During a June 8, 2020, press briefing, Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead for the COVID-19 pandemic, made it very clear that people who have COVID-19 without any symptoms “rarely” transmit the disease to others. In a dramatic about-face, WHO then backtracked on the statement just one day later. In the video above, you can watch Van Kerkhove yourself, but she explains that in countries that are doing contact tracing, in which the contacts of infected people are traced, notified and quarantined, asymptomatic cases are being followed, and they’re not giving the disease to others:
Ivor Cummins, biochemist and chief program officer for Irish Heart Disease Awareness, tweeted of the video:1
‘I Wasn’t Stating a Policy of WHO’June 9, 2020, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s emergencies program, quickly backpedaled Van Kerkhove’s statement, saying the remarks were “misinterpreted or maybe we didn’t use the most elegant words to explain that.”2 Van Kerkhove also stated that the data she mentioned only came from a “small subset of studies,” and added:3
The “official” response to the pandemic has been mired with controversies, contradictions and mix-ups, and this WHO response is no different. But when data suggest that the vast majority of COVID-19 cases may be asymptomatic,4 then suggesting that this subset of cases doesn’t spread the disease is significant, and would change the recommended rhetoric regarding proper social distancing, masks and lockdowns for those without symptoms. For instance, between March 22, 2020, and April 4, 2020, 215 pregnant women admitted to a hospital in New York City were screened on admission for symptoms of COVID-19 and tested for the virus. Only 1.9% of the women had fever or other COVID-19 symptoms, and all of them tested positive. Of the remaining women who were tested even though they had no symptoms, 13.7% were positive. This means that, overall, 87.9% of the women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had no symptoms.5 At least one systematic review and meta-analysis further found that transmission among such cases may be “unlikely.”6 Asymptomatic Transmission Rates of Zero to 2.2%A preprint systematic review and meta-analysis, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, noted, “The prevalence of true asymptomatic COVID-19 cases is critical to policy makers considering the effectiveness of mitigation measures against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.”7 As such, they set out to analyze all available research on rates of asymptomatic disease and transmission. Overall, they screened 998 articles from six countries that tested 21,035 at-risk people. Of them, 559 were positive and 83 were asymptomatic. In this analysis, the proportion of asymptomatic cases ranged from 4% to 41%, with a fixed effect proportion of 15%. While four of the studies showed evidence of asymptomatic forward transmission, they “suggested considerably lower rates than symptomatic cases.” Specifically, rates of transmission from asymptomatic cases ranged from none to 2.2%, compared to 0.8% to 15.4% for symptomatic cases.8 The researchers concluded:9
WHO Says Asymptomatic Cases Less Likely to Transmit VirusWhile WHO quickly distanced itself from the notion that asymptomatic cases aren’t likely to be a significant source of transmission, they stated as such in a June 5, 2020, update to guidance on the use of masks for COVID-19. “Comprehensive studies on transmission from asymptomatic individuals are difficult to conduct, but the available evidence from contact tracing reported by Member States suggests that asymptomatically-infected individuals are much less likely to transmit the virus than those who develop symptoms,” WHO’s interim guidance states.10 Van Kerkhove also noted in the video that focusing on isolating symptomatic cases would lead to a drastic reduction in transmission. "It [COVID-19] passes from an individual through infectious droplets. If we actually followed all of the symptomatic cases, isolated those cases, followed the contacts and quarantined those cases, we would drastically reduce — I would love to be able to give a proportion of how much transmission we would actually stop — but it would be a drastic reduction in transmission," she said. A number of health organizations also clapped back at WHO’s initial statement, citing studies showing that asymptomatic patients can and do spread disease. However, even some of those studies may be misleading. In January 2020, for instance, The New England Journal of Medicine published an article suggesting the transmission of COVID-19 is possible from an asymptomatic carrier.11 The writers reported a 33-year-old businessman had met with his business partner from Shanghai between January 19 and 22, 2020. January 24, 2020, the businessman developed a fever and productive cough. The next evening, he felt better and went back to work January 27. The writers reported the partner had been "well with no signs or symptoms of infection, but had become ill on her flight back to China, where she tested positive for 2019-nCoV on January 26." From this case study, they theorized the virus could be transmitted from asymptomatic carriers. An important point was left out, which is that the researchers did not speak with the partner from Shanghai before publication. However, Germany's public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), did speak with the woman on the phone, and she reported she did have symptoms while in Germany.12 In response, the Public Health Agency of Sweden updated their website's FAQ page with the following information:13
Walking Backward for Gates’ VaccineThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the biggest funder of WHO, and Bill Gates, along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID),14 are among those who have stated that life cannot return to normal until there is a vaccine against COVID-19. “Humankind has never had a more urgent task than creating broad immunity for coronavirus,” Gates wrote on his blog in April 2020. “Realistically, if we’re going to return to normal, we need to develop a safe, effective vaccine. We need to make billions of doses, we need to get them out to every part of the world, and we need all of this to happen as quickly as possible.”15 Gates has even stated he “suspect[s] the COVID-19 vaccine will become part of the routine newborn immunization schedule.”16 In other words, a novel vaccine that alters your DNA and RNA — turning your body into an antigen-producing factory — will be given to newborns, if Gates has his way. However, if the pandemic suddenly becomes less of a perceived threat to the public — such as if symptomatic cases, which are easier to spot, are the primary transmitters, or if transmission is “drastically reduced” just by isolating symptomatic cases and quarantining their contacts — the need for a vaccine becomes less obvious, and fewer people may be willing to act as guinea pigs to try out the experimental shot. Many are not aware that, in 2017, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which was founded by the Gates Foundation in partnership with WHO, the World Bank and various vaccine manufacturers, decided to provide every child with a digital biometric identity, which would simultaneously store the child’s vaccination records. Without such a system, a 100% immunization rate simply cannot be reached, Gavi CEO Seth Berkley said. Shortly thereafter, Gavi became a founding member of the ID2020 Alliance, alongside Microsoft and the Rockefeller Foundation. In 2019, Gates developed a novel vaccine delivery method using fluorescent microdot tags — essentially creating an invisible “tattoo” — that can then be read with a modified smartphone. As reported by investigative journalist James Corbett:
Again, all of this grand plan hinges on the COVID-19 pandemic remaining a threat. With his call for a tracking system to keep tabs on infected/noninfected and vaccinated/unvaccinated individuals, he’s ensuring an unimaginably profitable future for the vaccine makers he supports and makes money from via his Foundation investments. So, it’s not surprising that WHO walked back their statement that asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is “very rare” — what’s surprising is that they let it slip out in the first place. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/23/who-says-covid-19-asymptomatic-transmission-is-rare.aspx
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The workings of the human immune system are fascinating and especially important during the coronavirus outbreak. While the immune system's armamentarium of stem cells, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells and other fighters is impressive, so is the armamentarium that a virus uses to invade cells and make them factories to replicate it. A vivid and entertaining video, "The Amazing Immunology of our Viral Issue — and Herd Immunity Revelations!" describes the ongoing war between your immune system and an invading virus, such as COVID-19. It was recently created by Ivor Cummins, a chemical engineer who runs the health website "The Fat Emperor."1 Creon Levit, chief scientist of Planet Labs, was the guest. Levit, who has collaborated with top immunologists, is a professional applied physicist who previously served as an aerospace engineer at NASA for over 35 years.2 Planet Labs is a private satellite data company that operates over 300 imaging satellites in the Earth's low orbit.3 In "The Amazing Immunology of our Viral Issue — and Herd Immunity Revelations!" Levit showcases in bright charts and visuals the many intricacies and cell signalings that enable the immune system to fight viruses like COVID-19 as well as how viruses like COVID-19 can fight back. An especially burning question that Levit and Cummins address is if and how herd immunity can be achieved against COVID-19. They reach some surprising findings. Antibody Testing Is Not Predictive for COVID-19It is commonly believed that the only people who may have become immune to COVID-19 are those who show antibodies when they are tested, says Cummins, and a country's "herd immunity" is often based on the results of such tests. For example, if 7% or 8% of a population have antibodies, it is assumed that a country has only that low percent of herd immunity. This is a misconception, say both men in the video. The science suggests that people may have a significant amount of de facto or effective immunity without showing antibodies, they say. For example, some people, referred to as "denatured" or "barriered" cases, may have been exposed to the virus but, unlike those around them, did not become ill. According to Lev:4
