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COVID-19 Q&A #1 with Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D.

RP

Rhonda Patrick1h 14m · 2020-04-14

Support Rate

76%

134 of 177 claims supported

Support rate

134 of 177 claims supported

134 supported43 partial / not

Claims from this content

129

Well SupportedUp to 70% of people in the US are deficient or insufficient in vitamin D, suggesting widespread supplementation is advisable.Well SupportedSitting in a sauna at 163°F (73°C) for 30 minutes increased heat shock proteins, including Hsp70, by 50% over baseline, with the elevation sustained for 48 hours.Well SupportedVitamin D influences gene expression by interacting with approximately 20,000-30,000 gene receptors throughout the body.Well SupportedSauna use activates heat shock proteins (HSPs), which help fold proteins correctly, stimulate pathways for building new blood vessels, and increase mitochondria.Well SupportedMeasuring vitamin D blood levels is crucial when supplementing, especially for individuals with polymorphisms affecting vitamin D conversion.

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A. Volkovreader

4h

Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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N. Park

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Well SupportedRhonda Patrick takes 5,000 IUs of vitamin D daily, maintaining blood levels around 50 ng/mL, with some sun exposure contributing to her levels.

Well SupportedWeekly and daily vitamin D doses were effective for respiratory tract infections, but monthly doses were not.

Well SupportedIn a trial for sepsis and ARDS, patients receiving intravenous vitamin C had approximately 30% mortality, compared to over 46% in the placebo group.

Well SupportedRoutinely testing vitamin D levels is recommended to fine-tune supplementation dosage.

Well SupportedObese individuals have over 50% less bioavailability of vitamin D compared to non-obese individuals.

Partially SupportedIntravenous vitamin C can achieve plasma concentrations up to 68 times higher than can be achieved through oral consumption.

Well SupportedFactors that block UVB radiation reduce the skin's ability to produce vitamin D.

Well SupportedVitamin D synthesis from UVB radiation is significantly reduced with age, with a 70-year-old producing only about 25% of the vitamin D a 20-year-old produces.

Not SupportedHigh doses of vitamin C can act as pro-oxidants in individuals with G6PD deficiency, potentially causing hemolysis.

Well SupportedVitamin C facilitates neutrophil migration and supports neutrophil function by acting as an antioxidant.

Well SupportedMen using saunas two to three times weekly were 27% less likely to develop pneumonia than those using it once a week or not at all.

Well SupportedVitamin D may help prevent lung injury and pneumonia by restoring homeostasis to the renin-angiotensin system.

Well SupportedA single 15-minute Finnish sauna session at 96°F can increase white blood cell profiles and beneficially adjust cortisol levels for combating infection.

Well SupportedSauna use promotes mild hyperthermia, which induces physiological responses that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and activate cellular defense systems.

Well SupportedIntravenous vitamin C has 30-70 times higher bioavailability than oral vitamin C.

Well SupportedMelatonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in the lungs of newborns with respiratory distress syndrome.

Well SupportedChloroquine and hydroxychloroquine treatment resulted in abnormally enlarged endo-lysosomes and endosomes, potentially blocking viral transport.

Well SupportedSauna bathing reduced the incidence of common colds by 25% in participants using it one to two times per week for six months.

Well SupportedBlood levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient, and below 30 ng/mL are considered insufficient.

Partially SupportedIntravenous vitamin C has significantly higher bioavailability than oral vitamin C.

Well SupportedWhen sufficient vitamin D is synthesized in the skin from UVB exposure, the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to vitamin D3 is inhibited.

Well SupportedHigher doses and longer durations of melatonin use decrease sleep latency and increase total sleep time.

Well SupportedHydroxychloroquine and chloroquine demonstrated similar efficacy in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.

Partially SupportedBinding to the ACE2 receptor leads to downregulation of ACE2 levels in SARS-CoV-1, exacerbating lung injury and resulting in worse outcomes.

Partially SupportedPeople with blood group A have a higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 compared to non-A blood groups, while blood group O has a significantly lower risk compared to non-O blood groups.

