#063 Dr. Roger Seheult from MedCram on COVID-19 Vaccines, Vitamin D, and Heat Hydrotherapy

Feb 26, 2021 2h 6m 20 insights

<div>Dr. Roger Seheult</div> <div>Dr. Roger Seheult is the co-creator of MedCram Videos. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, MedCram emerged as a beacon of insight, providing continuing coverage and perspectives in an environment almost defined by information scarcity.</div> <div> </div> <div>What particularly excited me about the unique opportunity of this interview is that apart from Dr. Seheult being a unique voice of public scholarship during the early days of the pandemic, he's also a quadruple board-certified pulmonologist with deep experience working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.</div> In this episode, we discuss: <ul> <li>(00:00) Introduction</li> <li>(06:20) How <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG-iSMVtWbbwDDXgXXypARQ?sub_confirmation=1"> MedCram Videos</a> got started </li> <li>(09:37) Using evidence to make COVID-19 treatment decisions</li> <li>(12:46) The differences in treating early vs late-stage COVID-19 </li> <li>(14:40) How doctors would've treated COVID-19 one-hundred years ago</li> <li>(18:13) Increasing ventilation reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission </li> <li>(20:28) Masks are virtually universally beneficial regardless of type</li> <li>(21:32) Vitamin D and COVID-19</li> <li>(22:22) Steroid chemical structure of vitamin D </li> <li>(23:24) The vitamin D RDA is likely too low</li> <li>(24:23) Vitamin D is more like a hormone than vitamin</li> <li>(26:21) The overlap between COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency</li> <li>(30:27) How Mendelian randomization studies helped solve the vitamin D puzzle</li> <li>(34:20) The gene regulatory effects of vitamin D </li> <li>(35:49) Vitamin D and the ACE2/renin-angiontensin system</li> <li>(42:00) Daily doses of vitamin D are more effective </li> <li>(43:23) A prescription-only form of vitamin D (calcifediol) may be best for COVID-19</li> <li>(47:06) Skin synthesis of vitamin D from sunlight can be unreliable </li> <li>(53:43) The safest dose range for vitamin D</li> <li>(01:06:15) The beneficial circadian effect of early morning sunlight</li> <li>(01:07:38) Sleep deprivation impairs vital immunity</li> <li>(01:12:08) Dr. Seheult's suggestions for the best sleep</li> <li>(01:19:18) A Spanish flu era treatment boosts interferon by ten times</li> <li>(01:22:38) Why interferon is so important for the viral response</li> <li>(01:26:43) Treating the symptoms of fever during the Spanish flu harmed patients</li> <li>(01:31:58) Dr. Seheult's ongoing research of hot hydrotherapy </li> <li>(01:47:00) COVID-19 Vaccines</li> </ul> If you're interested in learning more, you can <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/roger-seheult">read the full show notes.</a> Join over 300,000 people and get the latest distilled information straight to your inbox weekly: <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter</a> Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A's with Rhonda and more: <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor</a>

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Actionable Insights

1. Follow Comprehensive CDC Guidelines

Adhere to all CDC recommendations, including mask-wearing, social distancing, hand washing, and ventilation, as a multi-faceted approach to prevent COVID-19, recognizing that no single measure is 100% effective alone.

2. Test & Supplement Vitamin D

Consult a doctor to measure your 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and take a supplement as advised to reach sufficient levels (e.g., above 50 ng/mL), given widespread deficiency and its immune role.

3. Prioritize Sufficient Sleep

Ensure adequate sleep as it is fundamentally important for immune function and resisting viral infections, with sleep deprivation known to impair viral immunity.

4. Perform Hot Hydrotherapy Protocol

Implement a hot hydrotherapy protocol by applying very hot wet towels to the back and chest for 20 minutes while keeping the head and neck cold, followed by ice-cold towel friction rubs and one hour of rest, aiming to increase core body temperature and stimulate the innate immune system.

5. Optimize Vitamin D Dosing

When supplementing vitamin D, daily or weekly doses are likely more effective for correcting deficiencies and preventing acute respiratory tract infections than a single large monthly bolus.

6. Morning Bright Light Exposure

Get 30 minutes of bright light exposure in the morning, ideally by stepping outside, to help set your circadian clock earlier and promote better sleep at night.

7. Minimize Evening Blue Light

Reduce blue light exposure in the evening to avoid disrupting melatonin production and delaying your circadian rhythm, using dimmers or red-light settings on smart lights.

8. Prioritize Pre-Midnight Sleep

Aim to get significant sleep before midnight, as the early part of the night is rich in restorative slow-wave sleep, which is crucial for growth hormone secretion and overall health.

9. Sleep Well Before Vaccination

Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before receiving a vaccination, as sufficient sleep can lead to a better immune response with higher antibody titers.

10. Practice Hot-Cold Contrast Therapy

Engage in contrast therapy by alternating between hot (e.g., spa, sauna) and cold (e.g., snow, cold shower) exposures, as this practice is invigorating and may stimulate the immune system.

11. Take Contrast Showers

Incorporate contrast showers into your routine by alternating between hot (3-5 minutes, as tolerated) and cold (1 minute, as tolerated) water cycles, repeating several times, to invigorate and potentially support immune function.

12. Improve Indoor Ventilation

Enhance ventilation in enclosed spaces, especially when with others, by cracking windows or using air filters, to significantly reduce the risk of airborne COVID-19 transmission.

13. Implement Home Decontamination Routine

Establish a routine upon returning home from high-exposure environments, such as immediately disrobing in a designated area (e.g., garage) and isolating potentially contaminated clothing for washing.

14. Hydrotherapy Safety Precautions

Exercise extreme caution with hydrotherapy to prevent burns and avoid temperature extremes if you have a history of cardiac arrhythmias (tachycardia, atrial fibrillation), as these conditions may pose risks.

15. Eat Antioxidant-Rich Fruits

Consume a variety of antioxidant-rich fruits like blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and pineapple, ideally for breakfast, to support overall health and provide beneficial compounds.

16. Consider NAC Supplementation

Consider supplementing with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a powerful antioxidant that has shown to improve flu symptoms and may help with oxidative stress, though its specific effect on COVID-19 is not yet established.

17. Supplement Zinc (Max 40mg)

Supplement with elemental zinc, but strictly limit daily intake to no more than 40 milligrams to avoid potential adverse effects such as copper imbalance.

18. Avoid Evening Emotional Stimulation

Refrain from emotionally stimulating activities, such as engaging with work on a laptop or checking social media, before bed, as they can elevate stress and significantly disrupt sleep quality.

19. Decompress Before Bed

Prioritize relaxing activities like reading a book or simply decompressing in a quiet environment before bed, rather than watching stimulating TV, to promote mental calm and better sleep.

20. Cultivate Grounding & Faith

Develop a sense of grounding and place faith in something higher than oneself to effectively cope with stress, illness, and the challenges of life, beyond just physical interventions.