The impact of NBS Superfood on COVID-19 patients

Article Title

The effect of Nutrition Bio-shield superfood (NBS) on disease severity and laboratory biomarkers in patients with COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial

Journal: Microbial Pathogenesis

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105792

Publication Date: November 2022

Corresponding Author: Mehrdad Mosadegh

This study, conducted during the critical phase II of a clinical trial, holds particular significance in light of the prevailing dominance of the delta strains of COVID-19. Its timing amidst the prevalence of these highly transmissible variants accentuates the relevance of its findings, highlighting the potential efficacy of NBS as a complementary treatment during a period marked by evolving virus strains

This situation underscores the urgency to address distinct challenges associated with conventional COVID-19 therapies. Conventional treatments may face limitations in effectively countering the rapidly changing landscape of the pandemic, including

• Virus Mutation Dynamics: The constant mutations in SARS-CoV-2 strains, such as the delta variant, pose challenges to the effectiveness of standard therapies. These mutations can impact viral transmissibility and immune evasion, potentially diminishing the efficacy of existing treatments
• Treatment Resistance: Over time, the virus may develop resistance to certain antiviral drugs or monoclonal antibodies, reducing their ability to control viral replication. This resistance can complicate treatment strategies and necessitate the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches 

We shall delve into the intricacies of this research, drawing upon the outcomes derived from an esteemed American journal, 'Microbial Pathogenesis,' where an extensive research investigation led by Mossadegh et al. has been documented

Current treatments for COVID-19 have faced several challenges, and some existing treatments have shown limited effectiveness. Here are the key problems associated with current COVID-19 treatments and how NBS superfood may offer potential advantages

Limited Efficacy of Existing Treatments

• Antiviral Medications: Some antiviral drugs, like remdesivir, have been authorized for emergency use, but their effectiveness in reducing mortality remains uncertain. They are most effective when administered early in the course of the disease
• Monoclonal Antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies, such as bamlanivimab and etesevimab, have been used to treat COVID-19, but their availability is limited, and their efficacy varies against different variants of the virus
• Vaccines: While vaccines have been successful in preventing severe COVID-19 cases, their effectiveness can be reduced against emerging variants, necessitating booster shots. Some individuals may also experience breakthrough infections

• Variability in Patient Response: COVID-19 affects individuals differently, with some experiencing mild symptoms while others develop severe respiratory distress. This variability makes it challenging to determine which treatment will be most effective for a given patient

• Immune Response and Inflammation: COVID-19 often leads to an overactive immune response and excessive inflammation, contributing to severe disease. Existing treatments primarily target the virus itself and may not adequately address the inflammatory component

The Superiority of NBS Superfood

NBS superfood presents several potential advantages over existing treatments

• Immune System Support: NBS superfood has exhibited immune-enhancing properties. Strengthening the immune system can have a broad spectrum of effects on various infectious diseases, regardless of their origins. This means that by boosting the immune system's capabilities, it becomes more proficient at defending against a wide range of infections, irrespective of their sources. This is significant because it alleviates concerns about the effectiveness of treatments for infectious diseases. When the immune system is robust, it can better recognize and combat pathogens, including viruses, which can ultimately reduce the severity of the disease and improve overall health. NBS superfood's immune-boosting properties contribute to this vital defense mechanism, potentially making it a valuable component in the management of infectious diseases

• Anti-Inflammatory Effects: NBS superfood appears to have anti-inflammatory effects, as seen in the reduction of inflammatory markers like CRP and ESR. This is crucial because excessive inflammation is a major contributor to COVID-19 severity

• Tissue Protection: The decrease in markers like LDH and CPK suggests that NBS superfood may protect against tissue damage, including heart and liver damage, which can occur in severe COVID-19 cases

• Balancing White Blood Cell Count: NBS superfood helps balance white blood cell counts, which is important for a controlled immune response

• Improved Clinical Outcomes: Patients who received NBS superfood in the study experienced shorter hospital stays and lower mortality rates, indicating its potential to improve clinical outcomes

• Abstract

Mosadegh et al. explore the potential benefits of NBS superfood in managing COVID-19. NBS superfood, a natural plant-derived supplement, has gained popularity for its health benefits, including enhancing the immune system. This research is unique because it is the first clinical trial to investigate the effects of NBS superfood on COVID-19 patients

Mosadegh et al. found that COVID-19 patients who received NBS superfood for 14 days experienced significant improvements. Their inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), decreased, indicating reduced inflammation. Additionally, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK), which can indicate tissue damage, decreased in the NBS group. Liver enzymes, SGOT and SGPT, remained stable, suggesting protection against liver damage. NBS superfood also helped balance white blood cell counts, improve lymphocyte percentages, increase blood oxygen levels, and reduce inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Importantly, patients who consumed NBS superfood had shorter hospital stays and lower mortality rates

• Study Design

• The study was a clinical trial designed to investigate the effects of NBS superfood on patients with COVID-19
• It included two groups: an intervention group receiving NBS superfood and a control group not receiving the intervention
• The study duration was 14 days to assess the short-term impact of NBS superfood on disease severity and laboratory biomarkers
• Various laboratory biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines were measured before and after the intervention to evaluate its effects
• The study aimed to determine whether NBS superfood could influence disease severity, inflammatory markers, and immune response in COVID-19 patients

• Key Findings

• In the intervention group receiving NBS superfood, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after 14 days compared to the control group. CRP and ESR are indicators of inflammation
• Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) decreased significantly in the intervention group, while it increased in the control group. Elevated LDH levels are associated with conditions like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients
• Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels increased significantly in the control group but decreased in the intervention group after 14 days. CPK is associated with muscle inflammation and heart damage, which can occur in COVID-19 patients
• Serum levels of liver enzymes, such as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), increased in the control group but remained stable in the intervention group, indicating potential liver protection by NBS superfood
• White blood cell (WBC) counts increased in both groups, but the increase was lower in the intervention group, suggesting a balance in WBC counts
• Lymphocyte percentage increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group, which is beneficial for the immune response
• Blood oxygen levels improved in the intervention group
• Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) decreased significantly in both groups, with a more pronounced reduction in the intervention group. Lowering these cytokines indicates a potential anti-inflammatory effect of NBS superfood

These findings suggest that NBS superfood can have a positive impact on disease severity, inflammatory markers, and immune response in COVID-19 patients, making it a potentially valuable supplement in the treatment of infectious diseases