Category Archives: sleep
Vitamin B1 Is Vital to Protect Against Infectious Disease
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency syndrome (beriberi) has many similarities to sepsis — a primary cause of COVID-19 mortality — and thiamine deficiency is relatively common in critically ill patients in general
- Thiamine deficiency is prevalent in pulmonary tuberculosis, and the more severe the case, the more severe the thiamine deficiency. Thiamine has been shown to limit Mycobacterium tuberculosis by regulating your innate immunity
- Thiamine deficiency is also associated with the development of high fever, and some researchers have suggested that serious infections may in fact be a presenting manifestation of thiamine deficiency
- Clinical case reports have shown thiamine injections reversed a number of acute illnesses in which high fever was a factor, including one case where the patient presented with high fever, headache and asphyxia, and another where the patient had high fever and severe pneumonia
- Thiamine is required for metabolism of some of the metabolites of vitamin C. Vitamin C also works synergistically with corticosteroids, which helps explain why the Marik Sepsis Protocol is so effective. Magnesium may also be important, as it is required for the activation of thiamine
3 Musts for Pregnant Women During the Coronavirus Pandemic
It’s pretty scary for everyone during this time of COVID-19, and doubly so for moms-to-be. Continue reading
Melatonin for Sepsis
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Melatonin plays an important role in your immune function. It has antioxidant and mitochondrial-protective functions, and has been shown to be effective against various bacterial and viral infections
- Melatonin has been shown to reverse septic shock symptoms by decreasing synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines; preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative damage, endotoxemia and metabolic alterations; suppressing gene expression of nitric oxide synthase; and preventing apoptosis (cell death)
- A metabolite of melatonin, 6-hydroxymelatonin, has beneficial effects on sepsis-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and cytokine responses
- Melatonin can also protect against polymicrobial sepsis, i.e., sepsis caused by more than one microbial organism. In this case, melatonin appears to offer protection by having an antibacterial effect on white blood cells called neutrophils
- The inflammasome NLRP3 is a key culprit in acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury, both of which are potential outcomes of COVID-19 infection. Melatonin inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, thus offering potential protection against infection
ANALYSIS: Nearly every person dying from the coronavirus likely has these three things in common
This is an analysis based on current knowledge, not from any published study (yet), but based on everything we know so far, we believe the vast majority of people dying from the coronavirus have one or more of the following things in common: Continue reading
10 Potent herbs to protect your respiratory system
Chronic respiratory conditions can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. From breathlessness to chronic chest pain, respiratory conditions cause a host of complications that can impair the flow of oxygen throughout the body. Continue reading
High Heat May Kill the Coronavirus
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- A recent Chinese investigation suggests COVID-19 is highly sensitive to high temperatures and spreads faster in colder climates; its most rapid spread is occurring at a temperature of 8.72 degrees Celsius (47.7 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Fever is a core mechanism by which your body fights viral infection. You can simulate a fever by raising your core body temperature in a sauna, steam bath, or by engaging in physical movement to induce sweating
- A number of studies have investigated the antiviral effects of sauna bathing. For example, a clinical study involving 50 volunteers showed regular sauna bathers had half the rate of common cold compared to nonusers. Those who use a sauna at least two or three times per week also have a lower risk of influenza and pneumonia
- Sauna use kills bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses and boosts your immune function by increasing white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil and basophil counts. By elevating your core temperature your body also releases heat shock proteins that help block the replication of influenza viruses
- Coronaviruses (as a general group) incubate in your sinuses for about three days before moving down into your lungs, and appears to be destroyed by temperatures around 133 degrees F (56 degrees Celsius), which can easily be reached in a sauna
Coping With Coronavirus Anxiety, Isolation and Loneliness
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- If you’re anxious about getting infected with novel coronavirus or worry about the health of family members, consider trying the Emotional Freedom Techniques to ease your anxiety or the FAST technique from NET
