Long Covid

#1

Dear Keto community,
Anybody suffering from Long Covid here or having experience with Long Covid and keto diet? I got Long Covid since December last year, and have gone keto three weeks ago. Still not noticing a big difference, my problems are huuuuge fatigue, very low energy, post exercise malaise (which means l cannot do any exercise at all). Of course l would love to find testimonials about the good influence of the keto way of life on Long Covid, but there‘s nothing out there, l have googled my eyes out…if you have experienced this, or know somebody please give me hope🤗thanx!

(Robin) #2

I’ve had some different but significant issues since covid …
The actual issues are improving due to neurologist and good drugs. But I absolutely believe (and was told) that my keto/carnivore diet was ideal and probably kept me from being worse.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #3

Trying keto can’t do any harm …. If inflammation is part of it surely low carb is worth trying

#4

Thank you. If keto does not do wonders, l will restrict eating to carnivore, l just don‘t have the courage yet cause it feels kinda „dirty“ to me (surely because of all those false believes we have been brainwashed with for decades😜)
All the best to you!

#5

I‘m sure keto does not do any harm at all if it is well done. I also have discovered Dr. Chris Palmer and his astonishing experiences with keto and mental illness, but what is behind the marvellous results of keto on the brain (my worry right now because l cannot get rid of the brainfog since Covid, that f…g guy sits in my brain) are the mitochondria. Very very intersting, l highly recommend watching the youtube videos on Tom Bilieu and Huberman channels.
All the best to you🤗

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #6

Welcome to the forums!

As far as long COVID is concerned, I came down with it about a year and a half ago, and it was only this year that my energy returned completely. My sense of taste returned within weeks, but the migraines and brain fog took three or four months to go away, as I recall, and my energy level didn’t fully return till early this year. My stamina still isn’t quite what it was, but it does seem to be getting there. Fortunately, I had already been eating keto for several years; I believe that did a great deal to help me fight the virus.

Now, as far as your keto diet is concerned:

Go very easy on the exercise until you have re-adapted to fatty-acid metabolism. This generally takes six to eight weeks, in our experience. We enter ketosis within 24-48 hours, but healing the muscles to the point where they are able to start metabolising fatty acids again usually takes time. The muscles actually prefer fats to ketones, when they are operating at peak health, so give them time. Keep the exercise gentle during this adaptation period, and you’ll soon see your performance returning. The process may be prolonged by the long COVID effects, so proceed cautiously.

Be sure to eat enough. Keto is not a low-calorie way of eating, and many people have reported that their fat loss did not start until they started eating more, not less. Your body needs the calories to help it heal itself, so give it plenty of energy to work with. You need protein to maintain and build tissue, and fat to provide the energy for the work that needs to be done. Don’t stint yourself.

Avoid sugar, grains, starches, and seed oils. They all do things to us that will hamper COVID recovery. Keep your carb intake as low as you can; this will greatly aid your recovery.

#7

Thank you for the feedback and for sharing your story.
I will do exactly as you suggest. I‘m not holding back from eating to satiety, as l am aware that the body needs energy. I don’t have any weight to lose either. Doing strict 20 grams or less of carbs, l don‘t eat berries or nuts as that might add some unsuspected carbs.
Started with very gentle yoga, three slow sun greetings a day, that is ok, and l will keep it this way for a while. When l became reckless and added some innocent other exercises to strengthen the belly muscles, it all came back with a vengeance (fatigue and energy loss for a week) so l humbly learned my lesson of patience😜I also have to get rid of some nasty antibodies l have developped after Covid, so guess it is a long lasting project. Also the fact that it has been proven in scientific studies that the brain ages after a Covid infection is one more motivation, l don‘t want to get Alzheimer because of this naughty virus, the symptoms are present…
Take care🤗

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

The effect is mostly on glucose metabolism in the brain; often ketone metabolism remains unaffected. The ketones produced on a ketogenic diet do a lot to heal the brain. Being in ketosis may not heal all the damage, but it has been shown to provide cognitive improvements even when there is permanent damage. Too much glucose (i.e., carbohydrate) can actually worsen the damage.

So keep calm and keto on; that’s our mantra.

(B Creighton) #9

Keto may help the energy thing, but I kind of doubt you will notice much. I did get Covid, but did not have any long Covid symptoms. Mine was very brief and mild. I used zinc picolinate, quercitin & bromelain, and a lot of a seaweed called Gigartina scottsbergii - like 10-15 capsules per day. However, I have subsequently found out about Methylene blue, which was used by some doctors in other countries. Did not hear about it at all in the US for Covid. The problem with long covid is that the symptoms seem to persist after the virus is gone because it did damage - so I don’t know if any of these things would help you. If you decide to try Methylene blue, make sure to get a USP pharmaceutical grade, and do your research on it. Never use a lab grade as it may have all different kinds of impurities such as formaldehyde. Pregnant women should not use it. It does tend to boost your mitochondria so may help the energy thing. The food recommendation I would make is to get lots of omega 3 foods. I would particularly recommend fresh wild salmon, and flax seed. Another good one would be Wild Planet sardines which can be found at most Costco stores. Omega 3 fats should help the body rebuild any nerve damage from the Covid. My brother suspects the Covid boosters he got caused him to experience nerve damage, and he is still dealing with tinitis and pain in his extremities. I wish you all the best in finding relief.

#10

Thank you from the heart for all the good information. I will follow the methylene blue lead, l live in Berlin/Germany so l will try to find a pure pharmaceutical grade one.
Take care, best wishes🤗

#11

Om☺️thank you, l will do that✌🏽