Well SupportedVitamin D insufficiency and deficiency may increase due to more time spent indoors.

Partially SupportedSuccessive treatments with high-dose intravenous vitamin C have not been shown to increase pro-oxidative markers in healthy individuals.

Partially SupportedA randomized placebo-controlled trial is investigating the effect of high-dose intravenous vitamin C (24 grams/day for 7 days) on severe COVID-19 infected pneumonia.

Partially SupportedLow vitamin C levels in patients with sepsis may predict increased risk for organ failure.

Partially SupportedVitamin C is not a cure for COVID-19, and data on intravenous administration is not yet available.

Partially SupportedThere is no definitive proof that individuals with G6PD deficiency will experience hemolysis from vitamin C supplementation.

Partially SupportedMost infected children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and recover within one to two weeks.

Partially SupportedVitamin D deficiency leads to overexpression of renin, activating the renin-angiotensin system and causing renal and cardiovascular injuries.

Partially SupportedVitamin D plays a crucial role in the innate immune response, and low levels may weaken innate immune defense.

Partially SupportedSupplementing vitamin D in high-risk populations could be a preventive measure for respiratory infections like COVID-19.

Not SupportedA small observational study of 11 people with severe COVID-19 found no clinical benefit with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin.

Partially SupportedSauna use has been shown to improve lung function in individuals with obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Partially SupportedFrequent sauna use may decrease pulmonary congestion and improve lung function, including vital capacity, tidal volume, minute ventilation, and forced expiratory volume.

Partially SupportedThe SARS-CoV-2 virus enters cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor, potentially leading to loss of ACE2 function and serious health consequences.

Partially SupportedACE2 counteracts ACE1 in the renin-angiotensin system to regulate blood pressure and salt balance.

Partially SupportedACE2 is a key protective factor against the severity of lung edema and acute lung failure.

Well SupportedChloroquine diphosphate acts as a zinc ionophore, increasing intracellular zinc levels when combined with zinc.

Partially SupportedZinc inhibits the replication of RNA viruses by inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, but requires an ionophore to enter cells.

Partially SupportedHeat shock proteins (HSPs) activate the innate immune response.

Partially SupportedWomen have higher ACE2 levels than men due to having two X chromosomes, potentially contributing to males being more susceptible to severe COVID-19.

Partially SupportedThe downregulation of ACE2 by SARS-CoV-1 decreases ACE2 levels, which dis-regulates the renin-angiotensin system and causes worse lung injury.

Partially SupportedHuman recombinant soluble ACE2 reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection in engineered human organoid tissues by binding to and sequestering the virus.

Partially SupportedIntravenous vitamin C's effectiveness in treating viral infections is attributed to its immune-enhancing properties and direct production of hydrogen peroxide.

Partially SupportedVitamin C promotes T cell proliferation and prevents T cell death, potentially enhancing immune responses against pathogens.

Partially SupportedVitamin D is an important topic with potential confusion surrounding its role in COVID-19 susceptibility, possibly related to ACE2 receptors.

Partially SupportedMelatonin production in the pineal gland declines with age, starting around 40 years old.

Partially SupportedHydroxychloroquine and azithromycin may be used to treat symptomatic COVID-19 patients and potentially decrease viral shedding duration, but more high-quality data is required.

Partially SupportedMelatonin production is inhibited by blue light and begins in the evening as light decreases.

Partially SupportedHot baths can increase heat shock protein levels, potentially serving as an alternative to saunas for heat stress.

Partially SupportedChildren who are younger, immunocompromised, or have pulmonary health problems may be at greater risk of COVID-19 complications.

Partially SupportedMelatonin supplementation may reduce illness severity and improve recovery, potentially acting as an adjunct treatment during COVID-19.

Partially SupportedPatients receiving both azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine cleared the virus from nasal pharyngeal samples in one study.

Partially SupportedBoosting heat shock protein production is beneficial because their levels decrease with age.

Partially SupportedAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by pulmonary edema, inflammatory cell accumulation, and severe hypoxia, resulting from a strong downregulation of ACE2.

