Morning, everyone.

I've had a few people ask me about where I stand on COVID. It's coming back in the news, so the questions are too.

Last week, I covered what I do to build my defenses through cold and flu season. But if you do get COVID, what seems to be the most promising therapy? Are there any other interesting links between COVID vulnerability and certain foods, nutrients, or health practices?

I'm paying attention to a few. 

Niacin: Flush niacin, the kind that makes your skin tingle and feel incredibly hot, may have an effect on COVID. One study on atherosclerosis linked niacin with a reduction in the release of inflammatory cytokines – the same ones that are involved in the pathogenesis of COVID.* Two, it could increase HDL, and low HDL is a consistent link to COVID severity. Many people report taking niacin daily to not only improve their COVID outcomes but get over so-called "long covid." Hopefully, we get some controlled trials, but in the meantime, niacin is safe and worth a try.

Low seed oil intake: I know, I know. I'm always harping on this, but I do so out of love and concern. And because our linoleic acid intake is so disproportionate to our historical and ancestral intakes. And because linoleic acid in our cellular membranes seems to interact with so many health conditions. COVID is one of them. The spike protein, according to one study, requires linoleic acid to be present in the cellular membrane before it can attach.* 

"The presence of linoleic acid at this site modulates binding of the spike to the human ACE2 receptor, stabilizing a locked conformation of the protein."*

Now, everyone has at least a little linoleic acid in their tissues, but the people who eat a ton of seed oils will have a ton of linoleic acid in their cellular membranes—which could make it easier for the covid spike protein to "lock in" and cause trouble.

Serotonin: I ran across an MD on Twitter who realized that his serious COVID patients looked an awful lot like they had serotonin syndrome, or serotonin toxicity. The symptoms were all identical—severe diarrhea, agitation, tremors, extreme high temperature, difficulty breathing—so he tested their serotonin levels. They were sky high. He gave them cyproheptadine, a cheap allergy med that also happens to be a serotonin antagonist (serotonin "blocker") and they recovered. He's trying to get people to run a trial testing this to little avail. 

Interesting stuff.

I hate to harp on this topic again and again (although it's been a while), but it just goes to show how connected everything is. Things that serve you well in other established health arenas (low seed oil intake, high HDL, etc.) could potentially serve you well in novel health challenges. 

That's been my biggest takeaway over the last year. What's been yours?

Let me know in the comment section of New and Noteworthy.

#listentothesisson