Having an underlying health condition (asthma) on the CDC's "increased risk for severe illness" category, I've spent most of the pandemic researching treatments and studies. One of the first treatment protocols I learned of is known as the MARIK Protocol on the Eastern Virginia Medical School website.
I began the MARIK Protocol's prophylaxis supplemental treatment regimen in March 2020. Some of the dosages I take do not match the MARIK protocol for a variety of reasons which include the type or brand of supplement, or dosage based on my own health and physiology.
- Vitamin C - 1600 mg of Liposomal Vitamin C - liposomal absorbs faster than regular vitamin C. Early in the pandemic, China used intravenous vitamin C and it was also used in New York and saved a deathly-ill doctor in Washington.
- Quercetin often paired with Bromelain 250 mg - "Studies suggest that quercetin supplementation may promote antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunoprotective effects". Bromelain helps Quercetin absorption and is an anti-inflammatory. Take Vitamin C together with Quercetin.
- Vitamin D3 1,000- 4,000u- Early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, articles began appearing that severe cases of the virus suffered from Vitamin D deficiency. Higher doses are recommended for people who have contracted the virus. To assist with absorption, take K2 (which this is sometimes sold in a combo) along with magnesium. I take these in the morning with a spoonful of olive oil or sometimes eat fatty foods like cheese with it. There are many published studies in PubMed on Vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2.
- Zinc - 30-50 mg as a preventative, 75-100 mg if symptomatic. "Zinc is considered as the potential supportive treatment in therapy of COVID-19 infection due to its immune modulatory effect, as well as direct antiviral effect."
- Vitamin B complex - A recent addition to the MARIK protocol, "Vitamins B are recognized to stimulate the immune system". As of June 2020, there were five clinical trials underway on the role of B vitamins in SARS-COV-2.
- Melatonin - 3 mg as a preventative, 10 mg if symptomatic. Known as a sleep-aid, melatonin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies have been conducted on using melatonin to fight SARS-COV-2.
- Aspirin - Unless you are already on a medication like a blood thinner that would contraindicate, aspirin is a well-known blood thinner. SARS-COV-2 has caused blood clots in some patients. See the MARIK Protocol for recommended doses.
- Famotidine (Pepcid AC) - Famotidine was previously listed on the MARIK Protocol but was removed, probably due to published studies. However, as some SARS-COV-2 patients experience gastrointestinal issues, Famotidine has been found to alleviate those symptoms. It was part of the treatment protocol used on President Trump in October.
The following supplements are not listed on the MARIK protocol but I'm taking them for the reasons and studies provided.
- Selenium (sodium selenite) 200 mcg - Not only does selenium help fight viruses by increasing NK (Natural Killer) cells but it is often deficient in asthmatics. Selenium supplementation was investigated for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 for it's ability to "inhibit the entrance of viruses into healthy cells and abolish their infectivity". Make sure any selenium supplements you buy contain SELENITE because not all selenium supplements do.
- NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) and Alpha-Lipoic Acid 600 mg each - These supplements are sold separately but take them together with water as they help to boost the body's production of Glutathione. "NAC has been used to replenish glutathione stores and increase the proliferative response of T cells" along with "increasing glutathione, improving T cell response, and modulating inflammation". Glutathione can also be purchased as a supplement and I recommend the liposomal variety for better absorption.
- Beta Glucans - Can be purchased in supplement form, are commonly used for heart disease and high cholesterol. With regards to potential benefits against SARS-COV-2: "...beta‐glucans and polyphenols in children with upper respiratory tract infections give a consistent clinical basis to suggest that immunomodulation of immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has the potential to mitigate clinical symptoms of COVID‐19."
Prescription meds that might help fight SARS-COV-2:
- Azelastine nasal spray - "Azelastine, an histamine 1 receptor-blocker, was predicted in multiple screens, and based on its attractive safety profile and availability in nasal formulation, was selected for experimental testing. Azelastine significantly reduced cytopathic effect and SARS-CoV-2 infection of Vero E6 cells with an EC50 of ∼6 μM both in a preventive and treatment
setting. Furthermore, azelastine in a commercially available nasal spray tested at 5-fold dilution was highly potent in inhibiting viral propagation in SARS-CoV-2 infected reconstituted human nasal tissue." - Celebrex - An anti-inflammatory drug often prescribed for arthritis pain it reduces prostaglandins E2 (PGE2). Celebrex affects only COX-2, rather than both COX-1 (leading to gastroenterology problems) and COX-2 as do other NSAIDs. The treated patients were given either a “full” dose of 200 mg twice each day, or a “half” dose of 200 mg once each day, for 14 days. Full resolution of COVID symptoms in 14 days was obtained in 100% of full dose patients, 80% of half dose patients, compared to 57% of a control patient group.
If you are positive for SARS-COV-2, try not to exercise more than walking as that has caused some patients to worsen. Also, the recommended fever reducer and pain reliever is Tylenol and buy/order a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels.
