Every supplement I take for long COVID and CFS recovery
In a Nutshell
The speaker's long COVID/CFS recovery centers on mitochondrial repair and calming neuroinflammation through targeted supplements, with PEA being the most impactful for breaking cell danger response cycles and zinc carnosine plus L-glutamine healing severe gut damage. Morning stack focuses on brain-penetrating magnesium L-threonate, CoQ10, and methylated B vitamins, while evening includes NAC, R-lipoic acid, and luteolin for detoxification and nervous system calming. Creatine (10g), therapeutic-dose taurine (3g), and a sleep rescue protocol of glycine, high-dose vitamin C, and phosphatidylserine round out the approach.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
The core issue stems from contracting the Omicron variant of COVID in late 2022. The typical progression involved being okay for a few months before deteriorating. The primary comorbidity was gut issues, which COVID is highly linked to and which then makes everything worse. The condition progressed into a CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) or chronic fatigue-like syndrome, falling under postviral syndrome.
TUDCA (Taurine UDCA)
This is a very ancient molecule that changes bile flow to help the gut and protects the endoplasmic reticulum in every single cell of the body, providing very broad anti-inflammatory effects.
Magnesium L-Threonate
This version of magnesium is designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Magnesium is used all over the body and is absolutely required for recovery. Intense tension headaches in the neck muscles and pounding headaches are signs of low magnesium. The syndrome centers on mitochondrial damage and neuroinflammation (overactive nervous system, autonomic system, and immune system reactions to stresses). This particular form is important for brain fog, mental confusion, and memory deficits especially from lack of sleep, which is one of the primary symptoms.
Ubiquinol (CoQ10)
Participation in mitochondria and the electron transport chain. If deficient, muscles get really weak. Helps with mitochondrial rehabilitation.
Thymus Gland
A recent experiment. People report it dramatically helps sleep, though this is based on Amazon reviews.
Methylated B Complex
About a quarter of people have the MTHFR variant which affects B vitamin processing. Taking a half dose ensures getting all necessary B vitamins. This can be energizing, which is why it's taken in the morning.
Beef Liver
Provides highly bioavailable forms of copper and iron. When dealing with chronic gut issues, the body upregulates hepcidin, which tells the body to absorb less metals. This leads to being slightly anemic or slightly low on copper. The beef liver provides a steady drip feed of copper and iron.
EPA/DHA (Fish Oil) - Pure Encapsulations Brand
Higher quality brand tested to ensure no adulteration. EPA and DHA are useful for lipids but more important for nervous system repair. EPA is what people think of as the good lipid that lowers cholesterol.
R-Lipoic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid)
Mitochondrial support that helps repair and fuel mitochondria. Upgrading to a better version.
L-Carnitine Tartrate
Not eating much red meat, which is a source of carnitine. Taking more as a just-in-case measure.
Once Daily Multivitamin
Contains copper, chromium, selenium, and other essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function properly.
Luteolin
A powerful recent addition that crosses the blood-brain barrier to calm microglia. Helps with keeping the nervous system calm and sleep.
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
Considered a close third among the most life-changing supplements. Helps the liver produce glutathione, the master detoxification molecule in the body. Lipid-lowering medicines increased liver ALT and AST levels, but adding NAC brought all liver enzymes back to normal. Used clinically for acetaminophen toxicity. Previously taken 1,800mg twice a day, now reduced to 900mg once a day after getting things under control.
Vitamin D3
Studies show people who take vitamin D have significantly lower incident rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Zinc Carnosine
The single most powerful supplement tried for gut issues. Available by prescription in Japan as first-line treatment for ulcers. Helps seal up the gut so it can return to equilibrium on its own. 60% of the immune system is in the lining of the intestines, so an intact barrier allows the gut to fix itself.
L-Glutamine
The primary building block the GI tract uses to rebuild itself. Together with zinc carnosine, two 60-day courses fixed most GI issues. Previously couldn't eat spicy food, bread, or most fermented foods, but can now eat whatever wanted after healing.
Creatine
10 grams per day. Evidence that creatine supplementation helps with everything from long COVID to CFS is overwhelming. Inexpensive and very safe.
Glycine
Kept on hand to help with sleep by lowering core body temperature. One of the most powerful sleep aids available. Used as part of sleep rescue protocol when waking up at 2 AM without using something like Benadryl.
Taurine
Recently restarted at therapeutic dosage of 3 grams (previously not taking enough). Described as the best anti-anxiety supplement - feels like the good part of having a wine buzz without alcohol or toxicity. Also helps with mitochondria.
The most life-saving supplement ever taken. An endogenous molecule created at the cell membrane of every cell that cells use to protect themselves. In long COVID and CFS theory, there's cell danger response (CDR) where every cell goes into lockdown, creating self-perpetuating cycles of inflammation, cytokines, and mitochondrial dysfunction. PEA is what cells use to get out of cell danger response. Discovered it while dealing with functional dyspepsia that remained after guts were sealed. Helped enable eating everything and return to hiking. Helps with autistic burnout, endometriosis, and anything in the trunk of the body, plus energy production. Therapeutic dose in Japan is 75mg twice a day, but taking 75mg once a day.
Tart Cherry
Supposed to be good for gut health and sleep.
High-Dose Vitamin C
Humans have an ancient adaptation where the liver produces vitamin C in response to danger or injury or illness. Taking 1,000mg creates a cascade that switches off both cortisol and inflammation. Used in sports medicine to help systems calm down when flooded with histamine, cytokines, or cortisol.
Magnesium Glycinate
Systemic form taken alongside magnesium L-threonate to ensure adequate magnesium levels. Half dose of both forms. Stopping causes headaches to return after a couple weeks as the body burns through magnesium stores during mitochondrial repair.
Phosphatidylserine
Used as part of sleep rescue stack for its acute effect of calming the body down.
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