The hottest COVID-19 Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

COVID, Columbine, Copycats, and Counting School Shootings

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics School Shootings Gun Violence COVID-19 Joe Biden Social reform
  1. Columbine High School Massacre remains culturally significant, influencing school shootings for years with no meaningful legislation or reform.
  2. Copycat school shooting incidents like the recent plot by a Russian teen reflect a global impact of events like Columbine.
  3. Viral tweets about school shootings can be misleading, and it's important to fact-check information to understand the true extent of school violence.

Completely Uncensored on Substack

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19 Public Health
  1. You can find uncensored analysis on Substack by Chris Masterjohn, PhD, as platforms like Youtube and Instagram are heavily censoring.
  2. Chris Masterjohn uses his Substack to discuss scientific topics in a calm and helpful manner, serving as a public intellectual during challenging times.
  3. His Substack, named 'The Analytical Calm in the Eye of the COVID Data Storm', focuses on harnessing the power of nutrients and is supported by reader subscriptions.

The One Amino Acid That Could Cure COVID

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Medical Research COVID-19
  1. Amino acid L-arginine can hasten the improvement in respiratory function in COVID patients with confirmed pneumonia and hypoxemic respiratory distress, possibly saving lives.
  2. L-arginine works even when administered at a later stage in illness when things have gotten very bad, unlike some other nutritional treatments.
  3. The Italian clinical trial showed that L-arginine supplementation led to faster recovery of respiratory function and may have completely eliminated the risk of death in severe COVID patients.

Small RCT Suggests Gargling With Iodine Clears the Virus in 4 Days

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Treatment Research Prevention Nutrition
  1. Gargling with povidone-iodine could clear the virus in 4 days as suggested by a small RCT.
  2. The study showed significant differences in virus clearance rates between different gargling solutions.
  3. More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of povidone-iodine in larger groups and more severe cases.
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The First RCT Shows Blocking IL-6 Improves Hypoxia in COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 31 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vitamins Supplements Research Updates Nutrition
  1. The first randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that blocking IL-6 improved hypoxia in COVID-19, indicating a potential for better treatment outcomes.
  2. The study suggests a link between vitamin D and lactoferrin in potentially reducing IL-6 levels, supporting their use as beneficial supplements in managing COVID-19.
  3. The study also highlights the importance of high-quality whey protein in lowering IL-6 levels, potentially aiding in the management of COVID-19.

The Latest Vitamin D and COVID-19 Study

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Genetics Infection Risk
  1. Genetics play only a small role in determining vitamin D status, which complicates studying its association with COVID-19.
  2. A recent study suggests that higher vitamin D levels are linked to lower COVID-19 infection risk, especially with sufficient exposure to UVB light.
  3. While certain genes may impact vitamin D levels more in high-UVB conditions, overall, the evidence for a direct causal link between vitamin D and COVID-19 is still weak.

Whey Protein, Breast Milk, and COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19
  1. Human breast milk inhibits the replication of a model of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting it may prevent transmission from mother to baby.
  2. Whey protein supplementation could offer some protection against COVID-19, as it showed antiviral properties in a study.
  3. The protective effects of milk against viral replication mainly come from whey proteins, including lactoferrin, which survive digestion and provide potential antiviral benefits.

Vitamin K and COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19
  1. Researchers suggest that vitamin K, especially in the form vitamin K2, may benefit the lungs in severe COVID-19.
  2. Vitamin K status was found to be important in COVID-19 patients, with higher levels of dp-ucMGP associated with worse outcomes.
  3. The study speculates that vitamin K2 supplementation, in high doses, could potentially limit lung damage in severe COVID-19 cases.

Five New Vitamin D and COVID-19 Studies

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Research Studies Clinical Trials
  1. Genetic studies on vitamin D and COVID-19 are inconclusive, showing no clear causal link.
  2. There is potential for a U-shaped curve in the relationship between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 risk, with optimal levels between 30-40 ng/mL.
  3. Maintaining vitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL is associated with lower COVID-19 risk, severity, and mortality, with clinical trials underway to provide more clarity.

