Tips for Healing Long-Hauler Symptoms

It’s been over a year since this pandemic started, and more and more patients with long-term post-viral symptoms are being seen. These patients, known as “long-haulers” can be split into two groups: 1. Those who experience some permanent damage to their lungs, heart, kidneys, or brain. 2. Those who continue to experience symptoms despite no detectable damage to these organs.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of taste and smell
• Issues with focus and memory
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping

These continued symptoms are more likely to present in individuals with chronic illnesses, people over the age of 50, or those who experienced a severe case of the virus. An Italian study showed that “in a group of hospitalized patients with no prior neurologic disease, 37.4% showed abnormalities on neurologic exam 6 months later – most commonly cognitive deficits, hyposmia, and postural tremor.  Patients also noted fatigue, memory impairment, and sleep disorders, Padovani said.” Reference to article here.

However, there are cases of people affected by long-term symptoms or changes after experiencing a mild case of the virus, or even being asymptomatic. For instance, “out of 926 patients with non-severe COVID-19 in China, elevated AST was seen in 18.2%, and elevated ALT was seen in 19.8% of these patients.”  And, “up to 50% of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients have atypical chest CT findings, specifically ground-glass opacities, indicative of pulmonary inflammation and possibly fibrosis.”  Reference here.

“The etiologies are almost certainly multifactorial, but may involve overzealous immune responses, cardiopulmonary or systemic inflammation, vascular inflammation or clotting disorders, and direct damage from viral replication during acute illness,” says Timothy Hendrich, a viral immunologist and infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco.  Reference to article here.

As evidenced, post viral complaints can affect anyone, from healthy young athletes to older adults with preexisting conditions. The symptoms may be alleviated by addressing the underlying inflammation and other causes. Changes in your diet may be able to help. An anti-inflammatory diet consists of colorful vegetables, fruits, lean protein, fatty fish, spices, nuts and seeds. Try to avoid refined grains and processed foods, and of course any known food sensitivities.

In addition to an anti-inflammatory diet, you may wish to consider a supplement regimen to address the inflammation and underlying causes of your symptoms. Following is a list of recommended supplements and the symptoms they address.

For all types of post-viral symptoms, it is important to address underlying inflammation.

SPM Supreme: 1 soft gel twice daily

CurcumEvail: 1 soft gel twice daily

Vitamin D Supreme or Vitamin D Ultra 10K to maintain optimal Vitamin D levels (Vitamin D, besides being antiviral and immune-enhancing, also has anti-inflammatory actions).

Melatonin: 3 to 6 mg before bed.  A potent endogenous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory molecule.

Fatigue:

Magnesium Malate: 2 to 4 capsules per day

Mitochondrial NRG: 2 caps BID with meals

Mito-PQQ: 1 capsule BID

Licorice Root Tincture: Start with 10 to 15 drops in the morning (maybe contraindicated for individuals with high blood pressure).

KTO ElectroPure OR Electrolyte Synergy – esp. if postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS ) is present!

Pulmonary Support:

Vitamin D: Vitamin D has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing actions in the lungs.

Liposomal Glutathione: Glutathione is the body’s primary endogenous antioxidant and is the most abundant antioxidant in the lung epithelium.

NAC: 1 to 2 capsules twice daily.

Myocarditis:

See recommendations for inflammation above.

Taurine capsules: 2 to 3 capsules daily

CoQnol 200:1 soft gel

Zinc: 30 mg

Neurological:

See recommendations for inflammation above.

Ultra DHA: 2 soft gels per day

NeuroMag: 3 capsules in the evening

NeuroRenew: 2 caps twice daily

Blood Clots:

Natto-Serrazime: 1 capsule BID away from meals

OmegAvail TG1000: 2 soft gels daily

Vessel Forte:  a good option for vascular clots or poor circulation

As always, let us know if we can help in any way. We are offering telehealth appointments to better meet your needs!