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nations. The cuisine of both countries includes released during the immune response. While the recommendations
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fermented cabbage as a commonly consumed from the literature are to take high doses of vitamin D, I would encour-
food (kimchi in South Korea and sauerkraut in age spending significant time outdoors instead, if possible. As I have
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Germany). Cabbage is also beneficial because it discussed in previous articles in this journal, sunlight exposure also
is an excellent source of sulfur. Taiwan and Ja- induces cholesterol sulfate synthesis in the skin, and this is important
pan have also been relatively spared, and popular for supplying sulfate to the vasculature and to the immune cells. This
foods in those countries include “stinky tofu” critically protects from both impaired immune function and thrombosis
and natto (fermented bean curd). The fermented (blood clots).
tea kombucha is also highly recommended.
Flavonoids and terpenoids are complex OXIDIZING AGENTS
organic molecules produced by plants that are In severe cases of Covid-19 with low oxygen levels in the blood,
often used as medicinal supplements. Flavonoids hospitals’ use of ventilators has been widespread. However, many have
and terpenoids are responsible for the bright expressed concern that the ventilators are actually contributing to further
colors of many fruits and vegetables. A proto- damage to the already fragile lungs. The alternative medicine commu-
typical flavonoid is quercetin, a plant pigment nity is advocating the use of simple oxidizing agents such as ozone and
found in many foods, including apples, berries, chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in the treatment of Covid-19. Their pro-oxidant
onions, green tea and red wine, as well as popu- effects can directly kill viruses and thus reduce the viral load, and at the
lar medicinal supplements such as ginkgo biloba same time provide extra oxygen to fuel the body.
and St. John’s wort. Terpenoids contribute to ClO2 is a simple molecule that has potent antimicrobial effects
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the scent of eucalyptus and the unique flavors while remaining nontoxic to humans at low doses. ClO2 is particu-
of spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger. larly interesting to me because of its unique ability to oxidize sulfur.
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Terpenoids (also known as isoprenoids) have I theorize that oral ingestion of ClO2 promotes the synthesis of sulfate
been shown to have antimicrobial, antifungal, from organic sulfur-containing molecules such as taurine, and that this
antiviral, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory directly strengthens the innate immune system. Unfortunately, the medi-
and antioxidant effects. If your diet consists cal establishment has been a harsh critic of ClO2, likening it to bleach,
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mainly of processed foods, then you will be and this has made it difficult for clinicians to conduct controlled studies
deficient in flavonoids and terpenoids, and this to evaluate its effectiveness.
can lead to increased susceptibility to disease.
SULFATE
SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE AND VITAMIN D The jury is still out on the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine,
It has been noted that African Americans promoted by President Trump as a potentially powerful treatment op-
are significantly more susceptible to Covid-19 tion for Covid-19. The doctor who introduced this idea to him was Dr.
than other races. Part of the reason may be re- Vladimir Zelenko, a doctor in New York City who claimed considerable
duced access to quality nutrition, as low-income success on his patients with Covid-19. One thing not often mentioned
African Americans often live in areas known is that the treatment also included zinc sulfate supplements, and this
as “food deserts,” where fresh produce and aspect is probably very important. The drug is a zinc ionophore, and as
seafood are less available, and organic choices such it promotes zinc uptake, which may be one of its primary benefits.
are often nonexistent. But another factor may However, the drug is usually administered as hydroxychloroquine sulfate,
be vitamin D, as African Americans typically so it too is providing sulfate to the patient. Strangely most practitioners
have significantly lower levels of vitamin D due never consider the idea that sulfate might be a crucial component of the
to the fact that dark skin reduces the absorption drug or zinc supplement.
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of ultraviolet rays. Heparin is the most highly sulfated molecule known to biology, and
It may be significant that the Covid-19 heparin is another therapy that is showing promise in treating Covid-19.
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outbreak occurred in the late winter and early It improved coagulation dysfunction, as evidenced by sharp reductions
spring in the Northern hemisphere, when vi- in D-dimer, and also exerted anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the
tamin D levels are typically at their lowest. levels of the inflammatory cytokine Il-6, as well as increasing the abun-
Vitamin D deficiency contributes to acute respi- dance of disease-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes).
ratory distress syndrome. Vitamin D is known
to exert antioxidant activity, which is crucial CONCLUSIONS
protection from the inflammatory cytokines There is growing evidence that Covid-19 is a different disease in
38 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2020