By Peter Melamed, L.Ac, RN, Ph.D., MD (USSR)
Negative information runs much faster than positive information. This is related to simple human psychology. Our ancestors understood that news of danger had to spread quickly in order to survive. The media, the Internet, and word of mouth spread catastrophic news that makes people panic and confused. Panic and confusion are not going to help you or anyone around you.
Let’s calmly discuss the current state of affairs. Already in our lifetime, humankind has dealt with epidemics such as the swine flu, Avian bird flu, SARS, MERS, and Ebola. Humanity survived, and we don’t give those past epidemics a fleeting thought.
Spend less time listening to experts. Guess what? The only thing that is certain is that the number of cases will probably go up. Diseases occur via respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, as with other respiratory pathogens, including influenza and rhinovirus. The most common symptoms are fever followed by cough and muscle pain. Headaches, sputum production, and diarrhea are less common. For most infected people, these diseases tend to be mild; some people do not even have symptoms.
What we know now is that 80% of the coronavirus infection is very mild. 15% of individuals have real symptoms (fever, dry cough, muscle pain), and just 5% have a severe condition such as pneumonia with shortness of breath, cough, fatigue and require intensive medical care. The disease is risky for people older than 75 and for those who have a low immune system due to chemotherapy, cancer, taking some medications, persons with diabetes, COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, autoimmune diseases, heart and kidney failure, etc.
This article may help you to prepare for the coronavirus—in a calm, practical way. No panic needed. For those reading this article who may be skeptical, we are a reputable resource with decades of experience; we also use very reputable references.
We are writing this article now to help our patients and those new to Biotherapy.
There is a simple epidemical vicious circle for the current coronavirus epidemy:
Coronavirus=>Ways of Transmission=>Human=>Coronavirus
Cutting this vicious circle is the key to stopping this epidemy!
The coronavirus is new to people; therefore, we don’t have specific immunity, medications, and vaccines for it yet. It is a contagious respiratory virus that does not live long in a dry, hot environment. It dies in soap water, bleach, alcohol, and other antimicrobial items. Hopefully, as many respiratory infections, it will go down in the spring and summer.
Ways of transmission (saliva, mucus often through the air, hands)
General measures for the prevention of viral respiratory infections include:
- Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used if soap and water are unavailable.
- Individuals should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Individuals should avoid close contact with sick people.
- Sick people should stay at home.
- Coughs and sneezes should be covered with a tissue, followed by the disposal of the tissue in the trash.
- Frequently touched objects and surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Human. Although we do not have a proven medical treatment and vaccine for the coronavirus just yet, that does not mean that there is nothing for us to do. First, we need to improve our immune system and prevent viral pneumonia, which is the main reason for the bad outcomes of those who get the coronavirus. Let me share with you my decades of experience as an ICU doctor who helped many individuals with life-threatening pneumonia.
A fever and cough are the reactions of the organism when an infection is present. It is known that a high temperature kills the virus and mucus moves it out. American people like “comfortable” treatment, thus, there are a lot of OTC (over the counter) medications for low temperature, muscle pains, suppression of cough and mucus. In many cases, overusing them may bring more harm than good. France’s health minister Olivier Véran warned the public that anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and cortisone could be an aggravating factor in coronavirus infections. [20]
Let’s see real what happens, from the first symptoms of coronavirus such as fever, dry cough, muscle pain to full-blown viral pneumonia, there are a few days. This time is critical for sick individuals. The media just scare people but not focus on real human health. The organism starts to fight to coronavirus, thus needs our help. Medical treatment coronavirus pneumonia is a very difficult task but avoids it is possible.
So, what needs to be done?
Activity is crucial. There was a classical experiment when healthy young athletes forced to keep the bedridden regime for three weeks. At the end of the experiment, all of them had pneumonia. The worse advice lays down to “conserve energy.” A sick person has to wear his or her home clothes, maintains an upright position, sits, and walks in the room. Deep breathing is key to recovery.
Hydration is vital. Learning to drink plenty of clean, good water is a great way to become healthier. Water moisturizes the surface of the bronchi and the mucous membrane of bronchi and lung (areas that are most susceptible to virus attacks), activating their protective properties. When the body does not have enough water, the mucous membranes are dehydrated and dry. Sputum and mucus adhere to the walls of the respiratory tract, turning it into a fertile environment for bacteria and viruses. Dehydration and dry mucus membrane in the bronchi close lung vesicles, which in turn leads to pneumonia.
People with and even without symptoms need to drink a lot of warm fluid. It can be plain water with lemon, healing mineral water, herbal tea (Chamomile, Peppermint, Pau D’Arco, Ginger, Linden,) green tea, whatever you have. Chicken soup, compote, fresh vegetable blend is also helpful. Criteria are wet tongue and frequent urination.
Another way to get wet airways is hot inhalation with hot steam. Personally, I like inhalation with real Eucalyptus leaves or Chamomile and Peppermint. If a cough is getting productive and the person releases sputum, the work is well done. That individual is on the way to recovery. Young and, especially elderly persons need to be in the upright position and as active as much as possible.
