COVID-19

Long-Haul Symptoms

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Introduction

• This webpage contains information I have collected about the "long haul" effects of COVID-19

• I am interested in the subject because of the following:
  • I have a Master's Degree in Chemistry, and can understand medical/research journals
  • My COVID-19 history
    • Took the J&J vaccine in March
    • Contracted the Alpha (original?) version in May, and experienced long-haul symtoms
    • Contracted the Delta version in early fall
    • Took the J&J booster in December
    • Contracted the Omicron version in January
  • I have a personal interest in "curing" my long-haul symptoms

• This webpage should NOT be considered medical advice; it is just a collection of information

• First, I will give you some basic information about some interesting chemicals
  and symptoms, then I will relate them to long-haul COVID

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ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

• ATP is the "universal" energy molecule in the body.

• Adenosine Triphosphate @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  • ATP provides energy to drive many processes in living cells
  • ATP is found in all known forms of life
  • ATP is the "molecular unit of currency" in intracellular energy transfer
  • Chemical processes regenerate ATP so that the human body recycles
    ITS OWN BODY WEIGHT worth of ATP each day; this is equivalent to a
    recycling rate of 1000-1500 times during a single day
  • ATP is a precursor to DNA and RNA, and is used as a coenzyme
  • ATP is composed on a nitrogenous base (adenine), the sugar ribose, and
    the triphosphate (the ATP molecule is shown above)
  • ATP is also used in a form of signal transduction which is particularly important
    in brain function
  • ADT is one of four monomers that are required in the synthesis of RNA
  • ADT serves as a neurotransmitter in many parts of the nervous system

• Adenosine @ draxe.com (01/22)
  • Copper is essential for the synthesis of ATP

• Adenosine and Sleep @ verywellhealth.com (01/22)

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Adenosine

• Adenosine @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  • It consists of adenine attached to a ribose molecule
  • It is one of the four building blocks of DNA and RNA
  • Caffeine acts as an antagonist for adenosine receptors in the brain;
    this is true for coffee, tea, and chocolate
  • Adenosine modulates many physiological processes
  • In times of stress or injury, adenosine helps to prevent tissue damage
  • Adenosine promotes the thickening of hair on people with thinning hair
  • The principal component of THC induces sleep by increasing adenosine levels in
    the basal forebrain

• Adenine @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  • Adenosine is adenine reacted with ribose, as used to form RNA and ATP
  • Deoxyadenosine is adenine attached to deoxyribose, as used to form DNA
  • In older literature, adenine was sometimes called Vitamin B4
  • Two vitamins (niacin and riboflavin) bind with adenine to form essential cofactors

• Vitamin B4 - Adenine @ caasn.com (01/22)
  • It is a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and the three coenzymes --
    NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), NADH (a reduced form of NAD) and
    FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide)
  • Brewer's (nutritional) yeast is the best food source of vitamin B4
  • NAD (25-75 mg/day) is usually taken on an empty stomach; sometimes it is
    combined with 200 mg of ribose

• Adenosine and Sleep @ verywellhealth.com (03/22)
  • It forms ATP and ADP, and is an neurotransmitter within the brain
  • Adenosine affects the initiation of sleep
  • It acts as a depressant and inhibits many processes associated with wakefulness
  • High levels of adenosine cause sleep
  • Caffeine blocks your brain's adenosine processing, and sleep is inhibited
  • The rate of adenosine metabolism seems to determine the quality of deep sleep

• Adenosine @ youtube.com (good lecture) (03/22)

• What is Vitamin B4 by Dr. Berg @ youtube.com (01/22)

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HMB (Hydroxymethylbutyrate) and L-Leucine

• HMB
  • HMB @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
    • It is a naturally produced substance that is used to promote wound healing and
      to provide support for people with muscle wasting due to cancer or HIV/AIDS
    • In healthy people, HMB will increase exercise-induced gains in muscle size,
      muscle strength, and lean body mass; it will also reduce damage from exercise
      and expedite recovery from exercise.
    • HMB supplementation helps to preserve or increase lean body mass and muscle
      strength in people exerpiencing age-related muscle loss.
    • HMB stimulates the production of proteins and inhibits the breakdown of proteins
      in muscle tissue.
    • No adverse effects from long-term use have been found.
    • HMB is sold as a dietary supplement at a cost of about US$30–50 per month
      when taking 3 grams per day.
    • HMB is also contained in several nutritional products, including certain
      formulations of Ensure, Juven, and Myoplex.
    • HMB is also present in insignificant quantities in certain foods, such as alfalfa,
      asparagus, avocados, cauliflower, grapefruit, and catfish.
    • Since only a small fraction of HMB's metabolic precursor, l-leucine, is
      metabolized into HMB, pharmacologically active concentrations of the
      compound in blood plasma and muscle can only be achieved by supplementing
      HMB directly.
    • A healthy adult produces approximately 0.3 grams per day, while supplemental
      HMB is usually taken in doses of 3–6 grams per day.
    • HMB does not appear to significantly affect fat mass in older adults.
    • HMB is eliminated via the kidneys, with roughly 10–40% of an ingested dose
      being excreted unchanged in urine.
    • HMB is synthesized in the human body through the metabolism of l-leucine,
      a branched-chain amino acid. In healthy individuals, approximately 60% of dietary
      l-leucine is metabolized after several hours, with roughly 5% (2–10% range) of
      dietary l-leucine being converted to HMB.
    • During biotin deficiency, HMB can be synthesized from MC-CoA via enoyl-CoA
      hydratase and an unknown thioesterase enzyme.
    • In healthy individuals, a minor pathway is the predominant route of HMB synthesis.
    • In the blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy adults, the average
      molar concentration of HMB has been measured at 4.0 micromolar. The average
      concentration of HMB in the intramuscular fluid of healthy men of ages 21–23 has
      been measured at 7.0 micromolar.
    • In a study where participants consumed 2.42 grams of pure HMB-FA while fasting,
      the average plasma HMB concentration increased from a basal level of 5.1 micromolar
      to 408 micromolar after 30 minutes. At 150 minutes post-ingestion, the average plasma
      HMB concentration among participants was 275 micromolar.

  • HMB @ nih.gov (02/22)
    • 38 mg/(kg BM) daily of HMB has been demonstrated to enhance skeletal
      muscle hypertrophy, strength, and power
    • Two forms exist: Calcium HMB (HMB-Ca) and free-acid HMB (HMB-FA)
    • HMB will increase Lean Body Mass and functionality in elderly, sedentary populations
    • HMB is naturally produced in animals and humans from the amino acid Leucine
    • Only 5% of leucine is being converted into HMB
    • The typical dose of HMB is 3 grams per day

  • HMB @ webmd.com (01/22)

  • Vitamin D status affects strength gains in older adults @ nih.gov (01/22)

  • Long Term Effects of HMB and Vitamin D @ nih.gov (01/22)

  • HMB and Vitamin D3 Improves Muscle Function @ nutritioninsight.com (01/22)

  • Tony Horton video @ nuscledefense.com (01/22)
    • Take 3000 mg HMB and 2,000 IU D3 per day

• L-Leucine
  • Leucine @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
    • Leucine is an essential amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins
    • It is essential in humans, meaning the body cannot synthesize it; it must
      be obtained from the diet
    • A tolerable upper intake for leucine in healthy adult men can be suggested
      at 500 mg/kg/d or 35 g/d under acute dietary conditions
    • In healthy individuals, approximately 60% of dietary l-leucine is metabolized
      after several hours, with roughly 5% (2–10% range) of dietary l-leucine being
      converted to HMB

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Ribose

• General Information
  • Ribose @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
    • Ribose is a simple sugar (C5-H10-O5)
    • The naturally occuring form is D-ribose which is a component of RNA
    • ATP is derived from one ribose, 3 phosphate groups, and an adenine base
    • Ribose is referred to as the "moelcular currency" because it is involved in
      intracellular energy transfers
    • D-ribose has been used in management of heart disease and
      chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis)

  • Ribose: Heart, Muscle and Energy Food @ coryholly.com (01/22)

  • D-Ribose Article @ endfatigue.com (01/22)
    • Ribose is a constituent of riboflavin (vitamin B2) which helps our cells to
      utilize oxygen

  • Four Ways to Maximum the Benefits of D-Ribose (01/2)

• D-Ribose & Alzheimer's Disease
  • D-Ribose and Alzheimer's (01/22)

• D-Ribose & Leg Cramps
  • The Cramp Paradox @ torqusa.com (02/22)
    • Could be caused by low calcium concentrations in the muscles
  • Other websites suggest low magnesium is to blame

• D-Ribose & Long-Haul COVID
  • A Possible Approach to Long-Haulers @ nih.gov (02/22)
    • Mitoquinol mesylate (MitoQ)
      • MitoQ @ mitoq.com (02/22)

• D-Ribose & Heart Disease
  • D-Ribose: Energize Your Heart, Save Your Life @ lef.org (01/22)

• D-Ribose & Fibromyalgia
  • D-Ribose @ globalsweet.com
    • Ribose is a naturally occurring sugar that helps to generate and recover ATP levels
      (adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the body’s primary energy carrying molecule).
    • ATP keeps your heart beating, muscles contracting and cells functioning. High levels
      of cellular energy are required to keep tissues running at peak performance.
    • Reports have also shown that Ribose can lower blood sugar levels.
    • There is no known reason for people developing Fibromyalgia. However we do know that
      people who have this condition also have low ATP levels and a reduced capacity to produce
      ATP in their muscles. Ribose fuels ATP synthesis which reduces muscle pain and enhances
      the quality of life for those suffering with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue.

  • DoctorMyhill.co.uk (01/22)
    • D-Ribose @ DoctorMyhill.co.uk (01/22)
    • CFS is Low Output Heart Failure Secondary to Mitochondrial Failure - updated June 2008
      and January 2009 (01/22)

  • D-Ribose Improves Pain and Quality of Life @ medicalnewstoday.com (01/19)

  • D-Ribose Benefits Restless Legs Syndrome (01/19)

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Phosphorus

• Phosphorus @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  • Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P
  • Phosphorus is an element essential to life due to phosphate compounds
  • Phosphates are a compoenent of DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipids

• Phosphorus for Health Professionals @ ods.od.nih.gov (07/21)
  • Phosphorus is a component of bones, teeth, DNA, and RNA
  • Phosphorus in seeds is in the form of phytic acid, the storage form of
    phosphorus. Because human intestines lack the phytase enzyme, much
    phosphorus in this form is unavailable for absorption.
  • Phosphorus and calcium make up hydroxyapatite
  • In the United States, dairy products contribute about 20% of
    total phosphorus intake.
  • The absorption rate for the phosphorus naturally contained in food is
    40%–70%; phosphorus from animal sources has a higher absorption rate
    than that from plants.
  • In infants, phosphorus bioavailability ranges from 85%–90% for
    human milk to approximately 59% for soy-based formulas.
  • Phosphorus is available in dietary supplements. Phosphorus in
    supplements is usually in the form of phosphate salts (e.g.,
    dipotassium phosphate or disodium phosphate) or phospholipids
    (e.g., phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylserine). Products typically
    provide 10% or less of the DV for phosphorus.
  • The bioavailability of phosphate salts is approximately 70%.
  • High phosphorus intakes rarely produce adverse effects in healthy people.
  • Antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide, such as Maalox HRF and Rulox,
    bind phosphorus in the intestines.

