Tag: SARS-CoV-2

bookmark_borderInterferons Interfere With Disease

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by Daniel Brouse

An interferon is a protein released by animal cells, usually in response to the entry of a virus, which has the property of inhibiting virus replication. A natural substance that helps the body’s immune system fight infection and other diseases, such as cancer. Interferons are made in the body by white blood cells and other cells, but they can also be made in the laboratory to use as treatments for different diseases. In cancer therapy, interferons may help keep cancer cells from growing and may help kill cancer cells. There are three main types of interferons: interferon-alfa, interferon-beta, and interferon-gamma. An interferon is a type of cytokine and type of immunomodulating agent. [1]

Several new studies of immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, suggest timing could be critical for interferons. These immune proteins suppress viral replication early in disease. Yet if they are active later, some scientists think they can exacerbate the harmful inflammation that forces some COVID-19 patients onto life support. Interferons are “a double-edged sword,” says immunologist Eui-Cheol Shin of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. [2]

The timing of the creation and the implementation of interferons appears to be a critical part of the immune system. Synthetic interferons may do more harm than good. Synthesizing and synergizing interferons by the body may be a safe and effective way to boost the nonspecific immune system. It may also be a safe and effective way to boost the specific immune system.

Memory T cells are created when a naive T cell acquires the memory of an antigen. Acquired T cell responses are critical for the host’s defense against microbial pathogens. T cells, by the release of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), induce autophagy, phagosomal maturation, the production of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, and antimicrobial activity. There is a a mechanism in which vitamin D is required for acquired immunity to overcome the ability of intracellular pathogens to evade macrophage-mediated antimicrobial responses.[3]

While the inflammation generated by innate immune cells [neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), etc.] is important in the initial containment of the infection, it also informs and directs the expansion and differentiation of adaptive immune cells. Responding to the inflammatory environment created by the innate response, cells of the adaptive arm of the immune response (B cells, αβ T cells, and γδ T cells) are stimulated to expand in number (proliferate) and to differentiate into cells with a range of functions appropriate for the immunological challenge.[4]

What is necessary for the creation and implementation of interferons?

The role of eating meat in your diet is not yet clearly known; however, animal proteins and amino acids obtained through eating meat likely play an important role in creating interferons. We do know that bacterium found in ruminant cattle (meat and milk) is essential for humans to make Vitamin D. [5] We also know that exposure of the skin to sunlight (UVB radiation) is required for the body to photosynthesize Vitamin D and create the photoproducts. Previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 also absorb UV B radiation and are converted into a variety of photoproducts some of which have unique biologic properties. [6]

“We’ve discovered a new component of the interferon system,” said Michael J. Holtzman, MD, the Selma and Herman Seldin Professor of Medicine. “It does something that other components don’t do, and it works on both sides of the fence: It dials up the body’s internal genes that fight viruses, and it attacks viral proteins directly.”

The researchers’ strategy did not involve increasing the amount of interferon, the first step of this important antiviral signaling cascade. Instead, it dialed up amounts of the protein STAT1, the second component of this cascade, without altering the system’s overall interferon on/off switch.

“Past work to boost this system just kept the interferon signal on all the time,” Holtzman said. “When the system is chronically activated, it is no longer regulated, and that’s where the autoimmune problems may come from. Our system is still regulated by the presence or absence of interferon. Interferon amounts increase when there is an infection and decrease when there is no infection. We’re not boosting interferon itself, but the secondary signal that interferon activates, which sets off the rest of the antiviral cascade. It’s like greasing the wheels. We’re not pushing the system any harder. But when we do push, we get a bigger effect.” [7]

COVID, Vitamin D, Health, and Wellness

Vitamin D, Sunlight, the Season, and People of Color

Your Immune System and Photosynthesized Vitamin D

1. Interferon National Cancer Institute
2. An Immune Protein Could Prevent Severe COVID-19—if It Is Given at the Right Time Scientific American
3. Vitamin D Is Required for IFN-γ–Mediated Antimicrobial Activity of Human Macrophages NIH
4. T cell responses: naïve to memory and everything in between NIH
5. Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki Podcast / Australian Broadcasting Corporation

6. Sunlight and Vitamin D NIH
7. Study reveals new, potent way to boost immunity and fight viruses​​​ Washington University in St.Louis

bookmark_borderOmnivores: About Your Immune System and COVID

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By Daniel Brouse

Humans are omnivores. A human’s immune system is dependent on eating an omnivore’s diet. Your immune system is really a collaboration between many of your body’s systems, such as, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory systems. The “health” of your immune system is dependent on your overall status, but more importantly, the ability of your immune system to respond to any given battle at a particular time.

COVID can cause damage to your organs directly during the fight. COVID can also cause damage to all your body’s systems. Post-COVID chronic ailments comprise both categories. Many COVID cases result in damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain. Many COVID cases also cause damage to your immune system. (eg Long Haulers Syndrome)

Diet and lifestyle choices are detrimental in both the immune system’s ability to fight individual battles, as well as, your immune system’s ability to survive the war.

