Pandemic Blog Part 2

​COVID-19 Therapy: Supporting Oxygenation
 
I wanted to share my thoughts with my colleagues about the oxygen deprivation aspect of Covid-19.
You can listen to this ER doc discuss his experience on Youtube.  I myself have been thinking along these lines and what he is describing should be noted. Click on the space below for the youtube link that is not showing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9GYTc53r2o&feature=youtu.be
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9GYTc53r2o&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9GYTc53r2o&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9GYTc532o&feature=youtube.be
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For myself, not too long ago I had several cases of possible Covid-19 cases who were experiencing mild to moderate symptoms and were unable to get tested.  Along with mild fever, headache, congestion, and body aches the dominant concern was “air hunger” on very mild exertion and even at rest.  There was some nausea and stomach upset. Although the lungs were clear in all cases the degree of air hunger was notable.  Treatments that focused on the shortness of breath/air hunger aspect were most effective.
 
This included antioxidant therapies of supplements or foods containing vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, organic berries and berry extract, chlorophyll and high chlorophyll containing foods (particularly Kale and Spirulina).
 
Getting enough Vitamin D from mild to moderate exercise in the sunlight every day remains a strong recommendation.

 
From a preventative medicine focus I am recommending deep breathing exercises, stopping alcohol, doing mild exercise to improve lung function and circulation, improving the blood health and circulatory health.
 
Preventative Medicine means to individually treat and correct:

• Anemia
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Poor Circulation
• Poor Lung Function

 
4-6 servings of green leafy vegetables per day, combined with chlorophyll and/or Spirulina for many people is appropriate. 
 
I am recommending organic berries (blueberries commonly) 1 cup per day for many, along with organic raw walnuts 3-6 times per week.
 
Steamed or sautéed purple sweet potatoes with kale and spinach, seasoned with fresh ginger and garlic is an example of a dish I recommend.  Wild caught sockeye salmon or high quality fish oils can be served with these vegetables for added benefit.  An avocado and high quality extra-virgin olive oil can be added right before serving (meaning raw and uncooked).  I sprinkle organic cayenne powder over it myself.
 
Changing the diet to effectively address underlying weaknesses in the system is key.
 
Avoid and correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This is important.
 
All of these challenges are faced by the elderly and may be contributing to their higher risk of developing serious complications from Covid-19.
 
Preventative Medicine Supplements (not treatment):
 
Zinc: 7-20 mg depending on the patient
Vitamin C: 400-500mg once or twice per day with meals (may increase dosage as needed).  For those of you who can do IV Vitamin C this should be considered for many patients.
Vitamin E: Mixed Natural Tocopherols 400 I.U. (or high vitamin E foods such as avocados every day)
Magnesium Taurate or other Magnesium as appropriate for each case for vascular and nervous system health.
Alpha Lipoic Acid: 100mg once or twice daily, occasionally more, or dosed every few days if needed less frequently.
 
Some cases do well with cayenne tinctures or capsules for poor circulation.  This is dosed based on the case and tolerance.
 
Oxygen Supportive Therapies for High Altitude Sickness:
 
A double-blind trial of 18 mountaineers climbing Mt. Everest found that the use of an antioxidant vitamin supplement (providing 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, 400 IU of Vitamin E and 600 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid daily) significantly improved symptoms of altitude sickness as compared to placebo. Treatment was begun 3 weeks prior to ascent and continued during the 10 days of climbing. This was a small study, and its results cannot be definitive. Another small study using similar antioxidants in a similar manner found that use of antioxidants might offer benefits in the first couple of days of high altitude ascent. *

Subudhi AW, Jacobs KA, Hagobian TA et al. Changes in ventilatory threshold at high altitude: effect of antioxidants. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38:1425-1431.
 
Adaptogens are likely to be of benefit, but I would focus on those that will not increase blood pressure or respiratory rate.  Rhodiola can make High Altitude Sickness worse -- as an example, and what I would avoid.  Instead I might choose cordyceps or schisandra.
 
These are all generalizations and not the more specific aspects and prescriptions of individualized treatments that would not be suitable in all cases, of course.

 I continue to use the approaches and remedies as listed in Part 1 of my previous blog, with a emphasis on berberine containing herbs like Goldenseal and Oregon Grape Root. 

Glutathione support is also indicated via supplements, broccoli sprouts, or nutritional precursors and protocols.

Some Acupuncture Notes:
 
Acupuncture points to release the exterior first (Large Intestine 4, Liver 3 or GB 41 and TW 5 and similar) then followed by tonificaltion for recovery such as the points of PC6, Kd 3, and ST36 combined with small optical quartz spheres on Kidney 1 and Lung 2. 
 
You do not want to tonify at the first sign of acute illness -- you want to disperse.
ST36 is safe to use at most stages of infection generally or for weaker patients. I also will use LI 20, ST 3, and Lu 7 during infection.
 
I use quartz spheres or lavender spheres instead of needles for weak or debilitated patients to avoid excessive treatment. Natural unheated Pink Tourmaline chips or spheres on Lu 7 has been successful for me. Preventatively I would focus on the tonification points. 
 
Unheated White Beryl roundels or spheres on ST 12 can be useful for clearing toxic pathogenic qi from the channels.

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