Not SupportedTaking too much vitamin D is not advisable.

Partially SupportedMelatonin ameliorates RSV-induced lung inflammatory injury in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Partially SupportedIn patients with multiple sclerosis, 25mg/day of melatonin for six months reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Partially SupportedMelatonin supplementation at 6mg/day for 8 weeks decreased serum IL-6, TNF-alpha, and hs-CRP in patients with diabetes and periodontitis.

Partially SupportedIn newborns with respiratory distress syndrome, melatonin treatment reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and improved clinical outcomes.

Partially SupportedMelatonin modulates the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is implicated in inflammatory disorders and can trigger a cytokine storm.

Partially SupportedShort-term use of melatonin up to one gram per day for a month shows no observed adverse effects.

Partially SupportedIt is a common mistake in biology to draw overly broad conclusions from isolated interactions without considering the full context and interplay of biological systems.

Partially SupportedHydroxychloroquine is a less toxic derivative of chloroquine with anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Partially SupportedPersistent fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 has been observed in pediatric cases, suggesting a potential fecal-oral transmission route.

Partially SupportedA small percentage of infected children may progress to lower respiratory infections.

Partially SupportedThe clinical spectrum of COVID-19 in children often resembles influenza.

Partially SupportedMelatonin regulates leukocyte function and controls inflammation by activating or inhibiting immune responses depending on the biological context.

Partially SupportedHuman lymphoid cells are a physiological source of melatonin and possess melatonin receptors.

Partially SupportedMelatonin can inhibit the translocation of NF-kappa-B, blunting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Partially SupportedMelatonin administration can increase lymphocyte proliferation, the number of natural killer cells, and the release of tumor necrosis factor, while also enhancing phagocytosis and modulating apoptosis.

Partially SupportedThere is no data to suggest that melatonin can prevent or lessen the severity of COVID-19 illness.

Partially SupportedQuercetin has demonstrated antiviral capacities against a broad spectrum of pathogens in cell cultures.

Partially SupportedQuercetin has been reported to block the entry of SARS-CoV-1 into host cells.

Partially SupportedQuercetin has very low cytotoxicity and is an FDA-approved drug ingredient.

Partially SupportedQuercetin exhibits zinc ionophore activity, transporting zinc cations across the plasma membrane, which inhibits RNA virus reproduction.

Partially SupportedQuercetin was identified as a potentially useful drug to repurpose against SARS-CoV-2 through drug prioritization algorithms and virtual screening.

Partially SupportedThe relationship between exposure temperature and maximal heat shock protein 70 levels is linear between normal body temperature (98.6°F) and 105.8°F, increasing approximately 50% per degree Celsius in human lung epithelial cells.

Partially SupportedHeat shock protein 70 can stimulate the innate immune response through toll-like receptors 2 and 4 when released from cells.

Partially SupportedActivated heat shock proteins can remain active for up to 48 hours.

Partially SupportedSARS-CoV-2 can unbalance the renin-angiotensin system in the lung via ACE2 downregulation, leading to inflammation, hypoxia, and potentially a cytokine storm.

Partially SupportedAs of March 18, 2020, children accounted for approximately 1-5% of diagnosed COVID-19 cases, with milder disease and rare deaths compared to adults.

Partially SupportedImbalance in the renin-angiotensin system with higher ACE and lower ACE2 is associated with cardiovascular and lung conditions, while increased ACE2 appears protective.

Partially SupportedIn healthy adults, a 1.25g oral dose of vitamin C results in peak plasma concentrations of 135 micromoles/liter, while the same intravenous dose reaches 885 micromoles/liter.

Partially SupportedLower ACE2 receptor maturity, function, or binding ability in children may contribute to less severe COVID-19 disease compared to adults.

Partially SupportedHigh-dose intravenous vitamin C may kill pathogens and unhealthy cells.

Partially SupportedCommon side effects of hydroxychloroquine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.

Partially SupportedSARS-CoV-2 is not transmissible from pregnant mothers to their infants at birth.