THE BATTLE
When an infection starts attacking your body, your immune system starts a process involving most of your body’s systems including neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory systems. Your brain connects with command centers throughout your body. The power supply for these command centers is called NAD+

The timing and locations of the battles are crucial for victory. Your command centers deploy Trojan horses to the nearest fight. The Trojan horses come in a variety of different breeds but are commonly called interferons. The interferons are unique antiviral proteins. They are part of the process that invades the infection, gets inside, steals the memory. Then, the interferon creates more protein. The proteins prevent the virus from multiplying. To help you win the war, the memory of the virus is then transferred to your central intelligence agency and used in your antibody production including T-cells and B-cells.

Your immunity factory needs a bunch of supplies to metabolize in order to win. It is critical that your body make and distribute the supplies to the immune factory assembly line. Supplements may be substituted in an emergency, but supplements can not replace your assembly line. You need to consume plants, animals, O2, H20, and sunlight. Time is of the essence.

WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID
The simplest strategy to defeat COVID is to consume Niacin (B3) and photosynthesized Vitamin D (sunlight).

Niacin is crucial for the production of your command centers — Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)

Sunlight is crucial for the production of your interferons. The photosynthesis of Vitamin D produces the Vitamin D you need, but more important for this battle is the timing of the unique photoproducts that are also created in the photosynthesis process — interferons. The interferons need to be deployed rapidly to the exact location of the intruder. In the end, interferons are meat proteins consumed by your immune system. The role of eating meat in your diet is not yet clearly known; however, animal proteins and amino acids obtained through eating meat likely play an important role. We do know that bacterium found in ruminant cattle (meat and milk) is essential for humans to make Vitamin D.

CONCLUSION
To help prevent catching COVID, to help fight COVID, and/or to recover from post-COVID, Niacin and the photosynthesis of Vitamin D are the simplest protocol.

bookmark_borderCOVID, Tryptophan, Stress, Anxiety, and Pellagra

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by Daniel Brouse

NAD+ is a crucial part of the immune and neurological systems. COVID depletes your NAD+. The body needs the time and materials necessary to replenish NAD+. Included in the elements you need are Vitamins C, B3 (Niacin), D, Quercetin, Zinc, and Selenium.

In their paper, COVID-19: NAD+ deficiency, Robert Miller and Ade Wentzel explain the role of NAD+ in the severity of COVID-19 and the depletion of niacin and tryptophan.

I asked Robert Miller, “Is the NAD+ depletion what causes the tryptophan shortage?”

Robert replied, “Post Covid-19 is CISP (Covid Induced Secondary Pellagra) which causes the body to divert tryptophan to NAD+ production at the expense of Serotonin, Oxytocin, Endorphins and Dopamine. In the case of pre Covid-19 it’s the conditions that drive up CD38, oxidative stress, and continual hyperglycemic events and undiagnosed subclinical pellagra (hard to diagnose) which all reduce NAD+. Basically our diet and lifestyle set us up for Covid-19 and can’t save us post Covid-19.”

Ade said, “The anxiety is because the body is using all the tryptophan to make NAD+.”

COVID depletes your NAD+. The body depletes tryptophan trying to make NAD+. This causes post-COVID anxiety. You can treat CISP and post-COVID anxiety with niacin.

B3 Deficiency and Anxiety Disorders
The anxiety disorder caused by COVID-19 is also related to undiagnosed subclinical pellagra. Most Americans have a niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency before they contract COVID. Though the virus may make the niacin deficiency more obvious, many non-COVID related anxiety disorders can also be treated with niacin.

In the US, the largest source of niacin in most diets is from fortified breakfast cereal. They spray vitamins, including Niacin, on the outside surface of the cereal. You would need to eat 100 bowls of Wheaties a day to make-up for a niacin deficiency (not recommended).

Stress uses up NAD+, depleting the tryptophan further, thus compounding the feeling of anxiety. The main ingredient of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is niacin. The best method for treating anxiety caused by depleted NAD+ and tryptophan is to replenish the niacin.

Robert and Ade explain to me how to supplement my niacin and create NAD+ — COVID, Vitamin B3, and the Immune System.

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID, Vitamin K, and NAD+

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NAD+ is a crucial part of the immune system. COVID depletes your NAD+. The body needs the time and materials necessary to replenish NAD+. Included in the elements you need are Vitamins C, B3 (Niacin), D, Quercetin, Zinc, and Selenium.

In their paper, COVID-19: NAD+ deficiency, Robert Miller and Ade Wentzel explain the role of NAD+ in the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and the cause.

I asked Robert Miller:
Have you given any thought to Vitamin K and NAD+?

