Gut Health Link to Correct Immune Response

[Royal]

Currently, there are at-risk groups mentioned in the news:

1) Elderly

The early death cases of COVID-19 outbreak occurred primarily in elderly people, possibly due to a weak immune system that permits faster progression of viral infection...
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 1120300469

2) Type A Blood

They analyzed blood samples from nearly 2,200 COVID-19 patients in China and tens of thousands of healthy people, and found those with A blood types had a significantly higher risk of COVID-19 while those with O blood types had a significantly lower risk, Newsweek reported.
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/2020032 ... risk-study

3) People with high BMI (body mass index)

Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... -risk.html

4) Other

Pregnancy
Why are pregnant women susceptible to COVID-19? An immunological viewpoint
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 7820300437

The link that ties all three groups together are stomach acid levels (that may change gut biome). Very important to note that low stomach acid levels have a link to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Stomach Acid Level and Rheumatoid Arthritis Excerpt

Hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid, is a commonly overlooked problem that is linked to other diseases like stomach cancer, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
https://www.healthrenewal.co.za/low-stomach-acid


The relation between the basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion, plasma gastrin, and the gastric microflora was examined in 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Sixteen patients (36%) had basal achlorhydria, and of these, 10 (22%) had achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria after stimulation with pentagastrin. The peak acid output and acidity showed inverse correlation with the disease duration but were not associated with age or with the degree of physical disability. Hypergastrinaemia was found in nine patients (20%), of whom 6 (13%) had significant titres of parietal cell antibody. The acidity of the peak acid output showed negative correlation with plasma gastrin. It was confirmed that the gastric secretory state is a determinant of plasma gastrin levels and in addition influences the growth of micro-organisms in the gastric lumen. The type of microflora in the non-acid stomach was similar to that found in the saliva. A subgroup of eight females was identified who showed low gastric acid secretion rates, positive bacterial cultures, and atlantoaxial subluxation. Gastrin- and insulin-like immunoreactivities were found in joint fluid. The concentrations reflected their plasma levels, suggesting that the peptides are not released at the inflammatory site, but rather that they reach synovial fluid from circulating blood.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1001919/

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis Excerpt?

A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it attacks internal organs.

We have seen drugs used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis re-purposed to fight Coronavirus.

Could an arthritis medication show promise as a treatment for the symptoms related to the coronavirus? That’s what Regeneron and Sanofi intend to find out. The longtime developmental partners are aiming to see if Kevzara, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, could be effective against symptoms related to COVID-19.
https://www.biospace.com/article/regene ... ronavirus/

[Royal]

1. Elderly and Stomach Acid Levels

In this study, we found that aging was associated with a significant increase in acid secretion in men and with a small, statistically insignificant increase in acid secretion in women. Our study population had a low apparent incidence of atrophic gastritis (Z of 45 subjects in our prospective study and 3 of 352 subjects in our retrospective review were achlorhydric). We speculate that earlier studies that found a
decline in acid secretion with aging did so because of a higher incidence of atrophic gastritis and achlorhydria in their elderly subjects. This speculation is
supported by the work of Kekki et al. (13). Because many of these earlier studies took place several decades ago, it is possible that elderly individuals
studied many years ago had different gastric secretory function and gastric histology than healthy elderlypeople studied today. It is possible that increased acid secretion with aging contributes to the age-related increase in ulcer incidence reported in Western countries (32-34).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9272898

...Hypochlorhydria is much more common as you get older. People over the age of 65 years are most likely to have low levels of hydrochloric acid.
https://www.healthline.com/health/hypoc ... iskfactors

2. Type A Blood and Stomach Acid Levels

People with type A blood have been shown to have lower levels of stomach-acid than other blood types, so a meat-based diet may not be digested as easily as a vegetarian based one....Research has suggested that certain blood types may be at risk of developing specific diseases or conditions...
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319399

Type A blood have a link with Rheumatoid Arthritis? - Yes.

In our study, an interesting finding was that blood type A was found to be at the highest rate in patients with RA and AS with erosive arthritis...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5741336/

3. People with high BMI (body mass index) and Stomach Acid

When someone lacks stomach acid, they're likely to suffer from a sub-optimal metabolism, struggle with blood sugar regulation issues, experience cravings, energy lows and sleep problems, and encounter a variety of other issues.
https://milesfit.com/en/blog/stomach-ac ... eight-loss

4. Other links to Stomach Acid

Pregnancy and Stomach Acid

Most pregnant women have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), especially heartburn, at some point. ... Heartburn is common when you are pregnant. That's because hormones cause the digestive system to slow down. The muscles that push food down the esophagus also move more slowly when you are pregnant.
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa130363

Vitamin Deficiency

Hypochlorhydria is a deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Stomach secretions are made up of hydrochloric acid, several enzymes, and a mucus coating that protects the lining of your stomach. Deficiency of zinc or B vitamins may also lead to low stomach acid. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake or by nutrient loss from stress, smoking, or alcohol consumption

