On my
homepage blog, I gave an update on the Ebola virus which included its
definition, its transmission, how it’s infectious but not contagious, and
conventional treatments. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention issued its third Level 1 emergency response in nine years regarding
this virus, which is reserved for the most dire health emergencies. (1)
Here’s a
quick summary on what I discussed on my homepage:
1. The
Ebola virus was named after the Ebola River where it was first recognized. This
was during 1976 at the time of the first human outbreaks (one in Central Africa
and the other in South Sudan). (2)
2. Although
it is highly infectious, it is spread through direct contact, making it less
contagious.
3.
Currently, the fatality rate is over 50% worldwide and there have been 2
confirmed cases in the U.S. The CDC does not consider Ebola a major threat to
the United States at this time. (3)
4. There
are no approved FDA treatments and supportive care is currently being used for
victims.
Now, in
this blog, I will review some of the proposed natural supportive measures and
give my opinion on why “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Suggested Natural Supportive
Measures Found in the Media
1. Silver and Vitamin C
Alliance
for Natural Health discussed some in vitro studies on silver and reported:
Meanwhile, silver and intravenous C
are available right now, but we don’t see the WHO getting behind them. (Alliance for Natural Health) (4)
I couldn’t
find PubMed articles for this, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
GreenMed
Info offered this blog on Vitamin C: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/can-vitamin-c-cure-ebola
2. Sunlight and Vitamin D
Interestingly,
the Ebola virus is inactivated by UV radiation.12 It certainly isn’t the first
time sunlight has been shown to be beneficial in the fight against disease,
although bacteria appears to be more susceptible to UV radiation than viruses.
Additionally,
regular sun exposure will help optimize your vitamin D, which is crucial for
overall robust immune function. Americans in particular may want to take that
advice to heart, seeing how most are vitamin D deficient and therefore more open
to infections of all kinds. (Mercola) (5)
3. Red Algae
Extract
A recent article in GreenMedInfo
cited some resources linking red algae extract to help modulate Ebola symptoms.
(6) The mechanism proposed is through
the mannose-binding lectin. (6-11) One study reported that this lectin was not
associated in significant levels to pulmonary exacerbations in chronic
pulmonary obstructive disease (9); however, some in vitro and in vivo show
promising mechanisms. (6)
4. MSDS Database Suggestions:
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Unknown. S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase
inhibitors have been found to have complete mortality protection in mice infected
with a lethal dose of Ebola virus (30).
(My note:
this is the enzyme involved in breaking down SAH to homocysteine).
DRUG RESISTANCE: There are no known antiviral treatments available for human
infections.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Ebola virus is susceptible to sodium
hypochlorite, lipid solvents, phenolic disinfectants, peracetic acid, methyl
alcohol, ether, sodium deoxycholate, 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.25% Triton X-100,
β-propiolactone, 3% acetic acid (pH 2.5), formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde,
and detergents such as SDS (20, 21, 31-34).
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Ebola are moderately thermolabile and can be inactivated
by heating for 30 minutes to 60 minutes at 60ºC, boiling for 5 minutes, gamma
irradiation (1.2 x106 rads to 1.27 x106 rads), and/or UV radiation (3, 6, 20,
32, 33). (12)
5. An
Abstract with an Integrative Approach:
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are severe
zoonotic diseases caused by RNA-viruses classified into 4 families:
Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, and Flaviviridae. They are present on
all continents except Antarctica, their person-to-person spread is easy, and
there is a high risk of them being used as weapon by bioterrorists. So far,
efforts to develop effective drugs against these viruses have failed, and
typical therapy usually relies on symptomatic treatment. Search for substances
that could effectively inhibit this type of infections is now a priority. The
presented paper gives an overview of different approaches used in combating the
viral hemorrhagic fevers. Researchers look for safe antiviral agents with
appropriate properties among natural sources, such as various types of herbs
plants, algae, or essential oils obtained from trees, as well as investigate
the use of various synthetic substances. The aim is to broaden the pool of
available antiviral drugs that could replace hitherto applied medicines such as
ribavirin, which is not always sufficiently effective and may have
side-effects. The scientists focus not only on combating the diseases, but also
on their prevention. For this purpose, recombinant vaccines or various types of
immunomodulators may serve as a useful tools. Results of the latest studies are
promising and encourage further work which may eventually lead to the solution
of the urgent problem of hemorrhagic fevers. (13)
My Conclusions:
I think
it’s important to keep your body healthy and your inner terrain strong. After
all, not everyone exposed and treated died. What is the difference?
