FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, February 10, 2022

COVID STRESS

Commentary by Albert Louis, MD

OMNS (Feb. 10, 2022) Stress, already a major problem, has been magnified a hundred times by the pandemic. People have been become unemployed, frightened, fear driven, separated, marginalized and traumatized. Many have been locked down and have lost their businesses.

Stress affects the body and mind, and causes chronic illness. Stress also tends to cause obesity which also causes chronic illness. A pressing need is for us all to understand how to control stress and in the process help each other. By doing so, we begin to understand how we can modulate our lives and our bodies and heal them through key ways in which we can handle stress.

Mechanism of stress

Stress is ubiquitous in our society, occurring in the ever-increasing fast pace of our lives and the influence of social and news media. It is caused by toxic chemicals in the environment. It comes from the food we eat loaded with pesticides, in the uncounted chemicals in our homes, and increasing electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and computers.

Hans Selye coined the phrase "general adaptation syndrome," and referred to three phases of the stress response. The first phase is the alarm phase when adrenaline and cortisol prepare the body for "fight or flight." Second is the resistance phase which is attuned to the adaptive capacity of the individual to create a consistency within himself/herself called homeostasis. Third is the exhaustion phase, in which the allostatic load or stress is so prolonged, and the sympathetic nervous system has been so active, that this wears down the individual and creates the chronic illness which is so apparent in our society.

Every time we think and have an emotion, we create effects on our DNA. Every time we think, we produce biomolecules called neurotransmitters, which include dopamine, which is involved in concentration and pleasure, adrenalin, which is for "fight or flight," and serotonin, which is the basic chemical for alleviating anxiety and calming the body. This is why there are so many antidepressants that release serotonin in the brain.

Stress creates many hormonal alterations that change the level of hormones and cytokines in the body. Cytokines are the messenger molecules of the immune system. According to Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser, Professor of Psychiatry at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, stress causes the body to release pro-inflammatory cytokines which initiates responses against infections. [1] These cytokines contribute towards the creation of chronic inflammation, which increases the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disease including type two diabetes. The stress response is also accompanied by the release of alarm chemicals such as epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal glands, as well as the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis activation.

Left uncorrected, health issues arise, leading to excess cortisol and adrenaline release, insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar, inflammation, breakdown of muscle, weakened bones, poor immune system function, and inhibition of reproductive function. In particular, excessive cortisol can also impair the ability of the hippocampus to both encode and recall memories.

Dr. Herbert Benson from Harvard has said that 95% of all diseases are either caused by or made worse by stress. [2] By reducing stress we reduce inflammation and therefore reduce chronic disease. Our beliefs, spiritual values and relationships have a profound effect on our physical health because of the way we deal with stress.

Obesity is a key problem in global society, associated with many chronic diseases and responsible for 75% of health care costs. Obesity is directly related to stress and over consumptive malnutrition, which is not a deficiency of calories, but too many empty calories, which send alarm messages to our genes. This type of nutrition causes chronic diseases.

COVID Stress

In the book "The Outsider" by Albert Camus, the writer sees himself as looking at everyone through a keyhole. This indeed is what happens to a few people who do not conform to the mass indoctrination that the global population needs to be vaccinated. This is the effect of the covid lockdowns. Stress has several insidious effects on individuals and their interactions, particularly in large groups of people. [3]

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. Almost three quarters of all NCD deaths, and 82% of the 16 million people who died prematurely, or before reaching 70 years of age, occur in low- and middle-income countries. [4] The rise of NCDs has been driven by primarily four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol, and unhealthy diets.

Diabesity

Diabetes is the "second global pandemic" involving a noncommunicable disease. [5]

Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer heart disease or a stroke, and approximately two thirds of those suffering from diabetes die from either stroke or heart disease. The tragic increase in obesity among children is particularly troubling; almost 17 percent of U.S. children are obese today, as are almost 7 percent of all children in the world.

The "Diabesity" epidemic (obesity and type 2 diabetes) is likely to be the biggest epidemic in human history. Science Direct in March 2017 asked, "Are we facing a noncommunicable disease pandemic?" [6] Two years later came the Covid outbreak which exacerbated non communicable diseases and psychological stress. Lockdowns have created unemployment, separation, isolation, mental illness, marginalization, and separation.

David Nabarro, the special envoy on covid 19 for the World Health Organisation has appealed to world leaders to stop "using lockdowns as their primary control method", insisting that such drastic measures can have a dire impact on global poverty rates. The British doctor stated: "We in the World Health Organisation do not advocate lockdowns as the primary means of control of this virus." [7] Lockdowns are a major influence in the social determinants of health. When they occur, people get stressed because they are isolated and don't have access to in person communication and services. This tends to cause chronic illness.

For a fraction of the amount spent on vaccines and hospital care of critically ill Covid patients, world hunger could be stopped with sustainable supplies of nutritious food. What would it cost to get clean sanitary water for everybody? How can we help the millions who are dying with parasites? How could we deal with the huge amount of infection in the developing world by vectors and insects? Apparently, these important factors have been completely and utterly ignored. In the meantime the coronavirus pandemic and corresponding lockdown made way for "one of the greatest wealth transfers in history," CNBC's Jim Cramer said. The stock market is rising as big business rebounds from state-ordered stoppage of nonessential activity, while small businesses seem to drop like flies. [8]

This has led to poor education, a major increase of anxiety in children, poor nutrition, and systemic and domestic abuse and lack of support for families. In the meantime, alcohol sales have gone up with widespread misery. Virus-linked hunger is leading to the deaths of 10,000 more children a month over the first year of the pandemic, according to an urgent call to action from the United Nations shared with The Associated Press ahead of its publication in the Lancet medical journal. Further, more than 550,000 additional children each month are being struck by what is called wasting. [9]

We need to to understand the nature of stress and the nature of its formation in society. Even many highly regarded medical professors, specialists and doctors do not understand this concept of mass stress formation -- as they are fundamentally involved in it. This type of stress is aided and abetted by the mass media, and by the form of propaganda that the global world receives due to the vast amount of communication through the internet that has occurred in the past 20 to 30 years. The world now is more and more interlinked by communication, which gives big tech more and more control in terms of data control and surveillance.

Mass formation of stress is a psychological and unconscious process that has affected the masses to enormous degree. It is dependent upon people feeling isolated and having a lack of social bonds. There are four basic conditions which need to be met in order for a society to be vulnerable to this "mass hypnosis." The first of which is a lack of societal bonding. The second condition is met when the majority of people view their lives as being without purpose or meaning. Free floating anxiety is the third condition for the rise of mass formation. A quick count of the number of anxiety/depression medications prescribed each year confirms the enormous levels of anxiety prevalent in our communities. The fourth condition is high levels of frustration and aggression, with no discernible cause. [3]

U.S. prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications such as Klonopin and Ativan jumped 10.2% from 8.8 million in March 2019 to 9.7 million in March 2020, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of data from health-research firm IQVIA, and prescriptions for antidepressants like Lexapro and Prozac rose 9.2% from 27.2 million to 29.7 million in the same window. [10]

Depression is a common mental disorder and is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. Globally, it is estimated that ~5% of adults suffer from depression. [11,12] The social determinants of health have been severely compromised by the Covid pandemic causing increased suicide and homicide.

Why do the masses whole-heartedly accept everything proclaimed by Dr. Fauci and other national and global health officials? Those so called experts are echoed and supported in mainstream media, and are believed as truth. But their statements are made without valid scientific studies, and tend to ignore many recent studies on the incidence of severe vaccine side effects. They also ignore recent studies showing the efficacy of nutritional supplements for prevention and treatment of viral infections. [13,14]

Revolution in democracy

As a result of psychological research, coupled with the modern means of communication, the practice of democracy has turned a corner. A revolution is taking place, more significant than any shifting of economic power. The knowledge of how to create consent will alter every political calculation and modify every political premise. For example, for some it is now difficult to believe in the original basis of democracy.

Perhaps one of the reasons for this mass hypnosis and extreme stress is the social media paradox where people interact with each other on the screen rather than directly in person. The intimacy of communication that comes from shared experience is not occurring. Indeed, the lack of community in the world particularly in the developed world is contributing towards this mass hypnosis. This mass formation of consent encourages the total belief in the efficacy of vaccinations, the absolute denial of any opportunity for openness of dialogue and the belief that vaccinations can help a person even if the evidence is the antithesis. The contradictory evidence is not allowed to be discussed and there is no openness of dialogue. But in science, the essential criterion is openness of dialogue and the ability to decide and to question in order to come to new theories and hypotheses.

