Can we ride the Covid-19 third wave better than the second?

For us Covid-weary consumers, the unrelenting barrage of adverts insisting we ‘boost our immune system with this or that product’, makes the question ‘what should I be taking?’ an overwhelming one.

Yes, immune supporting vitamins are helpful in fight against Covid-19

We’ve probably never swallowed as much vitamin C, D, and zinc as we have the past year but for most of us with less than perfect diets and high stress levels, we’ve done ourselves a favour. These are essential to offset any potential immune system deficiencies. Together they offer broad spectrum immune support, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and, in the case of zinc, some limited antiviral action.

But the best defence against viral respiratory tract infections is immune and antiviral action.

So we’ve all got the first box ticked – better prepped immune systems to better fight a Covid-19 infection. But what’s also needed in that mix is something with an antiviral action that could potentially help prevent infection in the first place, and also help regulate the immune response should we get ill.

This is where A.Vogel’s Echinaforce, a Swiss-made 100% natural immune support and cold and flu fighter, may offer two valuable benefits in one:

Antiviral action against a wide variety of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2:

Echinaforce, has demonstrated an antiviral action against many cold and flu viruses, including coronaviruses.

Echinaforce has been shown in vitro (in laboratory studies) to have a direct virucidal action on enveloped coronaviruses, including SARS and MERS, and most recently SARS-Covid-2 where it deactivated the virus on contact^[1].

Anti-inflammatory & may inhibit cytokine storm:

Excessive inflammation caused by cytokine storms is a key concern during Covid-19 illness. A cytokine storm is an overreaction of the body’s own immune system causing an excessive amount of inflammation. This can be harmful to cells and body systems.

More than seven published scientific laboratory studies describe Echinaforce’s anti-inflammatory effect in the presence of respiratory viruses, namely:

• It inhibits or reverses inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) in response to various viral infections^[2-6] and has anti-inflammatory action in various viral respiratory infections.
• That Echinaforce® inhibited cytokine storm by preventing virus-induced bacterial adhesion associated with Influenza A virus infection and by preventing the super-expression of inflammatory cytokines.^[7]

Human Covid-19 trials underway

Human trials with Echinaforce and SARS-CoV-2 are currently underway to see how it may help prevent or treat Covid-19 infection, but given the current evidence and the fact that A.Vogel’s Echinaforce is also a well-known immune strengthener, including it alongside your vitamins C, D and zinc may be a wise move to facing the third wave a bit better protected.

References:

1. Signer, J., et al., In vitro virucidal activity of Echinaforce®, an Echinacea purpurea preparation, against coronaviruses, including common cold coronavirus 229E and SARS-CoV-2. Virology Journal, 2020. 17(1): p. 136.
2. Schapowal, A., The Triple Action of the Herbal Medicine Echinaforce® in the Treatment of Colds and Flu-Like Infections. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Ganzheitsmedizin / Swiss Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2011. 23(1): p. 40-44.
3. Ritchie, M.R., et al., Effects of Echinaforce® treatment on ex vivo-stimulated blood cells. Phytomedicine, 2011. 18(10): p. 826-831.
4. Chicca, A., et al., Synergistic immunomopharmacological effects of N-alkylamides in Echinacea purpurea herbal extracts. International Immunopharmacology, 2009. 9(7): p. 850-858.
5. Sharma, M., R. Schoop, and J.B. Hudson, Echinacea as an antiinflammatory agent: the influence of physiologically relevant parameters. Phytotherapy Research, 2009. 23(6): p. 863-867.
6. Sharma, M., et al., Induction of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines by respiratory viruses and reversal by standardized Echinacea, a potent antiviral herbal extract. Antiviral Research, 2009. 83(2): p. 165-170.
7. Vimalanathan, S., et al., Prevention of influenza virus induced bacterial superinfection by standardized Echinacea purpurea, via regulation of surface receptor expression in human bronchial epithelial cells. Virus Research, 2017. 233(Supplement C): p. 51-59.