FoundMyFitness · 2020-04-14 · Rhonda Patrick (host)

COVID-19 Q&A #1 with Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D.

88 claims checked against research: 5 contradicted 3 overstated 5 needing context 60 supported 15 unverified

Overstated

0:15:37 Rhonda Patrick (host)overstatedlow

Zinc inhibits the activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, thereby inhibiting the replication of RNA viruses.

"Zinc inhibits the action of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. That means it stops the replication of viruses." (said at 0:15:37)

The host states broadly that zinc inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and thereby stops viral replication. In vitro cell-free and cell culture studies demonstrate that free zinc ions (Zn²⁺), particularly when paired with a zinc ionophore like pyrithione to shuttle zinc into cells, can directly inhibit the isolated RdRp activity of certain RNA viruses (such as SARS-coronavirus and equine arteritis virus) and impair viral replication in cell culture. However, claiming without qualification that zinc stops viral replication overstates the human clinical reality: free intracellular zinc concentrations required for RdRp inhibition in vitro are not readily achieved by dietary or supplemental zinc alone without an ionophore, and human clinical evidence does not establish that systemic zinc administration acts as a general antiviral cure by halting viral RdRp replication in vivo.

partial: Zn(2+) inhibits coronavirus and arterivirus RNA polymerase activity in vitro and zinc iono… (PLoS pathogens 2010) · cited 921x in the literature
"Using an activity assay for RTCs isolated from cells infected with SARS-CoV or EAV--thus eliminating the need for PT to transport Zn(2+) across the plasma membrane--we show that Zn(2+) efficiently inhibits the RNA-synthesizing activity of the RTCs of both viruses. Enzymatic studies using recombinant RdRps (SARS-CoV nsp12 and EAV nsp9) purified from E. coli subsequently revealed that Zn(2+) directly inhibited the in vitro activity of both nidovirus polymerases." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

0:28:29 Rhonda Patrick (host)overstatedmoderate

According to NHANES data, non-Hispanic Black Americans have a 24.6-fold higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and a 3.7-fold higher prevalence of insufficiency compared to non-Hispanic whites.

"According to NHANES data, non-Hispanic blacks have 24.6 times higher vitamin D deficiency and 3.7 times higher vitamin D insufficiency than non-Hispanic whites." (said at 0:28:29)

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data show that non-Hispanic Black Americans have substantially higher rates of vitamin D deficiency than non-Hispanic white Americans, but the claim that the prevalence is 24.6-fold higher is mathematically and epidemiologically inaccurate. In NHANES analyses (e.g., 2005–2006), the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (defined as serum 25(OH)D ≤ 20 ng/mL) was 82.1% in Black adults compared to approximately 30–40% in white adults—a relative prevalence difference of roughly 2- to 3-fold. The claim likely confuses adjusted odds ratios (such as from multivariable regression models for severe deficiency thresholds) with relative prevalence rates, which cannot be 24.6 times higher given the baseline prevalence.

contradicts: Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults. (Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) 2011) · cited 959x in the literature
"The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

0:12:59 Rhonda Patrick (host)overstatedlow

The macrolide antibiotic azithromycin exhibits antiviral activity against Ebola virus in animal models.

"Azithromycin is an antibiotic that has been shown to have antiviral activity against some viruses like Ebola in animal studies." (said at 0:12:59)

While azithromycin demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity against Ebola virus in drug repurposing screens and pseudovirus assays, animal model studies have failed to demonstrate reliable in vivo efficacy. In systematic in vivo testing, an initial mouse experiment suggested increased survival, but this effect failed to replicate upon repeated evaluation. Furthermore, azithromycin failed to improve survival in a guinea pig model of Ebola virus infection across multiple doses and caused drug-related toxicity. Consequently, stating that azithromycin exhibits antiviral activity against Ebola in animal studies overstates the evidence.

contradicts: Evaluation of Ebola Virus Inhibitors for Drug Repurposing. (ACS infectious diseases 2015) · cited 261x in the literature
"Initially, azithromycin (100 mg/kg, twice daily, ip), CQ (90 mg/kg, twice daily, ip), and amiodarone (60 mg/kg, twice daily, ip) demonstrated significant increases in survival in the mouse model. After repeat evaluation, only CQ was found to reproducibly give significant efficacy in the mouse model with this dosing regimen. Azithromycin and CQ were also tested in a guinea pig model of EBOV infection over a range of doses, but none of the doses increased survival, and drug-related toxicity was observed at lower doses than in the mouse." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
context: Combinatorial screening of a panel of FDA-approved drugs identifies several candidates wit… (Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2020) · cited 45x in the literature
"Here, by combinatorial screening using pseudovirion and minigenome replicon systems we have identified several FDA-approved drugs with significant anti-EBOV activities. These potential candidates include azithromycin, clomiphene, chloroquine, digitoxin, epigallocatechin-gallate, fluvastatin, tetrandrine and tamoxifen." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.