Treatment for Long Haulers Syndrome (September 2022)
If you’re still coping with symptoms three months or more after being infected with COVID-19, you’re considered a COVID long-hauler. Post-COVID recovery clinics are being launched nationwide to address this still-growing need.
As we learn more about post-COVID syndrome, however, the definition has been refined to be more accurate and useful:
- Subacute or ongoing COVID-19 (post-acute COVID-19 syndrome): symptoms continuing beyond four weeks from acute infection, up to 12 weeks.
- Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC): symptoms persisting beyond the four weeks after acute infection.
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID, long-hauler’s syndrome): chronic ongoing COVID-19 symptoms beyond 12 weeks from acute infection.
With 200-plus symptoms linked to long COVID, treatment starts by pinpointing specific medical conditions and referring patients to the right clinicians. These might be lung specialists, heart specialists or brain rehabilitation experts. Patients need a carefully designed but flexible long haul COVID treatment protocol tailored to their particular symptoms and needs.
Understanding long haulers syndrome and the possible treatments is a vast and dynamic subject. Given the lack of specific treatments of long-haul COVID-19 syndrome, we
have compiled and curated relevant and useful information and evidence from
various sources about long haulers syndrome. As with most of our articles, the information will evolve
as more clinical evidence accumulates.
In this Article:
Symptoms of Long Haulers SyndromeFLCCC I-Recover Protocol
Natural Key Supplements for Long Haulers
1. Vitamin D
2. Probiotics
3. Melatonin
4. Vitamin C
5. Omega-3 fatty acids
6. Quercetin, EGCG and Curcumin
2. Probiotics
3. Melatonin
4. Vitamin C
5. Omega-3 fatty acids
6. Quercetin, EGCG and Curcumin
7. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
8. Zinc
9. Resveratrol
10. Lumbrokinase and Serrapeptase
Diet and Nutrition
Intermittent fasting
Exercise
Post-Vaccination Long Haulers?
Post-Vaccination Long Haulers?
COVID Spike Protein Treatment for Kids
HBOT (HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy)
Symptoms of Long Haulers Syndrome
While the CDC tracks the prevalence of 26 common post-COVID conditions affecting a significant body system, more than 50 long-term effects, particularly fatigue, headache, attention disorders, shortness of breath and hair shedding, are now attributed to long-hauler’s syndrome (R).
The global prevalence of post-COVID syndrome four months after the infection is now estimated at 49% of all patients. About 54% of hospitalized patients had long-hauler symptoms; about 34% of non-hospitalized patients had symptoms.
Among those who were hospitalized, only 26% fully recovered after five months (R), and nearly half still had symptoms one year later (R). Those who needed mechanical ventilation were 58% less likely to heal fully; obese people were half as likely to recover fully (R). At the two-year mark, 55% of hospitalized patients had at least one COVID-19 symptom, compared to 68% six months after infection. Patients generally had poorer health two years later and still experienced pain, fatigue, problems with sleeping and mental health issues. They went to a doctor more often, had ongoing difficulty exercising, and experienced poor quality of life (R).
Among those who were hospitalized, only 26% fully recovered after five months (R), and nearly half still had symptoms one year later (R). Those who needed mechanical ventilation were 58% less likely to heal fully; obese people were half as likely to recover fully (R). At the two-year mark, 55% of hospitalized patients had at least one COVID-19 symptom, compared to 68% six months after infection. Patients generally had poorer health two years later and still experienced pain, fatigue, problems with sleeping and mental health issues. They went to a doctor more often, had ongoing difficulty exercising, and experienced poor quality of life (R).
A study published in May 2022, using U.S. health insurance records suggests that over 75% of people with long-hauler’s syndrome were never hospitalized for COVID. After the acute illness was over, nearly 25% of these patients had ongoing respiratory symptoms, chiefly shortness of breath and cough; 17% had fatigue, brain fog, and exhaustion that got worse with physical or mental activity. Abnormal heartbeats and sleep disorders were also common.
An international study showed that fatigue is the most common long-hauler’s syndrome, affecting 80% of all patients. Post-exertional malaise affects 73%, cognitive dysfunction affects 58%, sensorimotor symptoms such as loss of smell affect 56%, headache affects 54%, and memory issues affect 51% (R). A year after infection, common persistent symptoms include fatigue (reported by 82% of patients), brain fog (written by 67%), and headache (reported by 60%) (R).
Clinical signs and symptoms can be grouped in the following clusters. The reason for this grouping is to allow organ specific targeted therapy/individualized therapy.
1. Respiratory: shortness of breath, congestion, persistent cough, etc.
2. Neurological/psychiatric: brain fog, malaise, tiredness, headaches, migraines, depression, inability to focus/concentrate, altered cognition, insomnia, vertigo, panic attacks, tinnitus, anosmia, phantom smells, parosmia etc.
3. Musculoskeletal: myalgias, fatigue, weakness, joint pains, inability to exercise, post-exertional malaise, inability to perform normal activities of daily life (ADL’s), muscle mass loss
4. Cardiovascular: Palpitations, arrhythmias, Raynaud like syndrome, hypotension, and tachycardia on exertion.
5. Autonomic: Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTs), abnormal sweating.
6. GIT disturbance: Anorexia, diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, nausea, etc.
7. Dermatologic: Itching, rashes, dermatographia, hair loss.
8. Mucus membranes: Running nose, sneezing, Burning and itchy eyes.
10. Endocrine dysfunction: adrenal gland dysfunction., thyroid dysfunction, estrogen and progesterone dysfunction, testosterone dysfunction.
If the symptoms include major shortness of breath, cough with blood in it or pain on one side when you take a deep breath, it could be due to a late pulmonary embolism or a blood clot going to the lungs. Please visit your medical doctor or the nearest 24-hr medical emergency center immediately.
FLCCC I-Recover Protocol
The FLCCC (Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance) was formed by leading critical care specialists in March 2020, at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, dedicated to developing highly effective treatment protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and to improve the outcomes for patients ill with the disease.Though there are many long haulers treatment protocols out there, we consider and recommend the I-Recover for Long Haul as one of the best.
Given the lack of clinical trials of long-haul COVID-19 syndrome, these
recommendations are based on the abnormal changes within the body associated
with the COVID-19 disease and post viral illnesses along with the collective
experience of FLCCC members.
This protocol has also been used to treat post-vaccine inflammatory
syndromes with similar success. As with all FLCCC Alliance protocols, the
components, doses, and durations will evolve as more clinical data
accumulates.
The I-Recover protocol for long haulers has been updated and below is
their latest version (version 3: Sep 6, 2022). Do not confuse this I-Recover protocol for long haul COVID with another
I-Recover protocol for post-vaccine syndrome
that was launched in May 2022, by FLCCC. One is for post covid long haulers and the other, for post vaccine syndrome.
Treatment must be individualized according to each patient’s presenting
symptoms and disease syndromes. It is likely that not all patients will
respond equally to the same intervention; a particular intervention may be
life-saving for one patient and totally ineffective for another. Early
treatment is essential; it is likely that the response to treatment will be
attenuated when treatment is delayed.
First-line treatments (In order of priority; not all required):
- Prednisone: 10–15mg daily for 3 weeks. Taper to 10mg for three days, then 5mg for three days and then stop.
- Ivermectin: 0.2 - 0.3 mg/kg body weight. (Find a Doctor)
- Low dose naltrexone (LDN): Begin with 1 mg daily and increase to 4.5mg as required. May take 2–3 months for full effect.
- Intermittent daily fasting and/or periodic daily fasts: Fasting promotes autophagy, the body’s protective mechanism to remove misfolded, foreign and damaged proteins. It also promotes mitophagy and the release of stem cells. It is likely that promoting autophagy will aid in the removal of the spike protein. NOTE: Hydroxychloroquine inhibits autophagy and should be avoided in patients undergoing intermittent fasting.
- Spermidine and/or Resveratrol: These compounds have been demonstrated to augment autophagy. Wheatgerm, mushrooms, grapefruit, apples and mango are high natural sources of spermidine. A bio-enhanced formulation containing trans-resveratrol from Japanese Knotwood Root appears to have good bio-availability.
- Melatonin: 8mg at night (slow release/extended release preferred) with attention to sleep hygiene. Increase dose from 1mg as tolerated (may cause severe nightmares at high dosages).
- Vitamin D: The majority of those with post-COVID-19 syndrome continue to have hypovitaminosis D. See tables 1 or 2 for vitamin D supplementation.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Vascepa, Lovaza or DHA/EPA 4g per day. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in the resolution of inflammation by inducing resolvin production. [Ref, Ref]
- Curcumin (turmeric): 500 mg twice daily. Has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties and has been demonstrated to repolarize macrophages.
- Aspirin — 81 milligrams a day.
2nd Line Therapies
If symptoms do not improve after 1-2 weeks continue steroids, Omega-3 fatty acids and LDN and add second line
therapies as below.
- Fluvoxamine (low dose): 25mg once daily. Stop if the symptoms increase. Caution with the use of other antidepressants and psychiatric drugs. Taper and discontinue once symptoms improve.
- Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ): 200 mg twice daily for 1-2 weeks, then reduce as tolerated to 200 mg daily. HCQ is the preferred second line agent. With long term usage, the dose should be reduced (100 mg or 150 mg daily) in patients weighing less than 61 kg (135 lbs).
- Intravenous Vitamin C: 25 g/week, together with oral Vitamin C 1000 mg (1 gram) 2-3 times daily. Oral Vitamin C is important to provide nutrients for the microbiome. Total daily doses of 8-12 g have been well-tolerated, however chronic high doses have been associated with the development of kidney stones, so the duration of therapy should be limited. Wean IV Vitamin C as tolerated.
- Mitochondrial energy optimizer with pyrroloquinoline quinone (e.g., Life Extension Energy Optimizer or ATP 360®).
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): 600-1500 mg/day.
3rd Line Therapies
- Maraviroc (Pfizer’s CCR5 antagonist): 300mg PO twice a day If 6–8 weeks have elapsed and significant symptoms persist, consider either getting an InCellDx test to assess long hauler index profile prior to initiating or can consider initiating empirically. Note maraviroc can be expensive and it has risk for significant side effects and drug interactions.
- Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS): using transcranial direct current stimulation or transcranial magnetic stimulation. NIBS is painless, extremely safe, and easy to administer. NIBS is offered by many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centers. Patients may also purchase an FDA-approved device for home use.
Optional adjunctive therapies (in order of priority)
- Nigella Sativa: which like curcumin has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties.
- Atorvastatin: 20–40mg once daily. Caution in patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS); may exacerbate symptoms.
- Kefir, probiotic yogurt and/or Bifidobacterium Probiotics (e.g., Daily Body Restore) together with Prebiotics (e.g. XOS Prebiotic, Bio Nutrition Pre-Biotic) to normalize the microbiome. Prolonged dysbiosis has been reported following COVID-19 infection.
- Behavioral modification, mindfulness therapy and psychological support may help improve survivors’ overall well-being and mental health.
- Luteolin 100–200mg day or Quercetin 250mg day (or mixed flavonoids). Luteolin and quercetin have broad spectrum anti-inflammatory properties. These natural flavonoids inhibit mast cells, and have been demonstrated to reduce neuroinflammation. [R]
- H1 receptor blockers (for mast cell activation syndrome): Loratadine 10mg daily, or Cetirizine 5–10mg daily, or Fexofenadine 180mg — daily.
- H2 receptor blockers (for mast cell activation syndrome): Famotidine 20–40mg, or Nizatidine 150mg — twice daily as tolerated.
- Montelukast: 10mg/day (for mast cell activation syndrome). Caution as may cause depression in some patients.
- Anti-androgen therapy: Spironolactone 50–100mg twice a day, and Dutasteride 1mg daily.
Mast cell stabilisers: rupadatadine, quercetin or luteolin.
Be on the Lookout for Blood Clots for 90 Days
If you’ve had COVID-19, especially if it was a severe case, be aware that blood clots and heart problems, including heart attack, can occur for 90 days or more. It’s believed that remnants of the virus remain in the nervous system, the lungs, the heart and other organs.If the symptoms include major shortness of breath, cough with blood in it or pain on one side when you take a deep breath, it could be due to a late pulmonary embolism or a blood clot going to the lungs. “We’ve seen this on more than one occasion,” Dr Peter McCullough said.
In this case, McCullough recommends a chest CT with contrast and, if a blood
clot is found, oral blood thinners for three to six months. McCullough also
uses full-dose aspirin — 325 milligrams a day — in almost everyone with long
COVID syndrome who doesn’t have a major blood clot, in addition to other
medications.
