Last year, one of our local metabolic disease specialists decided that, since my A1C was 5.8, I should begin Metformin immediately. Now, those who know me recognize my hesitation with regard to most all pharmaceuticals. But, being as thorough as he is passionate and enthusiastic, my doctor eagerly presented a fascinating feature of this drug; apparently, one of its unexpected side effects was a remarkable capacity to reverse cell aging; in short, the Fountain of Sustained Youth. “Everyone should take Metformin!!”, he joyously exclaimed. I was reluctantly, but curiously, convinced.

After taking the drug for about ten days and, rather than any noticeable reversal of jowl or jiggle, enduring two Bouts of the Bathroom I started researching the drug myself. What I unearthed was startling.

Apparently, like more and more pharmaceuticals of our outsourced age, Metformin was formulated and manufactured both in Europe and in the US. And, the batch from Europe had not so recently been found to contain a chemical, perhaps a by product of the process, perhaps an unsourced contaminant, known to be carcinogenic. European drug makers had ceased dispensing the drug, until it could be determined with certainty that their formulation was clear of any contamination. But, with regard to its own manufacture, the US showed no intention of doing the same.

With increased curiosity, and much concern, I contacted the doctor’s office. In short order, and second hand, I was told that his position held that the suspected risks were outweighed by the known benefits. Nevertheless I chose, after further research and a second opinion, to substitute Metformin with the naturally derived Berberine.

Why am I telling you this?

[ because we’re sick of self-aggrandizing videos ]
[ because you write better than you talk ]
[ because don’t care ]

Ever since it burst upon our scene from the lips of our current POTUS, Hydroxychloroquine has enjoyed a horrible notoriety. From Cause Of Death to dangerous heart arrhythmia, we’ve been urgently warned by the press to shun it. Some believe this rejection a political move; others hold that science has rendered a verdict.

But, what of countries like Poland, and even certain sectors of the US, where this anti-malaria drug is available over the counter as easily as aspirin? According to the friend of a friend, herself a Pole, most of the citizens of Poland took the drug during the Italian viral scourge at the first symptom and have maintained very low covid-19 death stats to the present.

And, what of specific cocktails, i.e. Hydroxychloroquine + Zinc, the latter mineral known to halt coronaviral replications, touted by the admittedly radical Dr. Stella Immanuel? She was emphatic; her cocktail worked, saving the lives of 350 of her own patients.

I can’t vet Dr. Immanuel. Nor can I vet the story of the Polish woman. But, I can say that, given the fact that so many individual drug formulations are manufactured in multiple countries – particularly generic equivalents – I can fairly speculate that Hydroxychloroquine may be a safe formulation in Europe and one sketchy at best if manufactured elsewhere. Or, perhaps, taken in combination with certain other drugs already part of a given patient’s protocol (those with pre-existing syndromes or conditions) may very well provoke the heart arrhythmias/electrical problems disclosed by the press.

My final analysis, given the limited information currently available to me, is that the verdict on the efficacy vs. the alleged threat of Hydroxychloroquine is decidedly n.o.t. in. Here’s hoping some group from within the legitimate scientific community can hasten to investigate. With increasing urgency, our lives appear to depend on it.

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