According to Cummins, if such people "get past" the virus "they're not going to be a spreader … unless they get a huge viral load that's much bigger" should the virus come along again. These people may not be contributors to herd immunity per se but they are "less susceptible" to getting the disease, clarifies Levit.5 Other People May Also Have De Facto ImmunityOther people may contribute to a region's herd immunity too, yet are often not detected through current antibody tests that are administered. Among these people are those considered to have an “innate" or "cleared" status, which means, according to Levit:6
Such generalized immune responses that can recognize and fight viruses that have never been encountered before are seen throughout the animal world, especially in primitive animals and even in microbial life, says Levit.7
The Role of T Cells in ImmunityAccording to the video, mammalian immune systems have evolved to target specific viruses or families of viruses and are all based on T cells — lymphocytes produced or processed by the thymus gland. If someone is infected with a virus, their body can mount a T cell response targeting that particular virus and the infected cells, especially when they have immunological memory. Immunological memory is a well-known concept, says Levit:
Prior infection with SARS or other coronaviruses like the common cold may provide such prior immunity and immunological memory, says Levit.8 Your T cell system may act to clear your body of the infection caused by similar but not identical viruses. Notably, he says, this can happen "without generating a host of antibodies." Moreover, says Levit, COVID-19 antibody tests "only test for a small fraction of the possible antibodies against COVID." How T Cells WorkOne of the most amazing immune system components depicted in "The Amazing Immunology of our Viral Issue" are T cells. Their intuition and adaptability in fighting invading viruses is just short of miraculous. According to Levit there are:9
Other Immune Responses May Not Produce AntibodiesB cells, lymphocytes not processed by the thymus gland, T cells and MHC (major histocompatibility complex) genes that encode major antigens can also mount immunological responses, says Levit.10
People who have successfully fought COVID-19 this way "are contributing to herd immunity in the society but without triggering the test," Cummins summarizes. Those who are tested for COVID-19 antibodies but receive a "false negative" result when they actually harbor the coronavirus' antibodies also contribute to herd immunity. It is not clear how often this happens, the men agree. Viruses Can Trick the Immune SystemA virus' "agenda" is to replicate itself in a host's cells. Unlike bacteria, a virus cannot reproduce on its own. But, says Levit, if a thousand viruses get into your body from someone's sneeze and they don't get into your cells to reproduce, they do no harm. "There's just a thousand floating around and they go nowhere."11 The many proteins that the virus needs to replicate and infect other cells "are buried inside the virus where antibodies will never see it," so they will not trigger a response "when the virus is freely floating around" in this manner, says Levit. But, and it is a big but, viruses are cagey and use spike proteins to invade a host's cells, points out Levig.12
Ideally, the body's immune system will not let the virus enter, says Levit.13
Your Immune System Is AmazingAt the conclusion of this excellent video, you can't help but be amazed at the intelligence of your immune system in mobilizing defenses against viruses like COVID-19 as well as other pathogens. The subtle ways in which your immune system recognizes invading viruses also suggest that herd immunity against COVID-19 may be much higher than that estimated by public health officials. As Levit summarizes at the end of the video:14
One conclusion that can be drawn from the video is that antibody tests as a basis for projected herd immunity are clearly not effective. Those who may have been infected do not necessarily harbor antibodies, including asymptomatic people whose illnesses were not detectable.15 At the video's close, Cummins expresses awe at the many-faceted human immune system designed to keep you healthy and promote herd immunity.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/22/immune-system.aspx All things considered, vitamin D optimization is likely the easiest, least expensive and most beneficial strategy that anyone can do to minimize their risk of COVID-19 and other infections in the coming months. Health authorities are already warning of a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall, which means the time to start addressing your vitamin D level is NOW. We also have a pandemic of vitamin D deficiency, as more than 1 billion individuals worldwide, across all age groups, are deficient in vitamin D.1,2,3,4 Vitamin D deficiency has now been identified as a significant risk factor for positive COVID-19 status,5,6 severe COVID-19 infection7,8,9,10 and death thereof.11,12 I discuss this in "Vitamin D Is Directly Correlated to COVID-19 Outcome." In one study,13,14 which looked at data from 780 hospital patients in Indonesia, those with a vitamin D level between 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and 30 ng/mL had a sevenfold higher risk of death than those with a level above 30 ng/mL. Having a level below 20 ng/mL was associated with a 12 times higher risk of death. To improve your immune function and lower your risk of viral infections, you'll want to raise your vitamin D to a level between 60 ng/mL and 80 ng/mL by fall. In Europe, the measurements you're looking for are 150 nmol/L and 200 nmol/L. If vitamin D levels were increased in the global population, tens of thousands of people may be saved if or when COVID-19 reemerges. While prospective controlled studies demonstrating vitamin D's effectiveness in COVID-19 are still lacking, there are many such studies underway. You can review the status of these trials on clinicaltrials.gov.15 As of early June 2020, more than 20 studies had been launched to investigate the benefits of vitamin D against COVID-19. The Most Important Paper I've Ever WrittenFor the last three weeks, I have been writing a comprehensive report on vitamin D in the prevention of COVID-19. The report has been reviewed by many vitamin D scientists for accuracy. This was done to develop a resource that everyone can share to help educate others. We will soon be launching a campaign to educate and inspire everyone, everywhere, to start optimizing their vitamin D level NOW. Please download my paper here, and share it with everyone you know. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< The purpose of this report is to help you understand why it is so important to optimize vitamin levels for healthy immune functions and then provide you with a detailed strategy of how to do that. This report can be used as a tool to teach your friends, family and community about why and how to be prepared for the next pandemic. In it, I review the science of how your immune system works, and the regulatory role of vitamin D. I also explain how vitamin D reduces your risk of COVID-19 specifically, and how it helps suppress and control both acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storms, which is a primary cause of death in COVID-19. Darker-Skinned Individuals Need More Vitamin DVitamin D optimization is particularly important for dark-skinned individuals, as the darker your skin, the more sun exposure you need to raise your vitamin D level. Increased skin pigmentation reduces the efficacy of UVB because melanin functions as a natural sunblock. If you're very dark-skinned, you may need to spend about 1.5 hours a day in the sun to have any noticeable effect. For many working adults and school-age children, this simply isn't feasible. Light-skinned individuals may only need 15 minutes of full sun exposure a day, which is far easier to achieve. Still, they too will typically struggle to maintain ideal levels during the winter. During the winter months at latitudes of greater than 40°, little or no UVB radiation reaches the surface of the earth. That said, residence at low latitude does not guarantee adequate vitamin D levels, since social and cultural norms may limit sun exposure.16 As noted in the MedCram video above, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are at an increased risk of death from COVID-19. While some have blamed this racial disparity on health care access, a far more likely reason for this is because dark-skinned individuals are far more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. In fact, the paper cited by MedCram specifically looked at ethnic disparities in COVID-19 mortality among patients in England, where health care is freely available to all, so the health care access rationale doesn't seem to hold water. Vitamin D Supplementation Recommended to Quell MortalityThe role of vitamin D is addressed in a reply17 by vitamin D researchers William Grant and Barbara Boucher to The BMJ editorial "Is Ethnicity Linked to Incidence or Outcomes of COVID-19?" They write, in part:
Grant and Boucher go on to cite data from studies reviewed in "Vitamin D Combats Viral Infections and Boosts Immune System," which features my interview with vitamin D experts Bruce Hollis, Ph.D., Carole Baggerly and Dr. Carol Wagner. All of these researchers reviewed the vitamin D report I wrote for accuracy. Grant and Boucher recommend advising the public to supplement vitamin D daily, especially black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, indoor workers, shift workers, the elderly, those in residential care or those confined to their homes, as well as those who are obese. Doing so might reduce COVID-19 severity and prevent unnecessary deaths.