Aside from a CT scan to rule out pulmonary embolism if you’re having symptoms and possibly a D-dimer test, McCullough suggests a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) test, which provides a general index of inflammation. Keep in mind, though, as McCullough said:
“This pursuit of a blood clot is very important. I’ve seen multiple cases now where blood clots have been missed … this is now almost a daily occurrence, particularly within the first 90 days after COVID-19. I think after that period of time it becomes progressively less likely.”
Aside from a CT scan to rule out pulmonary embolism if you’re having symptoms and possibly a D-dimer test, McCullough suggests a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) test, which provides a general index of inflammation. Keep in mind, though, as McCullough said:
“This pursuit of a blood clot is very important. I’ve seen multiple cases now where blood clots have been missed … this is now almost a daily occurrence, particularly within the first 90 days after COVID-19. I think after that period of time it becomes progressively less likely.”
Natural Key Supplements for Long Haulers
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| Nutraceutical Therapy by Mode of Action |
1. Vitamin D
Vitamin D3 is essential for supporting healthy immune system function. It works hand in hand with your body to modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses which regulate everything from reactivity to antigens and pathogens.
Maintaining good vitamin D status should be a priority even as a
preventative, and may help restrain inflammation from elevating during COVID
in the first place.
Much has been written about the emerging link between COVID severity and vitamin-D deficiency. A pilot study in Spain found that adding oral D3 supplementation significantly reduced the need for ICU treatment among people hospitalized after infection.
Leo Galland, MD, a functional-medicine internist in New York City notes that D is an important promoter of ACE-2 activity. He recommends that people with long COVID supplement with up to 5,000 IU of D3 daily.
Vitamin D is also part of the FLCCC i-Recover protocol (above) and one of
the first line treatments in FLCCC's new version of i-Recover protocol for post-vaccine syndrome.
2. Probiotics
COVID can wreak havoc on the gut microbiome, but research on specific probiotic strains that can best restore balance following the syndrome’s particular damage is in its infancy. Leo Galland, MD, a functional-medicine internist in New York City, is looking into soil-derived bacteria of the genus Bacillus because it may have natural antibiotic properties, though there’s not yet enough data to make specific recommendations.
One Swedish study demonstrated that taking probiotics for 14 days could help
alleviate some of the symptoms of long COVID, namely muscle soreness and
brain fog. We also recommend optimizing your gut microbiome
by avoiding processed vegetable oils, processed foods
and conventionally raised meats in animal products.
Eating fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, and kimchi, can help fortify and support the gut’s microbiome. And in the event of ongoing gut disturbances, working with a functional-medicine provider to design a well-rounded prebiotic and probiotic protocol can help bring the microbiome back into balance.
Probiotics is also one of the optional adjunctive therapies of the FLCCC
i-Recover protocol for long haul syndrome (above). FLCCC has launched a
new version of i-Recover protocol for post-vaccine syndrome which include probiotics as one of the first line treatments.
As reported in this short news clip, research evidence shows that probiotics may help reduce long-haul symptoms after
COVID-19. Some people experience symptoms for weeks or months after a
COVID-19 infection has resolved. When these symptoms persist for four
weeks or more, they are known as long COVID, long-haul COVID, chronic
COVID or long-haul syndrome.
3. Melatonin
Melatonin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is a
powerful regulator of mitochondrial function [R]. It also supports the gut lining, which promotes healthy immune
function.
Supplementing with 1 - 2 mg of melatonin at bedtime might benefit those whose sleep–wake cycles have become dysregulated with long COVID.
Supplementing with 1 - 2 mg of melatonin at bedtime might benefit those whose sleep–wake cycles have become dysregulated with long COVID.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids
Vascepa, Lovaza or DHA/EPA 4 g day. Omega-3 fatty acids play an
important role in the resolution of inflammation by inducing resolvin
production. [Ref, Ref]
Omega-3 is also part of the first line treatments of the FLCCC i-Recover
protocol (above).
5. Vitamin C
Vitamin C has important anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
immune-enhancing properties, including increased synthesis of type I
interferons. [R] Avoid in patients with a history of kidney stones. Oral Vitamin C
also helps promote growth of protective bacterial populations in the
microbiome.
Vitamin C inhibits histamine. Healthcare professionals are
administering vitamin C intravenously to deliver it directly into
their patient’s bloodstream to be immediately available. Liposomal
vitamin C is the next best option. It’s the most bioavailable
form of vitamin C on the market today. The liposomal
form can survive the digestive process to be up to 135% better
than traditional oral vitamin C.
