Tag: long-COVID

bookmark_borderLong-COVID: Elevated Cytokines and Low Iron

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COVID=19

By Daniel Brouse

The study, titled “Iron Dysregulation and Inflammatory Stress Erythropoiesis Associated with Long-Term Outcome of COVID-19,” reveals that Long-COVID is linked to elevated levels of C-reactive protein and prolonged elevation of cytokines compared to healthy controls. The research indicates that the duration of inflammation and the regulation of low iron levels after acute infection are crucial factors associated with long COVID. Individuals with a slower resolution of inflammation and more severe initial infections face an increased risk of developing long COVID.

Iron dysregulation is a common occurrence after infections, as the body swiftly moves iron out of the bloodstream to prevent it from becoming a potential breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The study suggests that defects in iron homeostasis, dysregulated erythropoiesis, and immune dysfunction resulting from COVID-19 may contribute to inefficient oxygen transport, inflammatory imbalances, persistent symptoms, and could potentially be addressed through therapeutic interventions.

The iron dysfunction observed in COVID-19 is indicative of an underlying issue within the immune system. While supplementing iron may address the symptom of low iron levels, it does not directly tackle the root cause. The exact nature of the root cause remains unclear, and questions persist regarding the presence of active virus, remnants of an inactive virus, or potential epigenetic changes influencing the immune response.

A more concerning aspect of COVID-19 is the elevated cytokine levels. The information on autoimmune diseases emphasizes that an excessive release of cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in immune responses, can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response. This heightened inflammation has the potential to damage tissues and contribute to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

A “worst-case scenario” involves COVID-19 triggering a persistent autoimmune condition comparable to AIDS or Lyme Disease. Such a condition could involve the immune system continuously attacking healthy cells, causing irreversible organ damage, impacting overall quality of life, and potentially leading to premature death. Efforts to understand and address these complexities are crucial for developing effective treatments and mitigating long-term consequences of COVID-19.

The study: Iron dysregulation and inflammatory stress erythropoiesis associates with long-term outcome of COVID-19

Science Based Information on COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderIntroduction to COVID-19: Understanding the Long-Term Impact

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Author: Daniel Brouse

COVID Science Updates

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has left an indelible mark on global health, demonstrating not only its immediate threat but also the potential for enduring consequences. This article explores the profound and lasting impact of COVID-19, delving into the virus’s role in chronic conditions and its ability to leave a lasting imprint on various aspects of health.

Long-Term Complications and Excess Deaths

A COVID-19 infection often leads to persistent complications that significantly diminish both the quality of life and life expectancy. Shockingly, 10% of excess deaths can be directly attributed to COVID itself, while the remaining 90% are attributed to what can be considered COVID’s silent killers. Individuals who have experienced COVID may face a diminished quality of life and an increased risk of premature death. Dr. Rob Wust underscores this by stating, “There is something inside the body going wrong with the disease.”

Long-COVID: A Looming Reality

For those who have contracted COVID, the probability of developing chronic conditions, known as Long-COVID, is a staggering 99%. This alarming statistic underscores the pervasive and lasting impact of the virus on an individual’s health.

Key Insights into COVID-19’s Long-Term Effects

  1. Direct Impact on Organs:
    • COVID-19 has been responsible for millions of deaths and has caused long-term damage to vital organs, leaving many survivors permanently disabled.
  2. Persistent Viral Presence:
    • SARS-CoV-2 can persist in the body for months or even years, causing chronic infections and leaving behind viral proteins associated with Long-COVID. This persistence is comparable to other viruses like Chicken Pox leading to Shingles or Epstein-Barr virus contributing to Mononucleosis and Multiple Sclerosis.
  3. Compromised Immune System and Autoimmune Risks:
    • Post-COVID individuals often experience a compromised immune system and an increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Local immune responses may be disturbed by both mental and physical exertion in long-COVID patients.
  4. Genetic and Epigenetic Changes:
    • SARS-CoV-2 induces genetic and epigenetic alterations to DNA, resulting in a compromised immune system, elevated risks of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and damage to neurological, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems. Predisposed conditions are likely to escalate to more advanced stages.
  5. Complexity of Long-COVID:
    • Long-COVID is likely a multifaceted condition involving persistent virus presence, residual viral proteins, and lasting epigenetic and genetic changes, potentially lasting indefinitely.
  6. Increased Risks with Reinfection:
    • Reinfection with COVID amplifies the risks of death, hospitalization, and multi-organ damage, exacerbating underlying conditions across various bodily systems.

