A week ago on Friday 3rd July 2020, a call was put out on LinkedIn to biomedical scientists and physicians and all informed individuals to form Consensus-COVID, an initiative to establish a consensus list of non-prescription agents for COVID prophylaxis and symptom de-escalation. The call has so far raised around 1900 views and responses from physicians, biomedical scientists and various other professionals. What follows is a distillation of these suggestions into two lists, one for COVID prophylaxis and the other for immediate use following the onset of symptoms.
Over the past three to four months, numerous articles have been written and posted at the this site and the site of other individuals in the list below, particularly Jeannette Hospers, and Dr Ian Brighthope, concerning what might be considered a ‘trinity mix’ for COVID-19, namely vitamin C, vitamin D and a zinc salt. These three compounds will form the immutable core of both consensus lists. For more information on this combination, I would thoroughly recommend visiting the site of Dr Ian Brighthope and listening to a recent interview.
The lists below are an amalgamation of suggestions made by the following individuals in response to the call:
- Dr John H Abeles MD, General Partner at Northlea Partners, West Palm Beach, Florida Area
- Dr Alex (Kennerly) Vasquez DO ND DC FACN. Physician, Researcher, Presenter, Academician, Editor, Consultant
- Dr Ian Brighthope, Founder and Managing Director at Entoura Pty Ltd, Greater Melbourne Area
- David Steenblock, BS, MS, DO. President, CEO, Chief Scientist, Research Physician at Personalized Regenerative Medicine, San Clemente, California
- Dr Alan Vinitsky. Physician, Owner at Enlightened Medicine. Owner Enlightened Nutritionals & Illumivites. Washington D.C. Metro Area
- Dr William A. Shaver. Founder at Center of Meaning in Health and Disease, Lubbock, Texas Area
- Dr. Larry G. Martin. Cellular research related to oxidative stress. Albany, Oregon
- Dr Emma Derbyshire. Research, Writing, Media Liasons, Epsom, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Dr Jeannette Hospers. Senior Scientist/Clinical Trial Manager, Basel Area, Switzerland
- Dr Chris Newton. Director Center for Immuno-Metabolism, Microbiome and Bio-Energetic Research, Yorkshire, UK
It must be stated that the lists below do not constitute medical advice. The clinical science and indeed clinical philosophy behind this consensus is that agents will support immune cells and other somatic cell types by acting as immuno-modulators and not immuno-suppressants. In particular, it is hoped they will prevent the accumulation of oxidants and help tailor a more appropriate immune response to SARS-CoV-2. For an excellent review on optimal nutrition and antiviral immunity see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230749/
TABLE 1
The list above is relatively extensive and may be onerous for some individuals. A compromise might be made with supplement from companies such as Now Foods. They manufacture a combination of vitamins and minerals with addition of CoQ10 and other substances. The levels in these mixture are too low for vitamins C, and D and some minerals like magnesium, but for some of the B vitamins, they approach or exceed the lower limit in Table 1. By choosing single agent supplements, it will be possible to reach the upper limit of the range in Table 1.
In comparison to the list presented on July 3rd 2020, there are several additions and also one deletion- melatonin. This compound might be considered ‘optional’, to be taken before sleep in late evening at a dose level of 6-12mg. At least in the UK, melatonin is not easy to source and so one might consider natural products such as Feverfew. For an excellent review on natural sources of melatonin see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409706/ .
Whilst choline is easily available as a supplement, one might also consider natural sources, such as eggs (three eggs a day will reach the dose in Table 1). Also, Brazil nuts are high in selenium and 4-5 whole nuts will provide around 200 microg.
Although it has been suggested that butyrate is appropriate to add as a supplement, for now, it is considered ‘optional’. So, 500-1000mg per day might be appropriate. This substance is produced by bacterial fermentation in the gut and it is known to inhibit inflammatory responses (see post at this site and the work of Dr Larry Martin). The decision not to add butyrate to the list in Table 1 may change following further discussion with Dr Larry Martin and Dr William Shaver.
TABLE 2
Immediately at the onset of symptoms increase ascorbic acid (AA) intake and vitamin D as indicated in Table 2 above. Also increase zinc and quercetin along with NAC. The latter is a thiol antioxidant and a glutathione precursor.
Whilst dropping back to the protocol in Table 1 for vitamins C (0.5-2g four times daily) and D (4000IU/day- but have blood 25OHD measured if possible and maintain D at around 80-90nmolar), after symptoms have abated, all other components in Table 1 should be maintained, if possible, at the higher dose levels for 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. Following this period, the prophylaxis ‘protocol’ of Table 1 should be resumed.
None of the above is ‘set in stone’. They are merely suggestions and a continuing dialogue concerning merits of substances (and amounts) included, and others not included, would be much appreciated.
____________________
**Comment**
Great resource. Here’s some more: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/06/15/the-functional-medicine-approach-to-covid-19-virus-specific-nutraceutical-botanical-agents/ (Many other links at the end of this article for nutritional/supplemental treatments for COVID – and just beefing up the immune system)
Madison Area Lyme Support Group 