- Step 1ExposureVirus enters body through mouth, nose, or eyes
- Step 2Attachment + InsertionSpike protein attaches to ACE2 receptors in respiratory tract and lung cells, inserts genetic RNA
- Step 3Replication + ReleaseViral RNA hijacks cell machinery, copies all viral parts, assembles and releases new viruses
- Step 4Lung Alveoli DamageInfected lung cells where oxygen is exchanged call immune cells, attacking with chemicals causing lung damage and inflammation
- Step 5Inflammation StormInflammation increases fluid in the lungs making it harder to breath, progressing to entry into the circulatory system where damage increases blood clots
Immunotypes are categories describing how an individual's immune system tends to express itself. Some people have an immune sytems that responds too strong, while others respond too weak. Someone who already responds too strong should not have their immnune system 'boosted' for example.
Base on our online assessment you many fall under one of 3 immunotypes, each with a different set of recommenedations:
- Immuno-Balanced: Individuals with healthy, balanced immune response.
- Immuno-Overactive: Individuals characterized by chronic inflammation, autoimumune conditions, or allergic reactions due to a heightened immune response.
- Immuno-Depressed: Individuals characterized by an inability to respond to immune threats due to a a suppressed or diminished immune response.
Beyond pre-symptomatic and mildly symptomatic stages, some individuals succumb to more severe symptoms reminiscent of other lung pathogens such as chemical agents, avian flu (H5N1), or SARS-Cov, which is highly lethal due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)1.
Based on current evidence, one of the most detrimental aspects of COVID-19 is the propensity to cause ARDS. ARDS is due in part to viral activation of an inflammatory pathway called the NLRP3 inflammasome2, causing release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are chemical communication signals sent by immune cells when they attack a pathogen, including a virus, contributing to the severe symptoms associated with COVID-193.
Cytokine signals initiate inflammation to increase blood flow to the infected area and call out other immune cells to help in the defense. Early in the infection stage, this is a good thing, and should not be suppressed. However, if the virus is able to proliferate and attack in greater numbers, the immune cells which come to attack them may also cause peripheral damage to delicate lung tissues in the areas of attack. This creates much more cellular damage, resulting in more cytokine production, leading to an inflammation storm (aka cytokine storm) which can be very dangerous in later stages, and is a hallmark of ARDS.
Managing the inflammation response later in the infection may provide benefits in reducing the severity of the symptoms, which was found for common influenza A viruses4.
- Take our online assessment if you haven't already to determine your immunotype
- Review the Nutrient Recommendations table based on your immunotype, and check if you are already taking of these nutrients in a hight-quality supplement. Notate which stages of COVID-19 progression your current supplements support, and which ones are missing.
- Review the Nutrient Details under each nutrient in the Nutrient Recommendations table to learn more details about specific nutrients needed.
- Review the Lifestyle Recommendations table and detailed information sections and check which you are already incorporating, and which ones you should add.
- Select at least one method to improve immunity for each of the 5 stages of COVID-19 progression.