Partially SupportedShort-term melatonin intake reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines during acute inflammatory phases.

Partially SupportedMelatonin controls over 500 genes involved in circadian rhythm, inflammation, immune function, and antioxidant activity.

Partially SupportedInfants younger than one year are more vulnerable to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Partially SupportedIntravenous vitamin C has been used for decades as an effective antiviral agent for multiple viral infections, including myocarditis and Epstein-Barr virus.

Partially SupportedPersistent positive rectal swabs in pediatric COVID-19 cases suggest the possibility of fecal-oral transmission.

Not SupportedProlonged hydroxychloroquine use can cause retinopathy.

Partially SupportedThe safety profile of combining hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin requires further determination.

Partially SupportedHigh-dose intravenous vitamin C is generally well-tolerated with low toxicity, with common side effects including mild to moderate nausea, headache, and dry mouth.

Partially SupportedVitamin C, at physiological concentrations of approximately 50 micromoles per liter, acts primarily as an antioxidant.

Partially SupportedHeat shock proteins, such as HSP70, can be induced by fever and stimulate the innate immune response through toll-like receptors when released from cells.

Partially SupportedIn critically ill patients with viral infections, plasma vitamin C levels can be less than 25% of those in healthy individuals.

Partially SupportedThere is no data to suggest that sauna use or other heat stress modalities will affect COVID-19 illness.

Partially SupportedDiagnostic findings in children with COVID-19 are often similar to adults, with fewer children developing severe pneumonia, elevated inflammatory markers, or lymphopenia.

Partially SupportedThe CDC recommends that mothers with COVID-19 continue breastfeeding, taking precautions like handwashing and mask-wearing, as the virus does not appear to be present in breast milk.

Partially SupportedHaving more ACE2 receptors is protective against acute lung injury and ARDS, despite SARS-CoV-2 docking onto the ACE2 receptor for cell entry.

Partially SupportedA trial of 32 COVID-19 patients showed 70% treated with hydroxychloroquine cleared the virus compared to 12.5% on standard of care.

Partially SupportedAmong symptomatic children with COVID-19, a small percentage experience shortness of breath or low blood oxygen, and a very small fraction progress to ARDS or multi-organ dysfunction.

Partially SupportedA retrospective analysis of COVID-19 deaths showed a higher proportion of Type A and lower proportion of Type O blood groups.

Partially SupportedHydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug, carries risks of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, especially in critically ill individuals.

Partially SupportedHydroxychloroquine has no published double-blind randomized controlled trials for COVID-19 treatment, and its benefit in reducing viral shedding is based on limited, low-quality data.

Partially SupportedIn the lungs, decreased ACE2 levels can lead to increased neutrophil infiltration, exaggerated inflammation, and lung injury.

Partially SupportedSARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 viruses enter human cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor.

Partially SupportedHeat shock protein 70 acts as an adjuvant in mice, stimulating the innate immune system and conferring protection against infections like HSV.

Partially SupportedSomali immigrants in Stockholm, Sweden, had a disproportionately high rate of COVID-19 related deaths, likely due to extreme vitamin D deficiency influenced by heredity and geography.

Partially SupportedAzithromycin has demonstrated antiviral activity against some viruses, such as Ebola, in animal studies.

Partially SupportedType A antibodies may offer protection against SARS-CoV-1 by inhibiting the virus's interaction with the ACE2 receptor.

Partially SupportedThe renin-angiotensin system regulates blood pressure and involves ACE2, distributed in the kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs, heart, and brain.

Partially SupportedVitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in the elderly due to declining cutaneous biosynthesis with age.

Partially SupportedSARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus that infects cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor and injecting its RNA, which is then translated to produce RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Partially SupportedIn rats with diabetic kidney disease, vitamin D administration increased soluble ACE2 levels and improved kidney function.

Not SupportedHydroxychloroquine carries cardiac risks and should not be taken at home without physician guidance.

Partially SupportedHeat shock proteins can directly inhibit viral activity and replication of influenza virus A.