Thursday, January 13, 2022

AN APPLE A DAY ...


Quercetin and Zinc: Dr Zelenko Prevention and Treatment Protocol (2022)

McCullough et al. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2020

In 2003, Quercetin was initially found to provide broad-spectrum protection against SARS coronavirus in the aftermath of the SARS epidemic that broke out across 26 countries. Now, some doctors are advocating its use against SARS-CoV-2, in combination with vitamin C, noting that the two have synergistic effects.
Quercetin

Zinc and Quercetin

The Zelenko Covid-19 Protocols was developed by Dr Vladimir Zelenko. The protocol has as its centerpiece, but not exclusive piece, the combined use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Zinc as a means by which a person can both help to prevent or mitigate the contraction of COVID-19, or can actually treat the disease once it has been diagnosed. 

Quercetin acts as a zinc ionophore (PubMed 2014), the same mechanism of action that hydroxychloroquine has via helping zinc pass the cell wall where it might halt viral replication.
This zinc ionophore activity of quercetin facilitates the transport of zinc across the cell membrane. It is known that zinc will slow down the replication of coronavirus through inhibition of enzyme RNA polymerase (PubMed 2010). 
The COVID-19 is an RNA (RiboNucleicAcid) virus and requires the RNA polymerase to replicate. Do take note that the study publication was a 2010 publication and is referring to a different coronavirus as compared to the latest coronavirus (COVID-19); though both are from the same family of coronaviruses.

A word about quercetin: Some physicians are recommending this supplement to reduce viral illnesses because quercetin acts as a zinc ionophore to improve zinc uptake into cells. It is much less potent than HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) as a zinc transporter, and it does not reach high concentrations in lung cells that HCQ does. Quercetin may help reduce risk of viral illness if you are basically healthy. But it is not potent enough to replace HCQ for treatment of COVID once you have symptoms, and it does not adequately get into lung tissue.


That said, if you simply cannot get hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin, quercetin is a viable stand-in. Quercetin works best when taken with vitamin C and Bromelain, as vitamin C helps activate it and bromelain helps with the absorption. In this study (PubMed), Bromelain also has anti-viral property against COVID-19 virus and anti-clotting property, and therefore may be useful against COVID-19.
Update: Recently, Ivermectin has come to the fore as a more effective (also long standing, cheap, generic drug), in all three stages of COVID-19. Dr Zelenko has also updated his protocols to incorporate ivermectin as an option for both the prophylactic and treatment protocols as shown below.


Notes on Zinc supplements:  

  • How much zinc you should take per day depends on the type and forms of zinc, as each supplement contains a different amount of 'elemental zinc'. The percentage of elemental zinc varies by form. 
  • Inorganic zinc such as zinc sulfate, is not as effective or useable by your body as chelated zinc sources. 
  • Zinc ion can tightly bind to a number of substances, such as citric acid, potentially preventing the release of free zinc ions from lozenges in the oropharyngeal region. Zinc gluconate lozenges have been suggested to be less effective than zinc acetate lozenges, but a meta-analysis of seven trials with a total of 575 common cold participants did not find significant difference between lozenges composed of the two salts. (Ref)
  • A high intake of zinc (150 mg a day or above) and vitamin C (over 1,500 mg a day) may induce copper deficiency by competing with copper for absorption in the intestine. (Ref) 
  • For example, approximately 23% of zinc sulfate consists of elemental zinc; thus, 220 mg of zinc sulfate contains 50 mg of elemental zinc (Ref). Zinc picolinate (20% of elemental zinc), zinc ascorbate (15%), zinc chloride (48%), zinc carbonate (52%), zinc citrate (31%), zinc bisglycinate (25%) (Ref) and zinc gluconate (14%) and zinc oxide (80%) (Ref).
  • The AAPS (Association of American Physicians and Surgeons) recommends zinc sulfate, gluconate or citrate. These forms are available in pharmacies, health food stores, and sold online. Zinc sulfate 220 mg provides 50 mg elemental zinc, the recommended anti-viral dose. Zinc in the form of zinc picolinate form is not recommended following reports of liver damage and tumors from studies about 20 years ago. Following these reports, the German Commission E that regulates supplements used in medical practice in Germany banned this form of zinc.


Zelenko Covid-19 Prophylaxis Protocol

Prophylaxis is an action taken to prevent or protect against a specified disease. Greek in origin, from the word "phylax", meaning "to guard" and "watching." 

