Covid-19

By Doris Loh, independent researcher The end of summer is approaching. Parents, schools and policy-makers are faced with the almost impossible task of weighing the benefits against risks of in-person education when virtual alternatives are available. What are the real risks facing children for attending in-person education? Evidence accumulated so far seems to indicate that COVID-19 presents relatively lower risks to school-aged children. Compared to adults, even when infected, children generally exhibit mild to no symptoms. Unfortunately, this observation is…

This article summarizes the likely benefits of melatonin in the attenuation of COVID-19 based on its putative pathogenesis. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has become a pandemic with tens of thousands of infected patients. Based on clinical features, pathology, the pathogenesis of acute respiratory disorder induced by either highly homogenous coronaviruses or other pathogens, the evidence suggests that excessive inflammation, oxidation, and an exaggerated immune response very likely contribute to COVID-19 pathology. This leads to a cytokine storm and subsequent…

It’s important to understand the difference between sanitising and disinfecting. Sanitising refers to cleaning one’s hands in order to reduce the number of potential pathogens that could be transmitted to others. Disinfecting refers to killing pathogens on surfaces, which may require chemicals harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Many manufacturers have confused the two concepts and produced hand sanitisers containing disinfecting chemicals that can dehydrate or irritate one’s skin, or cause even more serious effects. Health preservation depends on…

In response to the current COVID-19 global pandemic, and the attendant impact on outdoor physical activity and leisure time, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), Endocrine Society, European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), and International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) remind individuals of the importance of obtaining the daily recommended dosage of vitamin D. The scientific evidence clearly supports the benefits that vitamin D, in combination with calcium intake, plays…

By Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Max Berrill, John D. Catravas and Paul E. Marik. Published 19 June 2020 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents an emergent global threat which is straining worldwide healthcare capacity. As of May 27th, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has resulted in more than 340,000 deaths worldwide, with 100,000 deaths in the US alone. It is imperative to study and develop pharmacological treatments suitable for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Ascorbic acid…

Risk levels for exposure vary based on four main factors: Download pdf.

The potential role of Vitamin D (25(OH)D), Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin C supplementation in reducing morbidity and mortality in susceptible communities during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. An overview of evidence. Authors Dr. David M Nye (MB.ChB. [UCT], MFHom [UK], Dip Hom [CEDH]) Dr. Anamika Jithoo (Mb.ChB, [UKZN],MPH [UCT], PhD(Med) [UCT]) Dr. Erika Drewes (MB.ChB[UFS], MMed.Fam.Med [UKZN]) Dr. Rene Jeannes (MTechHom. [UJ]) Dr. Julienne Fenwick (MB.ChB, [US]) Dr. Maria Theologides (BDS, [Wits], BscHon, [US], PDD [US], Msc. [US]) Initiated…

Evidence Supporting a Phased Immuno-physiological Approach to COVID-19 From Prevention Through Recovery Authors: SF Yanuck, J Pizzorno, H Messier and KN Fitzgerald This paper presents an evidence-based strategy for improving clinical outcomes in COVID-19. Recommendations are based on the phases of the disease, because optimal interventions for one phase may not be appropriate for a different phase. The four phases addressed are: Prevention Infection Inflammation Recovery Underlying this phased approach is recognition of emerging evidence for two different components of…

Authors: Susan A Lanham-New, Ann Webb, Kevin Cashman, Judy Buttriss, Joanne Fallowfield, Tash Masud, Martin Hewison, John Mathers, Mairead Kiely, Ailsa Welch, Kate Ward, Pamela Magee, Andrea Darling, Tom Hill, Carolyn Greig, Colin Smith, Richard Murphy, Sarah Leyland, Roger Bouillon, Sumantra Ray and Martin Kohlmeier The spread of novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the disease COVID-19 that is caused by SARS-CoV-2, continues apace. Saving lives and slowing the worldwide pandemic remain of utmost importance to everyone: the public, healthcare professionals, scientists,…

In South Africa the Covid-19 pandemic is all about masks, social distancing and sanitising your hands. I know what you are thinking – what about fortifying the immune system? The average person has wallowed in a state of lockdown laziness, with minimal exercise and a steady supply of unhealthy takeaways. Glutathione is our primary antioxidant and will ward off a respiratory crisis in the first place, providing we have adequate supplies of it. Nutrients involved in the conversion of homocysteine…