An Update on the Safety of Indoor Air

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jul 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Air Quality COVID-19 Precautions Risk Factors Safety measures
  1. Indoor air safety is influenced by aerosol transmission, which can be mitigated by factors like space, ventilation, and air filtration.
  2. Most COVID-19 transmission occurs indoors, with close social contact being a key factor.
  3. Different social interactions have varying levels of risk, with factors like aerosol release and inhalation affecting safety.

How Dangerous Is the OUTDOOR Air for COVID-19?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Risk Analysis Preventive measures
  1. Indoor transmission of COVID-19 is 19 times riskier than outdoor transmission.
  2. Almost all COVID-19 transmissions in China occurred indoors, with outdoor transmissions being rare.
  3. Modeling shows that outdoor air can be safe by avoiding indoor public environments and close contact with infected individuals, focusing on avoiding indoor spaces over outdoor spaces.

Can Aerosols Spread COVID-19?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Transmission Masks
  1. Researchers have found that airborne transmission of COVID-19 through aerosols is possible, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.
  2. The study revealed that while small aerosols can carry infectious viruses, their growth potential seems to be weak and inconsistent.
  3. Results suggest that wearing masks to prevent the release of large droplets is crucial in minimizing the spread of the virus, especially in close proximity to others.

COVID-19: The Three Immunotypes

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Treatment
  1. A study found that COVID-19 cases can be classified into three different immunotypes with varying levels of immune response - T cells and B cells play important roles.
  2. The three immunotypes identified in the study were categorized based on the balance of T cell and B cell activity, with implications for disease severity and potential treatment approaches.
  3. The study suggests that understanding the different immunotypes of COVID-19 patients could help tailor treatments for better outcomes, but more research is needed to determine the practical applications.

Does Exposure to Animals Provide Immunity to COVID-19?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Immunity COVID-19 Animals Research
  1. Recovery from SARS can result in cross-reactive immunity to COVID-19, potentially lasting years.
  2. Some individuals without exposure to COVID-19 show T-cell immunity, likely acquired from other animal coronaviruses.
  3. This study suggests that pet ownership or exposure to animals may offer immunity to COVID-19, but deliberate exposure to animals should not be encouraged.

Low Potassium Levels in COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19 Diet Prevention
  1. Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) is common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with potential causes including medications and kidney issues.
  2. Low potassium levels can lead to heart issues like palpitations and arrhythmias, especially in severe COVID-19 cases.
  3. Ensuring an adequate potassium intake through diets rich in fruits and vegetables or supplements can help reduce the risk of hypokalemia.

IgA Antibodies, Vitamin A, and COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Antibodies COVID-19 Nutrition Research
  1. Different types of antibodies have specific functions in the immune response, with IgA playing a crucial role in protecting mucous membranes.
  2. Current COVID-19 antibody tests focus on IgM and IgG, but new findings suggest IgA may be key in defense against the virus.
  3. Vitamin A deficiency can impact IgA levels, potentially affecting the body's ability to fight infections like COVID-19.

NSAID Use in COVID-19 Remains Questionable

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Research Nutrition Medical Advice
  1. Recent research suggests that the association between NSAID use and COVID-19 severity or mortality is still uncertain and remains debatable.
  2. The study found that the use of NSAIDs in the 30 days leading up to a positive COVID-19 test showed an increased risk of hospitalization, but this association was not statistically significant.
  3. The authors recommend using NSAIDs only when necessary and at the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration, as more research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is needed to determine their impact on COVID-19 outcomes.

12 New COVID-19 Studies

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Research Treatment Testing Inequality
  1. Neutrophils respond to SARS-CoV-2 by producing NETs that damage lung tissue, resembling Spiderman's tactics.
  2. Viral load in COVID-19 patients across ages shows no significant difference, indicating children's immune response may explain lower symptom frequency.
  3. Women display a stronger T cell response to COVID-19 than men, possibly contributing to better outcomes for women.