My father died in February. We didn’t know it at the time, but later figured out he died of COVID. (COVID testing and diagnosis hadn’t arrived to America, yet.) He had an upper respiratory illness for three weeks. My father was also on blood thinners. We worked with his doctor on a daily basis. Because his INR blood test level was spiking, we started testing every day and eventual stopped the blood thinner medication. Nevertheless, his INR kept climbing. His doctor prescribed the antidote, Vitamin K. The next day my father went into crisis. His heart became irregular, he couldn’t get oxygen to his brain, and was put on a ventilator The next day he was removed from life support and died.

All of this makes me wonder about the role of Vitamin K and COVID?

Robert replied, “Vitamin K metabolism depends on NAD(P)H being available. So, basically it’s back to NAD+; meaning low NAD+ will result in low K2 metabolism.”

“NQO1 [NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1; also known as DT-diaphorase] is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyses the two-electron reduction of various quinones including vitamin K. The enzyme may play a role in vitamin K metabolism by reducing vitamin K to vitamin K hydroquinone for utilization in the post-translational γ-glutamyl carboxylation reactions required by several proteins involved in blood coagulation.” — Assessment of the contribution of NAD(P)H-dependent quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) to the reduction of vitamin K

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID: Vitamin D, Sunlight, the Season, and People of Color

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By Daniel Brouse

COVID-19
A human’s main source of Vitamin D is the synthesis of UVB radiation through your skin. The chemical reaction creates Vitamin D and other photoproducts essential for a healthy immune system. Taking a Vitamin D supplement is NOT the same as your body making Vitamin D.

How You Photosynthesize (And Why a Vitamin D Supplement Is Not the Same)

PEOPLE OF COLOR
People of color are more severely impacted by COVID than people with lighter skin. The darker your skin, the harder it is to synthesis Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D supplements can not provide you with the photoproducts and metabolic processes necessary for NAD+ to perform optimally. And, this is a predominant factor in why people of color are more severely impacted.

SEASONAL IMPACT
People with all types of skin color are subject to their distance from the sun and the length of exposure to the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, the length of daylight decreases during the fall and winter. At the same time, the angle of the sun becomes less direct to your skin. If left to its own devices, your body will not make as much Vitamin D in the winter. Both your ability to fight pathogens and age related diseases will be diminished. Less synthesized Vitamin D and less NAD+ result in sickness or death.

YOUR HEALTH
You can improve the quality and quantity of your life by learning how to safely expose your skin to sunlight depending on the day of the year, time of day, your location, and skin tone. WARNING: UVB radiation (found in sunlight) is both a savior and a killer. It is of utmost importance to figure out the optimum exposure for your body.

The Vitamin D and other photoproducts made by your body are essential for your immune system to create and utilize NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide). NAD+ is critical in preventing and fighting COVID, cancer, aging, type2 diabetes, neurodegeneration, MS, and many other ailments.

Learn More About Vitamin D and Sunlight

Learn More About NAD+

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID: Treatment?

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By Daniel Brouse

COVID
COVID

This is an interview with Ade Wentzel. Ade is a doctor and scientist working with COVID hospitals. I met Ade in a COVID survivors group. Though I did not know it at the time, I survived COVID in February of 2020. It was only months later that I figured out something was wrong with me. Even though I had been isolating since February, I kept getting sick. After a month of scientific research, I was diagnosed with Long Haulers Syndrome.

I had come to the conclusion that my long haulers was caused by lots of little cytokine storms. During a heated debate with a COVID antigen scientist from Spain that is researching for Johns Hopkins, Ade joined the conversation. The Johns Hopkins scientist took issue with the words “cytokine storms”. A cytokine storm is defined as a single large event. Ade helped me come to the conclusion that I was having cytokine disfunctions.

We do know that the virus consumes NAD+ because various studies have measured it. We do know that NAD+ and zinc are needed for SIRT1 activation. We also know that SIRT 1 downregulates TACE and hence downregulates TNFa and hence IL6.

Possibly for the longhaulers it’s cytokine imbalance or just NAD+ deficiency. The symptomatology improves vastly with NAD+ precursors but if cellular damage or organ damage is to occur, this takes time.

I do agree the term cytokine storm for long haulers is very incorrect, but an autoimmune disconnect seems more appropriate.
— Ade Wentzel

Ade referred me to a research paper: COVID-19: NAD+ deficiency may predispose the aged, obese and type2 diabetics to mortality through its effect on SIRT1 activity. It took me several months to figure out that Ade is a co-author of the research. During this time, I embraced “Ade’s Protocol”: Vitamin B3, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Quercetin, Zinc, and Selenium.

INTERVIEW WITH ADE
Do you think you are cured of your long haulers? Do you think it is likely you may have other long term damage that you are not yet aware of?
Ade: So I am probably one of the longest around 6 Dec 2019 and am 99.5% back to normal.

We set out to investigate how to do the above, change risk, and of the about 3500 on a prophylactic regime only 1 person has been positive and had multiple exposures running a covid hospital. His course proved to be mild.

As a clinician I am super scared of such anecdotal evidence and a trial is really the only way to gain exposure and traction.

Am I worried about long term damage that I may not be aware of? No…if it raises its head I will deal with it then.