• Symptoms of Low Phosphorus
  • MountSinai.org (01/22)
    • Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety,
      bone pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing,
      irritability, numbness, weakness, and weight change.

  • Phosphorus @ homeoint.org (01/22)
    • Symptoms related to low phosphorus
      • Mind: great lowness of spirits, easily vexed, fearfullness, easily startled,
        loss of memory, brain feels tired
      • Head: vertigo, neuralgia, brain fog, losing hair
      • Eyes: eye fatigue, edema of eyes and eye lids

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Alpha Version of COVID (Original Version)

• Symptoms of COVID
  • Standard list
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache, vertigo
    • New loss of taste or smell <==
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

  • Symptoms of Long COVID @ www.who.int (01/22)
    • Shortness of breath
    • Cognitive dysfunction, which people call brain fog
    • Fatigue
    • Anxiety or depression
    • Muscle aches <==
    • Fever
    • Loss of smell, loss of taste <==

• Phosphorus and COVID-19
  • Low Serum Calcium and Phosphorus in Detecting COVID-19 Patients @ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (07/21)
    • Low calcium and low phosphorus are more prevalent in severe or critical
      COVID-19 patients than moderate COVID-19 patients
    • Calcium and phosphorus combined with lymphocyte count could obtain the best
      discriminative performance for the severe COVID-19 patients

  • SARS-CoV-2: Influence of Phosphate and Magnesium @ journals.physiology.org (07/21)
    • SARS-CoV-2 may induce a cytokine storm that drains ATP whose regeneration
      requires phosphate and Mg
    • Symptoms observed in severe COVID-19 also fit well with those seen in classical
      hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia
    • "We, thus, argue that patients with COVID-19 should be monitored and treated
      for phosphate and Mg deficiencies, ideally already in the early phases of infection."
    • PDF Version of the Article (07/21)
      • Chloroquine is typically supplied as a phosphate salt (12% P), and can
        supply 10%-20% of the recommended dietary intake for phosphate.

  • I had almost no sense of taste or smell after my original bout with COVID.
    When I started taking Phosphorus supplements, my taste and smell returned; I also
    had more energy and felt MUCH better.

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Long-Haul COVID

• Pathological Sequelae of Long-Haul COVID
  • Pathological Sequelae of Long-Haul COVID @ nature.com (08/22)
    • Persistent, prolonged and often debilitating sequelae are increasingly recognized
      in convalescent individuals, named "long-haul COVID"
    • Long-haul COVID is similar to the post-SARS and post-MERS syndromes
    • Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are reported in
      patients with post-COVID syndrome
    • Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,
      are reported in 15–50% of patients
    • Patients with long COVID report aloss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss,
      altered bowel motility patterns and new or exacerbated irritable bowel syndrome
    • Patients who recovered from COVID-19 also showed significantly higher fasting insulin
      levels, resulting in persistent glycemic abnormalities in 35% of 551 patients for at least
      2 months after COVID-19
    • Up to 20% of patients may complain of persistent hair loss
    • Reports of improved clinical symptoms on administration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in
      patients with post-COVID syndrome have led to suggestions of a viral reservoir in patients
      with post-COVID syndrome
    • SARS-CoV-2 can potentially persist in specific tissues in a manner that would be
      consistent with the persistence of other nonretroviral RNA viruses

• Reactivations or Reinfections
  • Understanding the Outcomes of COVID-19 @ microbiologyresearch.org (05/22)
    • There is evidence for highly prolonged shedding of COVID-19 in respiratory and faecal
      samples, periodic recurrence of PCR positivity, and instances of reinfection associated
      with a lack of protective immunity
    • Prolonged shedding occurs irrespective of disease severity or development of
      virus-nuetralizing antibodies
    • COVID-19 shares characteristics with other RNA viruses such as hepatitis C; these
      are capable of long-term persistence
    • Initially it was found that COVID-19 shedding occurred for about 17-18 days,
      with 20 days for severe cases.
    • Immunocompetent subject remained PCR-positive for longer than 50 days, and in some
      cases were shedding virus for up to 104 days.
    • There is a frequent reactivation of virus shedding post-COVID-19.
    • Several studies document frequent reactivation after 50 days or longer.
    • Prolonged, reactivations or reinfections all occurred irrespective of the presense
      of neutralizing antibody to COVID-19.
    • The occurrence of prolonged infections was unrelated to the severity of COVID-19.
    • Reinfections iwth COVID-19 can be as pathogenic and prolonged as primary infections.
    • There is evidence for widespread systemic infection in the GI tract, heart, kidneys,
      and central nervous system.
    • A recent study had documented the presense of COVID-19 RNA in the olfactory
      neuroepitheium in patients 110-196 days after COVID-19. These subjects reported
      persistent or intermittent loss of smeel and taste dysfunctions.
    • A large number of coronaviruses are able to establish long-term infections in
      birds, bats, rodments, and domestic and companion animals.
    • A study of human seasonal coronaviruses have found diagnosed virus after 30-40;
      this indicates persistence or reactivation.

  • Reactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Follow Recovery from COVID-19 @ sciencedirect.com (05/22)
    • Of the 109 patients, 27% experienced reactivation, and 24% of these were symptomatic

  • Antibodies Mimicking the Virus May Explain Long Haul COVID-19, Rare Vaccine Side Effects @ health.ucdavid.edu (05/22)
    • Approximately one in four COVID-19 patients have lingering symptoms, even after
      recovering from the virus

  • COVID-19 May Hide in Brains and Cause Relapses @ webmd.com (02/22)
    • The coronavirus may remain in people’s brains after infection and trigger relapses
      in patients who thought they had recovered
    • Neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 in Mice @ mdpi.com (02/22)
      • Onset of severe disease in infected mice correlated with peak viral levels
        in the brain

• Post-COVID Webinar Series
  • I: Overview @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • II: Post-COVID Symtoms & the Cardiovascular System @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • III: Neurologic Complications with Post-COVID Syndrome @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • IV: Pulmonary Complications with Post-COVID Syndrome @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • V: Hair Loss and Hives @ youtube.com (01/22)
    • Up to 20% of patients have skin findings related to COVID
    • Hives are raised, pale or skin-colored skin swelling, usually associated with redness
    • Lesions come and go and move around
    • COVID causes hair loss (hair shedding) (Telogen effluvium)

  • VI: What Happened to My Sense of Smell? @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • VII: Brain Fog, Insomnia, and Stress @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • VIII: Did COVID Kick You in the Gut? @ youtube.com (01/22)

  • IX: Post-COVID Syndrome & Your Primary Care Doctor @ youtube.com (01/22)

• Covid-19 Long-Haul Symptoms May be Caused by Changes in Genes @ healthline.com (02/22)
  • Spike proteins on the novel coronavirus may alter gene expressions after they
    infect healthy cells
  • Novel coronavirus can cause long-term gene expression changes in otherwise
    healthy cells
  • SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus

• Long COVID Looks a Lot Like Chronic Fatigue @ hopkinsmedicine.org (02/22)

• Life as a Long Hauler @ technologynetworks.com (02/22)

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Omicron

• Symptoms of Omicron
  • Top 5 Symptoms of Omicron @ gavi.org (01/22)
    • Runny nose
    • Sore throat and/or cough
    • Lower back pain and myalgia
    • Fatigue and tiredness

  • Back-breaking Pain after Omicron Recovery @ livemint.com (01/22)

  • One Omicron Symptom that Distinguishes it from the Common Cold @ india.com (01/22)
    • Feeling nauseous as the early stages of infection
    • Along with feeling nauseous comes lower back pain
    • Lower-back pain is one of the most common symptoms; it can be seen in
      double-vaccinated people and people who have taken a booster shot.

• I had mild symptoms, but developed back-breaking pain. When I started taking
  D-Ribose powder (along with the PHOS-NaK), my pain levels dropped considerably.

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Blood Sugar Abnormalities

• High Blood Sugar, Diabetes
  • Can COVID-19 Cause Diabetes? @ goodrx.com (08/22)

  • COVID 19 May Trigger Hyperglycemia by Harming Fat Cells @ news.weill.cornell.edu (08/22)
    • COVID-19, can induce hyperglycemia by disrupting fat cells' production of
      adiponectin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels
    • Doctors began finding evidence that COVID-19 is associated with hyperglycemia
      in patients who have no history of diabetes
    • Hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients is mainly caused by insulin resistance, in which
      insulin is present, but the tissues it normally acts upon are no longer sensitive to it
    • COVID-19 ARDS patients had severe declines in blood levels of adiponectin
    • COVID-19 can infect human fat cells

  • What's the Link Between Covid and Diabetes? @ bloomberg.com (08/22)

• High Blood Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
  • Could Artificial Sweeteners Raise Your Blood Sugar @ webmd.com (08/22)
    • Saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame raised blood sugar levels by dramatically changing
      the makeup of the gut microorganisms, mainly bacteria, that are in the intestines
    • Mice who drank artifically-sweetened water had higher blood sugar levels than mice who
      drank sugar water -- no matter what diet the animals ate
    • Mice given artificially sweetened water "were almost diabetic"
    • People who used artificial sweeteners tended to have higher fasting blood sugar levels
      and a forerunner of type 2 diabetes called impaired blood-sugar tolerance

  • Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Insulin Resistance @ nih.gov (08/22)

  • How Artificial Sweeteners Affect Blood Sugar and Insulin @ healthline.com (08/22)

  • How to Artificial Sweeteners Affect My Glucose Levels" @ levelshealth.com (08/22)

  • Sucralose Affects Glycemic and Hormonal Responses to an Oral Glucose Load @ nih.gov (08/22)
    • Sucralose augments glucose absorption by increasing intestinal glucose transport
    • Chronic inclusion of NNS in the diet upregulates the expression of sodium-dependent
      glucose transporter isoform 1, which in turn increases the initial rate of Na+-dependent
      glucose uptake, and increases glycemic responses after an oral glucose tolerance test

