Viruses are tiny bits of DNA that inject themselves into our cells. They travel to the nucleus and
insert their code into our DNA. They order the cell to make more viruses and then self-destruct,
spreading the infection. Because they propagate inside the host’s cell they are hard to treat
without damaging the cell. Dr. David Brownstein, M.D.’s new book A Holistic Approach to
Viruses documents his clinic’s approach to preventing and treating viral illness. This very
readable book covers the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system in an easy-to-
understand way. For over 20 years the author and his partners have used a wholistic approach
with great success. They focus on Vitamins A, C, D and the mineral Iodine. In addition, they use
Hydrogen peroxide and Ozone as adjunct to their treatment.

Dealing with viruses involves both reducing their infectiveness and limiting the host’s
inflammatory response. Vitamin A affects both of these components. It is essential for both
Innate and Adaptive immune function. It is necessary for normal function of the linings of
airways and GI tract. Low Vitamin A can make it easier for viruses to penetrate the oral and
nasal mucosa. Vitamin A is helpful in many inflammatory conditions of the lungs, skin, and GI
tract. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to increased mortality during times of infection. The water-
soluble form of Vitamin A is called Beta Carotene and it needs to be converted in the liver to
the active, fat-soluble form. This process is only 5-10% efficient so it is best to get it in the fat-
soluble form from food or supplementation. Dr. Brownstein recommends high-dose Vitamin A
for a four-day period at the beginning of an infection. Vitamin A toxicity is possible with long-
term supplementation so it is best to work with nutritionally-literate doctor who can test and
adjust dosing.

Vitamin C is a well-known immune enhancer. Unlike most animals, humans cannot produce
Vitamin C, therefor we must get it in our diet. It is found in many fruits and vegetables.
Depending on the dose it can function as either an anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant. Lower doses
allow Vitamin C to prevent oxidative damage. Higher doses allow the immune system to use its
oxidative effect to produce hydrogen peroxide to destroy bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
Vitamin C also has an anti-clotting effect which can be useful in viruses that produce clots and
bleeding. Dr. Brownstein uses Vitamin C intravenously when the infection is severe. He also
recommends oral doses in the range of 3-5000mg/day and when ill up to 1000mg/hour. If
diarrhea occurs the dosage can be reduced. Liposomal Vitamin C has been shown to produce
blood levels that approach those attained by IV.
​
Vitamin D deficiency is very common in North America due to seasonal low levels of sun
exposure and the use of sunscreens and general sun avoidance. Vitamin D also works on both
the infectiveness and inflammatory components of viral infection. It helps the white blood cells
identify and remove viruses and damaged cells. It also reduces inflammation as documented by
lowering inflammation markers C-Reactive protein and IL-6 . Dr. Brownstein uses a short-term
dosing of 50,000 units per day for the first 4 days of an infection. It is recommended to have
your blood levels checked regularly and to keep it in the upper end of the normal range.

Dr. Brownstein’s also recommends Iodine for viruses using it successfully for decades
addressing a variety of conditions as documented in his book Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You
Can’t Live Without It. This little-used mineral is very important to a normally functioning
immune system. Iodine is required for normal white blood cell function. It has potent anti-
microbial properties and is even used in the sanitizer used prior to surgery.
In his book Dr. Brownstein describes other anti-viral approaches including nebulized hydrogen
peroxide and ozone therapy. His book is recommended for anyone who wants to gain a better
understanding of how to deal with viral infections from a holistic perspective.

How to Deal With Viruses Holistically

Viruses are tiny bits of DNA that inject themselves into our cells. They travel to the nucleus and insert their code into our DNA. They order the cell to make more viruses and then self-destruct, spreading the infection. Because they propagate inside the host’s cell they are hard to treat without damaging the cell. Dr. David Brownstein, M.D.’s new book A Holistic Approach to Viruses documents his clinic’s approach to preventing and treating viral illness. This very readable book covers the innate and  adaptive branches of the immune system in an easy-to-understand way. For over 20 years the author and his partners have used a wholistic approach with great success. They focus on Vitamins A, C, D and the mineral Iodine. In addition, they use Hydrogen peroxide and Ozone as adjunct to their treatment. 