We never set out to chase the virus, but only to save 1 person….and that we have done. It’s been a team approach with Robert Miller
who first noticed the NAD+ link and Prof Guy A. Richard’s who guided, scrutinized, questioned and encouraged the clinical process.

In my humble opinion, you guys should get the Nobel Prize. I knew the protocol was working on my long haulers, but wasn’t sure if you thought it was a prophylactic, too. And, I’m guessing it might also be a “treatment” for active COVID cases?
Ade: it works wonders for all 3. Pre, during and after and for post covid anxiety.We started with pre covid prophylaxis on a small 250 strong group in Ireland who were then starting to peak and at 3 care centers in the UK all on a voluntary basis. Then, progressed to acute patients. Through this process I was a long hauler who had access to all specialties to discuss our research and often going on to treat them when they became unwell.

COVID NAD+ Deficiency

COVID-19 Index

bookmark_borderCOVID-19: NAD+ Deficiency

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The Miller/Wentzel/Richards COVID NAD+ protocol
NAD+: Niacin B3, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Quercetin, Zinc, and Selenium

NAD+ is a crucial part of the immune system. COVID depletes your NAD+. The body needs the time and materials necessary to replenish NAD+. Included in the elements you need are Vitamins C, Niacin B3, D, Quercetin, Zinc, and Selenium.

Vitamin B3 / Niacin is the most important ingredient. It must be the correct type of Niacin. Please click here for detailed B3 information.

Vitamin C is best ingested in whole foods not juice or supplements. If it is not possible to consume whole foods, 1,000mg / day is plenty for adults.

Vitamin D is best synthesized by your body. Adults can take an additional 1,000iu / day BUT supplements will not create the photoproducts with unique biologic properties required for your immune system. Exposure of the skin to sunlight is preferred for your body to photosynthesize its own Vitamin D.

Quercetin is best consumed as part of your diet and is contained in abundance in onions, apples, honey, raspberries, red grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, green tea, coffee, and red wine.

Zinc supplements should be taken daily at the recommend daily allowance for your weight and age. The problem is that there are many zinc products which deliver different amounts of free zinc per milligram.

Selenium should be consumed as part of your diet. Selenium supplements may cause an overdose. Brazil nuts, seafoods, meat, eggs, dairy, and brown rice are the richest food sources of selenium.

In general, it takes 3-6 months to replenish a NAD+ deficiency. You can’t just take higher doses. Your body can only create so much NAD+ in a day. Exercise, inflammation, stress, and/or anxiety can aggravate or prolong long haulers syndrome.


Ade's Original NAD+ Diagram
Ade’s Original NAD+ Diagram

ABOUT NAD+
“Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is both a crucial coenzyme and a cosubstrate for various metabolic reactions in all living cells. Maintenance of NAD+ levels is essential for cell energy homeostasis, survival, proliferation and function. Mounting evidence points to NAD+ as one of the major modulators of immuno-metabolic circuits, thus regulating immune responses and functions. Recent studies delineate impaired host NAD+ metabolism during chronic infections and inflammation, suggesting NAD+ replenishment as an avenue to ameliorate deleterious inflammatory responses.” (Host NAD+ metabolism and infections: therapeutic implications)

NAD+ is often referred to as the anti-aging part of your immune system or “the fountain of youth”. In fact, NAD+ does decline with age. Quite possibly NAD+ deficiencies contribute to most premature deaths. The natural reaction is to want to boost your NAD+; however, there is little evidence that your body will produce more NAD+ than your natural baseline. The best you can do is to make sure you are reaching your baseline level.

REFERENCE
COVID-19: NAD+ deficiency may predispose the aged, obese and type2 diabetics to mortality through its effect on SIRT1 activity Miller/Wentzel/Richards (2020)

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID-19: Immunity, Antibodies, Memory T Cells and B Cells

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by Daniel Brouse
email: help@membrane.com

Omicron Update January 4, 2022

The effects of antibodies produced by the immune system’s “memory B cells” against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus are weakened. After the body learns to recognize SARS-CoV-2, B cells generate fresh antibodies against the virus if there are not enough antibodies circulating in the blood.

“Omicron seemed to evade a very large share of the memory B cells,” said Matthieu Mahevas and Pascal Chappert of Universite de Paris.

The research was published in Immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant from mRNA vaccination-elicited RBD-specific memory B cells. “Memory B cells (MBCs) represent a second layer of immune protection against SARS-CoV-2. Whether MBCs elicited by mRNA vaccines can recognize the Omicron variant is of major concern. We used bio-layer interferometry to assess the affinity against the receptor-binding-domain (RBD) of Omicron spike of 313 naturally expressed monoclonal IgG that were previously tested for affinity and neutralization against VOC prior to Omicron. We report here that Omicron evades recognition from a larger fraction of these antibodies than any of the previous VOCs. Additionally, whereas 30% of these antibodies retained high affinity against Omicron-RBD, our analysis suggest that Omicron specifically evades antibodies displaying potent neutralizing activity against the D614G and Beta variant viruses. Further studies are warranted to understand the consequences of a lower memory B cell potency on the overall protection associated with current vaccines.”

