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SARS and A Strong Immune System

Dr. Gilbert Ng, Ph.D. (Columbia University)

March 24, 2003

On Mar. 23, 2003, a Friend in Hong Kong asked in an email:
>I heard from my medical friends that the virus seems to attack people who
>have good immune system such as doctors, nurses, young people...the virus
>actually use our own immune system to attack us...I do not know all the technical
>details...but if this true, would taking more linzhi incur more risk? Excuse
>my ignorance, but i am sure you will be able to enlighten me. Many thanks.

Here is my answer:

==========

This is a good question!

Notice that ALL the 8 patients who died in HK from SARS were those whose immune systems were weak (they were already suffering from other diseases, old people, or were exhausted from travelling or overworking). The 26-year-old young man who started the infections at Prince of Wales hospital had a strong immune system, so he has recovered, but some of the people infected by him have died (all of them were old people with serious illnesses before infection).

There are reports that the virus causes an autoimmune response, which turns the patient's own immune system against the patient's lung tissues. This may be the concern of your medical friends. You can tell them that Reishi is the most potent Adaptogen, which can normalize body functions, because it contains special triterpenoids called Ganoderic Acids. These Ganoderic Acids work synergistically with Reishi polysaccharides and other active ingredients to modulate the immune response. Scientists have already shown that Reishi and Cordyceps are effective for SLE (lupus), Rheumatoid Arthritis, and other type III allergies which are common to autoimmune diseases. Dr. Fukumi Morishige (M.D., Dr. Med. Sci., Ph.D.), a former heart surgeon and cancer surgeon and with over 30 years of experience, found in his clinical studies that Reishi modulates antibodies. He ran tests on the immunoglobulin levels of patients suffering from chronic bronchial pneumonia, rheumatoid-autoimmune diseases, hepatic diseases, and cancer. He found that in most of the immunoglobulin cases, those with too high a number of antibodies had reductions and those patients with too short a supply had their antibody levels increased. He noted that this included IgE, IgM, IgA, and IgG.

==========

I have also received an unofficial report from a close relative that her close friend's 5-year-old nephew died about 2 weeks ago in Hong Kong from confirmed SARS. The hospital said two other children also died in the same hospital earlier, from SARS. These deaths were not included in the statistics announced by the government. From the deaths of these children, we can see that most of the dead are old people or young children whose immune systems are too weak to fight the virus.

In the headlines today is the news that the chief executive of the Hospital Authority, William Ho Shiu-Wei is Queen Mary Hospital suffering from pneumonia, following his visit two days ago to the hospital where SARS patients were receiving treatment. If a person with so much knowledge about hygiene can be infected after the best preventive measures have been taken at the hospital, I think the possibility exists that the virus can be transmitted through the air.

We should improve our immune system and take maximum preventive measures without delay!

I have read at least three books which reported that Reishi is effective for the prevention and cure of pneumonia. The active ingredients are the triterpenoids and high molecular weight polysaccharides. The pharmacological effects are: (a) Anti-inflammation (b) Enhancement of respiratory functions (c) Modulation of the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Dr. Terry Willard, a member of the Canadian Government's Expert Advisory Committee on Herbs and Botanical Preparations, wrote in his book "Reishi Mushroom" that scientists in Europe have discovered that an RNA from the fruitbody of Reishi disrupts viral diseases by inducing interferon production. The RNA is found in the fruitbody of Ganoderma Lucidum and in higher levels in the mycelium. In several clinical studies, Reishi have been shown to be highly effective against viral diseases such as Hepatitis B.

I have personally found that Reishi is highly effective for the prevention and treatment of the common cold and influenza, which are both viral diseases.

Reishi also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Both Reishi and Cordyceps contain d-mannitol (Cordycepic Acid) which is known to inhibit bacteria. The main anti-inflammatory active ingredients are: Ganoderic Acid C2, Ganoderic Acid D, and Polysaccharide G-A.

The high molecular weight polysaccharides of Reishi are well-known to have potent immunomodulatory effects. Among the 200 polysaccharides, about 15 beta-D-glucans have been shown to be able to activate the macrophages, T-lymphocytes, NK cells, and increase the production of Interleukin-1 and Interleukin-2. These beta-D-glucans are found in large quantities in the mycelia, which can be stimulated through the growth media to produce larger amounts. Reishi also increases the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, which helps replenish the white blood cells which die in the war against bacteria and viruses.

In several clinical studies, over 2,000 patients with chronic bronchitis were given Reishi. Within 2 weeks, 60-90% of the patients showed marked improvement, including increased appetite.

As Reishi is completely safe and free from any side effects, and can be used concurrently with any other drugs, there is no reason not to try taking a large dose of Reishi to fight pneumonia, particularly in light of three independent reports that Reishi is effective for treating pneumonia!

As a consumer report in Aug. 2000 revealed, not all Reishi products contain the same amount of active ingredients. The amounts of polysaccharides among 26 brands ranged from 0.06% to 29.7%, which is a difference of 495 times!

As the most useful polsaccharides and the interferon-inducing RNA are found in the largest quantities in the mycelium, the most effective products for modulating the immune system and preventing virus replication are those which include large quantities of Reishi mycelia.

Besides Reishi, I would suggest combining Cordyceps Deluxe which is a potent lung tonic, and Omega-3 Fish Oil which provides the essential nutrients DHA and EPA which are so deficient in our diets and are essential for a healthy immune system. A large dose of Vitamin C is also necessary to digest and absorb the large molecules of polysaccharides in Reishi.

Do you know any of the Hong Kong medical workers, their families, or their doctors? If so, as a good citizen, I feel obliged to offer them my humble opinion, if they have open minds and are willing to look at the evidences I can present to them.

In the last few days, I have increased my daily dose of supplements to 3 capsules of Reishi Deluxe, 3 capsules of Cordyceps Deluxe, 2 capsules of pharmaceutical-grade Omega-3 Fish Oil, and 3 capsules of Ester-C twice per day. How about you?

The Prevention of SARS -- Atypical Pneumonia

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