• High Blood Sugar and Vinegar
  • Does Vinegar Really Lower Blood Sugar @ levelshealth.com (08/22)
    • The acetic acid in vinegar slows down the rate at which the stomach empties the
      food you’ve eaten into the small intestine
    • Vinegar may act on the body’s cells, increasing their ability to take in glucose
    • Vinegar may also work to balance blood sugar by interfering with disaccharidases
      (enzymes in the small intestine that break down carbohydrates)

  • Apple Cider Vinegar and Diabetes @ meadicalnewstoday.com (08/22)
    • Groups taking apple cider vinegar saw significant improvement in blood glucose
      levels 30 minutes after consuming the vinegar

  • Vinegar Comsumption Increases Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake by Forearm Muscle in
    Humans with Type 2 Diabetes @ nih.gov (08/22)

• Adiponectin
  • How to Increase Adiponectin @ fivejourneys.com (08/22)
    • Fish (or omega-3) oil increased adiponectin by 14-60%
    • Fiber increase adiponectin levels by 60-115%
    • Exercise, caffeine
    • Curcumin, Raspberry Ketones, cyanidin 3-glucoside (blueberries)

• GABA
  • GABA and Blood Sugar @ lifespa.com (08/22)
    • This study suggest that the body’s natural production of GABA could, on one hand,
      be mitigating stress, but, on the other hand, inadvertently raise blood sugar in those
      who are diabetic or considered obese
    • When researchers chemically blocked the production of GABA, they saw a positive
      change in blood sugar regulation in just two days
    • The brain’s response to the aggressive production of GABA from the liver is high blood sugar
    • Ashwagandha supports the body's healthy formation of GABA, calms the brain, and has
      also been shown to support healthy levels of blood sugar
    • Ashwangandha crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier

  • Hold the GABA @ nih.gov (08/22)
    • Gabapentin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue, has infrequently been reported
      to cause liver injury
    • Discontinuing gabapentin resulted in rapid reversal improvement in hepatocellular injury

  • Increased GABA Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetes are Related to Lower Cognitive Functioning @ nih.gov (08/22)

  • GABA and the Liver @ karger.com (08/22)
    • Mammalian liver contains high concentrations of GABA which are carefully regulated
      by a series of hepatic metabolic pathways and a specific sodium-dependent active
      transport system

  • Critical Role of Hepatic GABA in the Metabolic Dysfunctions and Hyperphagia of Obesity @ sciencedirection.com (08/22)

  • The Relevance of GABA for Diabetes @ sciencedaily.com (08/22)

  • Study of GABA in Healthy Volunteers @ frontiersin.org (08/22)
    • GABA is produced by pancreatic Beta-cells in large quantities
    • Within an islet, GABA suppresses glucagon secretion by the Alpha-cells as a
      consequence of membrane hyperpolarization but, in contrast, it enhances insulin
      secretion by the Beta-cells through membrane depolarization
    • GABA also increased glucagon levels only under fasting conditions (1.3-fold,
      single dose, p < 0.05; 1.5-fold, repeated dose, p < 0.01). However, there were no
      significant differences in the insulin-to-glucagon ratio and no significant change
      in glucose levels in these healthy subjects during the study period.

  • GABA Improves Liver Function and Insulin Resistance of Type 2 Diabetic Rats @ nature.com (08/22)

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Cysts

• COVID-19 Causes Cysts
  • Cutaneous Lesions and COVID-19 @ onlinelibrary.wiley.com (01/22)
    • An emerging area, in which there is little information, is the COVID-19-related
      cutaneous manifestations
    • Here, we report the case of a COVID-19 patient with painful cutaneous lesions
      on posterior auricular for the first time in the ear
    • Cutaneous lesions in the form of cystic eruptions appeared on his body
    • At the time of examination, the auricular lesion was tender and warm, and
      without any secretion or itching
    • We suspect that vesicular lesions can be the less common symptoms after SARS-CoV-2
      infection, or they might be late symptoms which could be neglected

• What Is It
  • Epidermoid Cyst @ everydayhealth.com (01/22)
    • True sebaceous cysts are caused by the glands that secrete the oily matter (sebum) that
      helps lubricate your skin and the hair. They are not as common as epidermoid cysts, which
      occur when skin cells accrue under the skin instead of being shed from its surface.
    • Epidermoid Cyst
      • Dome-shaped cysts can be pea-sized, or grow to a few inches or larger
      • They grow very slowly, and they’re not painful
      • You should be able to move them around
      • They often have a central small black dot, or punctum, through which sebum accumulates
      • The cyst excretes a cheese-like liquid that has a foul smell
      • Cysts can disappear on their own without treatment

  • Sebaceous Cysts @ clevelandclinic.org (01/22)
    • Sebaceous cysts are far less common than other types of similar cysts such as
      epidermoid cysts and pilar cysts

  • Pilar Cyst @ healthline.com (01/22)

• How to Remove
  • How to Remove a Sebaceous Cyst @ wikihow.com (01/22)
    • Astringent herbs like aloe vera can be used to “pull out” the protein keratin, sebum,
      and other fluids in the cyst.
    • Apply apple cider vinegar to help dry out the cyst; apply it three to four times a day

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Eyes

• Cornea Edema
  • Corneal Edema @ healthline.com (08/21)
    • Cornea edemais caused by fluid buildup in the cornea
    • The edothelium pumps out any fluid that collects inside the eye
    • Endothelial cells can never regenerate
    • Cataract surgery can damage endothelial cells; this is called
      pseudophakic coreneal edema or pheudophakic bullous keratopathy
    • Symptoms include blurry vision, haloes around lights, eye pain

