Friday Hope: Pumpkin Seed Oil: Squalene Significantly Reduces COVID Mortality

Squalene is also protective of mitochondrial function due to its powerful antioxidative effects.

Squalene: Impact of various parameters on the number of hospitalization days of COVID-19 patients.

Today we find yet another safe, effective and natural treatment for COVID. This is a component of Pumpkin Seed Oil - Squalene.

I would like to begin by immediately quoting one of today's sources discussing the "efficacy" of a quite unnatural therapeutic for COVID.

In addition, the type of vaccine received does not have a significant effect on the mortality, re-infection, and number of days of hospitalization of patients with COVID-19.

Utilizing the sublingual form of squalene in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54843-x

However, Squalene does have a significant effect on preventing mortality from COVID.

The sublingual form of squalene in the microemulsion form was associated with a significant decrease in the mortality rate, in which 94.7% of patients were alive after one month, while the percentage of alive patients was only 81.4% in the control group.

Utilizing the sublingual form of squalene in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54843-x

For those who do not know what Squalene is, here is a brief primer:

Squalene is originally obtained from shark liver oil. It is a natural 30-carbon isoprenoid compound and intermediate metabolite in the synthesis of cholesterol. It is not susceptible to lipid peroxidation and provides skin protection. It is ubiquitously distributed in human tissues where it is transported in serum generally in association with very low density lipoproteins. Squalene is investigated as an adjunctive cancer therapy.

Squalene
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Squalene

It is widely known for its abilities to offer users younger, healthier looking skin.

So, what does squalane do for skin? Just like squalane can help boost moisture in your hair, it can do the same for your skin when applied topically. The results? Healthier-looking skin.

“You can use it on your face to help seal in cosmetic products like lighter serums or toners that you’re using,” says Dr. Vij.

Dr. Vij also says he sees people who complain of really dry skin, even after applying moisturizer.

“Squalane may be good for those kinds of people,” he continues. “Or if you don’t like the feeling of a thicker face cream, squalene can be really good for you, too, since it’s lightweight.”

And if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may have shied away from oils in the past. But Dr. Vij says that squalane is safe to use. It’s noncomedogenic so it won’t clog your pores. In fact, research shows that squalane’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce redness and swelling in acne and even other skin conditions like eczema.

What Is Squalane?
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/squalane

The mechanism which makes Squalene an effective COVID treatment is one that will resonate with all of us who have been following the developing understanding of COVID's pathology. Squalene blocks the now notorious NF-kB pathway.

Recently, researchers confirmed that mortality in COVID-19 might be due to inflammation caused by the virus. Continuous positive feedback loops between oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling cause an uncontrolled hyper-inflammation state.

In addition, as mentioned earlier, the NF-κB pathway appears to be a critical factor in COVID-19 natural development and conversion to a severe phenotype. Blocking the NF-κB pathway may lower mortality in the severe type of COVID-19. Previous findings confirmed that SQ induces a decrease in pro-inflammatory signals, including NF-κB, and TNF-α in M1 macrophages. However, it can lower the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, based on the previous studies, it was indicated that the count of CD8+ T cells, T regulatory cells and memory CD4+ T cells had been significantly reduced during COVID-19. It has been reported that in mice, SQ-based emulsion enhances CpG-mediated augmentation of CD8 (+) T-cell responses. In addition, it was shown that SQ enhances the differentiation of monocytes to dendritic cells, as well as the stimulation of antigen-specific CD4 T cell response.

Utilizing the sublingual form of squalene in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54843-x

Pumpkin Seed Oil, which is rich in Squalene, is also beneficial in protecting mitochondrial function. Indeed, it has been demonstrated when used to treat Squalene supplementation significantly minimized the effects of aging on mitochondrial energy status.

The dietary supplementation of 2% squalene significantly minimized aging associated alterations in mitochondrial energy status by maintaining the activities of TCA cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase) and respiratory marker enzymes (NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome-c-oxidase) at higher level in the liver mitochondria of aged rats compared with unsupplemented controls. It exerted an antioxidant effect by inhibiting mitochondrial lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) in liver of young and aged rats. Supplementation with squalene also maintained the mitochondrial antioxidant defense system at higher rate by increasing the level of reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase) and antiperoxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the liver of young and aged rats. The results of this study provide evidence that dietary supplementation with squalene can improve liver mitochondrial function during aging and minimize the age-associated disorders in which reactive oxygen species are a major cause.

Protective effect of dietary squalene supplementation on mitochondrial function in liver of aged rats
https://www.plefa.com/article/S0952-3278(07)00067-1/abstract

The abundance of Nature never ceases to amaze me. And, to think! Hippocrates had it all figured out in 400 BC:

“Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food.”

The above is a work of medical research and not medical advice. Please consult your Primary Care Provider before using any medication or supplement.

I am ever thankful for and ever mindful of your readership, dialog and support. Please have a blessed weekend.