Evidenced-based natural therapies and immune-enhancing strategies to control, prevent, and treat co-morbidities COVID-19 and cancer

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to provide evidence-based natural therapies and foods that will enhance the immune system to fight the virus SARS CoV-2 and cancer. Minority populations that include Black African Americans and Hispanics are experiencing higher mortality rates due to both socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in the US and globally. Successful lessons learned from controlling previous 1918 pandemic flu will be discussed. Hypotheses We hypothesize that targeting lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and hydrothermal therapy that enhance the immune system can effectively control and reduce the risk to COVID-19 disease and cancer simultaneously. The target cells for the SARS CoV-2 virus contain the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors which serve as portals of entry. They are expressed throughout the body including the nose, lungs, heart, bladder, pancreas, kidneys and brain found on the epithelial and vascular tissue cells of these organs. Covid-19 affects multiple organs in the body and disrupts the innate immune system, especially the natural killer cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. Studies have shown that countries where BCG was used have less than 10% of COVID-19 cases and countries that do not use the BCG vaccine such as the US and Italy had high cases. It was also seen that people who had higher natural killer cell activity had 100% survival rates. Enhancing the innate immune system through natural therapies has shown to enhance immune cells to fight COVID-19 as well as cancer and destroy it. Methodology: Our research is exploratory and is based on recently published literature on COVID-19 diseases. The following databases were searched CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCOHost, Google Scholar, Academic Search Complete, AccessMedicine, MedlinePlus, Nutrition Care Manuel, JSTOR and Publons. Results: During the Spanish flu pandemic death rates of those who received the best medical care was 6.7% compared with those who received hydrotherapy at 1.34%. Hydrotherapy will increase the body temperature and stimulate the activity of the immune cells, which can kill the viruses. Increasing the body temperature to 39.5 degrees centigrade was shown to kill the virus. Following the hot water bath with cold treatment was shown to be even more effective. Many foods have been found to enhance the immune system and to fight the flu virus. Foods such as blueberries, garlic, and probiotics were shown to improve natural killer activity. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and selenium play a role in immunity. Foods rich in antioxidants such as kale, blueberries, red bell peppers, and all citrus fruits also help enhance the immune system. During the 1918 flu pandemic that received hydrotherapy and other natural remedies, out of the 120 students and staff exposed, there were 90 patients, none very sick, and there were no deaths. Natural remedies used in the Spanish flu pandemic and should be instituted to help enhance immunity and lessen the deadly impact of COVID-19 cancer patients.