Sunscreen Advice Counters Lifesaving Vitamin D MessageRemarkably, while the importance of vitamin D against COVID-19 is becoming more widely recognized by doctors, some are still advising against either sun exposure or vitamin D supplementation, or both. Some, such as Dr. Pieter Cohen, an internal medicine physician at Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts and an associate professor medicine at Harvard Medical School, is even discouraging people from getting their vitamin D level tested to see if they're deficient!18 A June 1, 2020, report on Today.com states:19
The advice to wear sunscreen while getting "incidental" sun exposure is medically irrational and incorrect, since sunscreen filters out the very ultraviolet rays that trigger vitamin D production in your skin. In order for sensible sun exposure to work, you need unprotected exposure. Just make sure you don't get sunburned. All you need is to stay out until your skin turns the lightest shade of pink. After that, cover up with long sleeves and pants. Manson is, however, starting a clinical trial to see whether taking a vitamin D supplement every day for a month after testing positive for COVID-19 might reduce the severity of any subsequent illness. The study will also assess whether vitamin D supplementation among other people in the same household might prevent them from developing COVID-19 when one family member has tested positive.20 This is one of many prospective randomized controlled studies currently in progress seeking to find scientifically determine if vitamin D does indeed reduce the risk of COVID-19. If you are curious about the status of any of these studies or potentially even enrolling in any of them you can visit this link. Help Us Spread the Word!It is my sincere hope and desire that all of you will help us in this effort to spread the word about vitamin D and get your friends and family on board to get their vitamin levels optimized. We need a citizen army of activists to spread the word. My vitamin D report can help you in this effort. I urge you to share it with everyone you know. I hope to collaborate with all the major natural medical sites to participate in this process. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Part of the strategy will be to share this information with influencers in the black community, such as pastors of black churches. They have the most to lose should a second wave of COVID-19 emerge because of their historically low levels of vitamin D. It will also be important to reach out to mangers of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as the elderly also have notoriously low vitamin D levels that put them at greater risk of COVID-19. Remember, you now have a known "deadline" for optimizing your vitamin D level. Historically, December typically has highest flu activity in the U.S.,21 but it would probably be good to aim for October, or maybe even earlier depending on your location. Again, the level you're aiming for is between 60 ng/mL and 80 ng/mL by fall. In Europe, the measurements you're looking for are 150 nmol/L and 200 nmol/L. In my vitamin D report, I detail how to go about doing this, but here's a quick summary of the key steps: 1. First, measure your vitamin D level -- One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of measuring your vitamin D level is to participate in the GrassrootsHealth's personalized nutrition project, which includes a vitamin D testing kit. Once you know what your blood level is, you can assess the dose needed to maintain or improve your level. The easiest way to raise your level is by getting regular, sensible sun exposure, as discussed above. If you cannot get enough vitamin D from the sun (you can use the DMinder app22 to see how much vitamin D your body can make depending on your location and other individual factors), then you'll need an oral supplement. As detailed in "Magnesium and K2 Optimize Your Vitamin D Supplementation," it's strongly recommended to take magnesium and K2 concomitant with oral vitamin D. 2. Assess your individualized vitamin D dosage -- To do that, you can either use the chart below, or use GrassrootsHealth's Vitamin D*calculator. To convert ng/mL into the European measurement (nmol/L), simply multiply the ng/mL measurement by 2.5. To calculate how much vitamin D you may be getting from regular sun exposure in addition to your supplemental intake, use the DMinder app.23 3. Retest in three to six months -- Lastly, you'll need to remeasure your vitamin D level in three to six months, to evaluate how your sun exposure and/or supplement dose is working for you. I believe we have a good chance of preventing a second wave of COVID-19, but to do that, we need people to take action to protect their health and strengthen their immune function. Please help us in this lifesaving effort by sharing my vitamin D report. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Again, the target populations are the elderly and people of color. It's now beyond evident that COVID-19 affects the elderly far more severely, on average, than younger individuals, and those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities seem to be an extraordinarily increased risk of dying from COVID-19. As you can see in the graphic below from June 2020, 42% of deaths occurred in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Add to that the increased hospitalization rate and mortality among people of color, and it should be easy to see that targeting these two groups with common-sense strategies such as vitamin D optimization can, and most likely will, have a tremendous impact. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/22/vitamin-d-deficiency-research-paper.aspx The outbreak of SARS CoV-2 took the world by surprise. While it was only revealed in December 2019, by February 15, 2020, a Nature article recorded more than 80 clinical trials underway to test treatments.1 These ranged from studies involving such things as Traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, stem cells from menstrual blood, and HIV drugs and malaria medications. The virus can trigger a wide range of symptoms that affect people differently. The acronym SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, as it often attacks lung cells.2 Symptoms can appear from two to 14 days after exposure and may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and muscle or body aches.3 The virus that triggers COVID-19 is not the same as those that cause the common cold or flu, yet many of the symptoms are similar. An upper respiratory tract infection causes irritation and swelling with cough and it’s one of the most common illnesses in children.4 Symptoms include headache, cough, congestion, fatigue and achy muscles and bones. Flu is also a respiratory infection that generally affects up to 20% of those living in the United States each year.5 The symptoms are like the common cold, but they usually stick around longer and tend to be worse. Flu can lead to pneumonia, sinus infections and a worsening of other chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes. Elderberry May Boost Ability to Combat Viral InfectionsWhat each of these conditions has in common is a viral attack on lung tissue. Of course, each of the viruses use different pathways and cause varying degrees of severity. For instance, the CDC estimates that up to 50% with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, or don’t have any symptoms.6 Elderberries have been used for many years to help treat upper respiratory infections. They are the fruit of the sambucus tree, the most important of which is sambucus nigra.7 The plant is also called the black elderberry and European elder with documented origins dating back to 2000 BC in Switzerland.8 Hippocrates was among the first physicians known to use elderberries.9 Currently, the fruit is available in various supplement forms such as gummies, syrups, pills and lozenges.10 In one study, researchers found that elderberries directly inhibited the ability of flu viruses to enter cells and replicate.11 The same results have been found in past studies, but in this one scientists examined the exact mechanism using commercially cultivated elderberry. Researchers from the University of Sydney were surprised to find that elderberry juice effectively inhibited replication of flu viruses after the cells had been infected.12 This is significant, since blocking the virus at different stages increases the potential for an intervention to help prevent infection. Anthocyanidin compounds, which are phytonutrients responsible for the fruit’s intense color, were credited with reducing viral activity. The results of this study supported past research in which adults suffering flu-like symptoms took elderberry syrup and experienced an average four-day faster recovery.13 Elderberry Is a Powerful AntiviralResearch on treatments for COVID-19 were started using those interventions previously used with SARS, MERS and/or influenza. In a recent paper, scholars called for the testing of elderberry supplements against COVID-19 as it has been “effective in cold and influenza by randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and meta-analysis.”14 The authors of this paper believe the use of products made from the fruit should be carefully guided, as “Elderberry supplements can be used in those with COVID-19 at an early course of disease, if you understand the previous efficacy of these and potential adverse effects.”15 In one investigation, researchers studied people traveling in airplanes as a test of the effectiveness that elderberries may have in infection rates and severity of the common cold.16 The clinical trial involved 312 economy-class travelers embarking on an international flight from Australia. Data were collected on cold episodes, duration and symptoms. There was no statistically significant difference in infection rate between individuals taking elderberry syrup and those who didn't. However, participants who did not take elderberry had a significantly longer duration of cold days and severity of symptoms. In a study published in late November 2019, researchers showed that elderberry syrup was effective against a strain of human coronavirus. They said, “Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), one of the main circulating HCoVs worldwide, causes respiratory tract illnesses like runny nose, cough, bronchiolitis and pneumonia.”17 Although not identical to COVID-19, the virus is a member of the same coronavirus family. In this study the researchers found that an ethanol extract of Sambucus Formosana Nakai had strong potential against HCoV-NL63. In a separate study using sambucus nigra against infectious bronchitis virus, a pathogenic chicken coronavirus, a research team discovered that in cell culture, the extract can inhibit the virus at the point of infection.18 Dr. Irina Todorov, integrative medicine physician, was quoted in the Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials talking about elderberry syrup. She said:19
A meta-analysis was conducted in 2018 to examine the effects of elderberry supplementation in individuals with upper respiratory symptoms; the study team considered vaccination status in their evaluation.20 Supplementation significantly reduced participants’ upper respiratory symptoms, with the authors noting that their findings:21
