Taking Care | In the Midst of COVID-19

The amount of information circulating the internet is immense, inspiring and overwhelming. I have been searching and researching and conversing with colleagues over the last two weeks and have put together my list of reliable care, in the midst of this novel viral infection.

First, it was really helpful for me to understand some of the background. If you haven’t heard yet, this particular virus is very contagious and has severe symptoms for some people. It is not only elderly people who are suffering immensely, but healthy, young patients as well. Luckily, children seem to be fairing alright when symptoms present.

Why is it taking so long for a treatment to arise?

There are many viral infections that have limited clear treatments. Viruses are incredibly smart. Their intelligent virulence enters the host’s (our body’s) cell signaling (RNA/DNA) and can change the way our cells respond to the infection and operate in general. Think of the viral infections we are familiar with: HIV, EBV, Influenza. Treatments for those infections are not always clear and they have been around for decades. This new strain of a coronavirus (mutated from other betacoronaviral strains) is one scientists are largely still researching to understand how it interrupts our body function. 

What can I do to avoid getting this virus?

I hope you’re already doing my number one recommendation! 

Practice social distancing 

That is hands-down, the only real thing we can proactively be doing now that has the most promising research. Do not go to crowded places, no scheduled playdates or friend gatherings. Go to work, only if there is no option for remote, or if you are an essential employee. It is hard. Really hard to make those choices and positions with friends and family. BUT, the better we are at this practice now, the better off our family, communities and the world will be.

I know we are all inconvenienced by this. Scared of our financial wellbeing, losing jobs, etc. But the lines are very clear that the more we can do now to limit, the faster we will recover.

What should I do if I start to develop symptoms? 

Contact your provider. If they are not available and you’re needing support, send me an email. 

Other than social distancing and washing my hands for 20 seconds, what can I do to support my body? 

Now is the time to employ all the things you know to be healthful for you. Broad topics I encourage you to begin with are: 

  • Eating nourishing, nutritious foods. Think of eating in this time as a way to give your body all the nutrients it needs to be well fueled in a pandemic (because, that is what it’s facing).

  • Moderate exercise as a way to lower stress & improve circulation, supporting immune function. 

  • Stress lowering techniques: deep breathing, positive self-talk, journaling, tapping, pet your animals, make lists, take a nap. Pull out your trusted methods of stress relief and perhaps try something new.

  • Stay on your current path to wellness. If you’re working with a provider to balance your hormones for conception, heal your gut following bacterial imbalances or optimize your nutrients for healthy neurotransmitter function - stay the course. All those amazing things you’re doing, committing to your health, are more important now than ever before.

  • Connect, even though we are practicing social distancing, don’t fall into social isolation. Connect with loved ones or a social community in new ways to ensure you are feeling supported.

 

Are there any therapeutic options, should I contract the virus? 

Like all healthcare, I firmly believe therapies should be individualized. Even though the virus is the same (with possibly 2 versions circulating), each person’s body is reacting slightly differently. Our bodies all have different stories of health, immune response and confounding factors that can influence our response. We are all taking various kinds of medications, other supplements, etc. which greatly impact the recommendations for each person. 

Yes, there is some amazing, promising research and this is largely what I’m spending hours diving into these days, but the reality is what works for one person, may not for another. I highly recommend working with your provider to find the best options for managing your symptoms. 

Below is a list of therapies that have shown incredible potential:

  1. Vitamin D

  2. Elderberry 

  3. Astragalus 

  4. Scutellaria 

  5. Licorice 

  6. Vitamin C 

  7. Resveratrol

  8. Lactoferrin

  9. Garlic 

  10. Cordyceps (and a host of other mushroom varieties) 

  11. Phytolacca 

  12. Goldenseal/Oregon Grape 

  13. Echinacea 

  14. Lobelia

  15. Curcumin 

  16. Ginger 

  17. Dozens of Chinese herbs

  18. Pharmaceuticals that function to lower viral replication, T-cell & IL-6 (inflammation) 

I include this list not as a list to go purchase, but hopefully as comfort for you knowing, there are options. There are ways to mediate symptoms and support your body if it is burdened by this virus. 

Summary:

Be proactive, take care of yourself and seek support as you need it - in all aspects of your health. We will make it through this, and I have a feeling, stronger than ever.

Xo,

Dr. Stang

 

Resources: 

  1. Gruber-Bzura BM. Vitamin D and Influenza-Prevention or Therapy?. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(8):2419. Published 2018 Aug 16. doi:10.3390/ijms19082419

  2. Dancer RC, Parekh D, Lax S, et al. Vitamin D deficiency contributes directly to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thorax. 2015;70(7):617–624. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206680

  3. Beard JA, Bearden A, Striker R. Vitamin D and the anti-viral state. J Clin Virol. 2011;50(3):194-200. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2010.12.006

  4. Li X, Qu L, Dong Y, et al. A Review of Recent Research Progress on the Astragalus Genus. Molecules. 2014;19(11):18850-18880. doi:10.3390/molecules191118850

  5. Cinatl J, Morgenstern B, Bauer G, Chandra P, Rabenau H, Doerr HW. Glycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice roots, and replication of SARS-associated coronavirus. Lancet. 2003;361(9374):2045–2046. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(03)13615-x

  6. Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019;42:361-365. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004

  7. Kim TS, Kang BY, Cho D, Kim SH. Induction of interleukin-12 production in mouse macrophages by berberine, a benzodioxoloquinolizine alkaloid, deviates CD4+ T cells from a Th2 to a Th1 response. Immunology. 2003;109(3):407-414. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2567.2003.01673.x

  8. Lang J, Yang N, Deng J, et al. Inhibition of SARS pseudovirus cell entry by lactoferrin binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans. PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e23710. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023710

  9. Guggenheim AG, Wright KM, Zwickey HL. Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014;13(1):32–44.

  10. Eo SK, Kim YS, Lee CK, Han SS. Antiviral activities of various water and methanol soluble substances isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999;68(1-3):129–136. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00067-7

  11. Cecil CE, Davis JM, Cech NB, Laster SM. Inhibition of H1N1 influenza A virus growth and induction of inflammatory mediators by the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine and extracts of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Int Immunopharmacol. 2011;11(11):1706-1714. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2011.06.002

  12. Schapowal A, Klein P, Johnston SL. Echinacea reduces the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and complications: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Adv Ther. 2015;32(3):187-200. doi:10.1007/s12325-015-0194-4

  13. Vimalanathan S, Schoop R, Suter A, Hudson J. Prevention of influenza virus induced bacterial superinfection by standardized Echinacea purpurea, via regulation of surface receptor expression in human bronchial epithelial cells. Virus Res. 2017;233:51-59. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2017.03.006

  14. Somerville VS, Braakhuis AJ, Hopkins WG. Effect of Flavonoids on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Immune Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Adv Nutr. 2016;7(3):488–497. Published 2016 May 16. doi:10.3945/an.115.010538

  15. Liu Q, Zhou YH, Yang ZQ. The cytokine storm of severe influenza and development of immunomodulatory therapy. Cell Mol Immunol. 2016;13(1):3–10. doi:10.1038/cmi.2015.74

  16. Li, Guangdi, and Erik De Clercq. “Therapeutic Options for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019- NCoV).” Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 10 Feb. 2020, www.nature.com/articles/d41573-020-00016-0. 

  17. Xu Y, Liu L. Curcumin alleviates macrophage activation and lung inflammation induced by influenza virus infection through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2017;11(5):457–463. doi:10.1111/irv.12459

Kelsey Stang