  Low Risk Patients
Young healthy people do not need prophylaxis against COVID-19. In young and healthy people, this infection causes mild cold-like symptoms. It is advantageous for these patients to be exposed to COVID-19, build up their antibodies and have their immune system clear the virus. This will facilitate the development of herd immunity and help prevent future Covid-19 pandemics. However, if these patients desire prophylaxis against COVID-19, then they should take the protocol noted below.

Moderate Risk Patients
Patients from this category are healthy but have high potential viral-load exposure. This group includes medical personnel, caregivers of high-risk patients, people who use public transportation, first responders and other essential personnel who are crucial to the continued functioning of society. These patients should be encouraged to take prophylaxis against Covid-19 in accordance with the protocol noted below.

High Risk Patients
Patients are considered high risk if they are over the age of 45, or if they are younger than 45 but they have comorbidities, that is, they have other health conditions that put them at risk. These patients have between a 5 to 10% mortality rate if they are infected with Covid-19. These patients should be strongly encouraged to take prophylaxis against Covid-19 in accordance with the protocol noted below.


Protocol for Low Risk Patients:  

Do nothing 

Completely optional
Protocol for Moderate / High Risk Patients:
  • Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 200 mg once a day for 5 days, then HCQ 200-400mg one time a week (ScienceDirect) (Find a Doctor)
  • Vitamin D3 5000 IU/day or 50000 IU once a week (Amazon)
  • Vitamin C 1000mg once a day (Amazon)
  • Zinc 25-50mg/day (Amazon)
OR
  • Ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg — one dose on day 1 and day 3, then take one dose weekly (ivmmeta.com) (Find a Doctor).
  • Vitamin D3 5000 IU/day or 50000 IU once a week (Amazon)
  • Vitamin C 1000mg once a day (Amazon)
  • Quercetin 500mg/day (Amazon) 
  • Zinc 25-50mg/day (Amazon)

Notes: 

  • Zinc is critical. It helps block the virus from multiplying. Hydroxychloroquine is the carrier taking zinc INTO the cells to do its job.
  • Vitamin D3: Preferable in oil capsules for better absorption.
  • Should quercetin be taken with zinc? Yes. Quercetin works best when taken with vitamin Cand Bromelain, as vitamin C helps activate it and bromelain helps with the absorption. Vitamin C does not affect the absorption of normal dietary levels of zinc (Ref). Further, quercetin helps the transport of zinc across the cell membrane as a zinc ionophore.
  • The use of HCQ is highly controversial. The best scientific evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that HCQ has limited/no proven benefit for post exposure prophylaxis, for the early symptomatic phase and in hospitalized patients. Considering, the unique pharmacokinetics of HCQ it is unlikely that HCQ would be of benefit in patients with COVID-19 infection (it takes 5–10 days to achieve adequate plasma and lung concentrations). Finally, it should be recognized that those studies which are widely promoted to support the use of HCQ are severely methodologically flawed.
  • Source: Page 16 of FLCCC Alliance – COVID-19 Management Protocol (version June 21, 2021)
  • Although ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are relatively safe drugs, they are still synthetic chemicals that can have side effects. Vitamin D, C, Zinc and Quercetin are nutrients that your body require for optimal health. Nutrients are safer alternatives especially if your risk is low e.g. age below 50 and no other chronic illness. Discuss with your doctor on the benefit vs risk for each treatment.
  • Quercetin has one moderate drug interaction with warfarin. Do not take quercetin without medical advice if you are using warfarin.
  • Z-Stack Supplement: In an effort to make it easier for patients, Dr Zelenko has developed an oral supplement that contains all four: vitamin C, quercetin, vitamin D3 and zinc. It’s called Z-Stack Vitamins. 


Zelenko Protocol - Treatment Plan for Patients with COVID-19 symptoms

Fundamental Principles (Dr Zelenko Protocol When to Start)

Treat patients based on clinical suspicion as soon as possible, preferably within the first 5 days of symptoms. Perform PCR testing, but do not withhold treatment pending results.


Patient Categories

Low risk patient - Younger than 45, no co-morbidities, and clinically stable
High risk patient - Older than 45, younger than 45 with co-morbidities, or clinically unstable

Treatment Options

Low risk patients - over the counter options:


1. Zinc (Elemental) 50 mg 1 time a day for 7 days (PubMed) (Amazon)

2.1. Quercetin 500 mg 2 times a day for 7 days (PubMed) (Amazon) OR

2.2. Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) 400 mg 1 time a day for 7 days (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2014)

3. Vitamin C 1000 mg 1 time a day for 7 days (Amazon)
4. Vitamin D3 5000 IU 1 time a day for 7 days (Amazon)
Posted by . , at 8:14 PM