bookmark_borderAir Pollution Cause of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

In a UK study, a causal relationship has been established between air pollution and cognitive decline / dementia. The primary cause is a decline in blood flow to the brain.

Cognitive decline, dementia and air pollution

COMEAP reviewed nearly 70 studies in human populations (epidemiological studies) which looked at possible links between air pollution and a decline in mental ability and dementia in older people. They also considered studies which investigated how air pollution might affect the brain.

From this review, it can be concluded that it is likely that air pollution does contribute to these effects. The most likely way this occurs is through effects on the circulation. It is known that air pollutants, particularly small particles, can affect the heart and blood vessels, including to the brain.

WORST CITIES FOR OZONE POLLUTION
#1: Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
#2: Bakersfield, CA
#3: Visalia, CA
#4: Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA
#5: Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
#6: San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
#7: Denver-Aurora, CO
#8: Houston-The Woodlands, TX
#9: Sacramento-Roseville, CA
#10: Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT
#11: Las Vegas-Henderson, NV
#12: El Paso-Las Cruces, TX-NM
#13: San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
#14: New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA
#15: El Centro, CA
#16: Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI
#16: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK
#18: Fort Collins, CO
#19: San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
#20: Chico, CA
#21: Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV
#22: Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM
#23: Redding-Red Bluff, CA
#24: Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI
#25: San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX

WORST CITIES FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION
#1: Bakersfield, CA
#2: Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA
#2: Visalia, CA
#4: San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA
#5: Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
#6: Medford-Grants Pass, OR
#7: Fairbanks, AK
#8: Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
#9: Chico, CA
#10: El Centro, CA
#11: Sacramento-Roseville, CA
#12: Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN
#13: Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN
#14: Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV
#15: Bend-Prineville, OR
#16: Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI
#16: Redding-Red Bluff, CA
#18: McAllen-Edinburg, TX
#18: Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD
#18: Eugene-Springfield, OR
#21: Yakima, WA
#22: Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI
#22: Houston-The Woodlands, TX
#24: St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL
#25: Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
#25: Shreveport-Bossier City-Minden, LA

Air Pollution and Health

bookmark_borderWhat Causes COVID Long Haulers?

Post Acute Covid Syndrome 19 (PACS19), long-COVID, and Long Haulers Syndrome are names for the condition that an individual has after recovering from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Long-COVID is actually a combination of several conditions and syndromes.

There are over 60 proteins involved in the epigenetic response to COVID. So far out of these 60 proteins, three long-COVID epigenetic syndromes have been identified. There are likely many more. (The epigenetic changes are in addition to the organ damage caused by the virus.)

COVID-19 also causes other long term damage that we are still discovering.

Rogue Antibodies
Autoantibodies are antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack a person’s own healthy tissues and organs. A study published in Nature found “rogue antibodies involved in almost one-fifth of COVID deaths. The self-targeting antibodies attack type 1 interferons that play a key role in fighting infection. Antibodies that turn against elements of our own immune defences are a key driver of severe illness and death following SARS-CoV-2 infection in some people, according to a large international study. These rogue antibodies, known as autoantibodies, are also present in a small proportion of healthy, uninfected individuals — and their prevalence increases with age, which may help to explain why elderly people are at higher risk of severe COVID-19.”

Up to three percent of the population already has faulty genes that create these autoantibodies. Of those between the ages of 18 and 69, 0.18% had existing autoantibodies against type 1 interferon. “Autoantibodies were present in around 1.1% of 70- to 79-year-olds, and 3.4% of those over the age of 80.”

A follow up study, “New-onset IgG autoantibodies in hospitalized patients with COVID-19,” found “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is associated with many different clinical features that are commonly found in autoimmune diseases, including arthralgias, myalgias, fatigue, sicca, and rashes. Less common manifestations of autoimmunity have also been observed in COVID-19 patients, including thrombosis, myositis, myocarditis, arthritis, encephalitis, and vasculitis. These clinical observations, and the increasing proportion of “recovered” patients with persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms (so-called “long haulers”, or “long COVID”) suggest that inflammation in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection promotes tissue damage in the acute phase and potentially some of the long-term sequelae. A subset of autoantibodies targeting traditional autoantigens or cytokines develop de novo following SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

“The team also found that individuals with genetic mutations that disrupt the activity of type 1 interferons are at higher risk of life-threatening disease” suggesting COVID causes changes to the genes resulting in the creation of rogue autoantibodies.