H. Pylori

... Infection with H. Pylori is a common cause of gastric ulcers. If left untreated, it can result in decreased stomach acid.
https://www.healthline.com/health/hypoc ... iskfactors

[Royal]

Stomach Acid Affect on the Body's Peptides, and how Baking Soda Affects Peptides

The relation between the basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion, plasma gastrin, and the gastric microflora was examined in 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Sixteen patients (36%) had basal achlorhydria, and of these, 10 (22%) had achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria after stimulation with pentagastrin. The peak acid output and acidity showed inverse correlation with the disease duration but were not associated with age or with the degree of physical disability. Hypergastrinaemia was found in nine patients (20%), of whom 6 (13%) had significant titres of parietal cell antibody. The acidity of the peak acid output showed negative correlation with plasma gastrin. It was confirmed that the gastric secretory state is a determinant of plasma gastrin levels and in addition influences the growth of micro-organisms in the gastric lumen. The type of microflora in the non-acid stomach was similar to that found in the saliva. A subgroup of eight females was identified who showed low gastric acid secretion rates, positive bacterial cultures, and atlantoaxial subluxation. Gastrin- and insulin-like immunoreactivities were found in joint fluid. The concentrations reflected their plasma levels, suggesting that the peptides are not released at the inflammatory site, but rather that they reach synovial fluid from circulating blood.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1001919/

With antibiotic resistance on the rise, scientists are looking everywhere for better treatment approaches, even inside a box of baking soda—otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate. Bicarbonate ions, like the ones in this kitchen staple, act as a ubiquitous buffer in the human body. In a new study, scientists have figured out that bicarbonate diminishes the pH gradient across bacterial membranes, which can help usher some antibiotics in and keep some out (ACS Infect. Dis. 2017, DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00194). Using bicarbonate to create more realistic physiological conditions in the laboratory could help scientists develop new antibiotics, or adding bicarbonate to certain existing antibiotics could improve their effectiveness, the researchers say.

...

Brown’s team next looked at how bicarbonate impacted the body’s natural antibiotics, including antimicrobial peptides, which are chemical components of the innate immune system. Adding bicarbonate to the natural peptide indolicidin, for example, in standard growth media reduced the amount of peptide needed to halt the growth of Escherichia colifrom 100 µg/mL to just 1 µg/mL. “That means, if you use the right buffer, you can get a hundredfold increase in potency. That’s a real eye opener,” Brown says.

“I think this paper does a nice job proving that the biochemical mechanisms explain why you get different results,” says Victor Nizet of the University of California, San Diego. “Understanding the mechanism points to new therapies.” Indeed, Brown’s team is currently evaluating topical antibiotic ointments containing bicarbonate

https://cen.acs.org/articles/96/web/201 ... lling.html

[Royal]

Test for low stomach acid.

How to Take the Baking Soda Stomach Acid Test
First thing in the morning (before eating or drinking), mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4 ounces of cold water.
Drink the baking soda solution.
Set a timer and see how long it takes you to burp. If you have not burped within five minutes, stop timing.

In theory, if your stomach is producing adequate amounts of stomach acid you’ll likely burp within two to three minutes. Any burping after three minutes may indicate a low acid level. To make the process easy, we created a little printable timing sheet for you, which you can download below.

https://loveleafco.com/baking-soda-stomach-acid-test/

[Royal]

Vitamin C also participates in several other important functions that support the blood vessels and epithelial cells that line the gut by

supporting the production and deposition of collagen in the basement membrane, (which anchors together the layers of the intestines).

encouraging the proliferation of cells that line the blood vessels

reducing cell death

helping regulate blood flow to the area

These functions help to keep the intestinal barrier strong and healthy, which prevents pathogenic bacteria from infiltrating and triggering inflammation. Impairment of this vital barrier accompanied by a leaky gut is understood to be a key step in the initiation and development of IBD.


https://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk/en ... ipoic-acid

[Royal]

Kimchi is a spicy Korean side dish created from salted, fermented vegetables, usually cabbage and radishes. It gets its unique kick from a paste made of chili powder, garlic, ginger, red pepper and sugar and its recognizable tang from fish sauce.

The stark differences in countries’ coronavirus death rates, explained
Italy’s case fatality rate is 10 times higher than Germany’s. Learning why could help save lives.

https://www.vox.com/2020/4/1/21203198/c ... outh-korea

[Royal]

Basically the restoration of linings of organs promote correct immune response.

The deficiencies, like zinc,, might be due to poor linings or cell damage the absorb nutrients needed by the body to fight...

[Pigeon]

So you believe that high acid helps covid.

But some of that material seems to talk about low level and harmful issues.

What's should it be?

[Royal]

So you believe that high acid helps covid.

But some of that material seems to talk about low level and harmful issues.

What's should it be?

Low acid would be an indicator for a more severe immune response. Thats what most of the above writing is mentioning.

But more importantly , low acid is an indicator of the gut environment.

Although baking soda neutralizes acid, its prompted to increase levels of a acid in the stomach since the body is detecting low acid. But the key to the immune response is cell signaling.