Multiple studies published in the last two years indicate that eggs from chickens immunized againstSARS-CoV-2could be used to create effective treatments againstCOVID-19in humans. There is no evidence, however, that this development is responsible for the current egg shortage in the United States, as some conspiracy theories allege.
In a study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology March 2022, researchers found that egg antibodies (IgYs) produced by chickens immunized against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein had the ability to neutralize the virus, specifically by interfering with the spike protein’s capacity to attach to human cells.
The researchers concluded that IgY targeting the spike protein “could be a promising candidate for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19.”
They added that “administration of IgY-based oral preparation, oral or nasal spray may have profound implications for blocking SARS-CoV-2.”
A 2021 study published in the journal International Immunopharmacology concluded that anti-spike protein IgYs “showed significant neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, various spike protein mutants, and even SARS-CoV in vitro.”
The authors concluded such antibodies “might be a feasible tool for the prevention and control of ongoing COVID-19.”
This study also suggested that such a treatment might have several advantages over monoclonal antibodies, including reduced side effects and reduced production costs. As the authors point out, IgYs have been noted by researchers since 1959 for “their stable chemical properties” and low cost, high yield results that make them a potentially more attractive treatment option for developing countries.
When it comes to reduced side effects, the study notes, “IgYs neither bind the human rheumatoid factors, nor activate the human complement system, which minimizes the risks of inflammation.” In essence, egg antibodies do not cause allergy or set off immune reactions when injected into humans.
The study points out that IgY antibodies have also been applied to combat human viral infections such as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus, and Coxsackie virus.
The authors cite a 2006 study of an earlier SARS coronavirus in which anti-SARS coronavirus IgYs were purified from chickens immunized with an inactive form of the virus, and the resulting antibodies were able to neutralize the live virus both in vitro and in vivo.
A third study published last in Viruses last July by researchers at UC-Davis also found evidence supporting the approach of producing COVID-19 antibodies in birds.
Rodrigo Gallardo, a UC-Davis professor in poultry medicine at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine lauded the approach in an article on the university’s website.
“The beauty of the system is that you can produce a lot of antibodies in birds. In addition to a low cost to produce these antibodies in hens, they can be updated very fast by using updated antigens to hyperimmunize hens, allowing protection against current variant strains.”
The Egg Shortage Theory
The egg antibody research offers such a compelling avenue for COVID-19 treatment that it has spurred questions of a potential conspiracy given the current egg shortage in the United States.
An article in the DCPatriot asked, “Is that why eggs are disappearing at an alarming rate? Is that why chicken farms are being destroyed? We don’t know, but it sure is a ‘what the hell is happening here’ moment, isn’t it?”
However, even though chickens can be used to produce antibodies, they first have to be exposed to the virus. All the studies involved hens that were exposed to the coronavirus. The study published in Applied Microbiology found that a control group of non-immunized IgYs had “no obvious inhibitory effect on the virus” as indicated in the graph below that compares the results of IgYs from immunized hens (blue line) to those of the control group (red line):
Luminescence inhibition rate curve of the anti-(SARS-Cov-2) IgY (blue) and normal (control) IgY (red) from the pseudovirus neutralization assay. (Elsevier COVID-19 resource centre)
There appears to be no scientific evidence then that the eggs in your local supermarket are an effective treatment for COVID-19. Furthermore, the contemplated delivery systems, such as nasal sprays, would deliver a highly refined and concentrated dosage, further enhancing the impact of the antibodies.
Eggs as COVID-19 Fighters
That said, as reported by the Times of India, “coronavirus quarantine facilities around the world, are offering eggs to their patients in recovery with their daily meals.”
The Times reported that authorities are also providing a lot of healthcare workers eggs daily to boost their immunity.
Eggs come packed with amino acids and antioxidants, which improve your health and keep your immune system functioning optimally.
Each egg (85 calories) contains 7 grams of muscle-building protein apart from essential core vitamins like selenium (22 percent) and vitamin A, B and K. Eggs also contain another nutrient, riboflavin, which supports development and growth.
Each egg also provides 27 percent of the RDA of vitamin D, which a recent meta-analysis (2022) of multiple studies has shown to be effective in reducing instances of COVID-19 infection as well as the severity of infections.
Chinese study made coronavirus antibodies in eggs by vaccinating hens
A 2021 study in China investigated antibodies generated by immunizing hens with a specific protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and found that the antibodies extracted from yolks could neutralize some versions of the coronavirus tested in the lab.
The results do not mean that all egg yolks contain coronavirus-neutralizing antibodies or that eating eggs would prevent COVID-19, as suggested in some widely shared posts online.
“So EGGS prevent COVID. Do you see it yet?,” reads one Feb. 2 comment on Twitter attaching an extract of the paper that has garnered over 3,600 retweets (here). Other examples can be seen on Instagram (here) (here).