In the current situation, bonding between people in reaction to the pandemic helps everyone to deal with the stress and anxiety caused by the danger of the pandemic. But this is a story of false consent. It is further enhanced and created by the mass media who then begin to believe the story themselves. This is a form of mass hypnosis, and sets a dangerous precedent that should be compared what has happened at other times where mass formation of consent has led to dictatorships and totalitarian regimes taking over society.

Those people who are against the prevailing thought are excluded. Strangely enough this seems to be happening to certain extent, in our so called democratic world. This is why, when people have spoken up in the media, and express the truth in peer reviewed scientific journals about the fact that 1000s of deaths and injuries have been caused by vaccinations -- the media and most people ignore them, or say that they are being conned because they do not want to see anything which upsets their vision of what they see as reality and normality.

A major problem associated with the media coverage of the pandemic and the vaccines is that openness of dialogue is missing and there's little opportunity for discussion. There's little opportunity the lay public to learn about the virus in a basic, physiological and metabolic sense. Many don't even realize the number of deaths and injuries that the COVID vaccine is causing. For example, many do not know that out of 1000 young people who have the COVID vaccine, one young person will have myocarditis and /or pericarditis, and that this condition is often incurable.

On her social media post, Swiss Olympic sprinter Sarah Atcho said she is experiencing pericarditis after receiving a Pfizer booster shot. On Dec. 22, 2022, Atcho received a booster because she "didn't want to struggle with this when the season started" and was told it was safer to get Pfizer - even though she had Moderna the first time - to avoid cardiac side effects. [15]

This type of case history is often taken as being anecdotal, and the vast repository of vaccine side effects are reported as minimal. A Harvard study shows that only 1% of the VAERS vaccine side effects are actually reported. We must have the raw data available for public access. [16]

Natural immunity

Natural immunity is the best protection from infection. When people keep getting recurrent vaccine injections, their natural immunity becomes more and more compromised. It's important that everyone understand the nature of the illness, the symptoms and signs of the illness, and the severe effects of the vaccines. There are very clearly defined ways that Covid infections can be prevented and reduced. These include lifestyle, exercise, diet, supplements of essential nutrients, and certain drugs which are not allowed to be discussed on social media. These effective methods are banned or ignored by the social media and the conventional media. People are going around basically hoodwinked, dumbed down and brainwashed by this mass hypnosis.

Natural immunity is far stronger than artificial immunity from vaccines, the effect of which declines after several months -- which means people will "need" more vaccines.

This mass hypnosis is not just affecting the ordinary citizen. It also affects even doctors, scientists, and government officials and parliamentarians who are not educated in medicine or healing. The basic education of most parliamentarians is in economics, and Medical general practitioners (GPs) are educated in effect by big pharma and many do not understand the importance of an integrative approach to health.

Why have so many people been locked down and deprived of their freedom? One of the reasons may be the self-serving profit interests of big pharma who are making billions of dollars from this COVID outbreak. Indeed, there is a huge money trail going to Dr Fauci, GAVI, the Bill Gates Foundation, and also the World Health Organization. The conversation in the media is biased towards a discussion of vaccines. We don't learn from the media about the importance of getting adequate nutrition to empower the immune system.

Essential nutrients: vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin C

In late winter, many individuals have very low levels of vitamin D. Further, the correlation between low vitamin D and severe COVID infection is is very strong. [14] Also it is known that obese individuals tend to have lower vitamin D levels. The reason is that vitamin D is fat-soluble, so those with a higher body mass index need a larger dose of vitamin D to get an adequate level of this important vitamin. Further, we know that obesity is one of the major determinants of a severe reaction to Covid.

Many if not most people individuals eating a modern diet of processed foods are deficient in magnesium. This essential nutrient is required for hundreds of biochemical reactions. For example, magnesium is an essential co-factor in several steps of vitamin D metabolism, and a deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including anxiety, and can contribute to many diseases, including infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and mental illness. [17,18] A sufficient level of magnesium along with vitamin D is important in empowering the immune system to prevent infections.

Many individuals who get a severe pneumonia along with "cytokine storm" in their lungs require intubation on a ventilator and have a vitamin C level near zero. The level drops when the body is stressed, as its antioxidant function directly attacks toxins and viruses -- which can quickly deplete the body's vitamin C store. This prevents the immune system from functioning properly and directly contributes to severe pneumonia and mortality. An adequate level of vitamin C is essential at all times, especially during mental stress or physical stress caused by disease. In fact, it is known that vitamin C can help to prevent infections. [13]

During an infection, many other essential nutrients are needed at higher levels than many of us get in the diet -- for example vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide), vitamin B12, folate, and selenium. [19,20] This can be achieved with an excellent diet and additional supplements including a multivitamin. All these essential nutrients help to keep the body healthy during times of stress.

