Using Your Own Immune System to Defeat COVID

     The immune system is like a vast array of soldiers and weapons interwoven throughout our body and interdependently functioning to defend us against microbial invaders which seek to harm us.  Understanding it requires starting with a basic overview at 30,000 feet.  Even with this simple level of understanding one can begin to shape and optimize their defenses. As one moves lower and into more detailed understanding of the system, biological chemicals like cytokines come into view.  These messengers of our immune system play a critical role in all infectious defense.

            For COVID-19, researchers suspect that a group of these cytokines called interferons could hold a key to both why some people suffer more than others AND a possible therapy.  In looking at those with the most severe disease versus those with moderate severity, the level of interferon alpha was higher in those who were more critically ill.  This cytokine turns up the intensity of the attack on the virus along with several other immune markers they tested.  In other studies, the infusion of interferon alpha showed some potential benefit in the COVID-19 infected patients.

            The researchers believe that the sickest patients initially don’t respond strongly enough, but then overrespond later.  This may be why some crash so hard and die on the ventilators. Their research also indicates that the immune systems of the sickest patients go haywire in the end throwing everything at the virus when it is too late.

            As we move forward with our Immune Prepper Course One, we will keep our eyes on all the potential therapies in the fight against COVID.  We will combine both natural and pharmaceuticals to guide patients toward a stronger immune defense system.   Stay tuned as the story unfolds.

Primary Article

Rogue immune system reactions hint at an early treatment for COVID-19. Released August th. By Tina Hesman Saey. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-19-coronavirus-immune-system-early-treatment-interferon. Accessed 8/9/2020.

Secondary Citations:

C. Lucas et al. Longitudinal analyses reveal immunological misfiring in severe COVID-19. Nature. Published online July 27, 2020. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2588-y

Q. Zhong et al. Interferon-α2b Treatment for COVID-19. Frontiers in Immunology. May 15, 2020. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01061