{"id":3253,"date":"2022-08-01T07:14:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T21:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/?p=3253"},"modified":"2023-09-08T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T02:35:37","slug":"long-covid-naturopathic-approaches-post-viral-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/long-covid-naturopathic-approaches-post-viral-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Long Covid: Naturopathic Approaches to Post-Viral Syndrome Recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Diana Arundell, University Qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The human body is an extraordinary, naturally health seeking, powerfully driven phenomena and this is especially the case when it comes to the immune system. When working well and given the right environment including nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices and when required medical intervention, more often than not, the body will come out on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The emergence of \u2018long Covid\u2019 has brought discussions of \u2018post\u2013viral syndrome\u2019 back up to the surface. Post viral syndrome refers to symptoms that persist long after the acute phase of the viral infection has ended. The actual existence of such a thing as post viral syndrome has created debate amongst healthcare professionals for a long time, as accurate diagnosis is difficult without a specific biomarker diagnostic test. Naturopathic practitioners have often been the last port of call for sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), Lyme\u2019s, Ross River Virus and other post\u2013viral associated chronic conditions. This is due to orthodox medicine for the most part being reluctant to accept the reality\/severity of these conditions (no diagnostic test), or not having substantial treatment options to offer to enable the sufferer to feel much better. The emergence of SARs\u2013CoV\u20132 virus and subsequently \u2018long covid\u2019 has created real substance to the post\u2013viral syndrome debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of whether the acute covid infection phase experienced is mild or severe, once the acute infection clears, approximately 30% of people will experience a number of persistent symptoms and up to 80% may experience one persistent symptom. The presence of persistent symptom\/s is referred to as \u2018long covid\u2019. Symptoms of \u2018long covid\u2019 or post\u2013acute SARS\u2013CoV\u20132 include fatigue, headache\/concentration issues\/brain fog, breathing issues, joint\/muscle pain, loss of taste\/smell, gastrointestinal disturbance, tinnitus, skin rashes and cardiovascular and central nervous system complaints. We are still learning so much about this virus and its impact both short and long term on our physiology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It appears that long covid may be associated with a reactivation of the Epstein\u2013Barr virus (EBV) which has infected but lays dormant in approximately 90% of the population. There are certainly similarities between EBV symptoms and long covid symptoms. Regardless of this connection, the challenge is to help people feel better as soon as possible so really understanding the key drivers behind post viral symptoms is where the focus needs to be. Research emerging suggests the three main areas that may be driving the long haul symptoms include 1) abnormal immune activation, 2) neuro\u2013inflammation in the central nervous system and 3) oxidative stress at a cellular level which translates to impairment of normal energy production in the cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may not be possible currently to eliminate SARS\u2013CoV\u20132 so we need to aim to reduce the viral load on the body and improve the dysfunction driving the chronic post viral symptoms. Naturopathically the treatment focus includes optimal diet\/lifestyle and natural medicinal and\/or therapeutic doses of nutrients to rebalance the immune response, reduce inflammation and support mitochondrial function to enhance cellular energy production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment protocols for post viral syndrome will be driven by the symptom picture of the individual. For example, for some people it may be just ongoing fatigue that\u2019s the issue and for others, a persistent cough, headaches or gut disturbance will be the lingering issue that needs addressing. The main treatment goal is to provide symptomatic relief while improving a healthy immune response in the host and supporting elimination of the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a naturopathic perspective, we have natural medicinal options to enhance resistance to virulent infections including medicinal mushrooms which can have an effect on the innate and adaptive immune systems. These include cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, coriolus and chaga mushrooms. N\u2013acetylcysteine (NAC) is a potent antioxidant, has mucolytic (break down mucous) and anti\u2013infective actions which can help when persistent mucous is an issue in the respiratory tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A healthcare practitioner trained in nutrition and\/or herbal medicine can prescribe a specific treatment protocol for individual ongoing symptoms. This may include checking for deficiencies in minerals and vitamins that may impair immune function. eg zinc (chronic zinc deficiency may exacerbate immune\u2013mediated inflammation which is a feature of post\u2013viral syndrome) and vitamin D (stimulates specific immune cells to assist with infection and other immune cells to clear up debris to hasten recovery). There are also many other therapeutic agents both derived from plants and nutrition to help energy production and reduce fatigue. For example Co\u2013enzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) may help energy production at a cellular level and reduce inflammation. Quercetin in a lipo\u2013micel form is better absorbed than other forms and in studies has demonstrated immunomodulatory, anti\u2013oxidant and anti\u2013inflammatory activity. Sufficient iron stores are also imperative for good immune function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always both optimal dietary and lifestyle factors help create a solid foundation for the body to heal from post viral illness and fatigue. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n