Because I have too much inflammation, and inflammation can cause cytokine storms that can kill a person,
my first line of defense is to try and lower my inflammation. There are 4 things in the body which contribute
to raising inflammation levels.
inflammatory cytokine, TNF (tumor necrosis factor)
inflammatory cytokine, IL-1b
inflammatory cytokine, IL-6
protein complex transcription factor NF-kB
Here is my list of foods to eat to inhibit these four things.
Alfalfa - Inhibits IL-1b, IL-6
Ashwaganda - inhibits TNF, IL-1b,
Astaxanthin - inhibits NF-kB
Astragalus - inhibits TNF, IL-1b, NF-kB
Basil - inhibits NF-kB
Bay leaves - Inhibits IL-6
Black pepper - Inhibits IL-6
Blueberries - inhibits TNF, NF-kB, IL-6
Bromelain - inhibits NF-kB
Calcium - Inhibits IL-6
Cashews - inhibit IL-6
Cayenne - inhibits NF-kB
Celery - inhibit NF-kB
Cinnamon - inhibits TNF, IL-1b, IL-6, NF-kB
Choline - Inhibits IL-6
Chromium - inhibits NF-kB
Clove - inhibits NF-kB
CoQ10 - inhibits TNF,
Cruciferous vegetables, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage - inhibits TNF, IL-1b, NF-kB
Cumin - inhibits NF-kB
Dandelion - inhibits TNF,
Fennel - inhibits NF-kB
Feverfew - inhibits NF-kB
Fish Oil - inhibits TNF, IL-1b, IL-6, NF-kB
Flax - inhibit NF-kB
Fo-Ti - inhibits NF-kB
Garlic - inhibits IL-6 Garlic (allicin): Garlic is a very effective antiviral. It is most
effective in its raw form and needs to be crushed. It must be consumed within 1
hour of crushing.
Ginger - Inhibits IL-1b, NF-kB
Glusosamine - inhibits TNF,
Glycine - inhibits TNF,
Grape Seed Extract - inhibits IL-1b, NF-kB
Green Tea may be used as an alternative to the current anti-viral medications, Tamiflu
and Relenza. Green tea catechins act as effective antivirals. They decrease the
production of the cytokine TNF-a, inhibit neuraminidase and may have antiviral
activity equivalent to other antivirals including Tamiflu.
Jasmine Tea - inhibits IL-1b, NF-kB
Licorice - inhibits TNF, NF-kB
Listen to Music - Inhibits IL-6
Magnesium - inhibits IL-6, NF-kB, NF-kB
Milk Thistle/Silymarin - inhibits IL-1b, NF-kB
MSM - inhibits IL-6
NAC - inhibits NF-kB
Oats - inhibit IL-6
Olive Leaf - Inhibits IL-6, NF-kB
Olives - inhibit NF-kB
Olive Oil - inhibitors NG-kB, IL-6
Oregano - Inhibits IL-6
Raspberries - Inhibits IL-1b,
Reishi Mushrooms 0 Inhibits IL-1b,
Resveratrol: has antiviral properties. Inhibits TNF. Inhibits IL-6. addition to inhibiting
neuraminidase, it also helps to block virus production in the body. Japanese
Knotwood Root (richest source), raisins and red grapes.
Rhodiola - inhibits IL-1b,
Rooibos Tea - inhibit NF-kB
Rosemary - inhibits NF-kB
Pomegranate - inhibit NF-kB
Probiotics, Binfantis, S boulardii, L casei, L Salivarius - inhibit IL-6
Slippery Elm - inhibits TNF, IL-1b,
Soy - inhibits TNF, NF-kB, IL-6
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum): is an effective antiviral. Hypericum, the active ingredient in St Johns Wort decreases the production of cytokine IL-6
Tart Cherry - inhibits NF-kB
Tomato powder - inhibits NF-kB
Quercitin -inhibits TNF, IL-6, NF-kB
Vitamin B12 - Inhibits IL-6
Vitamin C: Vitamin C boosts the immune system and acts as antiviral by blocking the enzyme neuraminadase. Viruses need neuraminadase to reproduce. There are
anecdotal stories of people that took large amounts of Vitamin C and lived
through the Spanish Flu pandemic. Vitamin C may also be effective by reducing
the body’s natural production of two cytokines, TNF-a and IL-6. Another study
also validated the effectiveness of taking Vitamin C when flu is suspected. In
this report, a group of 470 people took 1000 milligrams of Vitamin C every hour
for six hours in a row, and then took 1000 milligrams of Vitamin C 3 times a
day. They experienced an 85% decrease in flu symptoms.
Vitamin D3 - Inhibits IL-6
Vitamin E: Vitamin E boosts the immune system and decreases the production of
cytokine TNF-a.) Inhibits IL-6. Vitamin E is very beneficial for people and pets
with compromised immune systems, especially in older individuals. The
beneficial effects of Vitamin E are enhanced further when it is taken along with
Vitamin C.
Zinc - Inhibits IL-1b, IL-6, NF-kB
And these are the things I will AVOID completely, since they activate or promote the 4 inflammatory processes.
AVOID - may contribute to cytokine storm
Best to avoid the following foods/herbs. These increase production of the cytokines
(interleukin) IL-6 & (tumor necrosis factor a) TNF-a or both. These two particular
cytokines are responsible for inducing cytokine storms.
( I also added IL-1b and NF-kB)
Acrylamide - black olives, prunes, dried pears - increases IL-6
Cats Claw - increases levels of IL-1b
Chlorella and Spirulina - Increases production of cytokine TNF-a.
Chocolate, cocoa powder - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.
Coffee - Increase TNF, increases IL-6
Echinacea - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.
Elderberry extract or juice - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Increases in these cytokines may trigger a lethal cytokine storm.
Goji Berries - Increase levels of IL-1b, activates NF-kB
Honey - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.
Lactobacillus acidophilus- significantly induced the production of more IL-6, and TNF-á than any beneficial bacteria (probiotic) tested.
Lithium - increases levels of IL-1b, activates NF-kB
Melatonin - increases levels of IL-1b, IL-6
Yogurt
Sugar/Glucose, High Glycemic index foods - Raises IL-1b and IL-6, activates NF-kB
Sun/UV raises IL-1b and TNF