Viruses

Description          

Viruses are the smallest form of living organism.  Chemically, Viruses are Nucleoproteins - they are composed of Amino Acids (and sometimes Lipids) bound to Nucleic Acids.

Cells

 Those Viruses that manage to evade the Immune System's defense mechanisms are able to control the metabolism of the Cells that they invade/infect.  During infection, the Virus first adheres to the Cell Membrane and then penetrates the wall with their "tail".

Digestive System

 Infection of the Intestine with Viruses may cause Diarrhea.

 Several Viruses may cause Gastroenteritis.

Immune System

 The Immune System treats Viruses as Antigens - and attempts to destroy them before they can invade individual Cells of the body.  Those Viruses that escape the defense mechanisms of the Immune System progress to cause Viral Diseases.

1.       Adherence of the Virus to and penetration of susceptible Cells.

2.       Synthesis of early, nonstructural Proteins such as Nucleic Acid Polymerases (RNA Polymerase or DNA Polymerase).

3.       Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) or Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).

4.       Synthesis of late, structural Proteins.

5.       Maturation of viral particles and their release from the Cell.  A mature Virus is known as a Virion.

Enzymes

 Viral infections may inactivate the Delta-6-Desaturase enzyme.

Antioxidants

 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) may inactivate all lipid-containing Viruses.  ^[1]

Carbohydrates

 Acemannan (a Mannan Polysaccharide found in Aloe Vera juice) may inhibit some types of Viruses (i.e. it possesses antiviral properties). 

 The chemical structure of Astragalan B (found in Astragalus) suggests that it could destabilize the membranes of the some types of Viruses. 

 Beta 1,3 Glucan may suppress many types of Viruses (via its ability to activate Macrophages). 

 Beta 1,6 Glucan may suppress many types of Viruses. 

 Carrageenans may inhibit various types of Viruses (by becoming internalized into infected Cells and inhibiting fusion between infected Cells).  ^[2]

 Chondroitin Sulfate (CSA) may disrupt the membranes of some Viruses, rendering them ineffective. 

 Dextran Sulfate may inhibit various types of Viruses. 

 Heparin is capable of inactivating some types of Viruses (both inside of and outside of the host Cells of these Viruses and subsequently alleviating some types of Viral Diseases).

Complementary Therapies

 Oxygen Therapy (employing low, controlled doses of Hydrogen Peroxide or Ozone) may kill many types of Viruses.

Enzyme Inhibitors

 Protease Inhibitors may inhibit many Viruses. 

Free Radicals

 Singlet Oxygen - although normally extremely toxic - can be utilized by the body to inhibit several types of Viruses (after being stabilized by Hypericin).

Glycosides

 Glycyrrhizin may possess anti-viral activity against some Viruses. 

 Oleuropein may suppress many types of Viruses:  ^[3]

 Oleuropein may interfere with the ability of Viruses to cause infections and interferes with the ability of Viruses to replicate.  It may prevent viral shedding, budding or assembly at the Cell Membrane.

Immune System Chemicals

 Antibodies (Immunoglobulins) sabotage Viruses by neutralizing the parts of the Virus surface that enable the Virus to hook onto and enter a host cell.  With attachment sites blocked, the Virus is no longer able to invade and take over a host cell.