  • Corneal Edema @ ccteyes.com (08/21)
    • Corneal edema can be caused by disease, injury or certain drugs
    • Mild corneal edema can be helped by salt water eye drops (Muro 128)
      that are used 3-4 times a day
    • A partial thickness cornea transplant is performed to replace the damaged
      cells and is curative for corneal edema

  • Glaucoma and the Importance of the Eye's Drainage System @ brightfocus.org (08/21)
    • Good video
    • The trabecular meshwork is the eye's drainage system
    • Liquid flows through the trabecular meshwork, then through Schlemm's canal,
      into collector channels, then to veins, and eventually back into the body's circulatory system

  • The Trabecular Meshwork @ nih.gov (08/21)
    • Very good description

  • Vascular Effects of Dietary Salt @ nih.gov (08/21)

  • Salt Awareness Week @ careoptics.co.uk (08/21)
    • High levels of salt can add to cateract formation and higher intraocular
      pressure

  • Corneal Endotheliam Cells Over the Past Decade @ tvst.arvojournals.org (08/21)

  • Ophthalmic Manifestations of Coronavirus @ nih.gov (08/21)

• People have developed edema in/around the eyes with COVID. The simple
  5% salt (Na Cl) solution is what is recommended; this does help.

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Sleep

• Insomnia Information
  • Insomnia @ Bonnie's Links (04/22)

  • Supplement Guide @ jimstoppani.com (good reference) (04/22)

• Birth Control Pills
  • 6 Ways that Oral Contraceptive Pills Disrupts Sleep @ medium.com (03/22)
    • Altered sleep architecture -- women get less slow wave sleep and more REM sleep;
      REM sleep is lighter, and you can be more easily awakened from it
    • Anxiety -- generated chemicals don't interact with the GABA receptors to decrease
      the stress response, and calm the mind and adrenals
    • Depression -- increase monoamine oxidase which breaks down neurotransmitters
      (Serotonin, dopamine, and noraadrenaline; serotonin is used to make melatonin)
    • Can elevate your body temperature; a cooler core temperature makes you sleepy
    • Nutrient deficiencies -- B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea

• COVID-19
  • GABA Administration Prevents Severe Illness and Death of COVID in Mice @ nih.gov (04/22)

  • The Mysterious Link Between COVID-19 and Sleep @ theatlantic.com (03/22)

  • Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of COVID-19 Explained by SARS-CoV-2 Proteins'
    Mimicry of Human Protein Interactions @ frontiersin.org (04/22)

• Supplements for Slow-Wave Sleep
  • How Nutrition Affects Sleep @ runnersworld.com (03/22)
    • L-theanine (anxiety-reducing amino acid; works with GABA)
    • Zinc, Iron, Magnesium
    • Vitamin D (hormone that increases the amount of melatonin)
    • Taurine, Carnitine, 5-HTP
    • Phosphatidyl serine
    • Magnolia bark extract

  • Magnolia Bark Affects Sleep @ thesleepdoctor.com (03/22)
    • Significantly increase slow-wave sleep
    • Is a GABA booster
    • Increases GABA activity
    • People with reduced GABA activity are prone to insomnia and other sleep problems
    • Activates the endocannabinoid system
    • Typical dose is 200-400 mg
    • Possible side effects include shaking hands, thyroid problems, tiredness,
      headache, dizziness
    • Might interact with St. John's Wort
    • Magnolia Bark Extract, the Natural Benzo @ reddit.com (03/22)
    • Swanson Standardized Magnolia Extract (200 mg; 30 caps; $5.09) (03/22)

  • St. John's Wort can cause trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, restlessness;
    it has a plasma half-life of 24 hours

  • L-theanine
    • Is not naturally produced by the body; found in green tea and mushrooms
    • Is responsible fore the unique taste known as umani
    • Induces brainwave paterns similar to those associated with meditation
    • Is readily able to cross into the brain
    • Helps to maintain healthy cortisol levels (reducing stress)
    • Promotes sleep latency; take at least 40 minues prior to going to sleep
    • 200 mg is the recommended dose of L-theanine (for sleep)
    • L-theanine works better with GABA (GABA @ 20 mg/kg and L-theanine @ 100 mg/kg)
    • GABA clinical dose is 100 mg

• Supplements at Walmart
  • Spring Valley GABA 750 mg @ walmart.com ($6.88) (03/22)
    • GABA only works if you have a "leaky" blood-brain barrier
  • Spring Valley L-Theanine @ walmart.com (100 mg; $5.94) (03/22)

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Sodium

• General Information about Sodium
  • 1 tsp salt contains 2,325 mg sodium
  • The recommended daily limit is 2,300 mg sodium

• Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)
  • 6 Dangers of Restricting Sodium Too Much @ healthline.com (08/22)
    • MAY INCREASE INSULIN RESISTANCE
    • No clear benefit for heart disease
    • Increased risk of death from heart failure
    • May raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides
    • Increased risk of death for people with diabetes
    • Higher risk of hyponatremia

  • Hyponatremia @ healthline.com (08/22)
    • Your sodium level should be between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter
    • Common symptoms: weakness, fatigue or low energy, headache, nausea,
      muscle cramps, confusion, irritability
    • You are at risk if you eat a low-sodium diet

• Low Sodium Diet and Insulin Resistance
  • Low-Salt Diet Increases Insulin Resistance in Healthy Subjects @ nih.gov (08/22)
    • Low-salt diet is associated with an increase in Insulin Resistance

  • Salt Intake and Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Human Volunteers @ nih.gov (08/22)

