling chemicals released by various white blood cells to recruit and strengthen the immune response against an invader. In order to help defend the host, cytokines enhance inflammation, activate many immune functions and promote apoptosis (natural cell suicide). This process can create unpleasant, although generally mild, temporary symptoms like nausea, fatigue, fever and pain. (Remember your last flu?) In natural healthcare, this is sometimes referred to as a healing crisis and indicates that the immune system is working to rid your body of a pathogen. On rare occasion, if this immune response grows out-of-control, known as a “cytokine storm”, it has the potential to overwhelm the body and rapidly lead to organ failure and even death. (Patients experiencing a cytokine storm are generally going to be in the hospital, even ICU.)
But, where does that cytokine storm originate? Some think that a cytokine storm is an emergency last resort effort by the adaptive immune system to respond to an invader that was not eliminated or kept under control by the innate (first line of defense) immune system. Thus it releases a flood of cytokines in attempt to rally enough immune cells to stop the out-of-control pathogen. (It is an “all hands on deck” call to the immune system.) But it may be too much. And it is this inflammatory, immune over reaction that can cause the demise of the patient, not actually the pathogen itself.
How does this apply to an illness like the 2020 pandemic? Like some cancers and chronic infections, SARS-COV2, seems able to suppress the innate immune response and cause dysregulation (reducing interferons (INF), reducing interleukin-2 (IL2), reducing natural killer cell (NK) cytolytic activity, reducing receptor signaling and reducing NK and T cells). Consequently, in some people, when their T cells with antibodies arrive on the scene on day 7, the virus has not been kept under control by the innate immune system. The adaptive system then signals for all immune cells to respond and a cytokine storm can occur. (See DrBeen video explanation below.)
This is especially problematic in cases where the host has health issues that weaken their innate immune function (e.g. older age, sugar-laden, low nutrient diet, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications, hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, poor sleep and exercise, etc.) or worsen their adaptive response side-effects (e.g. high stress, systemic inflammation, hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, autoimmune conditions, etc.) the complications of a cytokine storm are magnified.
Of consideration in 2020, is that children typically have a more robust innate immune system (more natural killer cells and those are also more active and better trained from other recent infections). Whereas older adults have fewer NK cells, they are less trained and those NK can be “exhausted”. Further, the function of the thymus (T cells) weakens after adolescence and is much less after age 65. (In the case of COVID-19, children also have more ACE2 receptors which helps reduce inflammation and fibrosis side-effects.) These may explain some of their better outcomes.
So then, besides being younger, what can be done to help reduce cytokine storm risk and mitigate this type of serious complication?
First, limit your viral load (exposure) by using N95 masks/PPE, good hygiene, extra air circulation, ozone purification, etc. when around COVID-19 patients so that your adaptive immune system has time to respond before being overrun. (Researchers suggest that some front-line care providers initially had their innate immune systems overwhelmed because they did not realize how virulent and contagious SARS-COV2 is. By the time their adaptive system responded, they were fighting a heavy viral load.)
Secondly, reduce your systemic inflammation (especially for IL-6 since it is a major component of COVID-19) by exercising, sleeping, being hydrated, avoiding sugary, unhealthy foods, dairy, soy, wheat, corn and red meat, avoiding smoking, minimizing stress response (relaxing, breathing, praying & meditating), eating raw green veggies, having a healthy gut (pre & probiotics), taking cold showers, socializing/laughing, etc.
Third, modulate (boost and balance) your innate immune system (NK cells, macrophages & neutrophils) and energy production in advance with foods and supplements such as: vitamins A, B, C, D, E & K, zinc, quercetin, selenium, calcium, magnesium, L-glutamine, L-glycine, ALA, resveratrol, melatonin, NAC, CoQ10, colostrum and probiotics (e.g. Lactobacilus rhamnosus).
(See our explanations and videos for many of these nutrients and herbs under our Natural Self-Care Remedies and Key Supplements tabs. You can investigate them individually. Many of them are explained biochemically in the MATH+ videos on our Coronavirus Update June 2020 page.)
Further include immune modulating herbs like: Echinacea, garlic, ginger, turmeric, panax ginseng, Ashwagandha, Cat’s Claw, peppermint, pleurisy root, chamomile, and yarrow. (Some of these are also diaphoretic and help support the body during a fever.)
Also consider these excellent herbs that help prepare the immune system but maybe should be discontinued (findings and opinions vary) later on with a severe infection: Andrographis, Astragalus, elderberry and medicinal mushrooms (i.e. reishi, maitake, and turkey tail).
Finally, consider anti-viral herbs and supplements and those that help reduce abnormal fibrosis & blot clotting and promote oxygenation.
>>Curcumin Inhibits Virus Induced Cytokine Storm from www.Mercola.com - July 2020
>>Natural Killer Cells (NK) and SARS-COV2 biochemistry by DrBeen Medical Lectures - ideas to make COVID-19 easier 4/2020
>>Why Are So Many COVID Patients Dying of Sepsis? by Mercola.com - July 2020 Cytokine Ideas
Inflammation Resolutions: A dual approach to averting cytokine storms COVID-19? - May 2020 a technical paper for EET & SPM
**As always, if you are having difficulty breathing or a high fever seek medical care promptly.**
Please note that this information is for educational purposes and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Please discuss any questions with your health care provider.