Sandra Grumelli, Center of Investigation in Medicine of Respiration, (CIMeR), Cordoba, Argentina.
Published: EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine 9.4 (2020): 70-77 - March 24, 2020
This article describes how the differences in lethality of COVID-19 epidemic (in China lethality rate of 3.5% versus 1.19% in Japan; or 4.9% in Italy versus 0% in Germany, as of March 2nd) may be due to diet factors. Author investigates in this respect natural drugs that have shown efficacy to prevent MERS and COVID-19, such as niacin (vitamin B3) and berberine.
- “…Herein we explored natural drugs that have shown to inhibit ACE2 and CD26 and prevented MERS and COVID-19 cellular entry. We propose a diet rich in niacin (vitamin B3) and berberine as prophylaxis for COVID-19 and β-coronavirus infections” (bold added)
- “…Niacin, 84 nM (vitamin B3) in blood and 16.7 nM of berberine, from natural sources, should protect from β-coronavirus infections, including COVID-19, SARS and MERS. These concentrations have shown to be effective, are safe to use and available from food…” (bold added)
- “…Food with a high content of vitamin B3 and berberine should be consumed regularly for prophylaxis of coronavirus infections” (bold added)