Understanding the epigenetic changes induced by COVID, including the downregulation of NAD+ and the impact on tryptophan, sheds light on the physical and mental health challenges faced by individuals. The deficiency in niacin, zinc, and vitamin D is a common consequence. It is crucial to recognize that COVID’s epigenetic changes may vary widely based on an individual’s genetic makeup, requiring tailored treatments for optimal outcomes.

COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID: Excess Deaths and Quality of Life

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by Daniel Brouse
December 14, 2023

COVID=19

Long-COVID, or post-infection COVID, appears to affect the majority of the population. For individuals that “recover” from COVID-19, they can expect a decreased quality of life and a premature death.

Decrease in Quality of Life
Known chronic conditions resulting from a COVID infection include: Permanent Organ Damage, Persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA in multiple organs and throughout the brain, Destruction of Good Gut Bacteria Resulting in a Compromised Immune System, Epigenetic Modifications (Changes to DNA), Change in Cell Fate, Tryptophan Deficiency, Dysfunctional Kynurenine Pathway, Neurological Damage, New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Exertional Intolerance, Oxygen Extraction, Reduced Exercise Capacity, Down Regulating NAD+, Up Regulating IDO, Rogue Antibodies, Insulin Reduction, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Stroke, Increased Risk of Cancer, Blood Clots, Hypertension, Vascular Disorders, Myocarditis and Heart Disease, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), and Dysregulation of the innate immune system, i.e. “cytokine storm”.

Decrease in Life Expectancy
In epidemiology, the excess deaths or excess mortality is a measure of the increase in the number deaths.

On October 26, 2023, Insurance News Network reported, “Excess mortality is the difference between the total number of deaths for a specific time period and the number that would have been expected. The numbers were naturally forecast to climb during the pandemic, but some industry and health authorities are concerned the rates haven’t greatly diminished as COVID infection rates have declined.”

In November of 2023, the SOA Research Group released Group Life COVID-19 Mortality Survey Report finding the 39-month period of April 2020 through June 2023 showed the following Group Life mortality results:
• Estimated reported Group Life claim incidence rates were up 13.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis compared to 2017–2019 reported claims.
• Estimated incurred Group Life incidence rates were 12.2% higher than baseline on a seasonally-adjusted basis. As noted above, the incurred incidence rates in May and June 2023 are based on fairly incomplete data, so they are subject to change and should not be fully relied upon at this point.

90% of these excess deaths were caused by post-COVID conditions. 10% of the excess deaths are attributed to the COVID virus.

A Boston University study identified a total of 1,179,024 excess deaths from March 2020 through February 2022, including an estimated 634,830 excess deaths from March 2020 to February 2021, and 544,194 estimated excess deaths from March 2021 to February 2022.

Causes
A decrease in life expectancy, quality of life, or death after a COVID infection is usually caused by complications from the infection, persistent virus (chronic infection), and/or epigenetic changes.

COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderLong-COVID 2023 / 2024 Update

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COVID=19

by Daniel Brouse
November 2023 – March 2024

In February of 2020, I contracted SARS-CoV-2. Then, I continued to experience long-term complications and chronic conditions. The article Long COVID Update: 3 Years of Living With It describes the symptoms and the knowledge gained from the experience.

Now I am approaching 4 years and continue to get asked for help by others. Here is what I have learned:

Long-COVID has pretty much been classified into three categories — complications from the infection, persistent virus (chronic infection), and epigenetic changes. Complications from infection are lifelong chronic conditions most often seen in the lungs and respiratory system. Persistent virus can sometimes be cured with post-infection vaccination. Epigenetic changes can sometimes be reversed but many times they cannot. It is likely some epigenetic changes can become genetic changes that may be passed on to future generations (similar to cigarette smoking.)