Updated August 4, 2021

COVID-19 Delta Variant and Vaccines
The efficacy of mRna vaccines is about 79% against contracting the Delta variant. Non-mRna vaccines are between 40-60% effective against Delta. Vaccines lose efficacy at about 3%/month after six months of being fully vaccinated. Vaccines appear to help contain the Delta variant to the nasal passage — you are less likely to develop the epigenetic changes to your genes (long-COVID).

We know the epigenetic changes caused by COVID partially dismantle your immune system including dysfunction of NAD+ optimization and suppression of T and NK cells.

There is no natural immunity from previous infection. Everybody needs to get vaccinated.

COVID Vaccine Breakthrough Cases
Q: Why are there so many breakthrough cases of COVID in the vaccinated?

A: There are several reasons why there are breakthrough cases with any vaccine; however, COVID is different. Many of the vaccinated people getting COVID already had COVID prior to being vaccinated. This is the second time they have contracted the virus. Once you have had COVID, your immune system is compromised. You should consider yourself immune compromised. The vaccine will not fully compensate for that fact.

THE ORIGINAL COVID STRAIN
A study published in The Lancet entitled Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody responses and duration of immunity: a longitudinal study found the immunity from a COVID reinfection varies widely from individual to individual from days to decades.

“We identified five distinctive patterns of neutralising antibody dynamics as follows:
* negative, individuals who did not, at our intervals of sampling, develop neutralising antibodies at the 30% inhibition level [12%];
* rapid waning, individuals who had varying levels of neutralising antibodies from around 20 days after symptom onset, but seroreverted in less than 180 days [27%];
* slow waning, individuals who remained neutralising antibody-positive at 180 days post-symptom onset [29%];
* persistent, although with varying peak neutralising antibody levels, these individuals had minimal neutralising antibody decay [32%];
* and delayed response, a small group that showed an unexpected increase of neutralising antibodies during late convalescence (at 90 or 180 days after symptom onset [2%]).

Persistence of neutralising antibodies was associated with disease severity and sustained level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. By contrast, T-cell responses were similar among the different neutralising antibody dynamics groups. On the basis of the different decay dynamics, we established a prediction algorithm that revealed a wide range of neutralising antibody longevity, varying from around 40 days to many decades.

The question may also apply to vaccines: will the COVID immunity offered by vaccinations last for 40 days to many decades? What is the durability of vaccines and will it be uniform or vary widely from person to person?

Previously released on January 24, 2021:
1) Natural Immunity
If you get a moderate to severe case of COVID-19, most people maintain viable antibodies for 90 days and memory T-cells for 5 months. This will likely give you natural immunity to the same strain of COVID for up to 5 months. The resistance to the UK variant is thought to be diminished. The resistance to the South African variant is thought to be none. There is some concern that COVID may erase all or part of your T cells’ memory for other pathogens.

2) Vaccines
You should anticipate that vaccines will give you a very similar immune response as the natural immunity acquired from contracting COVID. It doesn’t matter which vaccine you receive. You should get whatever vaccine you can get and as soon as possible. You should anticipate needing to get vaccinated every 90 days once vaccines are developed for all the different variants.

The message is — we have to stop the community spread and the exponential rise in variants WORLDWIDE. Individual countries can not obtain herd immunity.

More Information on COVID-19

What We Use to Know about Immunity
Q: What do we know about immunity to COVID-19, the immune system, antibodies, memory T cells, and autoimmune disfunctions?
A: Not much. Today is September 2, 2020. The virus is still new. We probably won’t be able to know the longterm affects of COVID-19 until the longterm; however, there is a growing body of research that is starting to uncover some of the mysteries.

Q: Do we know if recovered COVID-19 patients have immunity to reinfection.
A: No. We do not know the durability of the antibodies, nor the length of memory of the T cells. Originally, researchers thought you could only catch COVID-19 once, and you would gain immunity. Scientists started off thinking you would have a minimum of 1 year immunity and quite possibly 2-3 years. Now, 6 months later, that theory is history.

There are several cases globally where reinfection was confirmed by identifying that the second infection was by a different mutation of COVID than the original infection. “So far, there are three patients known to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 twice, and in at least one case the second time around was asymptomatic.”(1) Reinfection is rare, researchers said, but people should still be cautious. “If you’ve had it, you can’t necessarily be considered invulnerable to the infection,” Mark Pandori, one of the authors and director of the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory said.(2)

An extensive case study was conducted on the reinfection case from Nevada”
“These findings suggest that the patient was infected by SARS-CoV-2 on two separate occasions by a genetically distinct virus. Thus, previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 might not guarantee total immunity in all cases. All individuals, whether previously diagnosed with COVID-19 or not, should take identical precautions to avoid infection with SARS-CoV-2. The implications of reinfections could be relevant for vaccine development and application.”(3) Half of the those that became reinfected had more serious symptoms with the reinfection.