Coronavirus Transforms Pancreas Cell Function
When COVID infects cells, it impairs cell activity and can also change their function. When insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas become infected with the virus, they produce much less insulin than usual, and also start to produce glucose and digestive enzymes. “We call this a change of cell fate,” said study leader Dr. Shuibing Chen, who described the work in a presentation at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

It is not clear whether the changes are long-lasting, or if they might be reversible, the researchers reported in Cell Metabolism, “SARS-CoV-2 infection induces beta cell transdifferentiation“. “Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunostaining from ex vivo infections confirmed that multiple types of pancreatic islet cells were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, eliciting a cellular stress response and the induction of chemokines. Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, beta cells showed a lower expression of insulin and a higher expression of alpha and acinar cell markers, including glucagon and trypsin1, respectively, suggesting cellular transdifferentiation. Trajectory analysis indicated that SARS-CoV-2 induced eIF2-pathway-mediated beta cell transdifferentiation, a phenotype that could be reversed with trans-integrated stress response inhibitor (trans-ISRIB). Altogether, this study demonstrates an example of SARS-CoV-2 infection causing cell fate change, which provides further insight into the pathomechanisms of COVID-19.”

Upregulation of IDO
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immune checkpoint molecule in the sense that it is an immunomodulatory enzyme produced by alternatively activated macrophages and other immunoregulatory cells. IDO is known to suppress T and NK cells, generate Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and also supports angiogenesis.

Memory T cells are crucial for the immune system to remember how to fight pathogens. IDO is also related to the viscosity of body fluids and membrane function. Brain fog, dizziness, tinnitus, ear aches, vertigo, and pressure in the ears are some of the symptoms associated with epigenetic changes in the upregulation of Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Dr. Ade Wentzel said, “The epigenetic upregulation of IDO will determine the amount of quinolinic acid. Quinolinic acid comes from the kynurenine pathway. If the viscosity of the whole middle ear is increased then the ability to equalize will be less… same as having a cold. So, the ear isn’t equalizing correctly on increasing pressure. The same as when you land in a plane. If the viscosity in the semicircular canals is increased, the otoliths may well be lagging causing the vertigo. The otoliths usually “Float” in the semicircular canal and trigger tiny sensory hairs that allow you to detect position.”

NAD+ Deficiency
COVID both increases the breakdown of NAD+ and decreases the production of NAD+. “NAD regulates the inflammatory response in immune and non-immune cells through Sirtuins. Epigenetic regulation of histones and non-histone proteins is induced by sirtuins and is essential for the development, reprogramming, and differentiation of the immune system and its related pathologies. A deregulation of the NAD+ levels has been associated with metabolic diseases and aging-related diseases, including neurodegeneration, defective immune responses, and cancer.” — NAD-immune-system

The NAD+ deficiency results in a compromised immune system. The body can not properly metabolize vitamins nor mount a proper immune response. The NAD+ deficiency also resembles an autoimmune disease where the immune system appears to be attacking a healthy body. Without NAD+ regulating the immune system, the immune response becomes dysfunctional.

Though there is no cure for the NAD+ Deficiency Syndrome (CISP — COVID-19 Induced Secondary Pellagra), the symptoms can be treated with Niacin (Nicotinic Acid).

Increased Risk of Cancer
In the case of cancer and tumor suppression, COVID chooses people that have reduced P53 (the tumor suppression gene.) It is also possible that COVID further reduces functional P53 genes. “Mutations in p53 are found in most tumor types, and so contribute to the complex network of molecular events leading to tumor formation.” — The p53 tumor suppressor protein

COVID also suppresses NK cells. “A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell. Also called NK cell and NK-LGL.” — Natural Killer Cell

COVID in Your Genes

COVID-19 Delta Variant and Vaccines

COVID Breakthrough Cases

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID, Health, and Wellness

ABOUT COVID:
Viral load and aerosolization appear to be the leading causes of contracting COVID… even if you are vaccinated. What does this mean?
1) To limit your viral load limit your exposure time. How do you know you are being exposed? You don’t. So, assume there are people carrying the virus — avoid contact with people outside of your circle. Social distance and avoid people without masks.
2) Airborne transmission is the primary way COVID is contracted. Normally, I would suggest staying outside… however, on days like today the air pollution is too high. Breathing outdoors will actually damage your lungs and make you more prone to COVID. So, stay home in air conditioning. Indoors in a public setting, without masks, in poor ventilation, with inadequate air filters is the most dangerous place to be.
3) Limit your exercise and stress level. Extreme exercise and stress consume NAD+. The lower your NAD+, the more susceptible your are. On days like today with high ozone levels, exercising outside causes irreparable damage to your lungs. Running everyday is one of the worse things you can do for your health. Limit your inflammation, Take a day or two off between workouts. Vary the types of exercise. Swimming is a good idea. Exercise is important, but exercise with thought.
4) the Delta variant appears to spread with very little viral load. A case in Australia shows a person contracting COVID simply by walking by someone in a shop. The greater your viral load, the more severe your disease and the more likely you will contract long-COVID. COVID eats NAD+.
5) Inadequate NAD+ has been linked to many mental health and neurological disorders.
6) Take the vitamin stack (Ade n’ Rob’s recipe). Ensure your NAD+ is at optimum level to avoid illness. Ade’s latest research shows that not only is NAD+ related to COVID severity, but that NAD+ is also related to many other diseases. Here is a diet based on their principles:
NAD+ Plus Immune System Diet

