New COVID-19 Pandemic Lectures — Videos 81-83

June 25, 2020

We’ve got three new COVID-19 lectures and our third recorded question-and-answer session with MedCram’s co-founders, Dr. Roger Seheult and Kyle Allred. These lectures focus on hydroxychloroquine, vitamin D, racial disparities in COVID-19, and fructose’s role in oxidative stress. Read on for details and links to studies, lectures, and more!

New Data on Hydroxychloroquine Side Effects and Prevention of COVID-19

In our 81st COVID-19 update lecture, Dr. Seheult addresses concerns over a potential resurgence of cases during the winter season. He also shares information from this website, which includes a world map of over 1,400 different COVID-19 clinical trials.

With regard to hydroxychloroquine, Dr. Seheult breaks down this study from the New England Journal of Medicine. The study looked at the effects of hydroxychloroquine interventions on “high-risk exposures,” or individuals who had been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. Compared with the placebo group, the intervention group yielded no statistically significant differences. Despite the lack of statistical significance, Dr. Seheult explains further implications and suggestions for this research, including the addition of zinc to the intervention protocol.

Racial Disparities with COVID-19 & Vitamin D

In our 82nd coronavirus pandemic update, Dr. Seheult looks at COVID-19 numbers around the world, which show various hotspots as total global cases continue to increase and daily deaths slowly decrease. He also talks about this report and the intersection of newly-diagnosed diabetes and mortality from COVID-19.

In terms of access to healthcare and higher risk for minorities with COVID-19, Dr. Seheult explains this pre-peer-review article, which looks at COVID-19 racial disparities in England. Despite England’s national healthcare service — intended to provide equal healthcare access to all — Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi patients experienced a higher risk of death from COVID-19, while White Irish and White British patients experienced a lower risk. Dr. Seheult ties this research to a study on vitamin D deficiency in Europe, which showed a much higher prevalence of deficiency in “dark-skinned ethnic subgroups” than White populations. Dr. Seheult then discusses various other studies on the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19.

High Fructose, Vitamin D, & Oxidative Stress

In our 83rd COVID-19 update, Dr. Seheult gives a brief vaccine update, then revisits the oxidative stress cycle. He then highlights research on habits and foods that may increase oxidative stress, such as high fructose consumption. Interestingly, Dr. Seheult found research connecting excessive fructose intake to vitamin D. This study — done on rats — found that dietary fructose increases the expression of the enzyme that impairs the production of active vitamin D and inhibits the enzyme responsible for transforming vitamin D into its active, usable form. Simply put, high dietary fructose consumption may increase risk for calcium and vitamin D deficiency, which we now know is a critical factor in COVID-19 resiliency.

Revisit Our Third Sunday Live Session

This Sunday, MedCram co-founders Kyle Allred and Dr. Roger Seheult presented their third live question-and-answer session. Questions ranged from Dr. Seheult’s experiences in the ICU and hospital policies regarding COVID-19, to prone positioning in COVID-19 patients, treatment timelines, and more.

Stay Tuned for More COVID-19 Updates

Our COVID-19 videos are always available and free (and ad-free) at MedCram.com. In addition, check out our full library of courses and lectures on subjects ranging from Cardiology to Board Questions Explained Clearly and many more!

Meanwhile, here’s a list of all the COVID-19 resources we’ve shared so far: