The Efficacy of Micronutrients Against the Omicron Variant of Coronavirus
More than two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed up to 6.5 million deaths, the world is still struggling to find an effective solution to preventing this infection. Despite global spending of roughly $100 billion (a figure that could rise to $160 billion by 2025) on the COVID-19 vaccines, currently used vaccines are not effective against preventing infections and viral spread and can only lessen severe symptoms of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 has been undergoing numerous mutations and currently about 90% of COVID-19 cases involve the Omicron variant. Although these variant infections are less severe than caused by the original strain, Omicron spreads faster and is dangerous for the immunocompromised and high-risk individuals.
The United Kingdom recently approved a booster dose designed specifically to target the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The booster is a bivalent vaccine that targets both the original strain and the new Omicron variant. The United States is likely to approve it soon in an anticipated increase in COVID-19 cases in the fall. Despite mass vaccinations with the new type of vaccines, approximately 50-80% of Americans have contracted COVID-19 in the past couple of years and even with specific drug and antibody treatments, breakthrough COVID-19 infections are common. The nucleic acid based (DNA and RNA) vaccines can trigger serious and unknown risks for years to come as hundreds of millions of vaccinated people are now the test subjects for a technology that was approved within a few months of clinical testing. Since the vaccines are developed against a specific strain, they quickly become inadequate against frequently appearing viral mutations.
We do not wish to undermine the importance of vaccines which in the last decades accounted for preventing many deadly diseases. However, any vaccine should target prevention of infections and their spread by improving immunity as stated in their historic definition.
Our scientists at the Dr. Rath Research Institute continue to explore the use of natural substances as safe and effective means to control the coronavirus. Earlier we provided scientific evidence that specific micronutrients acting in synergy can simultaneously inhibit multiple steps1 of infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and strengthen the immune system2.
The coronavirus uses docking stations (called ACE2 receptors) on the cell surface to get inside the cells. The virus binds to the ACE2 receptors through a specific site (RBD) present on its spike proteins. Once inside the cell, the virus multiplies using an enzyme called RdRp. RdRp plays a crucial role in the life cycle and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2.
In our two recently published studies3, 4, our scientists further evaluated the efficacy of micronutrients against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Mu and the newest variant, Omicron. A combination of natural compounds including vitamin C, curcumin, quercetin, and theaflavin, among others, could inhibit the RBD binding of SARS-CoV-2 to its cellular ACE2 receptor by 90%. In addition, these natural compounds inhibited activity of the RdRp complex facilitating viral multiplication and severity of infection. The RdRp activity of both the original virus and its Omicron variant decreased by more than 40%. Our research further proves that natural compounds are an effective tool in controlling key cellular mechanisms of the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
It is therefore important to spread this vital information about science-based natural measures as safe and effective methods to protect ourselves.
1. Niedzwiecki A, et al. J Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, Jan 2021
2. Goc A, et al. J Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, Aug 2020
3. Goc A, et al European J of Microbiology and Immunology, Jan 2022
4. Goc A, et al. European J of Microbiology and Immunology, June 2022