Since this paper was first published, a study done by the Imperial College of London found a 26% decline in antibodies over a three month period. The study all but eliminates the possibility of herd immunity. The study also indicates any post-COVID immunity is short lived and chances of being reinfected are large.(4)

Q: Why do so many recovered patients appear to be getting reinfected?
A: Most recovered individuals are not getting reinfected, rather their immune system mistakes inactive strands of COVID RNA as active virus. The autoimmune system reacts with an autoimmune disconnect resulting in cycles of recurring symptoms.(5) In the short term, it is thought the recurring symptoms will not cause irreparable damage. The long haul for long haulers is less certain with the duration of your body attacking your own organs in question.

Q: How long do COVID antibodies last?
A: Again, we do not know. Originally, it was thought the antibodies would last for a long period and the memory T cells might give you lifelong immunity. That is no longer the science. “There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 are protected from a second infection.”(6) A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that antibody levels against the novel coronavirus decreased by about half every 73 days and, if that rate were sustained, would be depleted within about a year. The findings are similar to those of several previous reports showing rapidly decreasing antibody levels after infection, including one published Jun 18 in Nature, which showed that levels of antibodies against COVID-19 began to decrease within 2 or 3 months of infection.(7)

Q: What immunity do T Cells give?
A: We don’t know. There are two types of T Cells. Memory T cells live for six months or less in healthy humans (Westera et al., 2013), whereas naive T cells can live for up to nine years (Vrisekoop et al., 2008). Memory T cells are the ones that remember your previous infections and how to fight them. Memory T cells reproduce passing on their memory. There is growing concern that the memory T cells may be forgetting. It is possible that COVID erases the memory of your T cells making you susceptible to get infected by any other disease or illness you have previous had or have been vaccinated for (as measles can do.) Measles seem to wipe out immune cells that ‘remember’ encounters with specific bacteria and viruses.(8)

RECOMMENDATION:
Until more is known, recovered COVID patients should take great care and avoid exposure to all bacteria and viruses, including COVID, that may cause illness.

1. Patients Reinfected with Coronavirus in Hong Kong, Europe (The Scientist)
2. 1st U.S. COVID-19 Reinfection Reported in Nevada Patient (WebMD / NBC)
3. Genomic evidence for reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: a case study (The Lancet)
4. Declining prevalence of antibody positivity to SARS-CoV-2: a community study of 365,000 adults Imperial College London
5. COVID-19 Long Haulers: autoimmune response due to inactive particles of the virus (Daniel Brouse)
6. “Immunity passports” in the context of COVID-19 (WHO)
7. COVID-19 antibodies decay quickly after mild illness (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy)
8. Measles erases immune ‘memory’ for other diseases (Nature)

COVID-19 Index

bookmark_borderCOVID-19 and Negative Feedback Loops

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COVID=19

As more time passes and more information is gathered on the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, there is growing evidence that any infection from COVID-19 may cause chronic damage to your body.

Negative Feedback Loops
The more often your body suffers damage, than the more severe each additional exposure will become. After you recover from COVID, there is likely some damage to one or more of your organs. Even asymptomatic individuals may suffer chronic illness. Immunity from COVID antibodies appears to be short lived. A person gets COVID, spreads COVID, and gets it again. Each time you get COVID-19, you are more compromised. The negative feedback loop repeats until failure.

Originally, researchers thought you could only catch COVID-19 once, and you would gain immunity. Scientists started off thinking you would have a minimum of 1 year immunity and quite possibly 2-3 years. Now, 6 months later, that theory is history.

There are several cases globally where reinfection was confirmed by identifying that the second infection was by a different mutation of COVID than the original infection. “So far, there are three patients known to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 twice, and in at least one case the second time around was asymptomatic.”(1) Reinfection is rare, researchers said, but people should still be cautious. “If you’ve had it, you can’t necessarily be considered invulnerable to the infection,” Mark Pandori, one of the authors and director of the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory said.(2)

UPDATE: COVID-19: Chronic Conditions
October 15, 2021

COVID causes negative feedback loops. COVID appears to cause the most damage to the weakest or most vulnerable parts of the body. If you were predisposed to a condition prior to COVID, you will likely develop the condition after COVID. An example would be people with type II diabetes. If you have diabetes prior to COVID, then you are at high risk of dying from COVID. If you are prediabetic, COVID will likely make you diabetic. If you are not inclined to develop diabetes, COVID will likely increase the probability of developing diabetes. The same holds true with NAD+, IDO, P53 tumor suppression genes, and all the other conditions listed above. The more times you contract COVID, the more cumulative damage you will suffer.

UPDATE: Reinfection Greater Risks & Exacerbates Underlying Conditions
November 11, 2022

The study Acute and postacute sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was published in the Journal Nature.

