We trust all is well this early April season as we embark on the beginning of Spring and try to get used to the clock springing forward.
As we look back to this last quarter, we have seen a large uptick in infections in many of our patients, specifically respiratory and sinus-related. We estimate that this has been one of the worst seasons in our memory, with many people having recurrent episodes of these infections that have not been easy to treat and in patients who are otherwise healthy.
In addition, we have witnessed that these infections, from whatever the source, are linked to significant fatigue and impairment in normal performance status.
We highlight what we believe to be some contributing factors as we continue to brainstorm and think out of the typical box of a one-size-fits-all approach. It is our opinion that the majority of patients with significant and difficult-to-treat infections this past Winter/early Spring received Covid vaccines, probably had some form of Covid infection or related secondary infections, and most if not all had persistently high Covid antibodies going into the winter season despite not having had any recent Covid vaccines.
There has been much debate as to the benefits vs risks of these vaccines and the role they have played in potentially stressing or confusing many patients’ immune systems. Since we are one of the few, if only groups in the area to be closely following patients and their biochemistry changes, we are uniquely positioned to comment on and help support patients along their health journey during these challenging times. We remain frustrated that neither public health agencies, academic centers and university hospitals, nor vaccine companies have shown any interest in tracking or studying patients through this Covid era.
We present two interesting and helpful reports:
- Research from seven studies linking Covid vaccines to increased risk of infections, compiled by Dr. Peter McCullough.
- Mitochondrial impairment in Long Covid by the Institute of Functional Medicine and FLCC Post Vaccine Treatment Protocols.
There are now SEVEN studies demonstrating that COVID-19 vaccines INCREASE your risk of infection:
- Ioannou et al – Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against documented SARS-CoV-2 infection was -3.26% (95% CI, -6.78% to -0.22%), meaning vaccinated individuals had a statistically significant higher infection rate than the unvaccinated control group.
- Nakatani et al – Vaccinated individuals had an 85% increased odds of infection compared to the unvaccinated (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.33–2.57).
- Eythorsson et al – Those who received two or more doses had a 42% higher risk of reinfection than those with one dose or less (95% CI: 1.13–1.78).
- Chemaitelly et al – The effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) against symptomatic BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron infections dropped from 46.6% and 51.7% (1–3 months post-dose) to -17.8% and -12.1% (≥7 months). Moderna (mRNA-1273) declined from 71.0% and 35.9% to -10.2% and -20.4% over the same period.
- Shrestha et al (Cleveland Clinic) – The risk of COVID-19 increased with the number of vaccine doses received. Individuals with one prior dose had a 107% higher risk (HR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.70–2.52), while those with more than three doses faced a 253% higher risk (HR = 3.53, 95% CI: 2.97–4.20).
- Feldstein et al (CDC) – Children vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were 159% more likely to get infected (HR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.27–5.28) and 257% more likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19 (HR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.10–11.63) compared to unvaccinated children without prior infection.
- Perez et al – More mRNA doses → more IgG4 (↑11x) → higher risk of infection (↑1.8x).
Post -Covid vaccine symptoms and Treatments
Mitochondrial Impairment in Long COVID-19- an IFM report
Highlights from the article:
Viral diseases, like SARS-CoV-2, are known for their ability to hijack and destabilize the intracellular environment, creating conditions that are favorable for their replication.1 The mitochondrial network is highly susceptible to physiological and environmental insults, including viral infections.
Mitochondrial disorders are a complex group of diseases caused by impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (or electron transport chain), which in some patients can lead to an unexplained post-viral illness, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).2 In fact, the first analysis of a prospective observational study of patients who remained ill six months after mild or moderate acute SARS-CoV-2 found that about half met criteria for ME/CFS.
Scientists hypothesize that both direct and indirect mechanisms may contribute to the development of these symptoms, which are similar to those experienced by patients with ME/CFS and are often linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers hypothesize that the SARS-CoV-2 infection might lead to a redox imbalance, similar to what was observed in postviral fatigue syndrome, thus causing the symptoms observed in PASC (Post Acute Sequelae of Covid).