Long-COVID patients can supplement with vitamin C 500 mg twice a
day.
Related: Best Vitamin C Supplement
6. Quercetin, EGCG and Curcumin
Quercetin has broad spectrum anti-inflammatory properties. These
natural flavonoids inhibit mast cells and have been demonstrated to
reduce neuro-inflammation.
Flavonoids have broad spectrum anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit
mast cells, [R] and have been demonstrated to reduce neuroinflammation. [R] Due to the possible drug interaction between quercetin and
ivermectin (see below) these drugs should not be taken
simultaneously (i.e., should be staggered morning and night).
Quercetin appears to bind to the spike protein of the coronavirus, inhibit inflammatory pathways, and block replication of infected cells. It is also antiviral and completely safe. In addition to getting sources of quercetin from diet, long-COVID patients can supplement with 250 - 500 mg a day.
Other phytonutrients such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, a
polyphenol found in green tea) and curcumin (found in turmeric) can
also decrease inflammation and rebalance the immune system.
7. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
NAC is an amino acid that the body uses to create glutathione, the body’s master detoxifier. Glutathione is your master detoxifier and the most powerful free radical scavenger produced by your body.Eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables (such as kale, broccoli, and cabbage), as well as avocado, okra, spinach, and alliums, can help bolster levels of glutathione, as can supplementing with NAC.
A 2017 paper found NAC has potent thrombolytic effects, meaning it
breaks down blood clots once they've formed.
Importantly, NAC may also protect against other problems
associated with COVID-19, including the hypercoagulation that
can result in stroke and/or blood clots that impair the ability to exchange oxygen in the
lungs.
Many COVID-19 patients experience serious
blood clots, and NAC counteracts hypercoagulation, as it has both anticoagulant and platelet-inhibiting properties.
Aaron Hartman, MD, founder of the Richmond Integrative and
Functional Medicine clinic in Richmond, Va., describes one
patient, a 26-year-old woman, whose symptoms — persistent low
oxygen and shortness of breath — following a bout of COVID
resolved after treatment that included NAC as well as omega-3 fish
oil.
“NAC is one of the more important nutrients for
people who get shortness of breath with COVID, because of its
ability to break down those really, really small blood clots
called micro-emboli,” explains Hartman.
A 2017 paper found NAC has potent thrombolytic effects, meaning it
breaks down blood clots once they've formed.
Importantly, NAC may also protect against other problems
associated with COVID-19, including the hypercoagulation that
can result in stroke and/or blood clots that impair the ability to exchange oxygen in the
lungs.
Many COVID-19 patients experience serious blood clots, and NAC counteracts hypercoagulation, as it has both anticoagulant and platelet-inhibiting properties.
Many COVID-19 patients experience serious blood clots, and NAC counteracts hypercoagulation, as it has both anticoagulant and platelet-inhibiting properties.
Aaron Hartman, MD, founder of the Richmond Integrative and Functional Medicine clinic in Richmond, Va., describes one patient, a 26-year-old woman, whose symptoms — persistent low oxygen and shortness of breath — following a bout of COVID resolved after treatment that included NAC as well as omega-3 fish oil.
“NAC is one of the more important nutrients for people who get shortness of breath with COVID, because of its ability to break down those really, really small blood clots called micro-emboli,” explains Hartman.
8. Zinc
Zinc is essential for healthy immune function. A 2020 review published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases has found that zinc deficiency can increase the risk of poor outcomes in viral infections, including COVID-19.Foods that are rich in zinc include meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs, dairy, seeds, nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, and green leafy vegetables.
9. Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a polyphenol with antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects that’s found in red grapes, red wine,
peanuts, and some berries. It’s also available as a
supplement.
Leo Galland, MD, a functional-medicine
internist in New York City, has found it to be particularly
helpful in restoring his COVID patients to health. “Resveratrol
has a number of beneficial effects on coronavirus infection,” he
notes. “It supports ACE-2 function, it inhibits the growth of the
deadly MERS coronavirus through multiple mechanisms, and it
diminishes the kind of inflammation associated with coronavirus
infection.”
Galland treated a physician in her 60s who’d been sick with COVID
for six weeks, continuing to run daily fevers with brain fog and
fatigue. He prescribed a combination of herbs and supplements,
including resveratrol, and her symptoms resolved within a couple
of weeks.