COVID-19, Iron, and the Anemia of Chronic Disease

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Nutrition Disease
  1. A new meta-analysis on COVID-19 and iron metabolism revealed that severe cases had lower hemoglobin levels than moderate cases, highlighting the potential impact on oxygen transport in the blood.
  2. Patients with severe hypoxemia due to COVID-19 had significantly lower serum iron levels compared to those with non-severe hypoxemia, indicating potential implications for oxygen levels in the body.
  3. The findings suggest that COVID-19 patients may experience anemia of chronic disease, where inflammation impacts iron levels, potentially affecting oxygen transport and worsening the disease's impact on the body.

A Few Interesting COVID-19 Studies From Today

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Nutrition Research Vitamins Prevention
  1. One study showed promising results for tocilizumab in reducing mortality from COVID-19, specifically reducing ICU admission and ventilation need.
  2. Bovine lactoferrin, when given to pregnant women, has shown to cut IL-6 levels in half, which could be relevant in COVID-19 treatment.
  3. A small study from Singapore indicated that a combination of vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin B12 may be helpful in reducing the risk of initiating oxygen therapy for COVID-19 patients.

Vitamin D Does Not Explain the Race/Ethnicity-COVID-19 Relationship

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Medical Research Infection Risk
  1. Vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL increase infection risk, but this association disappears when adjusted for various factors like ethnicity and health conditions.
  2. Race and ethnicity are strongly linked to COVID-19 risk, even when accounting for vitamin D levels. Genetic factors are likely more influential in this relationship.
  3. Maintaining vitamin D levels between 30-35 ng/mL seems to be the optimal range for minimizing severity, mortality, and infection risk, based on current research findings.

“Leaky Blood Vessels” May Underlie Clotting in COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Nutrition Exercise Treatment Prevention
  1. Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are strongly linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes due to systemic clotting, potentially caused by "leaky blood vessels"
  2. Exercise is crucial as it can decrease the permeability of blood vessel walls, making home exercise important during lockdowns
  3. Citrulline, zinc, and antioxidants may play a role in supporting the endothelium and potentially help prevent clotting dysfunction in COVID-19

The First Vitamin D Study With Pre-Infection Levels Weakens the Association

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 14 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Infection Risk Nutrition Research Updates
  1. The first study with pre-infection vitamin D levels weakens the association with COVID-19 risk.
  2. Maintaining a vitamin D level of 30-35 ng/mL may reduce infection risks by 42%.
  3. The study suggests a weak association between pre-infection vitamin D status and positive COVID-19 tests.

ACE Inhibitors and ARBs in COVID-19: Unrelated to ACE2 and Apparently Not a Problem

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 13 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Blood Clotting
  1. ACE Inhibitors and ARBs do not increase the presence of ACE2 protein on the cells in the upper respiratory tract, which contradicts previous concerns about worsening COVID-19 risk.
  2. The effects of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on mRNA expression do not directly translate to increased enzyme activity, showing that activity is not solely dependent on mRNA levels.
  3. Studies show a reduced risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes for patients using ACE inhibitors and ARBs, indicating a potential benefit in managing complications associated with the virus.

Glutathione and COVID-19: Very Preliminary Evidence

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 11 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19 Supplements
  1. Glutathione has shown potential in improving COVID-19-related respiratory distress based on anecdotal evidence.
  2. Glutathione plays a crucial role in lung function by neutralizing toxins and maintaining mucous fluid.
  3. Glutathione may have antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 and could potentially slow down virus replication.

Vitamin D: The First Study on COVID-19 Infection Risk

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 09 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19 Vitamin D Infection Risk Research
  1. The first study on the association between vitamin D status and COVID-19 infection risk was published, providing valuable insights.
  2. Previous studies showed vitamin D status below 30 ng/mL is linked with more severe disease or mortality in COVID-19 patients from various regions.
  3. Results from the new study suggest maintaining 30-35 ng/mL of vitamin D may help protect against infection risk, particularly for those over 70, but more research is needed.