Posts refer to a study originally published in November 2020 (here), which analyzed immunoglobulin Y (or lgY) antibodies generated in the yolks of eggs from laying hens that had been immunized with the “spike” protein from SARS-CoV-2. The researchers then tested the antibodies in human cells in the lab and found that they could block versions of a mock SARS-CoV-2 virus, and even SARS-CoV-1, from binding to the ACE-2 receptor these viruses normally use to enter human cells.
Qinglin Meng, a senior author of the study, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Not all eggs, however, contain the specific antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2, Rodrigo Gallardo, professor in poultry medicine at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, told Reuters via email.
“Even though all hens and egg yolks contain lgY’s, in order to obtain those that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 you need to immunize (vaccinate) hens with a vaccine containing the virus, proteins, subunits or mRNA from the virus,” he said.
Gallardo coauthored a similar study conducted in 2022 at UC Davis (here) , which found that the purified antibodies from eggs harvested from hens given high doses of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could “neutralize” the virus in-vitro (here )
Producing lgY antibodies in eggs by immunizing hens has long been used as a way to generate large quantities of antibody quickly for use in treating diseases in other animals, as described in a 2011 review of the field (here).
During the pandemic, many researchers have also focused on the potential for employing this relatively inexpensive method to produce lgY antibodies in eggs for use in treating or preventing COVID in humans (jogh.org/2022/jogh-12-05009), (here) .
Such treatments are not likely to be delivered by having people consume the eggs. Rather, the process would extract and purify the antibodies made in the eggs, then use them like other antibody medications, which are typically given intravenously (www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/10/3/83) , (www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/10/3/83) .
Some posts referring to the November 2020 Chinese study (whose final version was formally published in January 2021) conflate the false idea that eggs treat COVID with the rise of egg prices in the United States (here) and even with a large fire that broke out at an egg farm in Connecticut on Jan. 28 (here).
One Twitter user commented, “Yes, that may be why there’s a shortage… very fishi,” and another wrote, “That makes a lot of sense now why egg farms are going up in spoke...(sic).”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, a worldwide outbreak of avian flu that has killed millions of commercial chickens is among the causes for the increase in egg prices (here)
Hillandale Farms, operator of the egg farm in Bozrah, Connecticut that is mentioned in some posts, has said the cause of the fire is still being investigated (here). The fire would not impact egg prices, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told NBC Connecticut (here).
VERDICT
Misleading. A study in China immunized hens to generate antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in their eggs, it did not find that all eggs contain such antibodies or that eggs have any effect on COVID.
The Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care (FLCCC) Alliance was initially formed as a working group under “emergency” conditions of the early COVID-19 pandemic in response to multiple early reports of COVID patients with an inexplicably high need for prolonged mechanical ventilation and an excessive mortality associated with the prevailing “supportive care only” recommendations disseminated by the majority of national and international health care organizations. Early treatment is critical and the most important factor in managing this disease. COVID-19 is a clinical diagnosis; a confirmed antigen or PCR test is not required. Treatment should be initiated immediately after the onset of flu-like symptoms. The multiple therapies and drugs in this protocol have different mechanisms of action and work synergistically during various phases of the disease. About this Protocol The information in this document is our recommended approach to COVID-19 based on the best (and most recent) literature. I
Although no official definition exists for post-COVID-vaccine syndrome, a temporal correlation between a patient receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and beginning or worsening of clinical manifestations is sufficient to diagnose as a COVID-19 vaccine-induced injury, when the symptoms are unexplained by other concurrent causes. Note that there are significant overlaps between the symptoms and features of long COVID/ long-hauler syndrome and post-vaccine syndrome. However, a number of clinical features appear to be characteristic of post-vaccine syndrome; most notably, severe neurological symptoms appear to be more common following vaccination. To complicate matters further, patients with long COVID are often also vaccinated, making the issue of definition more difficult. Since there are no published reports detailing the management of vaccine-injured patients, the FLCCC treatment approach is based on the postulated pathogenetic mechanism, clinical observation, and patient anecdotes. Treatment
Iodine 1% Nasal Spray is part of the FLCCC I-CARE early treatment protocol : Nasal spray with 1% povidone-iodine: 2-3 times a day. Do not use for more than 5 days in pregnancy. If 1% product is not available, dilute the more widely available 10% solution and apply 4-5 drops to each nostril every 4 hours. Use 1 % povidone iodine commercial product as per instructions 2–3 x daily. If 1 %-product not available, must first dilute the more widely available 10 %-solution. To make 1% povidone iodine concentrated solution from 10% povidone iodine solution, one dilution method is as follows: – First pour 1½ tablespoons (25ml) of 10% povidone/ iodine solution into a nasal irrigation bottle of 250ml. – Then fill to top with distilled, sterile or previously boiled water. – Tilt head back, apply 4–5 drops to each nostril. Keep tilted for a few minutes, let drain. - Not recommended in pregnancy. To make 1% povidone iodine nasal spray from 10% povidone iodine solution, it must be diluted first. 1
