World-wide there has been a recent surge in coronavirus infections and hospitals have also had to deal with a mounting influx of patients suffering from severe influenza related illness as well as complications resulting from other viruses like respiratory syncytial virus. While this might have to do with the spread of new Covid subvariants and in particular the emergence of a highly infectious subvariant called XBB.1.5, poor vaccine rollout and lack of access to antivirals in countries such as China, aside from ensuring efficient vaccination access and a return to mask wearing where appropriate we might have to examine how much diminished lung function, one of our first lines of defence against these microbes, might account for the rise in serious infections and consequent hopitalisations.
As we age our lung cells become decrepit and sclerotic making it more difficult for us to breathe in oxygen, eliminate carbon dioxide and get rid of infected mucous. With moribund resistance we become far more vulnerable to invading microorganisms which become increasingly onerous to combat. Phosphatidylinositol–3–kinase is one of the molecules intimately associated with ageing and diminished lung function and there are a number of medications that inhibit this substance including the statin medications, currently deployed to lower cholesterol, metformin, used to treat diabetes and other powerful immune modulators that have side effects.
Natural regulators of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase include formononetin derived from red clover and the Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus, resveratrol and quercetin. Immune Apocalypse contains further strategies to boost ailing immune function.