The First Zinc and COVID-19 Study in Humans: Very Promising

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 08 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplements COVID-19 Research Prevention
  1. A recent study suggests that zinc may have promising benefits in treating COVID-19 patients.
  2. The study found that zinc usage was associated with lower risk of hospice care or death, decreased need for invasive ventilation, and increased chance of being discharged from the hospital.
  3. While the study does not prove cause and effect, it indicates that zinc may hold potential in COVID-19 treatment alongside other medications like hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin.

Two New Vitamin D Studies

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Research Updates Prevention
  1. Vitamin D status below 30 ng/mL is linked to severe disease and mortality in COVID-19 patients from South Asian and Southeast Asian hospitals.
  2. New studies show the association between Vitamin D and COVID-19 severity extends beyond South and Southeast Asia, even to Europe.
  3. Maintaining 25(OH)D close to 30 ng/mL is still recommended, despite new insights from the recent studies.

Naproxen (Aleve), Clotting, Viral Growth, and COVID-19: Preliminary Evidence

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 02 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Blood Clotting COVID-19 Research
  1. Blood clots may be a significant issue in COVID-19 patients, leading to strokes, especially in younger individuals.
  2. The drug Naproxen (Aleve) has shown potential to inhibit viral growth, though further research is needed.
  3. Naproxen's impact on viral replication in bronchial cells suggests it could help prevent COVID-19 from becoming severe or fatal.

The Virus Has Mutated to Spread Faster

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 01 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Infection Antibodies Research Updates
  1. The virus has mutated to spread faster, with the G allele becoming dominant and potentially facilitating easier cell entry and enhanced spread.
  2. The mutation in the spike protein is associated with a slightly higher viral load, but it's uncertain if it impacts the severity of the disease.
  3. The rapid mutations of the virus could pose challenges for immunity development, herd immunity, and vaccine effectiveness, making it crucial to continue limiting exposure and supporting immune defenses.

The Second Study on Vitamin D and COVID-19 Is Now Out

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 29 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition COVID-19 Research Supplementation Prevention
  1. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of mortality for COVID-19 patients. Those with deficient vitamin D levels were almost all more likely to die.
  2. The study highlights the importance of maintaining vitamin D levels for COVID-19 patients to potentially reduce severe outcomes like respiratory failure.
  3. The findings have not changed much in terms of recommended vitamin D levels, but reinforce the necessity to monitor and potentially supplement vitamin D in COVID-19 patients.

New Evidence That Interferon Can Be Harmful in COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Supplements Research Nutrition
  1. Interferon can contribute to lung pathology in COVID-19 and worsen the risk of severe disease and death.
  2. Coronaviruses like SARS and MERS have shown a pattern of interfering with interferon responses which later lead to lung damage in infected humans.
  3. Studies in animals suggest that interferons, specifically type 1 interferon, play a complex role in restricting virus replication and spread but can also be the main cause of lung pathology and inflammation in COVID-19.

Update on Vitamin D and COVID-19 Using the First Observational Study Released

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D COVID-19 Immune System Inflammation Preventative Care
  1. Maintaining vitamin D levels within 29-34 ng/mL may lead to less severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  2. The relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19 severity is complex and may involve factors like IL-6 levels and lymphocyte counts.
  3. It is important for physicians to test and assess the impact of correcting low vitamin D levels on COVID-19 outcomes.

Machine Learning From 8.2 Million Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Clinical Notes Identifies Early Symptoms

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 23 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Symptoms Machine Learning COVID-19 Research Updates
  1. Anosmia and ageusia are strong predictors of COVID-19, even without other symptoms.
  2. Fever and cough together are more predictive of COVID-19 compared to when they occur individually.
  3. Sweating and diarrhea, when combined, provide better predictive power for COVID-19.