Dealing with viruses involves both reducing their infectiveness and limiting the host’s inflammatory response. Vitamin A affects both of these components. It is essential for both Innate and Adaptive immune function. It is necessary for normal function of the linings of airways and GI tract. Low Vitamin A can make it easier for viruses to penetrate the oral and nasal mucosa. Vitamin A is helpful in many inflammatory conditions of the lungs, skin, and GI tract. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to increased mortality during times of infection. The water-soluble form of Vitamin A is called Beta Carotene and it needs to be converted in the liver to the active, fat-soluble form. This process is only 5-10% efficient so it is best to get it in the fat-soluble form from food or supplementation. Dr. Brownstein recommends high-dose Vitamin A for a four-day period at the beginning of an infection. Vitamin A toxicity is possible with long-term supplementation so it is best to work with nutritionally-literate doctor who can test and adjust dosing.

Vitamin C is a well-known immune enhancer. Unlike most animals, humans cannot produce Vitamin C, therefor we must get it in our diet. It is found in many fruits and vegetables.  Depending on the dose it can function as either an anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant. Lower doses allow Vitamin C to prevent oxidative damage. Higher doses allow the immune system to use its oxidative effect to produce hydrogen peroxide to destroy bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Vitamin C also has an anti-clotting effect which can be useful in viruses that produce clots and bleeding. Dr. Brownstein uses Vitamin C intravenously when the infection is severe. He also recommends oral doses in the range of 3-5000mg/day and when ill up to 1000mg/hour. If diarrhea occurs the dosage can be reduced. Liposomal Vitamin C has been shown to produce blood levels that approach those attained by IV.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common in North America due to seasonal low levels of sun exposure and the use of sunscreens and general sun avoidance. Vitamin D also works on both the infectiveness and inflammatory components of viral infection. It helps the white blood cells identify and remove viruses and damaged cells. It also reduces inflammation as documented by lowering  inflammation markers C-Reactive protein and IL-6 . Dr. Brownstein uses a short-term dosing of 50,000 units per day for the first 4 days of an infection. It is recommended to have your blood levels checked regularly and to keep it in the upper end of the normal range.
Dr. Brownstein’s also recommends Iodine for viruses using it successfully for decades addressing a variety of conditions as documented in his book Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It. This little-used mineral is very important to a normally functioning immune system. Iodine is required for normal white blood cell function. It has potent anti-microbial properties and is even used in the sanitizer used prior to surgery. 

In his book Dr. Brownstein describes other anti-viral approaches including nebulized hydrogen peroxide and ozone therapy. His book is recommended for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of how to deal with viral infections from a holistic perspective.

​

February is Heart Health Month. Entire libraries of books and articles have been written about dealing with cholesterol, exercise, smoking and blood sugar as ways to prevent or reverse heart disease. Physical, mental and chemical stressors are implicated in heart disease. Psychological stress, in all its forms, can be counteracted by “getting in the flow”. People can and do experience flow daily. Perhaps one of the best ways to improve heart function is to resolve to get in the flow.
 
Flow is a state of optimal experience characterized by immense joy that makes life worth living. Research into flow was started by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970’s. This phenomenal state of being has many health benefits, particularly concerning its effect on the heart. Flow takes our focus from thinking about ourselves, negative thoughts concerning current events, and worries about friends and family. It allows us to focus on things that are engaging and rewarding.
 
Flow has been described by Professor Richard Huskey from UC Davis as “being in a state of intense concentration when thoughts are focused on something other than oneself.” In flow “we are absorbed in a highly rewarding activity - not our inner monologues.” In flow we merge with and are in control of the process, often losing a sense of time. Researchers using brain scanning techniques confirm reports that flow is not mentally or physically taxing. In fact, it is highly rewarding and even invigorating.
 
How does one experience flow? It occurs when one engages in activity that challenges one’s skill. It requires a certain level of skill applied to a significant challenge. Csikszentmihalyi studied people like athletes, musicians, and dancers. Ordinary people experience flow in everyday life while skiing, running, meditating, doing yoga, making art or music, even cooking. As long as there is significant challenge addressed by someone with a skill set flow will occur.
 
Playing games is another way to experience flow. Certainly, physical games are a way to get in flow. Taking a break to do something fun can be incredibly healthy and rejuvenating. While most video games don’t get us into flow, Huskey, along with colleagues Rene’ Weber and Jacob Fisher have developed a video game called Asteroid Impact that in fact does. Their brain research shows that playing this video game activates brain networks that require only small amounts of energy. This may be part of the reason that even flow experiences that require large amounts of physical input like snowboarding, gardening, construction projects, etc. leave us invigorated, not fatigued. 
 
Resolve to make being in the flow on a very regular basis one of the most important goals. In addition to supporting your health (including your heart) getting in the flow regularly can support your other long-term goals making you more productive and creative. You can become a much more proficient artist, musician, chef or even gamer.  Done right this type of resolution doesn’t become one more obligation, in fact it can help free you from the drudgery and stress of everyday life.
Dr. Daniel Gleason

Much of this article was inspired by a posting in theconversation.com, a free online resource available to all.
Check out our other blogs similar to this and learn even more about health for your heart. 

Heart Health
THE BEST PALEO MEDITERRANEAN FOODS
EASY & DELICIOUS CASHEW MILK
8 STEPS TO BETTER SLEEP
MENTAL & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

​ 
As if modern life wasn’t stressful enough, the last several years of SARS Covid 19 have increased the potential for even more concern. Stress isn’t necessarily bad; certain types of stress are to be expected and can even lead to growth. Gravitational stress is an example, without it we would lose our bone and muscle tone (not to mention we would float off into space). Where would we be without the stressful joys and sorrows of family life? Stress can break us down or build us up. Distress is bad; Eustress is good. The trick is to accept a certain amount of stress and use it to our advantage.
There are basically three kinds of stress, Physical, Chemical and Mental.

• Physical stress can come in the form of injury, sudden or repetitive. Physically we are profoundly affected by our beds, pillows, chairs, shoes, etc. The way we move, and exercise (or fail to) have impact us. Good posture and exercise habits build us up; poor ones break us down. Other examples of physical measures include: massage, PT, yoga, Chiropractic and Tai Chi.
• Chemical stress comes from what we eat, breathe and put on our skin. Healthy food and nutritional supplements build us up. Junk food (Standard American Diet SAD) breaks us down. Poor ventilation and air quality lead to many common maladies. Lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, etc. often contain toxins that put stress on our organs of detoxification like the kidneys and liver.
• Mental stress can be imposed on us by circumstances or self-inflicted by how we deal with our thoughts and feelings. Today’s headlines all too often relate the number of deaths from Covid, suicides, homicides, accidents, wars, hurricanes, shootings and drug overdoses. While these are all true there is also much good that is not as newsworthy. People are living longer and compared to other periods in history we are living in a very safe time. The challenge is to put things in perspective to dial back the fear factor.

These three factors, Physical, Chemical and Mental are all interrelated. Addressing one has profoundly positive effects on the others. For instance, exercise has been shown to be better that medications for many cases of anxiety and depression. Good foods and eating habits can make moving less painful and increase levels of happiness. Meditation, talk therapy and prayer improve physical health and even improve metabolism.
 
Thankfully people are now being encouraged to openly discuss their Mental Health. Sports figures are coming forward admitting their mental challenges; not just suffering in silence. These are positive signs that may be part of a silver lining resulting from the stressors of the last few years. If you are feeling isolated reach out to others who may be feeling the same way. Community is a great vehicle to help others and yourself. Call, write, text old friends. Get back to your exercise and yoga groups. Go back to church, art shows, museums, sporting events. Join others for a walk, coffee or a drink.
By implementing the Physical, Chemical and Mental model work towards incremental improvement in all these areas and turn your distress into eustress.

​By: Gleason Center Editors, Dr. Daniel Gleason DC

Can We Starve Cancer? In this month's newsletter, Dr. Gleason tackles How To Starve Cancer and shares his take on the popular book. Read more to find out how your diet can be a powerful ally in the fight against cancer.