We all need therapy from time to time in today's upside down, inside out crazy world; however, very few of us receive the natural therapy that can really make a difference in our health, vitality, and longevity. We need more educators with louder voices to help societies keep up with the latest scientific discoveries which provide opportunity to heal and regenerate our bodies; thus increasing quality of life!
My previous blog on "What does Color have to do with Healing," defines phytochemicals as molecular warriors that combat viruses, disease, fatigue, and obesity. These plant compounds, found in a variety of colorful plant foods, have antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. Various countries are exploring phytochemicals obtained from medicinal plants and herbs as alternatives for treating COVID-19 patients via phytotherapy approaches. Some of the most promising small plant molecules are found to inhibit coronavirus and are classified as polyphenols.
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has certain important factors that affect its virulence: The spike proteins that mediate its entry into the host, the nucleocapsid that protects its genetic material, and the RNA through which the virus replicates in the host. Plant-specific compounds (phytochemicals), such as lignans, saponins, alkaloids, kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin, baicalin, quercetin, catechins, flavonoids, and polysulphates, play various roles in inhibiting viral entry, destroying the nucleocapsid and genetic material, and inhibiting the replication of viruses, which include dengue, herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis C virus (HCV), influenza, chikungunya, SARS, and others (See reference below).
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and green tea are rich in phytochemicals. How do we know that the foods we consume heal? Nutritional science has been revealing these chemical food activities since the 1990s, but with advanced technology, scientists can now expand its findings through Molecular docking, (to determine the binding affinities and interactions between phytochemicals and the main protease), molecular dynamics, principal component analysis (PCA), and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR), which assess the performance of these phytochemicals. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties of the best candidates are also evaluated in studies. Comprehensive computational and statistical analysis show that these selected phytochemicals can be used as potential inhibitors against viruses, including SARS CoV-2 (See reference 2).
I don't pretend to fully understand the methodology of these studies; however, we can all be excited that these studies are occurring with promising results! We can all keep up with the latest research, based on the most contemporary and most credible studies to date. I encourage you to type in "Google Scholar" in the search engine and pull up this search engine within Google, then type in the topic and current year. There is a wealth of health information that I fear the multitudes are not receiving. Many of these studies may lead to the extraction of phytochemicals to mass produce medicines or supplements; however, since they are synergistic compounds with thousands of chemical reactions occurring in our bodies when consumed, I will trust my body to utilize them through consuming colorful, natural whole plant foods daily. Five to ten servings per day are recommended (1/2 cup = one serving approximately). Load up on the plant foods, strengthen your immune system, and reduce stress - all factors that give us a fighting chance against dangerous and harmful pathogens entering our bodies!
People may scoff at the simplicity of, "Eat your fruits and vegetables," to stay well. I say let them, and continue to devour them daily to remain healthy. One day nutritional science will have a loud enough voice to help everyone pursue a healthy, productive, and purposeful life through nutrition and lifestyle choices - naturally. Education is empowerment. We all need to be phytotherapists!
References:
1) Molecules 2021, 26(6), 1775; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061775.
2) A Molecular modeling approach to identify effective antiviral phytochemicals against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (2020), Pages 3213-3224.
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