In both PASC and ME/CFS, symptoms like fatigue and brain fog may also be generated by neuroinflammation, reduced cerebral perfusion due to autonomic dysfunction, and autoantibodies directed at neural targets.
One possible mechanism used could be by altering the expression of genes encoded in the mitochondrial genome.6 SARS-CoV-2 may directly infect or “hijack” the mitochondria, leading to the integration of the viral genome into mitochondrial DNA, potentially directly impairing mitochondrial energy metabolism via targeted action on oxygen availability and utilization.
Another suggestion is that one of the major sources of ROS that may be linked to cellular oxidative stress in SARS-CoV-2 is the mitochondria.
Supplements & Lifestyle-Based Interventions
Mitochondrial integrity is essential to maintain an adequate immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection,14 and supporting mitochondria may help prevent neuronal complications.7,15,16 IFM’s Mitochondrial Food Plan is an anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic, high-quality fat dietary approach that supports healthy mitochondria for improved energy production. The following nutritional supplements and lifestyle-based interventions have also been suggested for the treatment of PASC symptoms:
- Antioxidant supplementation: Vitamins C and E,7 as well as selenium, can counteract excess ROS production.17
- Plant-based diets: Diets high in plant defense compounds with pleiotropic actions that are known to modulate mitochondrial function and induce resolution of inflammation, as well as displaying anti-pathogen function.18
- CoQ10 supplementation: Strategies to target mitochondrial bioenergetics and antioxidant defense include supplemental therapy with CoQ10, an important antioxidant in the mitochondria.2,17,19
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation: In high doses (≥1,200 mg), NAC acts as an antioxidant through complex mechanisms that can improve situations of oxidative stress. For this reason, it has been proposed to have potential for early administration in patients at greater risk of severe COVID-19.20,21
- Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC): ALC is key to mitochondrial function, promoting the expression of nerve growth factors and peripheral nerve regeneration and conduction, and is considered an effective dietary supplement for diabetic neuropathy.22
- α-Lipoic acid (ALA): ALA, also known as thioctic acid or simply as lipoic acid, is a powerful antioxidant, acting as a coenzyme in mitochondrial reactions in which glucose is converted into energy.22
- Physical activity: Regular, moderate physical activity enhances immune function and mitochondrial fitness.23 Moderate intensity training (MIT) is usually performed at around 50-75% of the maximal capacity, often in a continuous fashion (MICT).23
FLCC I – Recover Protocol: Post-vaccine and Long Covid Treatments
These group of Critical Care specialists headed by Virginia’s own Dr. Paul Marik and Dr. Pierre Kory were the first group to actively and systematically treat and study Covid and all its manifestations.
Their recommendations partially overlap with the IFM with some more detailed and we believe more helpful ideas that aggressively utilize other treatments from fasting, to Ivermectin and Low Dose Naltrexone, to other targeted supplements. We have found their various recommendations to be more useful.
Please note the lack of good data on the efficacy of Paxlovid and Molnupiravar, especially as single agents. The increased incidence of rebound effect and multiple drug interactions further makes these agents undesirable.
First Line Therapies
(Not symptom specific; listed in order of importance)
- Intermittent daily fasting or periodic daily fasts. (Read more)
- Ivermectin : 0.2 – 0.3 mg/kg daily. (Stone 2022) (Find Provider)
- Moderating physical activity.
- L-Arginine (1.5 -2g twice daily) and Vitamin C (1000 mg orally two to three times daily)*
- Low-dose naltrexone: 1- 4.5 mg daily.
- Nattokinase (Tanikawa 2022, McCullough 2023): 100-200 mg (2000- 4000 Fibrinolytic Units) twice daily.
- Treatment of Mast Cell Activation.
- Sunlight and Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy)
- Melatonin: 2-6 mg slow release/extended release prior to bedtime
- Bromelain + NAC (Amazon)
- Nigella sativa (Black Seed Oil)
- Resveratrol or a combination flavonoid
- Probiotics/Prebiotics (Lau 2023)
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation and nicotinic agonists
Lastly, for acute covid and respiratory infections, the McCullough Protocol remains the best resource:
McCullough Protocol© for Early Treatment
Yours in health-
Dr. Sam Pappas and the Pappas Health team
