by Dr. Edison de Mello, MD, PhD

Los Angeles County is currently experiencing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases. The recent increase in infections has raised concerns among health officials and residents, prompting renewed emphasis on safety measures and precautions.

What’s Happening:

1. Case Numbers Going Up: We see a big jump in daily COVID-19 cases. Hospitals are getting busier, and healthcare workers are feeling the pressure.
2. New Variants: More contagious variants of the virus are spreading around. These new strains are a big reason for the surge.
3. Vaccinations and Boosters: If you haven’t gotten your shots yet, now’s the time. Vaccines and boosters are key to keeping people out of the hospital.
4. Mask Up and Keep Your Distance: Masks are back, especially indoors. Also, try to keep some space between yourself and others when you’re out and about.
5. Testing and Tracing: Getting tested if you feel sick or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 helps a lot. It’s important for catching and isolating cases quickly.

Dr. Edison de Mello’s COVID-19 Protocol:

Dr. de Mello, an integrative physician and the Founder and Chief Medical Officer at the Akasha Center in Santa Monica, who has been at the forefront of the pandemic response, recommends the following COVID-19 protocol to help boost your immune system and reduce the risk of severe illness.

1. Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
2. Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
3. Supplements:
   o Vitamin D:5.000 IU daily
   o Vitamin C: 1000 mg three times a day
   o Zinc: 30-60 mg daily
   o Probiotics: 1 capsule daily
   o Quercetin: 500 mg twice daily
   o Turmeric: 500 mg 2 -3 x a day
4. Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
5. Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking, yoga, or resistance training.
6. Stress Management: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or other stress-reducing activities.
7. Hygiene: Maintain good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing and using hand sanitizer.
8. Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any COVID-19 symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary.

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What You Can Do:

• Wear Masks: Put on a mask when you’re indoors or in crowded places outside.
• Get Vaccinated: Make sure you and your family are fully vaccinated and boosted.
• Social Distance: Avoid big gatherings and keep some distance from others.
• Stay Clean: Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer.
• Stay Informed: Follow the latest updates from health officials and do what they recommend.

The current surge in COVID-19 cases is a stark reminder that the pandemic is not over. By following these precautions, we can help reduce the spread of the virus and protect our community. Stay safe and take proactive measures to safeguard your health and the health of those around you.

About the author:

Dr. Edison de Mello – the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Akasha Center in Santa Monica – is a Board-Certified Integrative Physician and licensed psychotherapist. Dr. de Mello believes the most effective and, hence, cost-effective way to improve medical care is for physicians to” Meet Their Patients Before They Meet Their DIS-EASES.”  He frequently writes for publications and appears on integrative medicine podcasts. His book “BLOATED” provides accessible information on bloating with humor. 

References: COVID-19 surge

1. Los Angeles Times. “COVID-19 Cases Surge in Los Angeles County.” Retrieved from latimes.com.
2. ABC7 News. “Increase in COVID-19 Cases in LA County.” Retrieved from abc7.com.
3. CDC. “Variants of the Virus.” Retrieved from cdc.gov.
4. The New York Times. “New Variants Drive COVID-19 Surge.” Retrieved from nytimes.com.
5. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Information.” Retrieved from publichealth.lacounty.gov.
6. NPR. “The Importance of COVID-19 Boosters.” Retrieved from npr.org.
7. NBC Los Angeles. “Mask Mandates Reinforced in LA County.” Retrieved from nbclosangeles.com.
8. LA Public Health. “Testing and Contact Tracing in Los Angeles County.” Retrieved from publichealth.lacounty.gov.
9. Dr. Edison de Mello. “COVID-19 Protocol.” Retrieved from akasha center.

Reference Studies for Dr. de Mello’s COVID-19 Supplement Protocol

1. Vitamin D:5.000 IU Daily- Martineau, A. R., et al. “Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” BMJ, 2017. BMJ Study on Vitamin D.
2. Vitamin C: 1000 mg three times daily – Carr, A. C., and Maggini, S. “Vitamin C and infections.” Nutrients, 2017. Nutrients Study on Vitamin C.
3. Zinc: 30-60 mg Daily – Read, S. A., Obeid, S., Ahlenstiel, C., and Ahlenstiel, G. “The role of zinc
   in antiviral immunity.” Advances in Nutrition, 2019. Advances in Nutrition Study on Zinc.
4. Probiotics: 1-2 Capsules Daily – Bermudez-Brito, M., Plaza-Díaz, J., Muñoz-Quezada, S., Gómez-Llorente,
   C., and Gil, A. “Probiotics and the immune system: Review of experimental and clinical studies.” Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, Current Opinion in Gastroenterology Study on Probiotics.
5. Quercetin: 500 mg Twice Daily – Wu, W., et al. “Quercetin as an antiviral agent inhibits influenza A virus
   (IAV) entry.” Viruses, 2016. Viruses Study on Quercetin
6. Turmeric: 1,500 mg daily – Hewlings, S. J., and Kalman, D. S. “Curcumin: A review of its’ effects on
   human health.” Foods, 2017. Food Study on Turmeric – Yang, M., et al. “Curcumin inhibits the virus-induced cytokine storm and viral replication by inactivation of NF-κB in the lungs of mice infected with
   H1N1 influenza A virus.” Viruses, 2020. Viruses Study on Curcumin.
   
   These references provide evidence for the potential benefits of these supplements in supporting
   immune function and reducing the severity of COVID-19. Always consult a healthcare
   professional before starting any new supplement regimen.