Especially now – in times of high viral loads – an optimally functioning immune system is more important than ever. In particular, the coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) and the resulting Covid-19 disease have become an integral part of current reporting. Above all, the current situation raises the question: How can I arm myself against viruses and infections? Our body's own defenses are in demand. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, various natural substances can also specifically strengthen our immune system.
Lactoferrin – A universal protector
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional, iron-binding protein. It is part of our innate immune system and an important component of breast milk to protect us as newborns until our own immune system has fully developed. For supplementation, lactoferrin is extracted from cow's milk and purified.
Lactoferrin supports and strengthens the body's own defenses, but also in adults. It influences the reaction of our immune system (the so-called immune response), for example to prolonged stress or inflammatory reactions, and brings the system back into balance. As a result, the immune system can work more effectively and possible damage can be mitigated or intercepted.i,ii Lactoferrin can also directly attack and damage microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, especially on the surface of the body, i.e. on the skin and mucous membranes. There it combats the pathogens and prevents them from entering our body.It is precisely its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that make lactoferrin a focus of scientific research in connection with the coronavirus. A study from 2011 has already shown that lactoferrin is able to prevent the SARS-CoV coronavirus from entering the cell.iii Ähn Similar studies were started this year with the novel SARS-CoV2 coronavirus, both in the laboratory and in the context of application studies in humans. Initial results provide an optimistic assessment of how lactoferrin could play a role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, particularly in terms of disease duration and symptom relief.iv,v,vi,viiVitamin D – The sun vitamin
Vitamin D has a special status compared to other vitamins because the body can produce it itself with the help of sunlight, while only a small amount is absorbed through food. Vitamin D is a natural supporter of our immune system and also contributes to the healthy maintenance of teeth, bones and muscle function. As we northern Europeans live in a region with low levels of sunlight, it is important to make sure we have a sufficient supply of vitamin D.
The role of vitamin D is also being investigated in connection with Covid-19 infections. In the case of an undersupply of vitamin D, and usually other pre-existing conditions, more severe disease progression was observed in some cases.viii,ix On the other hand, additional administration of high doses of vitamin D supported recovery.viii
Probiotic cultures – Good bacteria for gut & immune defense
The gut is also known as the „center of health“ because around 80% of our immune cells are located there. It therefore plays an important role in the defense against diseases and in strengthening our immune system. Our intestinal flora (intestinal microbiome) is a complex ecosystem of different bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in constant coexistence and support our organism. Probiotics are „good“ intestinal bacteria that can help to maintain a healthy balance in the gut or restore it after an illness.ix
Studies have shown that the microbiome has significant positive effects on both the systemic and local immune response, for example in the mucous membranes (including the lungs). The intake of probiotics could specifically support the defense against viruses in the respiratory tract. In general, the function and number of immune cells are improved by taking probiotic preparations, which leads to a more efficient immune defense and reduces extreme inflammatory reactions. Their use therefore appears particularly useful in the prevention and treatment of infections, including SARS-CoV2.ix
[i] Fischer R, Debbabi H, Dubarry M, Boyaka P, Tomé D. Regulation of physiological and pathological Th1 and Th2 responses by lactoferrin. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire 2006; 84: 303–311.
[ii] Elenkov IJ. Glucocorticoids and the Th1/Th2 balance. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2004; 1024: 138–146.
[iii] Lang J, Yang N, Deng J, Liu K, Yang P, Zhang G, Jiang C. Inhibition of SARS Pseudovirus Cell Entry by Lactoferrin Binding to Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans. PLoS ONE 2011; 6.
[iv] Carvalho CAM de, da Rocha Matos A, Caetano BC, Sousa Junior IP de, da Costa Campos SP, Geraldino BR, Barros CA, Almeida MAP de, Rocha VP, da Silva AMV, Melgaço JG, da Costa Neves PC, da Costa Barros TA, Ano Bom APD, Siqueira MM, Missailidis S, Gonçalves RB. In Vitro Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Bovine Lactoferrin 2020.
.[v] Mirabelli C, Wotring JW, Zhang CJ, McCarty SM, Fursmidt R, Frum T, Kadambi NS, Amin AT, OMeara TR, Pretto CD, Spence JR, Huang J, Alysandratos KD, Kotton DN, Handelman SK, Wobus CE, Weatherwax KJ, Mashour GA, OMeara MJ, Sexton JZ. Morphological Cell Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Identifies Drug Repurposing Candidates for COVID-19. bioRxiv 2020.
.[vi] Serrano G, Kochergina I, Albors A, Diaz E, Oroval M, Hueso G, Serrano JM. Liposomal Lactoferrin as Potential Preventative and Cure for COVID-19. Int Res Health Sci, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2020.
[vii] Ochoa et al. Bovine Lactoferrin for the Prevention of COVID-19 Infection in Physicians and Nurses in Hospitals in Lima, Peru: a Double Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial (LF-COVID) 2020. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04526821.
[viii] Bisalski HK, Vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities in COVID-19 patients – A fatal relationship? NFS Journal, Vol 20, Aug 2020, p.10-21.
[ix] Mrityunjaya et al. Immune-Boosting, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Food Supplements Targeting Pathogenesis of COVID-19. Frontiers in Immunology, Vol 11, Article 570122, Oct 2020
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