  • Decreased Insulin Sensitivity During Dietary Sodium Restiction @ nih.gov (08/22)

• Low Sodium Diet and Sleep
  • Salt and Sleep @ nytimes.com (08/22)
    • Low-sodium diets can cause fitful sleep
    • Test subjects woke up more often during the night and slept less soundly when
      they were on low-sodium diets than when their diets included normal or high
      amounts of sodium
    • When the test subjects were on low-sodium diets (~500 milligrams/day), the men
      woke up during the night nearly twice as often and got about 10 percent less sleep
      than when they were on normal diets
    • When the test subjects were on a high-sodium diet (5,000 milligrams/day), the
      men slept longer and with slightly fewer nighttime wakings than when they were
      on normal diets

  • How Salt Can Help You Get Better Sleep @ healyeatsreal.com (08/22)
    • Salt lowers stress
    • Salt raises Oxytocin levels (hormone that makes you feel calm and relaxed)

  • Does a Low Salt Diet Trigger Insomina @ peoplespharmacy.com (08/22)
    • The low sodium diet was also associated with disturbed sleep patterns -- decreased
      rapid eye movement and slow wave sleep, and increased wakefulness

• COVID-19 and Low Blood Sodium
  • Hyponatremia in COVID-19 Patients @ nih.gov (08/22)
    • Patients with moderate COVID-19 disease had 2.15 (1.04-4.5) times higher
      odds of suffering from hyponatremia

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Taste & Smell

• Taste
  • Sugars, Sweet Taste Receptors, and Brain Responses @ ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (01/22)
    • Sweet taste receptors are composed of a heterodimer of Taste 1 Receptor
      member 2 (T1R2) and Taste 1 Receptor Member 3 (T1R3).
    • Four morphologic subtypes of TRCs have been identified.
    • Type I glial-like cells detect salty taste.
    • Type II cells express G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) to detect
      sweet, umami, and bitter tastes.
    • Type III cells sense sour stimuli.
    • Type IV cells likely represent stem or progenitor taste cells.
    • Type II cells do not form traditional synapses with afferent nerve fibers.
      Rather, these cells release ATP through hemichannels, which can then activate
      purinergic receptors (P2N2 and P2X3) present on the cranial nerve fibers
      innervating each taste bud.
    • Type I cells degrade or absorb neurotransmitters.

  • Acid Stimulation (Sour Taste) Elicits GABA and Serotonin Release from Mouse Taste Cells
    @ journals.plos.org (01/22)

  • Please notice that ATP is required for a person to taste something "sweet"

• Loss of Taste with COVID
  • When I had the Alpha version of COVID, the loss of taste and smell was the first
    symptom I noticed. I lost almost ALL sense of taste. However, my sense of "sweet"
    was affected the most.

  • Taste Loss as a COVID-19 Symptom @ news-medical.net (01/22)
    • Some studies suggest that increased viral shedding in the saliva is linked to more taste loss
    • This may indicate direct viral damage to the taste cells
    • The taste receptors and the supporting cells of the taste buds on the tongue contains a
      a viral receptor on the host cell, and the protein required to produce the processed
      form of the viral spike
    • Direct viral effects on the brain can lead to taste alterations
    • Women notice this effect more than men

  • How COVID-19 Affects Your Mouth @ webmd.com (01/22)
    • Folks with COVID can have a reduced sense of taste (hypogueusia); a distorted sense of
      taste (dysgeusia); or a total loss of all taste (ageusia)
    • These complications seemed to be more common among European COVID patients
    • Some COVID patients also reported lesions on or under their tongue or along the gums
      and sides of the mouth

  • COVID 19-Inducted Smell and Taste Impairments@ frontiersin.org (01/22)
    • ACE2 is the main entrance receptor for SARS-Cov-2 interacting with its spike proteins
    • The highest density fo these proteins is in the olfactory eopthelium
    • ACE2 is mainly expressed in epithelian cells outside of taste papillae which contain
      the taste buds
    • A cytokine storm could make taste bud cells permissive to SARS-CoV-2

  • Taste Dysfunction and Long COVID-19 @ frontiersin.org (01/22)
    • Multiple entry receptors makes taste bud cells highly susceptible for SARS-CoV-2
      infections
    • SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and replication has been shown to occur in human
      taste bud cells
    • Direct infection of the taste bud cells and consequent inflammation could affect
      taste perception
    • Inflammation could increase epithelial cell exfoliation and constitute potential
      sources of viral RNA in saliva

• Genetics Related to Loss of Taste and Smell
  • The UGT2A1/UGT2A2 Locus is Associated wtih COVID-19-related Loss of Smell or Taste @ nature.com (01/22)
    • Both genes are expressed in the olfactory epithelium, and play a role in metabolizing
      odorants
    • Loss of sense is smell is called anosmia
    • Loss of sense of taste is called ageusia
    • 68% of COVID-19-positive people reported a loss of smell or taste as a symptom
    • Females reported the symptom more than men
    • The genes relate to uridine diPHOSPHATE glycosyltransferases (enzymes)
    • These enzymes eliminate the odorants that enter the nasal cavity and bind to
      olfactory receptors (detoxification of the receptors)
    • This results in the clearance of the odorant to facilitate the transient experience
      of olfaction
    • The loss of smell is related to damage to the cilian and olfactory epithelium, but
      not infection of the olfactory neurons