* The evidence shows that reinfection further increases risks of death, hospitalization and damage to multiple organ systems
* COVID exacerbates underlying conditions including pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematological, diabetes, gastrointestinal, kidney, mental health, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders

First infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with increased risk of acute and postacute death and sequelae in various organ systems. Compared to no reinfection, reinfection contributed additional risks of death, hospitalization, and sequelae including pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematological, diabetes, gastrointestinal, kidney, mental health, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. The risks were evident regardless of vaccination status. The risks were most pronounced in the acute phase but persisted in the postacute phase at 6 months. Compared to noninfected controls, cumulative risks and burdens of repeat infection increased according to the number of infections. Limitations included a cohort of mostly white males. The evidence shows that reinfection further increases risks of death, hospitalization and sequelae in multiple organ systems in the acute and postacute phase. Reducing overall burden of death and disease due to SARS-CoV-2 will require strategies for reinfection prevention.

More on COVID-19: Chronic Conditions

1. Patients Reinfected with Coronavirus in Hong Kong, Europe (The Scientist)
2. 1st U.S. COVID-19 Reinfection Reported in Nevada Patient (WebMD / NBC)

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bookmark_borderCOVID-19 Long Haulers: SARS-CoV-2 Causes Dysfunctional Autoimmune Response

Posted on by admin

Coronavirus / COVID
By Daniel Brouse
Email: help@membrane.com
Last Updated December 18, 2021

Long haulers syndrome is in part due to “an autoimmune response that makes you feel symptoms in waves, or due to stress, and anxiety that triggers your immune system.”
— Daniel Brouse (August, 2020)

My original description of long-COVID was, “It feels like my body is having lots of micro cytokine storms.” Now two years later, the hypothesis has been proven true. “‘It is important to note that the severity of disease in humans is not determined only by virus replication but also by the host immune response to the infection, which may lead to dysregulation of the innate immune system, i.e. “cytokine storm”‘ (Omicron SARS-CoV-2 can infect faster and better)

My gravest concerns about long-COVID remain the same — what are the long term consequences of my immune system attacking my healthy body?

Do recovered coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 patients have immunity?
Why do some people appear to be reinfected?

Maybe. Those who recover from COVID-19 appear to have some immunity.(1) “It’s reasonable to assume that there will be protection for a time frame of one to three years,” says Florian Krammer.(2) Though recent examples suggest immunity, if any, may be very short lived. The Omicron variant appears to escape immunity from both prior infection and vaccination.

It appears there are 2 different types of COVID damage: direct damage from the COVID infection, as well as, a variety of post-COVID syndromes. The direct damage appears to be dependent on the severity of the COVID infection (which likely has to do with viral load, age, and underlying conditions.) The post-COVID long haulers syndrome appears to have little to do with the severity of the COVID infection and more to do with the post-infection immune response.

Then, why do some people appear to get reinfected?
“Over the last 2 weeks, I’ve been working with my doctor about recurring symptoms. It turns out I have ‘long haulers’ syndrome. Every couple of weeks I go through a wave of symptoms. Though not as severe as the original experience, it is still not pleasant. The symptoms don’t come on all at the same time, rather they cycle through over two weeks or so (and not necessarily in the same order.) I’m not infected again, nor am I contagious.(3) The symptoms include:
* difficulty breathing (feeling like you’re not taking in enough oxygen)
* congestion / mild cough
* stomach issues / diarrhea
* loss of taste, smell, and appetite
* night sweats
* nightmares / vivid dreams
* dizziness / the spins / foggy thinking
* headaches / body aches / soreness
* fatigue
* ear aches

What causes the recurring COVID symptoms?
It is too early for a definitive answer; however, an examination of cases appear to point to an autoimmune response due to epigenetic changes caused by the virus.

Is the person still contagious? No.

How long will it take for the immune system to recognize that there is no longer a threat? It’s too early to tell. So far, symptoms have been observed for over 2 years. BUT, there are still many questions about COVID-19 and autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.

“Emerging reports show that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection precedes the appearance of various autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, including paediatric inflammatory multisystemic syndrome (PIMS) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), thus adding to the growing mystery of this virus and raising questions about the nature of its link with autoimmune and autoinflammatory sequelae.” (4)

What is long haulers syndrome?
The vast majority of long haulers experience fluctuations both in the type and intensity of symptoms over the course of being symptomatic.(5)

Research is pointing to “an autoimmune response due to changes in the genes of the infected host” for causing “long haulers syndrome” in adults. “Support groups on Facebook include thousands of people who say they have been wrestling with serious COVID-19 symptoms for at least a month, if not two or three. The groups have coined a name for themselves: ‘long-haulers.’ But their lives have been irrevocably changed by the onslaught of symptoms — relentless and rolling waves of fever, headache, nausea, and the terrifying inability to catch their breath. For Roberts, it’s robbed her of time. ‘I was so good. This COVID-19 has stolen my life,’ she says.” (6)

According to a WHO report, most people fall into one of two groups when it comes to the virus. Approximately 80% of those with COVID-19 end up having a mild response and most of those cases resolve in about two weeks. For people who have a severe response to the virus, it can take between three and six weeks to recover.

