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Inflammation resolution is a key strategy for escalating COVID-19 symptoms – a new paper and free DrKF webinar replay

From the folks that brought us Specialized Pro-resolving Lipid Mediators (SPMs), comes a new peer-reviewed paper that highlights the potential for SPMs in addressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and cytokine storm in COVID-19. SPMs stimulate macrophage-mediated clearance of cellular debris and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. They also promote anti-viral B cell antibodies and other white blood…

Organs targeted by ACE-2-utilizing viruses like COVID-19

This infographic from Scientist illustrating the many organs that the virus can gain entry to using ACE2 or TMRPSS2 receptors (definitive evidence for viral presence in the various organs is still being established, but the presence of the receptors provides a road map for investigation). Certainly this influences the wide variety of COVID presentations we…

Can Unconventional Immunomodulatory Agents Help Alleviate COVID-19 Symptoms and Severity?

ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the respiratory infection known as COVID-19. From an immunopathological standpoint, coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 induce increased levels of a variety of T-helper 1 (Th1) and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, CCL2 protein, and CXCL10 protein. In…

The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Additional Research on Nutraceuticals and Botanicals

In this paper, the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) added to the list of nutraceuticals and botanicals introduced earlier in their first article, The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Virus-Specific Nutraceutical and Botanical Agents. Periodically, IFM will update the original list to highlight other agents that may be considered as complementary treatments against COVID-19. Along…

Could we be overestimating COVID-19 population infection rates?

We know this virus can be lethal. Our local hospital needed to devote three floors to COVID-19 ICU (this hasn’t occurred in 100 years for influenza)….We know that the receptors (ACE2, TMPRSS2) and the furin cleavage site are why its everywhere in some folks, and why the breadth of signs and symptoms is so broad….(although…

New COVID-19 Peer-Reviewed Publication – Natural Interventions for All Four Phases of the COVID Disease Lifecycle

I am honored to have contributed to this important publication on interventions for all four potential phases of COVID-19 – prevention, infection, inflammation and recovery. In this paper, intended for healthcare professionals, we address: Five key support targets: foundation, Natural Killer cell support, T Helper Type 1 cell support, Anti-inflammatory Support, Anti-Oxidant Support Why underlying…

COVID-19 Illness in Children

COVID-19 Illness in Children

“Mysterious” COVID-19 Illness in Children – Not Such a Mystery After All by Dr. Bird

Many of you have reached out over the past few days with questions about recent reports in the press about a “mysterious” inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 among children. Indeed, there is an apparent uptick in the incidence of what is now being called “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome potentially associated with COVID-19” (PIMS). Though dubbed by the press as mysterious, it is an illness that shares features with several well-known pediatric inflammatory syndromes (most notably Kawasaki Disease and Toxic Shock) and there is widespread consensus in the pediatric community as to what early identification and treatment should look like.

Gas stoves can make indoor air up to five times as dirty as outdoor air

Gas stoves can make indoor air up to five times as dirty as outdoor air Gas stoves emit nitrogen dioxide, often at levels higher than both indoor and outdoor standards for maximum levels as set by the US National Standard, Canadian National Standar, California State Standard and the World Health Organization. This according to a…

Post-COVID: 5 Changes We Will See in Health Care – from Dr. Jeffrey Bland

Dr. Jeff Bland’s latest article is a must-read for anyone thinking about how we can learn from our experience with this pandemic and shape our world for the better.

If you need a nudge to quit – early data shows that smoking worsens COVID outcomes

Several recent scientific publications indicate that smokers are more likely to be admitted to ICU with COVID-19.

Strategies for getting the country back to work while minimizing harm – Smart thinking from Dr. David Katz

If I could choose the path that balances the opposing economic and health drivers of social distancing and isolation, this would probably be it. Dr. David Katz outlines a very smart approach that could at least be applied to future pandemics, if not also to our planning for COVID-19 relaxation of lockdown measures.

COVID case brief using a Functional approach

From DrKF – What’s especially interesting in this case is the less common symptom of oral ulcerations, responded well to frequent saline/iodine gargles. We are seeing several cases like this demonstrating a rapid resolution of symptoms and no complications in healthy individuals. Case clinician: Romilly Hodges CNS Presentation: 45 y/o F in good general…

“COVID toes” seen in children

Dermatologists are reporting an increase of a skin symptom affecting extremities such as hands and feet.

Skinny fat increases the risk for heart disease in young adults

“Skinny fat”, otherwise known as ‘normal-weight obesity’ (NWO), describes the condition of having excess body fat, as a percentage of body mass, even as body-mass index (BMI) is normal.

potassium

potassium

Potassium’s Role in Reducing Hydroxychloroquine Side Effects and Supporting COVID Patients

Recently, we discussed the role of zinc in optimizing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) antiviral benefit. We’ve also been talking about profound potassium (K+) deficiency (hypokalemia) apparently being caused by CoV-2 hijacking of ACE2 receptors.