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Comments on the Discussion Forum: Oromucosal immunomodulation as clinical spectrum mitigating factor in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Author(s) -
Smith Michael L.,
Sharma Sujata,
Singh Tej P.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/sji.13111
Subject(s) - lactoperoxidase , iodine , covid-19 , virus , pandemic , medicine , virology , immunology , chemistry , enzyme , biochemistry , peroxidase , disease , organic chemistry , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The mammalian lactoperoxidase system, consisting of lactoperoxidase and the H 2 O 2 ‐producing enzyme duox, is our first line of defence against airborne microbes. This system catalyses the production of hypoiodite and hypoiodous acid in the presence of sufficient iodine. These products are highly efficient at destroying the H1N1 virus and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Japan has not been affected as much as other nations during the COVID‐19 pandemic (death rate about 10% of the United States), and we think this is due to a diet high in iodine. With this in mind, we suggest four actions to prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. First, health professionals should study the preventative effect of increasing iodine in the diets of the aged, institutionalized, diabetics andsmokers. Second, the recommended daily intake (RDI) for iodine should be significantly increased, to at least double, the current RDI. Governments should encourage the use and distribution of cheap iodized salts, kelp and seaweed. Third, more research should be done around the physiology and the protective effects of the lactoperoxidase system. Finally, the degradation products of the SARS‐CoV‐2 viral particle by hypoiodite and hypoiodous acid should be characterized; portions of the damaged particle are likely to elicit stronger immunity and better vaccines.