Here are what I think are the best and easiest proven ways to prevent and treat COVID-19 (in conjunction with getting vaccinated).
First, let's note that:
Poor nasal immunity can lead to severe COVID-19
https://www.nature.c...577-021-00610-2
Overall, their study suggests that failed nasal epithelial antiviral immunity underlies severe COVID-19 and that host responses in the nasal mucosa are an essential determinant of the overall disease trajectory.
So nasal infection is very important in determining outcome.
We also know that vaccinations and oral medications/supplements are not super great at providing nasal immunity:
Shedding of Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Despite Vaccination
https://www.medrxiv....7.31.21261387v4
Vaccinated people still have high viral loads in their noses even though they tend not to get very sick.
So maybe reducing the level of nasal infection would help? Turns out that it does:
Efficacy of a nasal spray containing Iota-Carrageenan in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in hospital personnel dedicated to patients care with COVID-19 disease A pragmatic multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (CARR-COV-02)
https://www.medrxiv....4.13.21255409v1
The incidence of COVID19 was significantly lower in the I-C group compared to placebo (1·0% vs 5·0%) (Odds Ratio 0·19 (95% confidence interval 0·05 to 0·77; p= 0·03).
...
Interpretation I-C showed significant efficacy in preventing SARS-Cov-2 infection in hospital personnel dedicated to care patients with COVID-19 disease.
So iota-carrageenan nasal sprays can help prevent nasal infection. Which seems like a good thing, even for vaccinated people since we know from the previous paper that they get nasal covid-19 infections.
But what if you already have COVID-19? Well it turns out that iota-carrageenan nasal sprays are good then too:
Carrageenan nasal spray may double the rate of recovery from coronavirus and influenza virus infections: Re-analysis of randomized trial data
https://pubmed.ncbi....h.gov/34128358/
The increase in recovery rate was 139% for coronavirus infections, 119% for influenza A infections, and 70% for rhinovirus infections.
But what REALLY seems to work for COVID-19 infections is: nasal irrigation with saline. In other words, the humble Neti Pot:
Rapid initiation of nasal saline irrigation: hospitalizations in COVID-19 patients randomized to alkalinization or povidone-iodine compared to a national dataset
https://www.medrxiv....8.16.21262044v1
Conclusion Patients who initiated isotonic saline nasal irrigation after a positive COVID-19 PCR test were 19 times less likely to be hospitalized than the national rate.
Where to get iota-carrageenan nasal spray? Here's one list of all the brands containing one branded iota-carragenan ingredient in every country in which they are licensed:
https://www.carragel...unched-products
Note that none of these are meant to be a substitute for getting vaccinated or or getting medical attention if you have symptoms.
Edited by caliban, 02 September 2021 - 04:13 PM.
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