He recommends long-COVID patients supplement with 200 mg of resveratrol twice a day.
He recommends long-COVID patients supplement with 200 mg of resveratrol twice a day.
10. Lumbrokinase and Serrapeptase
If you’ve had COVID-19, especially if it was a severe case, be aware that blood clots and heart problems, including heart attack, can occur for 90 days or more. It’s believed that remnants of the virus remain in the nervous system, the lungs, the heart and other organs.If the symptoms include major shortness of breath, cough with blood in it or pain on one side when you take a deep breath, it could be due to a late pulmonary embolism or a blood clot going to the lungs.
A safer and likely equally effective alternative to aspirin is digestive fibrinolytic enzymes like lumbrokinase and serrapeptase. You can alternate between the two enzymes — one day take lumbrokinase and the next take serrapeptase — because you’ll need to be on it for about three months and you can develop a sensitivity to them over time.
Anyone who had COVID-19, especially with significant symptoms, should consider taking digestive fibrinolytic enzymes to be sure you don’t have any clotting. An alternative to determine if clotting is occurring is a test called D-dimer, although it can be pricey. D-dimer is a protein fragment produced by the body when a blood clot dissolves.
It’s typically undetectable or present only at very low levels, buts its level may significantly rise when the body is forming and breaking down blood clots (R). If your d-dimer test is low, then you don’t need to take the enzymes. Likewise, if you had a very mild, cold-like case, of COVID-19, you probably don’t need them.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent daily fasting or periodic daily fasts has a profound effect on
promoting immune system homeostasis, partly by stimulating autophagy and
clearing misfolded and foreign proteins, promoting mitophagy and improving
mitochondrial health, as well as increasing stem cell production. [R] Intermittent fasting likely has an important role in promoting the
breakdown and elimination of the spike protein.
FLCCC has launched a new version of i-Recover protocol for post-vaccine syndrome which include intermittent fasting as one of the most important first
line treatments.
Some functional providers also believe intermittent fasting or time-restricted
eating can help rejuvenate the immune system. Restricting feeding to shortened
windows helps stimulate mitophagy (the removal of damaged mitochondria),
Patrick Hanaway, MD, senior advisor to the CEO of the Institute for Functional
Medicine,
explains.
Fasting also supports the turnover of damaged cells throughout the body, making room for new, healthy mitochondria and cells to take their place.
Time-restricted eating can take a variety of forms. One of the most popular is simply eating all your day’s meals within an eight-hour window, then going 16 hours without food or calories.
Fasting also supports the turnover of damaged cells throughout the body, making room for new, healthy mitochondria and cells to take their place.
Time-restricted eating can take a variety of forms. One of the most popular is simply eating all your day’s meals within an eight-hour window, then going 16 hours without food or calories.
Diet and Nutrition
“Diet can be a source of inflammation, and whatever we can do to lower [inflammation] will allow the immune system to work better,” says Elizabeth Boham, MD, MS, RD, a functional-medicine physician and medical director at the UltraWellness Center in Lenox, Mass.
She recommends her patients limit their intake of refined carbohydrates and
focus on whole foods rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and the
micronutrients the immune system needs to thrive.
Supporting a good nutrient baseline is also key. “We see a significant amount of nutrient deficiencies and insufficiencies in the United States,” Boham says. Notably, insufficient levels of zinc and selenium are associated with worse outcomes from viral infections. Good sources of zinc include oysters, hemp seeds and pumpkinseeds, beans, nuts, and animal protein; sources of selenium include mushrooms, Brazil nuts, and seafood.
“Make sure you’re getting eight to 12 servings of phytonutrients a day from vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs, and tea,” she advises. Phytonutrients such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, a polyphenol found in green tea) and curcumin (found in turmeric) can decrease inflammation and rebalance the immune system.
Supporting a good nutrient baseline is also key. “We see a significant amount of nutrient deficiencies and insufficiencies in the United States,” Boham says. Notably, insufficient levels of zinc and selenium are associated with worse outcomes from viral infections. Good sources of zinc include oysters, hemp seeds and pumpkinseeds, beans, nuts, and animal protein; sources of selenium include mushrooms, Brazil nuts, and seafood.
