If the Immune System response keeps us healthy, what can we do to keep it healthy?

The immune system is comprised of cells contained in the blood, lymph nodes, thymus gland, spleen and liver. These cells cope with infection by virus, bacteria or foreign substances by clumping them with protein antibodies, dissolving them with enzymes, or chemically inactivating them. This is accomplished in most cases at the expense of the immune system cells, ie., they must be replaced.

Their replacement calls for optimal amounts of cell repair substances, such as vitamins B12 and Folate, and nucleic acids derived in part via ribose and Niacinamide. In addition, the antibodies produced by the immune system require optimal amounts of Vitamin A, zinc and amino acids. The white blood cells produce Hydroxy ion, a toxic free-radical capable of destroying bacteria, but also toxic to adjacent body cells. These cells are protected if the antioxidant system of the body is fully supported at the cell membranes by vitamin E; at the mitochondrial level within the cells by superoxide dismutase (which requires manganese and zinc); and in the intercellular fluids by vitamin C and free radical scavenging enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, which depends on selenium and catalase which require iron for full activity.

Read more: Helping the immune system stay healthy

Homocysteine, a predictor of COVID-19 outcome?
Have you ever checked yours? Are you a “clotter”?

Recent research released by Zongguo Yang, who is affiliated with the Department of Integrative Medicine at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, along with his colleagues from the Department of Neurology, sheds light on this subject [see Predictors For Imaging Progression On Chest CT From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients on the NIH website].

Recent events regarding COVID-19 have shown that many patients are at risk for major clotting events once the virus sets in. I was intrigued by this as clotting assessment has been a primary focus of our medical clinic for the last 38 years and in particular Homocysteine has been a major focus of our work. In fact Homocysteine is so significant to us it led to the Ola Loa formula which not only provides Vitamin B12, B6 and Folate but Betaine (TRI Methyl Glycine) which will lower Homocysteine toxicity even when B12 and Folate fail. Naturally I was intrigued when I saw this article.

Read more: Homocysteine & COVID-19

From time to time I hear from people who are concerned and confused about fructose and sugar in general.  Fructose, as the name implies, is the same sugar that comes from fruit. A typical pear contains roughly 15-20 grams of fructose. Should we rule out fruit?  Of course not. The key as with any ingredient is dose.  All sugar in overdose, just like any other element, can become toxic.  For example, excess Glucose leads to diabetes and fructose in overdose can lead to liver damage.  But fructose offers great benefits when used in moderation.  First and foremost it is twice as sweet as glucose and 4 times sweeter than sucrose so a small amount goes a long way in achieving palatability. 

Read more: Sugar-Fructose.....IT'S ALL ABOUT DOSE

April 20^th (aka 4/20) is a special date in San Francisco history that has grown to a national holiday for millions throughout the US. Today here in San Francisco Golden Gate Park will be taken over by marijuana revelers and for the many tourists that will unknowingly be in the park at the same time will probably be surprised to see and smell the giant plumes of pot clouds that will surely engulf the area.

Read more: Marijuana - 4/20