If you ever branch away from Mainstream Media for your COVID-19 information, I would be surprised if you had not heard of nasal and oral antiviral therapies.
Recently, on Joe Rogan's podcast, Dr. Peter McCullough talked extensively about the importance of good oral and nasal hygiene. He stressed its importance as a preventive and treatment.
I took to pubmed this week to research the history of iodine based solutions, as used as an
anti-viral protective therapy, but first let's look into iodine.
Iodine is essential, it's as simple as that.
We use it to fight infection, and we rely on it for proper immune system function. Research into iodine dates back a hundred years, and there are no bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungus known to be resistant to iodine.
Most people have iodine deficiencies. In the last 40 years, our internal levels have fallen by 60%. Our Recommended Daily Allowance for iodine, like most nutrients, is low and will never provide all bodily tissues with the amount they need.
Supplementing with iodine is an excellent way to increase levels, but always consult a health professional when considering supplementation.
Okay, so we know that iodine is crucial for normal bodily function, and we know that it is an amazing antimicrobial.
Let's dive into its application within the wild realm of COVID-19.
Iodine-based antiseptic agents are time tested and have virucidal properties of 99.99%.
Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 primarily live in the nose and throat for several days, before it develops into a symptomatic infection, the disease we know as COVID-19. (1)
It is important to know that SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are different. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, and COVID-19 is the disease.
Many front-line health providers have proposed the use of iodine-based nasal and oral applications as part of a transmission reduction plan. (2)
Anesthesiologists, otolaryngologists and oral surgeons have recommended specific oral and nasal protocols in dilute iodine concentrations as a pre-procedure decontaminant. The groups also recommend that health workers use nasal and oral sprays four times a day to reduce viral aerosolization. (3)
Using iodine against coronaviruses has been researched over the past decade in response to SARS and MERS outbreaks. (4)
Journals referenced by Dr. McCullough concluded that the adoption of health-specific protocols using an iodine-based oral / nasal rinse could be useful in reducing the viral burden in outpatient environments. (5)
Randomized control studies have shown that the use of iodine-based nasal sprays and gargle solutions is effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 at a variety of concentrations. (5)
A simpler and cost effective solution to pills or IV medications.
We have seen a clear urgent need for affordable and readily available methods to reduce viral transmission and/or mitigate symptoms of viral infection.
If you have thyroid concerns, then you must be cautious with iodine, so please consult your health practitioner. Alternative options exist.
For more iodine based science, I recommend the book -
I also enjoyed this letter written by Dr. Pankaj Garg about his experience with iodine for his frequent upper respiratory infections (URI). He would get debilitating URI's 2-3 times a year, which was particularly tormenting.
He then began to use iodine as a treatment, and 2021 was the first year in 40 years that he did not develop a single episode of URI. He could not believe that a pandemic would have such a positive effect on his life.
Dr. Garg believes that the use of iodine-based nasal and oral solutions can have lasting benefits in future epidemics.
MICROBIOME HEALTH
Every day we swallow different microorganisms from our environment, and they head into the gut. Current research shows that the healthier your microbiome, the lower your chance of succumbing to viral infections.
The trillions of microorganisms that live in your gut have a massive impact on your ability to fight off pathogens. Bacteria, fungi and viruses live synergistically and play vital immunological roles. In particular, a bacteria, Bifidobactieum, is known to be your most important protective bacteria. If you are deficient in this species, your immune health suffers!
Many oral COVID-19 medications used in certain counties can affect the gastrointestinal tract.
Therefore, I must emphasize high-quality nutritional health to increase our diversity of microbiomes, as well as smart nasal and oral hygiene.
Have a lovely day!
Simon Brazier. Dip HN, NNCP
simon@truehope.com
References
1. Zou L, Ruan F, Huang M, Liang L, Huang H, Hong Z, Yu J, Kang M, Song Y, Xia J, Guo Q, Song T, He J, Yen HL, Peiris M, Wu J. SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in Upper Respiratory Specimens of Infected Patients. N Engl J Med. 2020 Mar 19;382(12):1177-1179. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2001737. Epub 2020 Feb 19. PMID: 32074444; PMCID: PMC7121626.
2. Mady LJ, Kubik MW, Baddour K, Snyderman CH, Rowan NR. Consideration of povidone-iodine as a public health intervention for COVID-19: Utilization as "Personal Protective Equipment" for frontline providers exposed in high-risk head and neck and skull base oncology care. Oral Oncol. 2020 Jun;105:104724. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104724. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32317139; PMCID: PMC7161480.
3. Khan MM, Parab SR, Paranjape M. Repurposing 0.5% povidone iodine solution in otorhinolaryngology practice in Covid 19 pandemic. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020 Sep-Oct;41(5):102618. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102618. Epub 2020 Jun 18. PMID: 32574894; PMCID: PMC7301800.
4. Eggers M, Eickmann M, Zorn J. Rapid and Effective Virucidal Activity of Povidone-Iodine Products Against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA). Infect Dis Ther. 2015 Dec;4(4):491-501. doi: 10.1007/s40121-015-0091-9. Epub 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26416214; PMCID: PMC4675768.
5. Pelletier JS, Tessema B, Frank S, Westover JB, Brown SM, Capriotti JA. Efficacy of Povidone-Iodine Nasal and Oral Antiseptic Preparations Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Apr;100(2_suppl):192S-196S. doi: 10.1177/0145561320957237. Epub 2020 Sep 21. Erratum in: Ear Nose Throat J. 2020 Dec 8;:145561320977784. PMID: 32951446.