The questions we should be asking are:

• How should we live?
• How do we support nutrition and education?
• Why is there so much obesity?
• How do we get better nutrition in schools?
• How do we put together programs that encourage people to go outside, exercise and get vitamin D, and to consume optimal amounts of other essential nutrients?

Conclusion

In this discussion, we're dealing with the stress of a world-wide pandemic. People need good sleep. They need to have some time spent outside in the sun. They need forest bathing. They need good water to drink. They need good nutritious food, not processed food which is responsible for so much chronic illness. And they need reliable information about how to obtain adequate levels of essential nutrients in their diet or in supplements.

People need something to do with their loneliness. Are they accessing their community? Are they feeling loved? Are they smiling and laughing together? And how much time do we spend in the community? How much time do we feel being seen and being loved?

The underlying anxiety causing the mass hypnosis in the pandemic must be dealt with. This is a major element which has been taken advantage of by propaganda and the media and the mass hypnosis already in the medical profession, government and big organizations. Excellent nutrition can help!

References

1. Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Derry HM, Fagundes CP (2015) Inflammation: depression fans the flames and feasts on the heat. Am J Psychiatry. 172:1075-1091. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26357876

2. Dossett ML, Fricchione GL, Benson H (2020) A New Era for Mind-Body Medicine. N Engl J Med. 382:1390-1391. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32268025

3. Desmet M. (2021) On Mass Formation. Peak Prosperity. https://www.peakprosperity.com/mattias-desmet-on-mass-formation

4. WHO (2022) Noncommunicable diseases. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases

5. Zimmet PZ (2017) Diabetes and its drivers: the largest epidemic in human history? Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28702255

6. Allen L (2017) Are we facing a noncommunicable disease pandemic? ScienceDirect. 7:5-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27886846

7. Dr Nabarro of WHO condemns lockdowns and say they 'only make poor people poorer' 2020-10-12, MSN News. https://www.newsarticles.media/a-who-condemn-lockdowns-say-they-only-make-poor-people-poorer

8. CNBC News (2020) The pandemic led to 'one of the greatest wealth transfers in history' 2020-06-04. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/04/cramer-the-pandemic-led-to-a-great-wealth-transfer.html

9. KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report (2020) Pandemic-Related Restrictions Leading To Increase In Child Hunger, Wasting, Death, Lancet Analysis, UNICEF Warn. https://www.kff.org/news-summary/pandemic-related-restrictions-leading-to-increase-in-child-hunger-wasting-death-lancet-analysis-unicef-warn

10. Pesce NL (2020) Anti-anxiety medication prescriptions have spiked 34% during the coronavirus pandemic. Market Watch: The Margin. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/anti-anxiety-medication-prescriptions-have-spiked-34-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-04-16

11. WHO (2021) Depression. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

12. The Pandemic Has Caused An Increase In Anxiety, Stress, Depression And Suicides. 2020-08-18, Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/08/18/the-pandemic-has-caused-an-increase-in-anxiety-stress-depression-and-suicides/?sh=476c31155863

13. Downing D (2022) 'Ministry of Truth' vs Nutritional Medicine. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v18n01.shtml

14. Grant WB (2022) Top Vitamin D Papers in 2021: Benefits ignored at a time they are most needed. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v18n02.shtml

15. Atcho S (2022) Facebook blog. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057717504317

16. Doshi P, Godlee F, Abbasi K (2022) Data should be fully and immediately available for public scrutiny. BMJ 376:o102. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o102

17. Dean, C (2017) The Magnesium Miracle, 2nd Ed., Ballantine Books. ISBN-13: 978-0399594441.

18. Levy, TE (2019) Magnesium: Reversing Disease. Medfox Pub. ISBN-13: 978-0998312408.

19. Penberthy WT, Saul AW, Smith RG (2021) Niacin and Cancer: How vitamin B-3 protects and even helps repair your DNA. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n05.shtml

20. Bens C (2021) A Health Crisis Exposed by the COVID Pandemic. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://www.orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n02.shtml

(The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of all members of the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Editorial Board. OMNS welcomes dissenting opinions and manuscripts may be submitted to the Editor at the email address further below.)

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