Recently, I was interviewed at CBS6 and stated my philosophy on keeping the
immune system strong: http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/features/top-story/stories/your-life-your-health-avoid-flu-19803.shtml#.VDWVxlALamw.twitter
I have also
discussed several options using essential oils and health basics to support
your immune system and overall wellness. Although there may be no “cure,” there
is a lot to be done to keep us well and keep our bodies strong!
Here are
the links to my articles:
Sources:
(1) Time
Video. Here’s What You Need to Know About the CDC’s Ebola Alert. Time: Health
Infectious Disease. August 8, 2014.
http://time.com/3093011/ebola-outbreak-cdc-alert/
(2) CNN
Library. Ebola Fast Facts. CNN. October 8, 2014.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/health/ebola-fast-facts/
(3) Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Transmission. October 13, 2014.
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/transmission/index.html
(4) Alliance
for Natural Health. Ebola: WHO Turns To Experimental Drugs, But Not Proven
Natural Remedies. Anh.org.September 2, 2014.
http://www.anh-usa.org/ebola-who-turns-to-experimental-drugs-but-not-proven-natural-remedies/
(5)
Mercola, J. Mercola.com. Should You Worry About an Ebola Outbreak in the US?
August 19, 2014.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/19/ebola-outbreak.aspx
(6) Adams,
C. Red Algae Extract Fights Ebola … and HIV, SARS and HCV. Green Med Info.
October 8, 2014. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/red-algae-extract-fights-ebola-and-hiv-sars-and-hcv
(7) Baize
S, Leroy EM, Georges-Courbot MC, Capron M, Lansoud-Soukate J, Debré P,
Fisher-Hoch SP, McCormick JB, Georges AJ. Defective humoral responses and
extensive intravascular apoptosis are associated with fatal outcome in Ebola
virus-infected patients. Nat Med. 1999 Apr;5(4):423-6.
(8) Leroy
EM, Baize S, Volchkov VE, Fisher-Hoch SP, Georges-Courbot MC, Lansoud-Soukate
J, Capron M, Debré P, McCormick JB, Georges AJ. Human asymptomatic Ebola
infection and strong inflammatory response. Lancet. 2000 Jun
24;355(9222):2210-5.
(9) Albert
RK, Connett J, Curtis JL, Martinez FJ, Han MK, Lazarus SC, Woodruff PG.
Mannose-binding lectin deficiency and acute exacerbations of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2012;7:767-77.
doi: 10.2147/COPD.S33714.
(10)
Ribeiro LZ, Tripp RA, Rossi LM, Palma PV, Yokosawa J, Mantese OC, Oliveira TF,
Nepomuceno LL, Queiróz DA. Serum mannose-binding lectin levels are linked with respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) disease. J Clin Immunol. 2008 Mar;28(2):166-73.
(11) Please
see sources on page 2 of article number 6
(12) MSDS.Free
Safety Data Sheet Index: Ebola Virus. MSDS online. Accessed October 13, 2014. http://www.msdsonline.com/resources/msds-resources/free-safety-data-sheet-index/ebola-virus.aspx
(13) Joniec
J, Kołodziej M, Bartoszcze M, Kocik J, Knap J. Research on prevention and
treatment of hemorrhagic fevers. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2012; 19(2): 165-171.