But now, there is growing concern over a separate group that doesn’t seem to fall into either of those categories. A number of people are now reporting lingering symptoms of the illness for one, two or even three months. This new group is mixed with those who experienced both mild and severe cases. As health experts step in to try to manage these patients and learn more, many are referring to this group as coronavirus “long-haulers” or “long-termers.”

“We’re now seeing a percentage of patients whose symptoms seem to be lasting a while,” explains family medicine provider Christopher Babiuch, MD. “This is challenging because everyone’s needs are so unique. We’re finding that collaborating as a team between different specialists helps to manage and support these patients, but there’s a lot that we just don’t know yet.” (7)

What is actually causing the immune system to have an autoimmune disconnect?
All the research is still theoretical. More studies and longer recovery times are required to confirm the theories. So, we still do not know for sure about the antigen presentation of COVID-19.

Possibly for the longhaulers it’s cytokine imbalance which causes an Down Regulating NAD+, * Up Regulating IDO, Rogue Antibodies, and other conditions that result from genetic changes. The symptomatology improves vastly with NAD+ precursors but if cellular damage or organ damage is to occur the damage is likely permanent.

“The SARS-CoV-2 hyperinflammatory response is associated with high mortality. This hypothesis suggests that a deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) may be the primary factor related to the SARS-Cov-2 disease spectrum and the risk for mortality, as subclinical nutritional deficiencies may be unmasked by any significant increase in oxidative stress.

NAD+ levels decline with age and are also reduced in conditions associated with oxidative stress as occurs with hypertension, diabetes and obesity. These groups have also been observed to have high mortality following infection with COVID-19. Further consumption of NAD+ in a pre-existent depleted state is more likely to cause progression to the hyperinflammatory stage of the disease through its limiting effects on the production of SIRT1,” said Ade Wentzel, co-author of the research.(9)

Does an auto-immune disconnect explain all long haulers’ symptoms?
No. Evidence is mounting that long haulers are unique and may have a variety of ailments. Many post-viral COVID cases exhibit the Lyme-like autoimmune disfuntions. Many also exhibit symptoms, such as, dysautonomia (10)(11). Long haulers have reported over 100 different symptoms. COVID appears to impact many of the body’s systems including respiratory, circulatory, cardiovascular, neurological, and immune systems to name a few. This makes diagnosis and treatment very confusing for doctors. And, those aren’t the only difficulties. An additional problem for diagnosing is memory T-cells. Some people’s memory T-cells may be getting erased. That means your body does not recognize previous infections nor vaccines. So, long haulers syndrome may be a combination of new conditions (Lyme-like autoimmune, dysautonomia, chronic fatigue, etc.) AND re-infections to everything you use to be immune to… with no one person having the same ailments as another.

Is there a treatment or cure for long haulers syndrome?
No. Currently, there is no cure or treatment for the onset of these autoimmune responses. The closest comparison appears to be when Lyme disease was first discovered or HIV.

Ade Wentzel replied: You can take nicotinic acid orally or niagen (if you have deep pockets). The IV will help, but however you supplement, you need to keep going for at least a good few months.

Ade has developed a protocol for a NAD+ deficiency: NAD+: Vitamin B3, Vitamin D and sunlight, Vitamin C, Quercetin, Zinc, and Selenium

COVID-19 Index

FOOTNOTES:
0. Technically speaking a virus is never alive. It is only RNA. Dead is not the scientifically correct way to describe it. But, in all essence, the virus is dead.

REFERENCES:
1. Potent antibodies found in people recovered from COVID-19 (NIH)
2. How Long Will Immunity To The Coronavirus Last? (NPR)
3. COVID-19 Testimonial (The Membrane Domain)
4. Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases following COVID-19 (Nature)
5. COVID-19 Prolonged Symptoms Survey – Analysis Report (MIT)
6.What It’s Like When COVID-19 Lasts For Months (NPR)
7. What It Means to Be a Coronavirus “Long-Hauler” (Cleveland Clinic)
8. Study: COVID-19 antibodies decay quickly after mild illness (University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy)
9. COVID-19: NAD+ deficiency may predispose the aged, obese and type2 diabetics to mortality through its effect on SIRT1 activity (Science Direct)
10. Dysautonomia: An Overlooked Neurological Manifestation in a Critically ill COVID-19 Patient (NIH)
11. Redefining Covid-19: Months after infection, patients report breathing difficulty, excessive fatigue (CNN)

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
A. Long-term consequences of COVID-19: research needs (The Lancet)
B. Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Iceland (New England Journal of Medicine)
C. Is a Bradykinin Storm Brewing in COVID-19? (The Scientist)
D. The Power of Antibody-Based Surveillance (New England Journal of Medicine)
E. Coronavirus Infection and PARP Expression Dysregulate the NAD Metabolome: A Potentially Actionable Component of Innate Immunity bioRxiv
G. Relationships between hyperinsulinaemia, magnesium, vitamin D, thrombosis and COVID-19: rationale for clinical management British Cardiovascular Society