The coronavirus can live and multiply only in the human body. A healthy, strong immune system is the best defense against the coronavirus. Improving the immune system is the main goal in the face of the coronavirus epidemic. Better to be prepared than sorry.
Although Western medicine can be miraculous in its ability to save lives, it is the skeptic of natural agents to bolster immunity. Therefore, it is imperative that the health benefits of natural therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, nutritional supplements, and dietary strategies be made available to as many people as possible. At Biotherapy Clinic, we have used these methods for decades with very positive healing results. Let’s examine the main approaches of each of these therapies.
Acupuncture
As a traditional therapy used for thousands of years, acupuncture has recently been attracting more and more researchers throughout the world. Additionally, acupuncture focuses on the theory that prevention, before the beginning of a disease or action in the early stage of the disorder, is much better than treating an illness. The use of acupuncture, if started early, can avoid severe conditions. Using acupuncture may result in regulating effects on the immune system. [1] Acupuncture can also reduce bronchial spasms, improve microcirculation in the lungs, and enhance organ immunity.
Another way to heal lung disorders is suction cups or vacuum therapy that has a long history of use. It helps patients who have inflammation that occurs within the respiratory systems, supports immune response that are either weak or overstimulated in autoimmune disorders such as asthma. [2]
Breathe the disease out of your body. If you have been in a hospital, you may have seen a nurse helping a patient breathe by using a special breathing apparatus. Deep breathing is vital to prevent coronavirus pneumonia. The more the lung vesicles take part in breathing, then more blood gets to the lungs. This means more oxygen, immune cells, and vital nutrients will help the lung tissue fight the virus. Atelectasis is a complete or fractional collapse of the entire lung or area (lobe) of the lung, and it happens when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated or possibly filled with alveolar fluid. Atelectasis is one of the most common breathing (respiratory) complications of coronavirus. We can teach you how to do breathing exercises correctly. Percussion massages were frequently used in my ICU to prevent and treat pneumonia in weak patients.
All therapeutic treatments you can get at Biotherapy Clinic that support your body’s natural resistance will better your overall immunity.
Nutritional Supplementation.
The first scientific work during my medical school time was “Vitamins and Phagocytosis.” The process of phagocytosis often happens when the immune system cells are trying to destroy something, like a virus or an infected cell. [3]
I saw with my own eyes how the addition of vitamin C dramatically increases phagocytosis, the immune process. Since then, I found many medical papers that were backing the idea to use vitamins C, folate, B-12, B 6, zinc, probiotics for the healthy immune system. [4, 5, 6]
Many natural healing agents such as vitamins, herbs, probiotics, enzymes, zinc, selenium, iodine, etc., have the evidence-based, historical practices or scientific research of using them in various viral diseases. They are pretty safe and worth trying. The quality and proper amount are critical. My task is not to discuss all herbs and supplements. I just want to explain my experience working with Biotherapy supplements.
In Biotherapy Clinic we use
Biotherapy Ester C is five times more potent than simple ascorbic acid. Additionally, it has Pycnogenol to enhance both the humoral and cellular immune responses to promote host defense. [7]
Biotherapy Sunshine D Plus is a special form of the vitamin D-3, the naturally-occurring form to achieve 70-100 ng/ml in blood. [8, 9]
Biotherapy B 12 Active is the most beneficial Methyl form of vitamin B 12 and folic acid. B 12 Active can decrease pain and inflammation, improve mood, memory, and energy. Active ingredients from Biotherapy B 12 are assimilated from the mouth and can be beneficial for proper work of the immune system. [10]
Biotherapy ImmunoZinc. Zinc is a mineral that helps keep the immune system strong, and it is often used to help battle the common cold. It is better absorbed and utilized, and has enhanced antioxidant action compared with many other forms of zinc. The positive effect of zinc on bacterial phagocytosis is well documented. [11, 12]
Everybody knows the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
One of the big reasons for this expression is quercetin, a bioflavonoid derived from plants that has a wide range of biological actions, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. Biotherapy Quercetin Bromelain Complex is a unique formula that combines quercetin, bromelain, and buffered form of vitamin C. A buffered form of vitamin C-Magnesium ascorbate is an essential antioxidant that coactive sustains the quercetin activity. Bromelain is an enzyme from a pineapple stem that is active and stable in the aggressive milieu of the stomach. It is an accelerator of phagocytosis, especially in respiratory infections. [13, 14]
Biotherapy Damp Water Formula is a unique herbal remedy that safely removes harmful microorganisms from the body, naturally supports the liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, and kidney functions, and eliminates dangerous toxins.
Biotherapy Damp Water Formula may naturally help heal Candida-yeast overgrowth, parasites, chronic liver, gallbladder, gastrointestinal, and immune system disorders. Some of these herbs can improve digestion, just as many culinary spices do.
A quick note on spices–During ancient times, spices were worth their weight in gold because they helped people survive in aggressive microbial and parasitic environments.
