Nutritional and Medical Approaches for Tackling Long-COVID
May 31, 2023 09:31AM ● By Dr. Michael WaldIf the global disease burden of
COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough, now, the world is facing yet another, and
potentially more serious epidemic called Long-COVID (LC). Also known as post-COVID-19,
LC is a multi-system disorder that manifests as a large variety of symptoms in
different people of all age groups. A person can be diagnosed with LC when
their symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks after their initial COVID-19
infection. These individuals are known as Long-Haulers (LH).
Anyone
can develop LC regardless of the severity their COVID-19 symptoms. In other
words, the severity of COVID-19 is not a consistent predictor of who will
become a LH.
A
large number of varying involved organs and thus symptoms can manifest that
range from persistent/chronic to severe and unrelenting. Currently, medical
interventions are mostly inadequate depending upon organ involvement. It is
thought that COVID-19 infection invades different organs causing degeneration
through oxidative stress, by triggering autoimmune degeneration and
inflammation. Depending upon the organ systems involved, symptoms can range
from brain fog, fatigue, muscle aches and weakness, to a loss of taste and
smell, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression
and hormonal imbalances—to name just a few.
It
is worth noting that LC organ involvement and symptoms may be the result of
activation of “latent” old infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as
well as dozens of other viral and even bacterial infections.
Importantly,
numerous nutritional issues are often involved in LC, and when implemented
correctly by the use of careful medical intake and lab testing, have been shown
to dramatically improve recovery. The specific nutrition for each person with
LC will vary based on the constellations of organ involvement and resultant
symptoms.
If
neurological, inflammatory, cardiovascular, hormonal, pulmonary and digestive
symptoms are involved then the use of fish oil, methylated B12 and folic acid
may prove useful along with turmeric, resveratrol, zinc and medium-chain
triglycerides (MCTs).
In
summary, determining the right nutritional approach should involve a careful
health intake and focused laboratory testing specific for the individual. Some
lab test considerations might include homocysteine, CRP, malabsorption testing,
B12, zinc, inflammatory markers, coagulation markers and others.
Michael Wald, DC, is a board-certified
nutritionist and dietitian, and has authored several books including The
Anti-Aging Encyclopedia of Lab Tests. His latest book, The Long-COVID Solution:
Natural and Medical Treatment Approaches is due for publication in 2024. Dr.
Wald is in private practice in Chappaqua, NY. For more information, call
914.552.1442, email [email protected] or visit DrMichaelWald.com.