- As governments around the world are issuing social distancing recommendations, more and more people are self-isolating and limiting their face-to-face interactions. While important to curb the spread of infectious disease, self-quarantining can also trigger or worsen feelings of loneliness
- Even without government-recommended social distancing, loneliness is already at “epidemic” levels; 46% of American adults report feeling lonely, 47% say they do not have meaningful in-person social interactions on a daily basis and 43% report feeling isolated
- Ease boredom and stay connected by video chatting with family and friends. Other creative solutions people have come up with include live-streamed DJ sets, online book clubs, cooking classes and other online events conducted via video conferencing or video chats
- For those who were already isolated to begin with, the recommendation to connect through technology may not help much, since they lack a social network. Many of the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and disabled, also lack the technical know-how. For these individuals, the answer really lies in a compassionate reaching out by others, perhaps complete strangers
CO2 Treatments for Coronavirus
A global push to slow the spread of the coronavirus has put more than 1.7 billion people confined to their homes. All of these people need some simple treatments they can do. The perfect treatments for coronavirus need to be safe, widely available, inexpensive, easy to administer and of course effective. The good news is that 100,000 people have recovered from the virus. It is treatable for the vast majority unless one is already near dying from a preexisting condition. Continue reading
The Most Vulnerable Die First
Two years ago I wrote: The CDC has called the 2017-2018 flu an epidemic and in England it’s a pandemic filling up hospitals until its standing room only. They are reporting that more than 50 patients at a time had been left waiting for beds in casualty units, with 120 patients a day being managed in corridors and “some dying prematurely.” Continue reading
6 Natural ways to strengthen the immune system amid the coronavirus outbreak
The immune system is the body’s first line of defense against infection and disease. A healthy immune system can identify pathogens and distinguish these from the body’s cells. However, a weak immune system caused by poor nutrition and lifestyle choices can make the body susceptible to infections, like the coronavirus that is currently ravaging the world. Continue reading
The Truth About Sleep
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Our modern lifestyle, which glamorizes constant internet connectivity and round-the-clock activity, conspires to keep us awake far longer than is healthy
- The standard recommendation for adults is to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Teenagers need around nine hours, while younger school-age children may need upward of 11 hours
- Healthy sleep consists of five general stages, each stage lasting five to 15 minutes, with a complete cycle (light, deep and REM sleep) taking between 90 and 120 minutes. You cycle through these stages four to six times each night, and this cycling is tremendously important, from both a biological and psychological perspective
- So far, 51 DNA markers that appear to influence sleep have been found, including markers for long and short sleep duration, morning and evening personalities, insomnia, and high or low sleep efficiency
- Sleep deprivation has a number of concerning health ramifications, including the promotion of diabetes, excess weight, heart disease, cancer and cognitive decline, just to name a few
The Impact of Effective Handwashing Against Infection
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- To effectively wash your hands, use soap and running water, lather up and scrub for at least 20 seconds, and be sure to wash your fingertips and between your fingers
- Forget the hot air hand dryer or cloth towels and use a folded paper towel to increase absorbency
- By washing your hands you can prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria, which may slow the spread of antibiotic resistance
- Washing your hands too frequently may damage the skin barrier and trigger cracks in your skin that allow germs into your body
- Build a strong immune system by avoiding processed foods and sugar, supporting your gut microbiome, eating foods high in vitamins and minerals and getting quality sleep
Spanish flu: The deadliest pandemic in history
Reference article: Facts about the Spanish flu.
In 1918, a strain of influenza known as Spanish flu caused a global pandemic, spreading rapidly and killing indiscriminately. Young, old, sick and otherwise-healthy people all became infected, and at least 10% of patients died. Continue reading
Meditate Before You Sleep: Here’s What You Need To Know
Meditation is known for a long time as an effective method of relieving stress and calming your mental state. Its effects vary from mental, emotional, and physical attributions. From reducing stress levels to improving focus, meditation is a popular health and wellness practice that enhances the quality of life. Continue reading