Plant-Based Diet and Supplements Reduced COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Elderly Patients with Multiple Comorbidities (Part 2: Exploring the Underlying Mechanisms of Successful Intervention)

Abstract

The potential advantages of plant-based interventions in decreasing the incidence and lessening the severity and mortality of COVID-19 are yet to be widely acknowledged. Nevertheless, recent investigations propose that these interventions could be effective. Our recent publication (part one) features an interventional study in which we incorporated plant-based foods and provided supplementation to 3470 elderly COVID-19 patients with multiple comorbidities. We pay close attention to the precise selection of food items, the application of appropriate processing methods, and the provision of nourishing meals to our patients. Our outcome was highly successful as we achieved a zero mortality rate, and none of our patients experienced worsening conditions or required hospitalization. This second paper presents our theoretical framework on the mechanisms through which plant-based and supplement interventions can mitigate disease severity and mortality. However, only very recently have experts validated our hypotheses. The measures and methods used to address the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic through plant-based interventions and supplements are effective and may help prevent or manage future pandemics.

Plant-Based Diets and Supplements Reduced COVID-19 Severity and Achieved Zero Mortality in Elderly Patients with Multiple Comorbidities

“…Our study's findings also addressed concerns about offering PBD to COVID-19 patients, particularly in relation to the scarcity of vitamins and minerals [4,5]. Recent research has acknowledged the significance of micronutrient supplements, including vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B3/NAD+, zinc, copper, selenium, anti-inflammatory natural products such as astaxanthin, curcumin, quercetin, CoQ10, and taurine, in COVID-19 [17]. To the best of our knowledge, our study was unique in that it involved the administration of supplements, which has not been included in any previous PBD studies on COVID-19.…”

“…During times of crisis, panic can hinder a practitioner's effectiveness. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread panic, causing physicians to prescribe medications such as antivirals, antibiotics, and antiparasitics without evidence-based support [30,31], which can harm patients by damaging their microbiota [17] and exacerbating their condition. Therefore, in our study, we discontinued all unproven treatments provided to our participants by other doctors.…”

“…The researchers hypothesized several mechanisms that may provide insight into their concepts. These mechanisms include enhancing nitric oxide (NO) availability, modifying the microbiota, repairing endothelial dysfunction, reducing inflammation, protecting against oxidative stress, fortifying mitochondria, extending telomeres, and restricting caloric intake [17]. As researchers delved further into the severe symptoms, multi-organ damage, and fatal consequences of SARS-CoV-2, they proposed that acute, severe inflammation was the underlying cause [18-23}.…”

“…The ideas have been expanded to include supplements that can enhance the immune system, reduce inflammation, enhance antioxidants, have antithrombotic properties, and support the anti-viral properties of PBD to overcome coronavirus. The researchers commenced an examination of various supplementations, such as vitamins, minerals, and natural substances, with the objective of improving the efficiency of PBD, as previously demonstrated in research conducted during previous viral epidemics [17]. It was hypothesized that by combining PBD intervention with strategic supplementation, the severity and fatality rates of COVID-19 could be reduced to as low as possible.…”

Saving High-Risk Patients from COVID-19 Severity and Death Mainly with Plant-Based Diets and Supplements

“…Our therapeutic approach commenced by exploring the potential benefits of PBDs in treating coronavirus patients. We identified several mechanisms by which PBDs could be advantageous for COVID-19 patients, including increasing nitric oxide availability, altering the microbiota, rectifying endothelial dysfunction, suppressing inflammation, safeguarding against oxidative stress, bolstering mitochondria, extending telomeres, and limiting caloric intake [17]. The severe symptoms, multiorgan damage, and fatal consequences of SARS-CoV-2 are attributed to the acute, severe inflammation triggered by the virus [18][19][20][21][22][23].…”