bookmark_borderHow I Recovered From COVID-long Haulers Syndrome

COVID Long Haulers Syndrome is COVID Induced Secondary Pellagra (CISP). The research was developed by Dr. Ade Wentzel (Port Elizabeth, South Africa), Robert Miller (Cape Town) and Guy Richards (Johannesburg). COVID-19: NAD+ deficiency may predispose the aged, obese and type2 diabetics to mortality through its effect on SIRT1 activity.

This is not the first time the world has seen a pellagra epidemic. “In the early 1900s, pellagra reached epidemic proportions in the American South. Between 1906 and 1940 more than 3 million Americans were affected by pellagra with more than 100,000 deaths, yet the epidemic resolved itself right after dietary niacin fortification.” (Pellagra – Wikipedia) Pellagra was first identified among Spanish peasants by Don Gaspar Casal in 1735. Pellagra has sometimes been called the disease of the four D’s – dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia, and death. Pellagra was in existence for nearly two centuries in Europe before being recognized in the United States, where it was first reported in 1902. Over the next two decades, pellagra occurred in epidemic proportions in the American South. By the time of the Mississippi flood in 1927, Dr Joseph Goldberger of the USPHS had conducted extensive research demonstrating that pellagra was caused by a nutritional deficiency (a lack of niacin, or vitamin B3). Goldberger advised the Red Cross to add brewer’s yeast to its food rations. Within weeks, people with pellagra were cured, and new cases of pellagra were prevented.

Here’s is what cured me:
Vitamin C, Quercetin and Selenium you can get from your diet. Careful not too much Selenium. I eat 1 Brazil nut a day. The Vitamin D is best gotten from 15 minutes a day in the sun. You can take 1000iu, too. A 15mg zinc/day supplement. The niacin is the trickiest and most important part. You need to make sure you get the right kind. Non-flush is no good. You can start with 35mg/day, but it will depend on your deficiency. I take 50-75mg with each meal. Here’s the walk through on getting the niacin right. It is recommended I stay on the protocol for 6 months. This is how Ade and Rob walk me through getting the correct Niacin B3.

NAD+ Plus Immune System Diet

COVID-19 Induced Secondary Pellagra (CISP) and the Coronavirus Cure

bookmark_borderImmune System NAD+ Boosting Diet

NAD+ Plus Immune System Diet: Onions, Dill, Brazil Nut, Peppers, Oranges, Beef, Chicken, Marine Organisms, Tap Water, and Sunlight

Boosting NAD+ is of particular importance when it comes to COVID-19. NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is in every cell of your body. NAD+ is involved in cell creation, maintenance, metabolism, and regulating cell processes. COVID both increases the breakdown of NAD+ and decreases the production of NAD+. If you have suboptimal NAD+ prior to contracting COVID, the coronavirus is likely to make the symptoms more severe and persist longer in duration (resulting in death.) Boosting your NAD+ can help fight aging, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, COVID, and most other ailments and illness.

Water. Drinking water is rich in Zinc. Do not drink filtered water. Do not drink purified bottled water. Zinc is naturally present in water. The amount of Zinc in your water depends on the local geology and hydrologic cycle. “In natural surface waters, the concentration of zinc is usually below 10 µg/litre, and in groundwaters, 10–40 µg/litre. In tapwater, the zinc concentration can be much higher as a result of the leaching of zinc from piping and fittings.” — The WHO
Nutrients In Drinking Water
USDA Study shows regional mineral content of public and well water. (PDF File)

Sunlight. 15 minutes of sunshine per day. 90% of your body’s Vitamin D comes from the photosynthesis of sunlight to the skin. UVB light causes a reaction resulting in Vitamin D and other photoproducts essential for a healthy immune system. WARNING: UVB can cause cancer.

Get a full serving of the NAD+ Plus Immune System Diet