Top of Page

Vaccine

• Vaccination Side Effects
  • COVID Arm (Moderma Arm)
    • Latest Data on 'Moderna Arm' and Bleeding or Clots @ nydailynews.com (02/22)
      • "Moderma Arm" is a skin reaction which occurs days after the injection
      • Women have a stronger immune response due to the estrogen in their bodies
      • About 2% of the time, a skin reaction (rash, swelling, redness, hives) occurs
      • The "COVID vaccine arm" is a delayed skin reaction in the form of a large rash area
        near the site of injection that begins a week or so later

    • Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA-1273 Vaccine @ nejm.org (02/22)

• Vaccines
  • CoronaVac @ wikipedia.org (02/22)
    • It is an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech
    • The two-dose vaccine has an efficacy rate of 50% for preventing symptomatic infection
      (Brazilian trial)
    • Common side effects are fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle pain
    • A third dose is suggested
    • Sinovac Biotech @ wikipedia.org (02/22)

Top of Page

Summary

• ATP is used all over your body in thousands of chemical processes.

• COIVD-19 (original, Alpha, Delta, or Omicron) affects the amount of ATP in your body.

• Many of the side effects of COVID (loss of taste, brain fog, muscle aches,
  loss of hair, etc) can be directly related to low phosphorus or ribose
  (which are used to make ATP).

• You can reduce/eliminate your symptoms of "long-haul" COVID by increasing your
  levels of ATP. That is done by taking the precursors of ATP (namely, phosphorus
  and ribose). Other things (like minerals) are also important.

  In many cases, the "length" of your "long-haul" symptoms is directly related to
  your diet (your intake of phosphorus, ribose, minerals, etc).

• Many people experience muscle loss/weakness and often look 10 years older after
  contracting a case of COVID (even a mild case). Muscle loss is often considered to be
  a normal part of "aging". This can be reversed by an intake of HMB and Vitamin D3.

• The last section of this webpage lists a few places which sell the supplements
  mentioned in this webpage. I just googled the items, and listed some of the best prices.

Top of Page

Shopping

• D-Ribose Powder
  • Bulk Supplements D-Ribose Powder @ amazon.com (1 kgm (2.2 lbs); $34.96) (01/22)
    • This product comes in several different sizes

  • NOW Sports D-Ribose Powder @ naturalgrocers.com (1 lb; $54.65) (01/22)
    • MUCH more expensive than Amazon.com

  • D-Ribose Powder @ vitaminshoppe.com (200 gms; $27.99)
    • MUCH more expensive than Amazon.com

• Phosphorus Supplements
  • GeriCare Phosphorus Supplement
    • GeriCare Phosphorus Supplement @ amazon.com (100 1.5 g packets; $35.79; unavailable) (01/22)
      • Potassium Phosphate Monobasic, Potassium Phosphate Dibasic,
        Sodium Phosphate Monobasic, Sodium Phosphate Dibasic, Mannitol, Citric Acid,
        Natural & Artificial Strawberry Flavor, Sucralose and Silicon Dioxide
      • It contains 280 mg potassium, 160 mg sodium, and 250 mg phosphorus
      • Compare to the dietary ingredients in Phos-Nak
      • This is taken to prevent kidney stones; it acts as a uninary acidifier
      • It may be used as a mineral supplement to treat other conditions

    • GeriCare Phosphorus @ healthykin.com ($46.95; in stock) (08/21)

    • GeriCare Phosphorus @ lifeirl.com ($63.99; out of stock) (01/22)

  • Cypress Pharmaceutical PHOS-NaK
    • PHOS-NaK @ amazon.com (100 pkts; $35.16) (01/22)

    • PHOS-Nak @ theonlinedrugstore.com ($36.80) (01/22)

    • PHOS-Nak @ ebay.com ($49.20 when buying 2 or more) (01/22)

    • PHOS-Nak @ ebay.com ($36.99) (01/22)

  • Rugby Na K Phosphorus
    • Rugby Na K Phosphorus 100 packets @ ebay.com ($19.99) (01/22)
      • Seller has been on eBay since 2007
      • Based in the United States

• Vitamin B4 - Adenine
  • Adenine Powder @ amazon.com (2 oz; $44.99) (01/22)

• NaCl Eye Drops
  • Akorn NaCl Eye Drops, 5% solution @ theonlinedrugstore.com (0.5 fl oz; $8.25) (01/22)

  • CVS Hypertonicity Eye Drops, 5% solution (0.5 fl oz; $23.49; buy 1 get 1 50% off) (01/22)

  • Walgreens Eye Drops, 5% solution (0.5 fl oz; $19.99; buy 1 get 1 @ 50% off) (01/22)
    • Inactive Ingredients: Boric Acid, Hypromellose, Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol,
      Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Borate, Sodium Hydroxide
      and/or Hydrochloric Acid may be added to adjust pH

• HMB Powder and Capsules
  • Bulk Supplements HMB Powder @ amazon.com (1.1 lbs; $29.96) (01/22)

  • Nutricost HMB capsules @ amazon.com (240 caps; 500 mg; $17.95) (01/22)

• L-Leucine
  • L-Leucine Powder @ amazon.com (500 gms (1.1 lbs); $23.96) (01/22)

• Aloe Vera
  • Meilssa's Aloe Leaves @ walmart.com (1 leaf; $1.98) (01/22)

Top of Page

Return to Index

Bonnie's Links
created by Bonnie Lee Hill,
bonniehill@verizon.net
last modified on August 11, 2022

URL: http://www.bonniehill.net/pages/covid.html