Elderberry Promotes a Balanced Immune SystemOne concern expressed by some experts is that elderberries could promote a cytokine storm. Cytokines are protein molecules produced by the body during an immune response. In some with COVID-19, this response is as destructive as the viral infection. It's sometimes described as a runaway reaction triggered by a feedback loop that ultimately can result in death. Blocking the hyperinflammatory immune response is one pathway researchers are investigating to reduce the damage done by the body's reaction to the virus.22 The impact of a cytokine storm on individuals who are suffering from viral infection is a significant reason for COVID-19 deaths. The question of cytokine storms related to botanical nutraceuticals was first raised in 2009 during the H5N1 flu pandemic.23 However, it has become apparent that there is an incomplete understanding of cytokine behavior. Paul Bergner, director of the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism, commented to a New Hope Network reporter that:24
Chris Masterjohn, Ph.D. believes he found the source of the first claim that elderberry could increase the risk of a cytokine storm. He traced it to a blog that is run by a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer, whose post was distributed through the internet through Reddit.25 Masterjohn writes that in 2009, there was one randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which researchers tested the concept in humans who took 500 mg of elderberry extract every day for 12 weeks.26 In this study, the participants showed no difference in their inflammatory markers. This suggests that elderberries do not raise levels of inflammatory cytokines or contribute to a cytokine storm with flu or COVID-19. However, the participants were healthy and without infection, so Masterjohn dove deeper into other lab and animal experiments. He reported that cytokine storms also happen to individuals with a severe case of flu. However, in two randomized control trials in people with flu who were using elderberry, cytokine storms did not occur. After a methodical review of the published literature, Masterjohn concluded:27
Nutrient Power in ElderberriesOne of the reasons elderberries may have so many health benefits is that they are packed with nutrients. Fresh elderberries have about 36 mg of vitamin C for every 100 grams of fruit.28 Although oranges have about 15 grams more per 96 gram serving, the little purple power-packed fruit has less sugar.29,30 Elderberries also have 12% of the recommended daily value of vitamin A and 11% of vitamin B6. They are a good source of flavanols, including quercetin,31 which is known to have zinc ionophore activity.32 Another of the biologically active components of elderberries is phenolic acid.33 These are known to have anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic qualities.34 Anthocyanins are antioxidants that give the fruit its characteristic purple color and have strong anti-inflammatory effects.35 Based on human and animal studies, researchers have found that anthocyanins induce anti-inflammatory effects and have anticarcinogenic activity.36 Antioxidants, including those found in elderberries, can help prevent chronic disease.37 Some Precautions With Fresh ElderberriesElderberry extract has shown promising potential benefits, which you can read more about in “Elderberry Confirmed as Immunity Booster.” However, it's wise to take heed that the bark, seeds and unripe berries contain small amounts of lectin.38 As I’ve written about before, lectins have been linked to autoimmune reactions and inflammation. Additionally, in some instances the elderberry plants can release cyanide.39 Symptoms of eating uncooked berries, leaves and roots are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.40 Cooked berries and commercial elderberry syrup and supplements do not contain harmful substances. However, there is not enough data to establish safety for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Safety for pregnant women and nursing mothers has not been established. It is always important to speak with your practitioner before taking any medication while pregnant or breastfeeding. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/22/elderberry-can-reduce-upper-respiratory-symptoms.aspx 1 Which of these nutrients work in tandem with vitamin D and will significantly improve your vitamin D level using a lower dosage when taken concomitantly with vitamin D?
2 Which of the following is likely the greatest threat to humanity?
3 Which of the following platforms are actively suppressing or banning Mercola.com content?
4 The United States of America is:
5 What does scientific evidence say about face masks?
6 How many different species of bats are there?
7 Which of the following presents the greatest threat to public health and human life on earth?
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/22/week-135-health-quiz.aspx Jonathan Latham, Ph.D., is a molecular biologist and a virologist, which is a great skillset to help us understand the origins of SARS-CoV-2. Latham reviews some really intriguing evidence in this interview. He’s also the editor of Independent Science News. By and large, the mainstream media are still protecting the narrative that SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotically transmitted virus originating in bats. Much of the evidence for this comes from Shi Zhengli, a researcher at the biosafety 4 laboratory in Wuhan, China. As the leading Chinese bat coronavirus researcher, her career has been focused on studying bat coronaviruses for over a decade. In a recent article,1 Latham and Allison Wilson, Ph.D., dissect research showing this theory simply doesn’t hold water.
Lab Origin Theory No. 1Latham’s article lays out several different lab origin hypotheses. The simplest one is that researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology or another virology BSL-2 lab that's even closer to the wet market speculated to be the origin of SARS-CoV-2. In that process, one of them got infected and then passed it on to coworkers or family, either because they didn’t properly quarantine or didn’t realize they were infected. This is not the most likely of hypotheses for the simple reason that few naturally occurring bat coronaviruses identified have the ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors, which is what allows them to infect human cells in the first place. In order for this theory to work, the virus would have to circulate among many people, evolving slightly with each pass. Lab Origin Theory No. 2Another theory is that the researchers were cloning a bat virus similar to SARS-CoV-2 in the lab in an effort to make a more infectious clone. Perhaps they placed the virus in monkey cells, humanized mice cells or human cells with an ACE-2 receptor expressed in them. A researcher may then have been accidentally infected.
Lab Origin Theory No. 3A third possibility is that they were collecting samples and looking at genetic sequences in order to find a virus they could then alter, giving it more interesting properties. Perhaps they found some with the spike protein that had a greater affinity for the ACE2 receptor. By combining it with another virus, they may have been able to create — through genetic engineering — a more infectious virus. The reason for mixing and matching viruses in the lab in this way is to identify potential pandemic pathogens (PPP). Meaning, two wild viruses, if they come in contact with another, might mutate into something deadly to humans.
Genetic Engineering Doesn’t Necessarily Leave MarksMany who defend the all-natural zoonotic origin story justify their stance by saying there are no signs of genetic manipulation. Like several other scientists, Latham points out there are ways you can manipulate a virus without leaving telltale markers. He explains the basics of the genetic engineering process:
The Most Likely ScenarioAs noted by Latham, until the passaged virus has been genetically sequenced, there’s no telling exactly what it looks like, or how it might act. It’s fairly random in that sense. Latham explains:
In this way, you can create a virus with high affinity for human cells, even though it wasn’t infectious to humans in the beginning. One of the key features of SARS-CoV-2 is its spike protein has high affinity for the human ACE2 receptor. The question is, how did this affinity arise?
Leaks Have Caused Other Global PandemicsThe wild H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 flu pandemic was extinct for decades. However, in 1977, there appears to have been a biosafety lab leak in China or Russia in which that virus escaped, causing a global pandemic.
The H1N1 virus was temperature sensitive, and one of the things you use when you're making vaccine is a temperature-sensitive virus — a partially disabled virus.
Naturally, the notion that a biosafety lab leak would be responsible for a lethal pandemic is an uncomfortable one, especially for virologists doing that kind of work. An outbreak of equine encephalitis in Venezuela has also been traced back to a laboratory leak. Then there’s the H1N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009. Latham says:
Latham also addresses suspicions that HIV AIDS came from a polio vaccine, so for more details, listen to the interview. This was described in the book “The River: A Journey Back to the Source of HIV and AIDS,” by Edward Hooper, and reviewed in a British Medical Journal article that you can read for free.2 SIV from infected monkey kidney cells that were used to create polio vaccines and used on hundreds of thousands of Africans are also suspected of being the cause of certain cancers. Safety Breaches at Wuhan LabMany safety breaches have been documented at biosafety labs around the world, including the Wuhan lab. Several were documented by U.S. Embassy officials who visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2018.
BSLs Promote High-Tech Solutions Rather Than Hygiene BasicsThere can be no doubt that biosafety level 4 labs pose a tremendous threat to public health, seeing how they house the most dangerous pathogens in the world, and leaks are inevitable. The question is, are these risks worth it? As noted by Latham, the existence of these laboratories drive the vaccine agenda while old-fashioned commonsense hygiene strategies such as hand-washing and protective gear fall by the wayside. The risks posed by these labs also fit right into the surveillance capitalism now getting a hard push through the roll-out of disease tracking and tracing mechanisms.
That money could also go to more basic strategies such as vitamin D supplements to build up the population’s immune system. Cover-Up at Wuhan Institute of Virology ExposedLatham and Wilson are also planning to write about what they believe is a cover-up at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The nearest living ancestor of SARS-CoV-2 is a viral sequence currently stored in the Wuhan lab. It’s said to have been kept frozen for the past seven years and nothing has been done with it. This sequence came from bats living in a mine, and people who have worked in the mine have died of viral infections. In other words, they’ve had a strong reason to look into that virus sequence, and that one also happens to be the closest relative to SARS-CoV-2. Shi published one of the first viral sequences of SARS-CoV-2.