Now, I will open the secret that even many health practitioners are not aware of. Viruses are pH-sensitive. [15]
Coronavirus infectivity is exquisitely sensitive to pH. For example, some strains of coronavirus are quite stable at pH 6.0 (acidic) but become rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by at pH 8.0 (alkaline). The viruses and bacteria which cause bronchitis and colds thrive in an acidic environment. Keeping our pH in the slightly alkaline range of 6.8-7.2 can reduce the risk and lessen the severity of colds, sore throats, and bouts of influenza. [16]
Human coronavirus strain is maximally infective at pH 6.0. The infection of cells by murine coronavirus at pH 6.0 (acidic) rather than pH 7.0 (neutral) yields a tenfold increase in the infectivity of the virus. [17]
The bottom line is acidity promotes the growth of viruses in the body but alkalinity does not. The alkaline cellular milieu can resist invasion of the viruses into the cells.
At Biotherapy Clinic, we often recommend taking Biotherapy Cellular Magnesium-Potassium. Besides, various positive changes, many of our patients who take it suffer less from the seasonal cold and flu. Another way to alkalize the body is by drinking Karlovy Vary healing mineral water. This healing mineral water is prepared from Genuine Karlovy Vary thermal spring salt that has been used in Europe for more than 200 years.
Seventy percent of human immune cells are in the GI tract. Everyone who wants to have an efficient immune system has to focus on the health of the digestive system, especially on healthy, beneficial intestinal bacteria. They are essential for proper digestion, healthy metabolism, hormones, brain function, as well as playing a crucial role in the function of our immune system. Overwhelming new evidence shows that diet, whole body acidity, medications (antibiotics), environmental and lifestyle issues such as stress can induce dysbiosis. In the case of dysbiosis, beneficial intestinal bacteria are gone, or are very low and opportunistic infections such as harmful microorganisms, Candida-yeast, parasites, and viruses take over the GI tract.
Dysbiosis leads to a dysfunctional immune system, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and it opens the door to invaders, including the coronavirus.
The restoration of beneficial intestinal bacteria and fighting Candida-yeast require time, effort, and professional supervision. We at Biotherapy Clinic have used the Anti-Candida European Whole-Body Cleansing Program for 20 years. Restoration of beneficial intestinal bacteria is essential, and it is a process. Don’t buy the myth that taking low-quality probiotics and “drinkable yogurt” can make the colonies of probiotics in the large intestines. You cannot grow roses in a garden full of garbage, toxins, bad soil, and insects. Only professional colon hydrotherapy creates a healthy environment for beneficial intestinal bacteria to grow. In turn, they decrease the number of harmful bacteria and yeasts, including Candida. This restoration process also creates healthy digestion, immunity, mood, and hormones.
With the growing fears of a pandemic, a dropped stock market, panicked customers buying hand sanitizer and toilet paper, anxiety is practically everywhere you turn. In the face of a possible coronavirus infection, we need to focus on our resistance in order to survive. Luckily, there are practical things that we can do to keep our body’s immunity up during this trying time.
References.
- Liang F, Cooper EL, Wang H, Jing X, Quispe-Cabanillas JG, Kondo T. Acupuncture and Immunity. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:260620. doi:10.1155/2015/260620
- https://www.biotherapy-clinic.com/cupping-or-vacuum-therapy.html
- https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/cells/transport-across-a-cell-membrane/a/phagocytosis
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/ [4]
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Role-of-vitamin-C-in-phagocyte-function-Vitamin-C-has-been-shown-to-a-enhance_fig2_320843979 [5]
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/immunity [6]
- Pycnogenol® Augments Macrophage Phagocytosis and Cytokine Secretion https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2002.196.201
- Vitamin D Deficiency Reduces the Immune Response, Phagocytosis Rate, and In Killing Rate of infected cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4019194/ [8]
- FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM: AN OVERVIEW https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1721727X0300100202 [9]
- Vitamin B12: Could It Be a Promising Immunotherapy? https://www.intechopen.com/books/immunotherapy-myths-reality-ideas-future/vitamin-b12-could-it-be-a-promising-immunotherapy-
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7488384
- The Role of Zinc and Zinc Homeostasis in Macrophage Function https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/2018/6872621/
- Quercetin, Inflammation, and Immunity https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808895/
- Bromelain is an accelerator of phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and killing of Candida Albicans by human white blood cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11410400
- Variations in pH Sensitivity, Acid Stability, and Fusogenicity of Three Influenza Virus H3 Subtypes https://jvi.asm.org/content/89/1/350
- Viruses are pH Sensitive https://drsircus.com/general/viruses-are-ph-sensitive/
- The Avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus Undergoes Direct Low-pH-Dependent Fusion Activation during Entry into Host Cells https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1440383/ [
- Could boosting the gut microbiome be the secret to healthier older age?https://ivpmeducation.com/gut-brain/could-boosting-the-gut-microbiome-be-the-secret-to-healthier-older-age/
- Levy, M., Kolodziejczyk, A., Thaiss, C. et al. Dysbiosis and the immune system. Nat Rev Immunol 17, 219–232 (2017). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28260787
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/anti-inflammatory-drugs-may-aggravate-coronavirus-infection
The information on this article is presented for educational, informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and advice of a qualified licensed professional.
