Friday Hope: Rethinking Prevention
Thoughts on Nearly Three Years of Observing COVID
I thought that on this exceptionally beautiful late December afternoon, instead of focusing on a specific therapeutic which may be useful in our fight against SARS-CoV-2, I would focus on what I have learned so far from COVID and how we can apply that to maintaining our own wellness and well-being.
A friend asked me to summarize COVID in a single statement. I considered this for a few moments, in silence, before responding. My answer was the following: COVID is a stress test on virtually every organ and system in the body.
After observing COVID for nearly three years, it has become apparent that those who seem to do best against this virus are those who have MAINTAINED their bodies better throughout their lives. One could argue that, to a great extent, our comorbidities are our own failings at taking care of ourselves. I, of course, agree with those who will claim that there are genetic predispositions to the development of comorbidities. However, whatever hand we are dealt, we must play it to the best of our abilities.
I liken SARS-CoV-2 infection to enduring a major earthquake. If we look at the Earthquake Magnitude Scale:
8.0 or greater Great earthquake. Can totally destroy communities near the epicenter.
https://www.mtu.edu/geo/community/seismology/learn/earthquake-measure/magnitude/
Yet, many structures withstand such an onslaught - and many bodies withstand COVID.
This got me to thinking about Prevention. If we have a fundamental paradigm shift in how we avoid disease, I am certain all of our lives will be healthier, and we will be happier and more productive. The problem, as I see it, with the current way medicine is practiced, at least in the West, is that we are told “Take X or don’t do Y to prevent getting Z.” From what I have observed, a far better way to look at Prevention would be: “Take care of what you have. Don’t throw your body out of balance. Maintain the proper functioning of your organs and systems. Then, Z won’t happen to you.”
For example. Instead of telling your patient “Don’t smoke, or you may get lung disease,” it would be far better to say “Why smoke when you will damage your healthy lungs and arteries?” Help the patient understand that keeping what is healthy is far more important than preventing a single disease or set of conditions.
The healthcare industry can greatly assist us. Instead of pushing a therapeutic-based approach to health AFTER a disease, seek to understand what in each individual is out of balance. What can be improved in each individual to maintain wellness and well-being? Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” protocol of therapeutic prevention, custom-tailor a program to meet the needs of each individual. With the advent of AI and screening techniques, ourselves and our children can be equipped with the knowledge and tools to face what illnesses and disorders we may confront. We are developing custom-tailored therapies against cancer. Why not custom tailored maintenance programs?
Of course, we still need to use a therapeutic-based approach to disease. I am advocating for a shift to understand our own weaknesses ahead of implementing treatment, if possible. Think of how many lives can be saved and improved if we knew which of us could be killed by a reaction to a bee sting, or which of us have a structural defect in our hearts before we find out in a life-threatening situation?
Robert Frost, in his great poem Choose Something Like A Star, wrote:
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.
I believe we can apply this to our bodies. When at times illness carries our gene expressions to high or too low, seek ways to minimize that variance. Seek ways to help our bodies maintain homeostasis. The Star of well being can guide us.
Thank you. Thank you for your support. For your appreciation. For your encouragement. I will continue to study, and to report to you what I observe and learn. We can help our bodies withstand the “thousand shocks that flesh is heir to.” And we can help each other in the New Year. And all the years to follow.
Here is an excellent summary of what I believe we should all be focusing on to maintain and improve our health.
Medical science has focused on what to do when the body breaks down, but cares little about how to prevent that.
The perfect illustration of that is being locked down, away from the sun, exercise and social activity and then being told to inject some mistery science juice into your arm.
That does not a healthy human make. It never will, even if the juice was panacea (which it clearly is NOT).
I learned more about vitamins and herbs and biochemical processes in the last 3 years than in my whole 35 year medical career. Very grateful. Walter you have a wonderful stack.