Many people with cancer are seeking alternative therapies. One such therapy that has recently emerged is the Fenbendazole protocol, following some inspiring fenbendazole cancer success stories . Fenbendazole (also called fenben) is a veterinary medicine used to treat worms and parasites in animals. It is often sold under the brand names Safe-Guard and Pancur. Is fenbendazole safe for humans? Although fenbendazole hasn’t been studied in human cancer patients, there has been a lot of research on how it can benefit other conditions. As a result, it is generally considered safe for human use. ( Mebendazole – which mainly treats human parasites, is from the same family of drugs). Fenbendazole has not received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, many cancer patients report positive effects from taking the medication and following the Fenbendazole protocol to treat cancer . Fenbendazole Dosage for Humans Getting the proper fenbendazole dose for humans can
What's the difference between glutathione and NAD? We will cover the essentials and explain about each of these nutrients below. What is Glutathione? Glutathione or GSH (tripeptide of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine) is referred to as the body’s “master antioxidant” or the “mother of all antioxidants” because it is your body’s primary and most prevalent protector, found in all mammalian tissue. Types of Glutathione There is a lot of confusion about GSH and what makes an effective glutathione supplement. There are different types, different formulas, and a lot of different companies saying different things. L-Glutathione or Reduced Glutathione because it is the most commonly found, least expensive, and the true core behind other forms you will find. There is some debate whether L-Glutathione alone can be effective taken orally. The theory being the enzymes in your stomach break it down before it can ever reach the blood stream and become useful. Some evidence suggests using
Online MBA Malaysia Masters of Business Administration (MBA) are postgraduate degree programs in business administration. MBA is a program designed for students who want to further their academic skills and broaden their knowledge in the business space. Students gain a broad understanding of the key functions of a range of business areas and use these skills to contribute to lon term direction of a business. Some MBA program classes are online, students will not have to appear too many face to face classes. Schedules may not be as stringent when taking lessons online. Students can work on and carry out assignments when they are ready and at their personal pace. There are many online MBA programs available both locally and globally. This is not a simple decision as it involves a significant amount of investment in terms of time and money. Ask your friends and seniors for advice. We have selected 6 online MBA programs for you to choose. The selection of the online MBA prog
Are you thinking of finding the best retirement home for your parents in Malaysia? The demand for retirement homes in Malaysia can only go up in view of the increasing number of senior citizens in need of retirement homes that are affordable with good quality related support services. Malaysia is one of the top 10 retirement destinations in the world, based on the Annual Global Retirement Index for the year 2020 . Malaysian cities are clean and modern, its public transport unrivalled, and its people the friendliest in Asia. And while other Asian countries offer great budget holidays, and some offer first-class vacations, Malaysia manages to cater extraordinarily well to both. Next, you may need to understand some of the retirement related jargons here. There are many related terms such as retirement village, retirement home, retirement resorts, old folks homes, nursing homes, dual-key etc. So that we are on the same page, let's stick to the terms as defined by the Malaysian Mini
Insulin resistance has emerged in the last 50 years as the world’s most common disorder and the single largest cause of loss of life. Also known as ‘metabolic syndrome, it leads to conditions like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal triglyceride and cholesterol levels. As this document makes clear, insulin resistance and type II diabetes are largely reversible through adopting healthy lifestyles. Treatments Intermittent fasting/time-restricted eating : This is the most efficient and effective way to lower insulin levels and restore insulin sensitivity. In addition, fasting has a profound benefit on the immune system, partly by stimulating the clearing of damaged cells (autophagy), damaged mitochondria (mitophagy), and misfolded and foreign proteins. Fasting also improves mitochondrial health and increases stem cell production, and is the most effective method to achieve sustained weight loss. Cautions and contraindications Avoid fasting
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. Many cryptocurrencies are decentralised networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers. A defining feature of cryptocurrencies is that central authorities generally do not issue them, rendering them theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation. Lately, many types of cryptocurrencies have been making headlines on the news. This is because of their increasing prices which are making tons of investors happy. However, it is not very popular in Malaysia and many people still do not have a clear idea of what it is. If you are interested to buy Bitcoin or crypto in Malaysia, here are the ways to do so. Here is a list of Bitcoin ATMs in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia for you to buy Bitcoin or crypto in Malaysia . Please take note that there is a fee for each transaction and th
Most children with COVID-19 handle the virus well and recover fully. Despite a lot of fear-mongering, COVID is not a deadly disease for most children. In fact, data show that the death rate is extremely low in patients under 17 years old. This guide aims to help you understand the real risks and know how to respond. The best thing you can do is focus on making sure your child is healthy overall and that their immune system is strong and robust. Recommended Therapies Dosage varies based on size and age of child; see I-CARE For Kids protocol for full details Vitamin D : Adequate Vitamin D levels help our bodies fight inflammation and boosts immunity. Vitamin C : An excellent antiviral that protects against a wide variety of viruses including COVID-19. Vitamin A : Found in red, yellow, and orange vegetables and a main component in cod liver oil. Zinc : Strengthens innate and adaptive immunity and inhibits the virus from entering cells. Ibuprofen : Reduces fever, treats aches, and fights i
Comments