As the United States faces an accelerating pace of new coronavirus case reports — I wanted to share helpful information which I believe will help the reader feel less anxious as well as pro-active with their health.

The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, appointed in 1984, is currently considered the leading expert on navigating the countries concerns over the Coronavirus Disease, aka - Covid-19. First recognized in December 2019, the two REAL anxiety provoking issues which legitimately intensify the growing fear of Covid-19 were cited by Dr. Fauci on 60 Minutes this past Sunday, March 8, 2020.

These are:

 1) the fact that there is no knowing when the Coronavirus will stop spreading – unlike the Influenza virus that we see dissipate and disappear each spring with the warmer weather

 2) there is no vaccine against the Coronavirus

Please consider these important points when comparing statistics for the 2018-2020 Influenza Virus with the current Coronavirus – COVID-19 virus:

• Regarding Influenza, as of the end of February 2020, the CDC stated that there had been an estimated 26,000,000 illnesses globally
• Compare these statistics with March 11, 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics, where Total Cases is 119,405 globally  (this is 4% of the Global Influenza 26 million cases).
• GLOBALLY, Influenza Virus related deaths in 2018-2019 was estimated at 34,200 people, compared with 4005 deaths GLOBALLY due to COV-19 as of March 11, 2020.
• In the US, there have been 1010 cases of COVD-19 as of March 11, 2020 with 31 Deaths, compared to an estimated current 15,000,000 cases of Influenza in the US and 8200 Deaths this 2019-2020 US Influenza season. I think you can do the math. 31 deaths in the US from Coronavirus vs. 8200 from the Flu.

Please note that hand hygiene and Social Distancing are considered the best tools for prevention being currently endorsed by the CDC in the US. The best way to prevent an explosion of COVID-19 cases in the next few weeks, is to break potential chains of transmission by preventing infected people from coming in close contact with healthy ones. THIS is what is termed SOCIAL DISTANCING. The goal isn’t to stop the virus; not anymore. It is to slow it down. 

I would like to introduce an additional protective and very proactive natural way to support you and your loved ones from both Influenza as well as the Coronavirus. I take natural medicine very seriously, so please do not consider alternative companies or substitutes for my current recommendations. I can only endorse what I recommend as an Integrative Medicine doctor-not its alternatives.

Elderberry, also name by its botanical name, Sambucus nigra, has been used since antiquity in herbal medicine. The berries are rich in vitamin C and a wide range of important flavonoids, including quercetin and anthocyanins, which are believed to account for the therapeutic effects. The flowers contain flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, essential oil, mucilage, and tannins. I have traditionally used Elderberry in my recommended formulas for preventing and treating colds, influenza and other viral respiratory disorders for decades.

There are many benefits of elderberry extract, particularly with viruses. Virus cells take over our healthy cells by puncturing the cell wall with tiny spikes called hemagglutinins, which extend from the surface of the virus ( see picture above). Elderberry has the ability to inhibit the activity and disarm these spikes by binding to them, which thwarts the virus from entering and invading cells. The flu vaccine, which is only 17-45% effective at best each year, is touted to stimulate immunity against these tiny spikes called hemagglutinins. Elderberry BINDS to these virus spikes very effectively to thwart and/or treat viral infection.

In addition to Elderberry, the role of Vitamin C in viral infection prevention as well as treatment is ubiquitous. Suffice it to say that because we know that the measurable amount of Vitamin C INSIDE the IMMUNE FIGHTING WHITE BLOOD CELLS of the body, is MANY times higher than it is in plasma of blood, there are many functional roles for Vitamin C in the immune system.

Viral Prevention Program 

• Elderberry Tincture- 1 teaspoon in 1 oz (shotglass) of water daily
• Innate Response Vitamin C- 400 2 caplets daily or Innate Response C Powder- 1 scoop 

 The following COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

 The following are typical Flu Symptoms:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills.
• sore throat.
• runny or stuffy nose.
• muscle or body aches.
• fatigue (tiredness)

For signs of a cold or symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) or the FLU, PLEASE Increase the Prevention Program to FOUR TIMES DAILY

 PLEASE ALWAYS remember to hydrate, eat a healthful and unprocessed diet as well as get a quality night sleep to support you, your cells and your immune system!!

Ariane Cometa MD

your holistic doc