The Medical Advisor

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is an antiseptic with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, including activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Some studies suggest that povidone-iodine nasal and throat rinses could help reduce viral load and transmission for respiratory viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses. Can Povidone-Iodine Help Against Bird Flu (H5N1)? Povidone-iodine has strong antiviral properties, and some researchers suggest that nasal and throat gargles might reduce the viral load in the upper respiratory tract. Potential Uses Against Bird Flu Nasal Spray or Drops: Could potentially reduce viral presence in the nasal passages. Throat Gargling: Might help limit viral replication in the throat, as seen with other respiratory viruses. Hand and Surface Disinfection: Can be effective in killing the virus on contaminated surfaces. Limitations & Warnings Not a cure: Povidone-iodine does not treat systemic infections. Not a substitute for vaccines or antiviral medic...

Povidone Iodine has been well documented as one of the most effective of all antimicrobials available. Hospitals and medical facilities worldwide use povidone-iodine as a standard of care in infection control, even though it contains very small amounts of Iodine. Povidone Iodine (PVP-1) has been in commercial use since 1955 and is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. Source: https://www.who.int/groups/expert-committee-on-selection-and-use-of-essential-medicines/essential-medicines-lists PVP-1 contains 31,600 ppm of iodine compounds, but it is only I2 that is the biocidal species responsible for its antimicrobial activity. I2 occurs in trace quantities of 2–3 ppm, but even at these levels, it is considered the best at destroying bacteria, viruses, and fungi. All the other aspects of PVP-1 only contribute to its toxicity, staining, and unpleasant taste. Source: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1997.tb06069.x For more than 50 years, PVP-1 has been used as an esse...

Oil pulling is a misleading term since there is no actual 'pulling' action involved. “Pseudoscience” or “quackery” are some of the words critics assign to oil pulling. While it should not replace the brushing of teeth, a growing number of scientists agree that this low-cost intervention to gum diseases and promoter of overall well-being has oral health benefits.  Dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years, oil pulling comes from the Indian medical tradition of Ayurveda. It is a technique by which a certain type of oil is swished around in the mouth cavity for a certain amount of time, then the oil is spat out. Oil pulling is followed by other oral hygiene techniques such as the brushing of teeth, flossing, and scraping of the tongue. Advocates of oil pulling swear by its effectiveness. Books such as “Oil Pulling Therapy,” by naturopathic physician Bruce Fife, have been filled with the technique’s praises, including claims that it relieves “asthma, diabetes, arthritis, migraine headaches,...