In a nutshell, SARS-CoV-2 is quite possibly not a new virus. A highly conserved close ancestor was already in the database under the name BtCoV/4991. It was already in the published literature. However, when the Wuhan Lab resequenced the mineshaft sample following the COVID-19 outbreak, they simply renamed that old virus that’s been on ice for seven years.
Shi’s genetic sequencing paper basically pretends the 4991 sequence never existed. “They've forgotten all about it; that would be the interpretation of reading their paper,” Latham says. A second paper released within that three-day span identifies 4991 as the nearest living relative, and states that it comes from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The third sequence paper does a complicated phylogenetic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, yet it too fails to mention that the nearest living relative is 4991 and held in the Wuhan lab.
Public Health Rethink Is in OrderEven if 4991 isn’t a 100% match to SARS-CoV-2 (which sequencing of the whole genome would reveal), it could be close enough that you wouldn’t even need a whole lot of gain-of-function experiments to end up with a highly transmissible virus. According to Latham, “That's exactly the kind of thing that could have happened.” In closing, as noted by Latham, the big picture question is, do we really want to be spending taxpayer money on all of these public health models that rely on biosafety/bioweapons research? The justification for doing this kind of research on viruses is to prepare us for potentially devastating outbreaks, should the viruses evolve and mutate in the wild. Yet, that same research ends up being the source of our most dangerous outbreaks. As noted by Latham:
As Latham points out, the reason some wild viruses emerge is because we’re destroying rainforest and building roads into remote areas. People end up catching the viruses because animals are fleeing the destruction of the forest. So, why are we blaming the wildlife trade? If anything, we need to address the destruction of the animals’ native habitats. That, however, would be very bad for Daszak’s business because the EcoHealth Alliance is in partnership with the palm oil industry.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/21/coronavirus-lab-origin.aspx Nutrient deficiencies can take a heavy toll on your health, and this includes increasing your risk of severe outcomes in the case of viral infections like COVID-19. Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin most known for its role in blood clotting and found in foods like spinach, eggs and certain cheeses, is among the latest to be called out for its potential protective role against COVID-19, which may cause blood clotting degradation of elastic fibers in your lungs. Both thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel, and coagulopathy, which is a condition in which your blood’s ability to form clots is impaired, are prevalent in severe COVID-19 cases and are linked to decreased survival rates from the disease,1 which otherwise tends to cause mild or no symptoms in the majority of those affected. “Coagulation is an intricate balance between clot promoting and dissolving processes in which vitamin K plays a well-known role,” Dutch researchers wrote in a Preprints study,2 leading them to suggest that vitamin K levels may be low in people with severe COVID-19. Low Vitamin K Linked to Severe COVID-19 and Poor OutcomesTo test their hypothesis, researchers studied 123 patients admitted to the Canisius Wilhelmina hospital in Nijmegen, a city in The Netherlands, with COVID-19 along with 184 control patients. Both vitamin K levels and elastin degradation were measured, with vitamin K assessed by measuring desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP), which is inversely related to vitamin K status. Elastin degradation was measured via desmosine, an amino acid found in tendons and a component of elastin. COVID-19 patients with unfavorable outcomes had significantly higher levels of dp-ucMGP, indicating low vitamin K, compared to those with less severe disease. Dp-ucMGP was also significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients compared to those without the disease, and dp-ucMGP and desmosine levels were significantly associated.3 According to the researchers:4
Study author Dr. Rob Janssen was in support of vitamin K levels to boost vitamin K levels, except for people taking anticlotting medications. Speaking to The Guardian, he noted, “We do have an intervention which does not have any side effects, even less than a placebo. There is one major exception: people on anticlotting medication. It is completely safe in other people. My advice would be to take those vitamin K supplements. Even if it does not help against severe Covid-19, it is good for your blood vessels, bones and probably also for the lungs.”5 You can also find vitamin K in a variety of foods. Two Types of Vitamin K and Where to Find ThemThere are two types of vitamin K: phylloquinone, or vitamin K1, and menaquinones, or vitamin K2. Vitamin K1 is derived from green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli and cabbage, and is best known for the role it plays in blood clotting. Without enough vitamin K1, your blood can’t clot properly and you’re at risk of bleeding to death. However, according to Leon Schurgers, a senior scientist at Maastricht University in The Netherlands who was involved in the featured study, and whom I interviewed in 2015, “… the absorption of vitamin K1 from food is extremely low. Only 10% of the vitamin K, which is found in green leafy vegetables, is absorbed in your body … And there’s no variable or modification of the consumption that will significantly increase the absorption.” Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is better known for its role in bone and heart health, and is found in grass fed animal products such as meat eggs, liver and dairy, as well as in fermented foods, including sauerkraut, certain cheeses and the fermented soy food natto. Although the amount of vitamin K2 in certain foods, such as cheese, is lower than the amount of vitamin K1 found leafy, green vegetables, Schurgers noted, “all the vitamin K2 is absorbed by the body … Vitamin K2 in the food item is nearly completely absorbed.” Natto is particularly well known for its high concentration of vitamin K2, specifically the longer-chained vitamin K2 known as menaquinone-7 (MK-7). One study looking into vitamin K bioavailability even found that circulating concentrations of vitamin K2 were about 10 times higher after the consumption of natto than they were of vitamin K1 after eating spinach.6 “I have worked with a Japanese scientist in London,” Janssen told The Guardian, “and she said it was remarkable that in the regions in Japan where they eat a lot of natto, there is not a single person to die of Covid-19; so that is something to dive into, I would say.”7 Aside from natto, cheese is the food with the highest menaquinone concentrations, but levels vary depending on the type of cheese. Dutch hard cheeses such as gouda and edam have relatively high concentrations, as do French cheeses such as Munster cheese.8 Many factors affect the amount of vitamin K2 in your food however, including how long it’s fermented and whether it’s made with grass fed dairy or raised on pasture. For example, pasteurized dairy and products from factory farmed animals are not high in MK-4, a short-chain form of vitamin K2. Only grass fed animals (not grain fed) will develop naturally high levels. Vitamin K Also Reduces COVID-19 ComorbiditiesA report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on COVID-19, released in February 2020, found a higher crude fatality ratio (CFR) among people with COVID-19 and additional health conditions. While those who were otherwise healthy had a CFR of 1.4%, those with comorbid conditions had much higher rates, as follows:9
Another study looking into the impact of co-existing health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes on COVID-19 outcomes found they’re linked to “poorer clinical outcomes,” such as admission to an intensive care unit, a need for invasive ventilation or death.10 What this means is that lowering your risk of underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure could improve your outcomes if you have COVID-19. Vitamin K could play a protective role here, as it’s linked to both diabetes and heart health. Both vitamin K1 and K2 intakes may be associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes.11 Vitamin K may influence insulin sensitivity by carboxylating osteocalcin, which may function as a hormone in regulating insulin sensitivity. It could also play a role in reducing insulin resistance and risk of Type 2 diabetes via effects on calcium metabolism.12 What’s more, a review published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism noted:13
Vitamin K Boosts Heart Health, Also Important for COVID-19As mentioned, people with heart disease have poorer outcomes if they develop COVID-19, and vitamin K’s role in heart health is also well-noted, particularly for vitamin K2. One of the reasons why vitamin K2 is so important for heart health has to do with a complex biochemistry involving the enzymes matrix gla-protein (MGP, found in your vascular system14), and osteocalcin, found in your bone. “Gla” stands for glutamic acid, which binds to calcium in the cells of your arterial wall and removes it from the lining of your blood vessels. Once removed from your blood vessel lining, vitamin K2 then facilitates the integration of that calcium into your bone matrix by handing it over to osteocalcin, which in turn helps “cement” the calcium in place inside your bone. Vitamin K2 activates these two proteins, so without it, this transfer process of calcium from your arteries to your bone cannot occur, which raises your risk of arterial calcification. In fact, in one study, those who had the highest amount of vitamin K2 were 52% less likely to experience severe calcification in their arteries and 57% less likely to die from heart disease over a seven- to 10-year period.15 Low levels of vitamin D and vitamin K have also been linked to high blood pressure,16 another condition that increases your risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. While many people — young and old alike — are facing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, these conditions can be turned around, and in so doing you’ll significantly reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. Ensuring you’re getting enough vitamin K is one part of this equation. Vitamin K Works in Tandem With Vitamin DKeep in mind that vitamin K2 also works in tandem with vitamin D and magnesium. So, it’s important to remember that vitamin K2 needs to be considered in combination with calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, as these four all have a synergistic relationship that impacts your health. Vitamin D is also noteworthy in terms of COVID-19, as an analysis of medical records revealed a direct correlation between levels of vitamin D and the severity of illness in people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.17 To improve your immune function and lower your risk of viral infections, you’ll want to raise your vitamin D to a level between 60 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and 80 ng/mL. In Europe, the measurements you’re looking for are 150 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) and 200 nmol/L. This, in addition to addressing your vitamin K intake, is a natural strategy that may significantly lower your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Are You Getting Enough Vitamin K?It can be difficult to tell if you’re getting enough vitamin K, as there’s no easy way to screen or test for vitamin K2 sufficiency. Vitamin K2 cannot at present be measured directly, so it’s measured through an indirect assessment of undercarboxylated osteocalcin. This test is still not commercially available, however. As a general rule, if you have osteoporosis, heart disease or diabetes, you're likely deficient in vitamin K2. Further, it’s believed that the vast majority of people are in fact deficient and would benefit from more K2, which you can achieve by eating more of the following foods:
If you’re taking statin drugs, which are known to deplete vitamin K2,18 you could also be deficient. If you’re interested in supplementation, as a general guideline, I recommend getting around 150 mcg of vitamin K2 per day. Others recommend slightly higher amounts — upward of 180 to 200 mcg. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about overdosing on K2, as it appears to be completely nontoxic. If you opt for a vitamin K2 supplement, make sure it’s MK-7. The exception is if you’re on vitamin K antagonists, i.e., drugs that reduce blood clotting by reducing the action of vitamin K. If so, you should avoid MK-7 supplements. Also be aware that excessive intake of dietary or supplemental vitamin K1 can overcome the anticoagulant effects of blood thinning medications. Further, when taking vitamin K, do so along with a fat. Since vitamin K is fat-soluble, it won’t be properly absorbed otherwise, and be sure to also balance it with calcium, vitamin D and magnesium. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/20/vitamin-k-could-help-fight-covid-19.aspx Bats are sometimes feared and greatly misunderstood. They’ve been particularly vilified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many are falsely pushing the narrative that bats, and the sale of bats and other animals in wet markets, are to blame for the outbreak. We now have proof that’s simply not true. For more information, be sure to check out tomorrow’s interview with virologist and molecular biologist Jonathan Latham, Ph.D. In that interview, he presents evidence showing SARS-CoV-2 is highly unlikely to have a natural origin, and stresses that we must not blame the wildlife trade. It’s merely a ruse to cover up compelling evidence showing it’s a lab-created virus that somehow escaped the confines of the laboratory. So, please, leave bats alone, both figuratively and literally. Avoid them, don’t eat them, don’t hold them — and let scientists know we do not want them to harvest them for culturing and manufacturing new viruses. What many people don't realize is that bats serve an important purpose, both to humans and the environment. Bats are ecological superheroes that pollinate many of our favorite foods. They also feed on agricultural pests that damage food crops, saving farmers hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars each year. The featured film, "Growing a Greener World: Bats — Unsung Heroes," explores the benefits bats have on our environment, their role in food production, and what some scientists are doing to protect this important species. The film starts out in San Antonio, Texas, at Bracken Cave, a major tourist attraction that is home to the world's largest bat colony. The cave provides shelter for about 15 to 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats, according to the film. Each night at sunset during the warmer months, the bats gracefully fly out of the cave in masses to begin their nightly hunt. Bracken Cave was purchased by Bat Conservation International (BCI) in 1991. It now owns nearly 1,500 acres of former ranchland surrounding the cave, which is in the process of being restored to its natural state. The land lost some of its original plant and animal diversity when it was being utilized for other purposes such as ranching. But thanks to the conservation work done by BCI, the area is now also home to many bird species, including endangered golden-cheeked warblers.1 Bats Are the Only True Flying MammalIn the film, Fran Hutchins, director of Bracken Cave Preserve, reveals that bats are the only true flying mammal. Mexican free-tailed bats weigh just half an ounce, or the equivalent of holding 50 cents in your hand, says Hutchins. Despite being in the same genetic class as humans, bats are often lumped in with animals like snakes and sharks, some of the creatures we fear the most. But once you start to take a closer look at bats and their unique habits, it's clear there is nothing to fear about these beneficial animals. There are many fun facts about bats you may not know. For example, despite what you may have heard, bats are not blind. They can see very well. They also have excellent flying abilities and an impressive range of motion. Bats can fly up to 50 to 60 miles per hour, and travel distances of up to 30 to 50 miles in radius before returning back to their home. Bats are more maneuverable than birds. They use a combination of echolocation and sense receptors that allow them to easily navigate through the night sky. Their echolocation abilities work by emitting a sound out of their mouth, which bounces off an object. When it returns, it is received and processed by their ears and other facial features. This echolocation technique is what helps bats hunt for food. Bats emit sounds slowly and repetitively, as they navigate through the environment. However, when bats home in on an insect, the sound increases in frequency right up until they reach their prey. They then use their wings to snatch up the insect before eating it. Without Bats, We Wouldn't Have TequilaBats as a species are incredibly diverse. There are an estimated 1,400 species of bats worldwide. They live on various parts of the planet and range in size. For example, the Kitti's hog-nosed bat, also called the Bumblebee Bat, weighs less than a penny, making it the world's smallest mammal next to the flying fox, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.2 While bats are expert hunters, they are also important pollinators. Just like birds, butterflies and bees, bats pollinate many important food crops, but because they do so at night under the cover of darkness, they don't get as much recognition. More than 300 species of food-producing plants depend on bats for pollination. Some of these include guavas, bananas, mangos, figs, dates, cashews and peaches. Bats also pollinate other flowering plants including agave, the key ingredient in tequila. Without bats, we would not have tequila. Bats are the main pollinator of agave, which blooms at night in Desert Southwest, according to the film. Agave plants are a major food source for bats. Unfortunately, in an effort to maximize profits, some big-time tequila producers are cutting down agave stalks before they have a chance to flower. This is a big problem for bats. Luckily, some producers are being a little more responsible in the way they grow agave and produce tequila. They are allowing some of the agave plants to flower so that bats have a food source along their migratory pathway. Some sustainable tequila producers have even branded their products "bat-friendly." Bat-friendly tequila can be found at various specialty bars and restaurants around the U.S., including San Antonio's Esquire Tavern, which serves a spicy cocktail called the "Batman of Mexico." It's made with Tequila Ocho, which can be found at some U.S. liquor stores for about $45 a bottle.3 Austin's South Congress Bridge Is Home to 1.5 Million BatsThe next stop in the film is Austin, Texas. The capital city is best known for its laid-back atmosphere, tasty tacos and its "Keep Austin Weird" slogan. It's also known for its bats, which reside under the South Congress Bridge. The bridge was constructed using cast-in-place concrete to expedite the construction. Little did they know the design would create tiny spaces underneath the bridge that serve as the perfect bat house. An estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats migrate north to Austin and call the bridge home during the warmer months of March through October.4 Like they do at the Bracken Cave, millions of bats descend from under the bridge at sunset, swirling in a mesmerizing tornado-like shape. Mylea Bayless, senior director of Networks & Partnerships Bat Conservation International, says in the film that the bats stay together like a school of fish in order to avoid predators. They fly downstream along the tree line out to the corn and cotton fields where they primarily feed on agricultural pests. The viewing draws thousands of people who line up along the bridge each night, waiting to watch the bats. Bats Save Organic Pecan Farm in TexasWhile bats get a lot of recognition in some of Texas' largest cities, they are equally as honored in the Texas Hill Country. The featured film visits John Byrd, a pecan orchardist and owner of King's Crossing Farm, an organic farm located in San Saba, Texas. The 109-acre farm was established by Byrd's grandfather in 1944, who was also one of the founders of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Texas is one of few states where pecans are indigenous.5 Byrd's 1,200 pecan trees are part of the family legacy. But they are also an attraction for pests. In the film, Byrd explains that the biggest pest threat to his pecans is the casebearer moth, which can lay 100 eggs at a time. Each egg makes a little caterpillar that goes into a pecan nut and kills it. If all 100 eggs are able to successfully make their way into a cluster of pecans, they can kill 100 pecans, says Byrd. That's about 1 pound, which costs about $1.50. So, for every moth, the farm stands to lose $1.50. Byrd uses organic growing methods on his farm,6 which means pesticides are not an option for dealing with the moths. Bats Are Nature's Exterminator"I have 400-year-old pecan trees that have been doing well without chemicals or people, and they produce pecans," he says. "There is a way to do it without pesticides. I want to promote life, not death, in my orchards." In an effort to deal with the moths naturally, Byrd started building bat houses in hopes of attracting the animals to his orchard. He started out with a small bat house, which was quickly filled with bats. He then built a bat house three times the size as the first. It too filled almost immediately with bats. Finally, he built one of the largest bat houses available, which can hold up to 30,000 bats. It took a while longer, but it too, eventually became full. Byrd says the large bat house now holds about 20,000 bats. They're doing their job, too, he says. DNA analysis found the bats were in fact eating the casebearer moths. Byrd now has fewer pests and more pecans. Bats are one of nature's best exterminators. The bats that live in Bracken Cave outside of San Antonio eat an estimated 147 tons of insects per night, most of which are agricultural pests, according to the film. As a result, bats save farmers in the Texas Hill County about $750,000 a year in crop damage and pesticides. In the U.S, bats are estimated to save farmers anywhere from $3.7 billion to $53 billion per year.7 Bats Are Threatened WorldwideDespite their importance, bats worldwide are at risk for a number of reasons including habitat loss, climate change, disease, deforestation and the bushmeat trade.8 Scientists report a loss of 50% of the world's insects since 1970,9 a disastrous estimation that's predicted to affect all types of wildlife, including bats. Another major threat to bats is white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that eats away the tissue of North American bats. The pathogen gets its name from the appearance of a fuzzy white material that grows on the bats' snout, ears, wings or feet. The pathogen prefers cold temperatures, which means bats are most susceptible when they are hibernating and their body temperature is reduced, explains Chris Cornelison, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at Kennesaw State University. "From a wildlife disease standpoint, we're experiencing some of the most precipitous, severe-associated declines of wildlife that have ever been recorded," says Cornelison in the film. "In some of the worst cases, we've observed over 99% declines in those populations." The good news is that scientists are working hard on solutions. One solution involves the use of naturally occurring VOCs that can be used in conjunction with a nebulizer to produce an aerosol volatilized gas to spray on the bats. This represses the growth of the fungus while they hibernate. This is sometimes challenging, as bats hibernate in caves that are inaccessible to humans. For example, at the Black Diamond Tunnel in North Georgia, scientists had to develop the infrastructure to mount a nebulizer on a boat in order to send it autonomously into the cave to distribute the antifungal gas. Want to Help Protect Bats? Here Are Some Things You Can DoAs you can see, bats are incredibly important for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. If you want to help protect bats, one thing you can do is to plant an organic, pesticide-free garden with night-scented flowers. If you are able, it's also helpful to leave dead and dying trees, as these spaces create perfect roosting sites for bats.10 You can also put up a bat house. Click here for information on where to purchase a bat house or build one yourself. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/20/why-bats-are-ecological-superheroes.aspx Heart disease can include several problems related to the heart and blood vessels, many of which are related to atherosclerosis. A buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries makes it difficult for blood flow, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. In 2017, 859,125 deaths in the U.S. were attributed to cardiovascular disease.1 According to the American Heart Association, the disease kills more people every year than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases combined. Coronary heart disease is the main problem, followed distantly by stroke, high blood pressure and heart failure. The high rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S. contributes to an estimated financial burden that in 2017 topped $320 billion related to treatment and productivity.2 On the current trajectory, estimates are that the price tag will exceed $1 trillion by 2035.3 In addition to the health challenges from the disease itself, CVD increases your risks from COVID-19. Researchers have found that those with pre-existing heart disease, who subsequently are infected with COVID-19, have an increased risk of heart attack or congestive heart failure which may be related to the combination of viral illness and higher demands on the heart.4 Heart arrhythmias can develop, and severe heart muscle injury is strongly associated with an increased risk of death. Risk factors linked to cardiovascular disease include smoking, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.5 Low-Dose Aspirin Raises Risk for Healthy PeopleIn a study recently published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers sought to identify outcomes associated with taking low-dose aspirin.6 Using data from 67 studies published by August 15, 2019, they performed a meta-analysis of observational and randomized controlled trials.7 The data were separated by type. In the observational studies, researchers found “highly suggestive evidence” that using aspirin could raise the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. In the randomized control trials, they found “strong evidence” that low-dose aspirin could lower the risk of CVD in healthy people, but it came with a high risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and brain. After years of prescribing low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of CVDs, the researchers felt there was a lack of evidence related to the balance between risk and benefit.8 They noted that low-dose aspirin in otherwise healthy people without CVD could lower the incidence of heart events by 17%. The events included nonfatal heart attacks and strokes as well as deaths related to cardiovascular events. However, while taking low-dose aspirin slightly reduced the risk of cardiovascular events, it also raised the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding to 47% and intracranial bleeding to 34%. While the practice is no longer recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for those who’ve not had a cardiovascular event,9 results from a 2019 study revealed that people were taking aspirin without a physician's recommendation.10 Of those surveyed, 44.6% of people from age 70 to 79 and 34.7% of those age 60 to 69 were taking aspirin as a primary means of preventing cardiovascular disease. They concluded:11
Not Recommended for Primary Prevention of Heart DiseaseFollowing the results of several studies, the recommendation for daily aspirin was rescinded. One of the writers of the new guidelines, which were adopted and developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC), said:12
The new guidelines came five years after the FDA indicated that low-dose aspirin was not for everyone and should be used only on the advice of a clinician.13 In 2019 the guidelines were then changed by the AHA and ACC, highlighting the need for people to make healthy lifestyle changes to help reduce their risk of heart disease.14 The British study supports results from past research. In one study, published in JAMA Network in 2019,15 researchers were investigating whether there is an association between aspirin and bleeding events in those who do not have CVD. They performed a meta-analysis of 13 trials involving people who did not have heart disease and found that the use of “aspirin was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and an increased risk of major bleeding.”16 Importantly, the authors of other studies have found that prophylactic use of aspirin in people over the age of 70 can cause harm.17 Of course, older individuals may have higher potential risk for heart disease and therefore more likely to be prescribed aspirin therapy as a preventive measure. The results of current studies and guidelines by the AHA point to avoiding daily aspirin for those with no history of heart disease, or those who have a low to moderate risk. As the AHA writes:18
Is the Risk Profile Lower for People With Heart Disease?Although the AHA and ACC recommend low-dose aspirin for people who have heart disease or have had a cardiovascular event, there is evidence suggesting it may not be the ideal solution for this population. For example, in a study published in 2004, scientists assessed the risks and benefits of aspirin and Warfarin in people who had heart failure.19 They found that the treatment group receiving aspirin had worse cardiac outcomes, including deteriorating heart failure. According to the authors in that study, their data showed “no evidence that aspirin is effective or safe in patients with heart failure.”20 In a 2010 study it was reported that older adults with heart disease and a history of using aspirin had an increased risk of having another heart attack, compared to those who had not been on aspirin therapy.21 In a 2009 meta-analysis, researchers looked at six studies and found no evidence that clearly supported aspirin as an effective strategy in preventing cardiovascular events in people with diabetes.22 The study’s authors go so far as to note that aspirin actually increases mortality in this group, based on the title of their paper. A 2009 study was conducted to examine the effects of daily aspirin in patients with diabetes; the authors found it "significantly increased mortality in diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease from 17% … at age 50 years to 29% … at age 85 years."23 The results also indicated that aspirin may also lower mortality in elderly diabetic individuals who do have CVD. Reducing Your Iron Levels May Also Offer ProtectionAddressing your serum iron levels also helps protect your heart health. Data show th at iron can build up in your body and that it’s linked to CVD.24 More specifically, it’s linked to atherosclerosis as it helps catalyze the development of reactive oxygen free radicals that contribute to the formation of arterial plaque. What many people, physicians included, fail to appreciate is that the body has no significant way of getting rid of excess iron. Women who are still menstruating will have blood loss each month, but other minor amounts lost through normal bodily processes are not enough to reduce overall excess iron in everyone else.25 Many supplements include iron, and it’s added to lots of processed foods. For instance, two servings of fortified breakfast cereal may provide you with as much as 44 mg,26 bringing you dangerously close to the upper tolerance limit of 45 mg for adults. This is well over the recommended daily allowance, which is 8 mg for men and 18 mg for premenopausal women.27 Iron overload is much more common than deficiency and is linked to several chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.28 One of the simplest ways to address this issue is by donating blood. You may not know you have too much iron unless you get tested. Blood donation is also safe. Results from several studies have demonstrated improvements in chronic conditions with consistent blood donation, including reducing high blood pressure and improving glycemic control29 as well as reducing symptoms and severity of gout30 and heart disease.31 Nattokinase or Lumbrokinase Reduces Clot FormationAnother option to protect heart health is using nattokinase or lumbrokinase. Nattokinase is produced by Bacillus subtilis as it is fermenting soybeans to produce natto.32 The compound is a strong thrombolytic comparable to aspirin, but without the serious side effects. It works by dissolving fibrin in the blood vessels, improving circulation and decreasing blood viscosity. These effects can also help reduce high blood pressure. In one study, participants experienced a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure while taking nattokinase.33 Using aspirin and statin medications comes with a long list of serious side effects, but nattokinase has been used for centuries with few reported adverse events. A second option is lumbrokinase, which may be even better than nattokinase. This is a fibrinolytic enzyme34 that's extracted from earthworms and helps reduce blood viscosity. It also degrades fibrin, a key factor in clot formation.35 The substance is not well known by health experts, especially by Western health practitioners and consumers. The compound is effective for multiple purposes in overall health. Discover more in “Lumbrokinase for Heart Health?” from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/19/should-aspirin-be-prescribed-for-heart-health.aspx During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been conflicting advice about wearing face masks or face coverings, even within the same public health agencies. For example, some medical organizations claim that wearing a mask only protects others from you if you are carrying the virus, but urge you to wear one if you are in close contact with a COVID-19 patient — which infers that a mask could protect you from an infected person. The advice raises several questions. First, many people can be carrying the virus and not know it because they are asymptomatic and have not been tested. How would these people know to wear a mask? Secondly, if a mask is indicated if you are in close contact with a COVID-19 patient, then that would indicate that a mask does protect you from others and not just others from you. So, which is the truth? There is another element to the conflicting advice. Some medical experts claim that wearing a face mask is harmful to the wearer. Not only does it not protect you, they say, but it can limit your oxygen and even redirect harmful pathogens that you may be carrying back into your airway. As COVID-19 lockdowns end and people are getting out in the public again, what does the evidence say about wearing masks? Advice From WHO and CDC About Face Masks DiffersThe World Health Organization, founded in 1948,1 consists of more than 7,000 people from more than 150 countries.2 Its staff includes medical doctors, public health specialists, scientists, epidemiologists and experts in health statistics, economics and emergency relief.3 When it comes to masks for COVID-19, this body of experts does not cast masks as the panacea. Originally, the WHO listed these guidelines as to who should wear masks:4
The WHO changed its mind, though, and modified its recommendations June 5, 2020,5 to advise the general public to wear a mask in specific situations when social distancing isn't possible. Otherwise, "… there is no direct evidence (from studies on COVID- 19 and in healthy people in the community) on the effectiveness of universal masking of healthy people in the community to prevent infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the U.S.'s leading health agency, administered under the Department of Health and Human Services. When it comes to battling COVID-19, its advice is not the same as WHO's. Pointing out that people can carry the virus with no symptoms or before symptoms like coughing and sneezing surface, it wrote on its website April 3, 2020:6
By May 22, 2020, the CDC had added a yellow-highlighted banner to its page, saying, "A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others."7 Many medical and political leaders support wearing masks. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the high-profile medical member of the White House coronavirus task force and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has endorsed them.8 So has former acting CDC director Dr. Richard Besser.9 Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed an executive order at the end of May 2020 mandating masks in his state10 and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said wearing a mask is an expression of "loving your fellow human being."11 Countries that routinely use face masks have lowered their COVID-19 transmission. Does that mean those who reject face masks are increasing the risk of transmission to themselves and others? Many questions remain. What Does Research Say About Face Mask Effectiveness?Dr. Chris Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, has said that face masks represent "probably a 50% protection against transmission,"12 but other estimates are less reassuring. For example, a study on the ability of masks to block COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, published by South Korean researchers in the Annals of Internal Medicine in April 2020, found:13
Contamination was found on the outside of the masks, wrote the researchers:14
Criticism of the study by other researchers was brisk, ranging from questioning the handling of the masks before the experiment, which could have caused the observed contamination, to noting that only a small number of subjects were involved. Paul W. Leu,15 an associate professor of industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Pittsburgh, noted in a letter to the editor that the premise of the research was wrong since masks are not intended to "shorten the trajectory of droplets emitted during coughing." Instead, he wrote:16
Another critic, Ken Lim of CyberMedia Convergence Consulting, wrote that the experiment should have been "how many viral droplets appeared on another person or surface," not on the masks themselves.17 Subsequently, in June, the authors retracted this study. Acknowledging that readers had called attention to flaws in their work, they said they had offered to correct it "with new experimental data from additional patients, but the editors requested retraction."18 More Questions About Face Mask EffectivenessResearch that appeared in April 2020 on medRxiv found that:19
However, Ian Jones, professor of virology at the University of Reading, disagreed with these findings, according to the journal BMJ.20 "If an aerosol droplet hits the weave of the mask fabric rather than the hole it is clearly arrested ... helps to slow the epidemic," he said, stating that masks are not a "cure" but are useful in flattening the curve. Also according to BMJ, Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, saw another problem with widespread wearing of masks. "Mass face mask wearing by the public would likely cause shortages among people who genuinely need protective equipment — health care workers on the front line in our hospitals," he said. According to the Mayo Clinic, even though masks are useful, the fear of a shortage of them shaped the CDC's original recommendations. The clinic wrote on its website:21
There was another reason for the CDC's delay in endorsing masks when the pandemic first surfaced, wrote Mayo.22
Another hurdle to a full endorsement of face masks by public health groups was the concern that they could provide a false sense of security. Experts also feared the masks could lead to more touching of the face23 or contamination if the wearer puts the mask down on an unclean surface.24 When it comes to health care workers, they should not work without respiratory protection of some kind, according to the authors of a 2015 study who updated their comments in April 2020:25
Face Masks May Do Harm, Some Experts SayThe face mask controversy does not just revolve around whether they are effective or ineffective in preventing infections or whether widespread use would create shortages for health care professionals. Some medical experts say the masks can cause harm to wearers. Virus expert Judy Mikovits of "Plandemic" fame has been very outspoken about the dangers of face masks. According to Weblyf.com, in social media posts she has written:26
Mikovits is not the only expert warning about face mask dangers. According to News-Medical.Net, Dr. Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, has warned the public against wearing facemasks "as the virus can get trapped in the material and causes infection when the wearer breathes in."27 Nationally recognized board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock also believes face masks are capable of causing serious harm:28
Face masks can also pose a danger to health care workers, wrote Blaylock,29 by causing "a reduction in blood oxygenation (hypoxia) or an elevation in blood CO2 (hypercapnia)," as well as headaches. The elderly are at risk, too, he warns:
Face Shields May Be More Effective Than Face MasksFace shields, plastic covers over the whole face that function as visors, may look extreme or "dorky" but they have some advantages over cloth masks. First, unlike cloth masks, they can be cleaned with soap and water or disinfectants and reused over and over because they are plastic and won't degrade. Second, face shields are more comfortable to wear, especially on hot days, since they are not placed directly over your mouth and nose and allow free breathing. Finally, and most importantly, face shields protect you better than face masks because the mouth and nose are not the only inlets of infection. According to the National Post, face shields also:30
Face shields, when studied with influenza, protected people from inhaling 96% of flu-laden droplets produced by a cough even when the face shield wearers were only 18 inches of someone coughing, the Post said.31 Clearly, they provide some of the protections of social distancing which may explain why we are increasingly seeing them used by health care practitioners. If You Do Wear a Face Mask Follow These GuidelinesClearly, there is evidence both for and against wearing face masks during the pandemic. If you do decide to wear a face mask, here are useful tips from WHO for usage and disposal to make sure you use your mask safely:32
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/06/19/do-face-masks-help-against-coronavirus.aspx |
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