“Make sure you’re getting eight to 12 servings of phytonutrients a day from vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs, and tea,” she advises. Phytonutrients such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, a polyphenol found in green tea) and curcumin (found in turmeric) can decrease inflammation and rebalance the immune system.
Another key diet related advice is what NOT to eat. Cut down on processed
food, sugar, adulterated vegetables oils and trans fats.
Exercise could help moderate the effects of Long COVID
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center (LA, USA) and the University of Pittsburgh (PA, USA) recently published their hypothesis on exercise as a
moderator of persistent neuroendocrine symptoms of COVID-19, detailing how
exercise could help counteract the detrimental inflammatory effects of
Long COVID that cause sequelae such as depression and new-onset diabetes (Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews: April 2022).
Vaccine Related Side Effects
On 26 May 2021, the COVID-19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) issued a statement reviewing initial reports of mild myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. They also pointed out that "available data suggest that the immediate course of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination is generally mild and responds to conservative treatment (e.g. rest, treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs etc)."
Update: The I-Recover Post Vaccine Treatment Protocol
Editor's Note:
-
Low dose aspirin (75 mg) for two weeks post vaccination to reduce
risk of clotting (patrickholford.com, drmalcolmkendrick.org).
COVID Jab Injuries Treatment for Kids
“If you're making spike [protein], even though kids don't have a lot of ACE2 receptors, those spikes are everywhere. In mice, it is shown that they cross the blood-brain barrier. They're disseminated, and then they tend to focus in your area of weakness.
They go into fat-loving tissues, they go into the ovaries, they seem to go everywhere. So, binding the spike protein, that's one aspect, and there are different things you can do, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical.
My favorite is ivermectin for the spike. I was giving kids 12 milligrams, initially, once a day. I went up to 12 mg twice a day for Omicron, but it depends on the size of the kid. For bigger kids, it’s 18 mg twice a day.
I didn't see any toxicity with ivermectin. I've used ivermectin before, mostly for parasitic infections, and I never had any problem with ivermectin. I have not used hydroxychloroquine before, but now, for Omicron, I would use hydroxychloroquine, 200 mg twice a day.
I use a lot of quercetin and zinc together ... To decrease inflammation, especially IL6, you also want to use a lot of immunomodulators, and a lot of supplements can do that.”
To learn more, see
DrMichellePerro.com, and
GMOscience.org, which is the non-profit she cofounded in 2014.
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBOT) in Post-Vaccine and Long Haul Treatment: FLCCC Weekly Update (August 10, 2022)
Moving Forward
One of the pandemic’s few bright spots is the way it’s accelerated telehealth services. Patients now can have unprecedented access to a broad range of healthcare providers across the nation.
Find healthcare providers:
- List of Doctors that will prescribe Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine
- List of Pharmacies that will fill Ivermectin
- www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner (Functional Medicine)
- Post-COVID Care Centers (PCCC) by Survivor Corps
If you have symptoms that include major shortness of breath, cough with blood in it or pain on one side when you take a deep breath, it could be due to a late pulmonary embolism or a blood clot going to the lungs. Please visit your medical doctor or the nearest 24-hr medical emergency center immediately.
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- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. It may prevent blood clots and is an antioxidant.
- Zinc is critical for immune cell development. Dozens of different enzymes in the body rely on zinc.
- Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters.
- Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and many other biological effects.
Z-Dtox also has 60 servings per container instead of 30 servings per
container for Z-Stack.
Where to buy Z-Dtox: Z-Dtox is available on Dr Zelenko's website. Here is the
link: Z Dtox Supplement
Note: To get 5% OFF, please use this coupon code: DRFRANCIS
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Disclaimers:
- This post is not medical advice. This post is for informational and educational purposes only.
- Always see or talk to your doctor before taking these drugs, supplements and over the counter products. Be aware that most of the 'treatment' dosages are above the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and therefore such dosages should not be maintained on a long term basis.
- Our aim here isn't to replace your doctors' advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. Do take note that supplements are not 100% protective or curative against COVID-19.
- You still need to follow the advice given by CDC, WHO and your local authority in terms of local guidelines such as mask wearing, social distancing, vaccination and avoiding crowds. It's better to combine multiple strategies in order to defend yourself against this virus.
- According to US NIH: "...Guidelines should not be considered mandates. The choice of what to do or not to do for an individual patient is ultimately decided by the patient and their provider."
Related: Omicron and Long Haul Syndrome
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