Mr Peter Kirkpatrick BSc MBCHB MSc FRCS is a leading Cambridge University vascular neurosurgeon and member of our scientific advisory board. Currently working in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, here he gives his personal view on how plant-based proteins may help in the battle against Covid-19. 

The Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic presents the greatest threat to human well-being since the second World War. The cost to humanity and the world economy has yet to be realised, and currently there does not appear to be a proven method to treat the condition, nor prevent infection other than vigorous (and potentially harmful) long term social isolation. 

A protective immunisation programme is not yet available. Those who are overweight and with hypertension seem to be more vulnerable, as are the elderly. Estimates suggest that up to 70 - 80% of the population will need to be infected before the natural “herd immunity” is effective.

In those unfortunate patients affected by severe symptoms requiring ventilatory support, clinical observation indicates an intense inflammation occurs within the lungs, so much so that they are described as experiencing a “cytokine storm”, often with secondary thrombosis, damaging different organs as well as the lungs. Patients succumb to multi-organ failure.

Is there anything we can do as individuals to reduce the chances of us a) acquiring the infection with Covid-19 and b) mitigating the effects if we do contract the disease? Certain food products and supplements do seem to have the baseline qualities which may help. 

The Covid-19 particle has an affinity towards the ACE-2 receptor which is present in most organs, particularly the lungs, blood vessels and kidneys. Quercetins are natural plant-based proteins which have been shown to have a blocking effect on the interaction between the Covid-19 virus and the ACE-2 receptor, as well as interacting with other mechanisms involved in the Covid pathway for cell infection and destruction. 

The Quercetins family of molecules also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which may be positively influential in preventing the “cytokine storm” in the severely affected patient. 

Quercetins are flavonoid proteins found in different plant foods. These include berries, tomatoes, and cocoa. Higher concentrations in food supplements with enhanced bioavailability removes the concern that dietary intake, with unpredictable flavonoid absorption characteristics, may not achieve protective levels in the blood.

With my research interest in the effects of antioxidants on blood vessels I believe that ensuring we have healthy levels of these types of products (flavonoids) would seem a reasonable and sensible approach in preparing for a potential infection with Covid-19.

References:

Journal of Virology

https://jvi.asm.org/content/78/20/11334

Plant Power: The Ultimate Guide on Quercetin & Coronavirus

https://alphagreen.io/quercetin