China’s study on Covid 19 risk factors:

Who are the survivors and the non-survivors of Covid-19
Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

• For survivors, the median duration of viral shedding was 20·0 days from illness onset, with the shortest time being 8 days and the longest at 37 days.
• Non-survivors: the virus was continuously detectable until death

Several Important Factors Between Life or Death

1. Presence of lymphocytes: Lymphocytes (leukocytes) are an initial line of defense for the immune system, that defend the body against foreign substances such as a virus, bacteria, or parasites. Different lymphocytes are responsible for regulating immune responses and forming anti-bodies against these unwanted invaders. 

• For survivors: Baseline lymphocyte count was significantly higher in survivors. This is an indication your immune system is working.
• Non-survivors: Struggle with severe lymphopenia observed until death. This is an ineffective, inefficient immune system.

2. Presence of IL-6: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a produced by various cells and heavily involved in the immune responses. It’s activation early on in and infection is critical, but if it remains elevated generates chronic and harmful inflammation.

• IL-6 were clearly elevated in non-survivors compared with survivors throughout the clinical course, and increased with illness deterioration¹

3. Levels of IL-1β: IL-1β is a a pro-inflammatory cytokine, participating in inflammation and immune regulation like IL-6. Similarly, sustained , IL-1β regulated inflammation is related to disease that infects supportive tissue and can lead to tissue damage or induces loss.

• When CoV-19 infects the upper and lower respiratory tract, it can cause the subsequent release of IL-1β and a host of downstream mediators of lung inflammation and fibrosis (Scarred, damaged lung tissue).² Thus, the lung battle that many suffer severely from or cause them to die from the corona virus.

MANAGABLE PRE-DISPOSTION/CO-MORBIDITY

   What this data indicates is that the survivors have a high functioning, efficient immune system.  In fact, the virus can be completely shed from the system with anti-bodies in place in as little as a week.  On the other hand, if the immune system is allowed to slip, then the battle to survive can be over a month or the infected person may not make it.

   An average immune system, high inflammation, low Vitamin D, and subluxation are quite literally co-morbidities and pre-dispose many people to a much tougher time with Covid-19 than others who are continually managing these issues.

TAKE ACTION: Whether you are concerned about the condition or struggling to fight it off right now, here are important suggestions.

   During Coronavirus Pandemic: Stay away from anything that causes inflammation!

Experts are saying to avoid anything that causes inflammation during this Coronavirus pandemic, but some people have genes that make them more likely to experience inflammation.  Here are general recommendations, but ideally they are personalized based on your DNA.

1. GET ADJUSTED
2. GET TESTED: Test IL-6, IL-1β, and Vitamin D
3. Manage inflammation now! Controlling inflammation and Vitamin D levels are always mission-critical in the prevention or management of virtually every condition or disease.  I would not want to be in a state of inflammation, with elevated IL-6 or IL-1β

IMMEDIATE GOALS BASED ON THE STUDIES:

1. You do not want elevated IL-6 or IL-1β before getting an infection and expect that while infected this would somehow come under control. To the contrary, non-survivors who had high levels of these pro-inflammatory markers saw them stay elevated and continue to increase as the patient deteriorated.
2. Raise vitamin D levels to 60+. Immune cells have Vitamin D receptors, requiring vitamin D to regulate among many things the triggering of lymphocytes when you become exposed.  (Lymphocyte count went up to protect survivors but levels were insufficient throughout the entire infection for non-survivors)

MANAGING INFLAMMATION:

1. Modified Mediterranean or Anti-inflammatory diet based on DNA
2. Supplementation to raise Vit D, support cell function, and are anti-inflammatory such as omega-3 and products containing curcumin
3. Curcumin, Ashwagandha, Boswellia (Indian frankincense) (Edison and E-flamX), CBD, and a strong professional multi-vitamin.
4. Utilize products with melatonin and adaptogens can help to mitigate the inflammatory effects of stress and sleep deprivation.
5. SUPPORTING CELL FUNCTION: THE MITOCHONDRIA

• Mitochondria – energy generator in the cell.  Research show that it is the intercellular platform for innate immunity and the inflammatory response.
• The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body.  Adaptability and survivability of the cells is mitochondria-dependent
• B-vitamins make this engine go – when you look at Krebs cycle, TCA Cycle, and all that’s required to tune up the biochemistry.  Starts with a clinical dose of B-vitamins found in the Edison Pack, managing inflammation with nutrients like C,  Mg, Lipoic Acid, and CoQ10.

• Research shows that the adaptability and survivability is mitochondria dependent.

1 https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(20)30566-3.pdf

2 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmv.25770

(We have dozens of citations supporting the impact of Vitamin D, diet, and nutrient levels on immunity and inflammation)

Please let us know how we can better help you, your practice, and your patients thrive during this critical time,

Dr Ben.