The most significant research has found that defects in iron homeostasis (low iron), dysregulated erythropoiesis, and immune dysfunction (prolonged elevation of cytokines) resulting from COVID-19 may contribute to inefficient oxygen transport, inflammatory imbalances, and persistent symptoms. The information on autoimmune diseases emphasizes that an excessive release of cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in immune responses, can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response. This heightened inflammation has the potential to damage tissues and contribute to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

Overview
1) The virus itself can cause death and long term organ damage. Millions and millions of people have died from COVID. Many millions more have become permanently disabled.
2) SARS-CoV-2 can be a persistent virus (chronic infection) that continues to live and destroy your organs for months or years after the initial infection. COVID may also leave residual SARS-CoV-2 protein that is associated with long COVID. A persistent virus behaves in various ways. With Chicken Pox, it leads to Shingles. With Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it leads to Mononucleosis and Multiple Sclerosis. Epstein-Barr is a member of the herpesvirus family. Many people are already familiar with the persistent nature of herpes viruses, such as, cold sores and genital herpes. HIV is another example of a persistent virus. COVID acts like an accelerant to aging and has been found to impact the function of multiple organs including the kidneys, heart, and brain.
3) Post-COVID individuals have a compromised immune system (immunocompromised), as well as, increased risk of autoimmune diseases. There are also locally disturbed immune responses caused by mental and/or physical exertion in patients with long-COVID.
4) SARS-CoV-2 causes genetic and epigenetic changes to your DNA. These changes include long term compromising of the immune system, increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, as well as, damaging the neurological, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems. Any ailments for which you are predisposed will likely be elevated to the next stage (eg prediabetic –> diabetic).
5) Long-COVID is likely a combination of persistent virus, residual SARS-CoV-2 protein, epigenetic and genetic changes that may last indefinitely.
6) COVID reinfection further increases risks of death, hospitalization and damage to multiple organ systems and exacerbates underlying conditions including pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematological, diabetes, gastrointestinal, kidney, mental health, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders.

Niacin (nicotinic acid), zinc, and vitamin D are highly recommended to help reduce the severity of long term complications. I take take 25-50mg of niacin with each meal. Niacin does not stay in the bloodstream for more than a couple hours. Taking large doses once a day is not nearly as effective as taking small doses throughout the day. I crush zinc and allow it to linger in the mouth as it is better absorbed that way. Zinc lozenges are an alternative. Vitamin D is best obtained through a combination of a once-a-day supplement and limited exposure to sunlight. I radically changed my diet to enhance NAD+ production.

The increase in excess deaths and long-term amplification of genetic conditions indicates most COVID complications cannot be cured. Unfortunately, this means a shorter life-expectancy as well as a diminished quality of life. On October 26, 2023, Insurance News Network reported, “Excess mortality is the difference between the total number of deaths for a specific time period and the number that would have been expected. The numbers were naturally forecast to climb during the pandemic, but some industry and health authorities are concerned the rates haven’t greatly diminished as COVID infection rates have declined.”

Personally, it forever messed with my blood pressure, lipid profile, hepatic function panel, A1C, and others.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The reason I am aware of my condition is because I am actively researching long-COVID and am aggressively pursuing medical testing. If you had COVID, there is a 99% chance that you, too, have chronic conditions. SARS-CoV-2 causes genetic and epigenetic changes to your DNA. These changes include long-term compromising of the immune system, increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, as well as, damaging the neurological, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems. Any ailments for which you are predisposed will likely be elevated to the next stage. See your doctor. Get all the tests you can especially blood work. If you have a family history of inherited genetic disorders, seek counsel from your physician. Many of the epigenetic changes are undetected for a year or two after infection; however, the sooner treatment is started, the better. Medications, diet, and other lifestyle changes can help treat the conditions, improve your quality of life, and increase your life expectancy.

High levels of cardiovascular issues have occurred in youth. We do not know why COVID causes this problem; however, it appears NAD+ is another common factor in the youth (in effect causing them to age faster/shortening life expectancy.) We don’t know if the two are related. Niacin is recommended to help stabilize NAD+.

Niacin is crucial to NAD+. COVID hijacks the precursors that create NAD+. Niacin is a substitute. Niacin does not cure the cause but it does treat the symptoms. At my worst symptoms, I was taking 500mg/day. After the vaccines were invented and I was vaccinated, most of my “long-COVID” symptoms (brain-fog, fatigue, inflammation, etc) subsided. Vaccination appears to have cured the persistent virus part of the disease. Several studies have shown post-infection vaccination treats persistent infection and “covid-19 vaccines might have protective and therapeutic effects on long-covid.” The epigenetic changes still persist, though. Now, I take 50mg/day to help my naturally aging NAD+. The most important part of the Niacin protocol is that you are really taking Niacin — nicotinic acid — NOT no-flush Niacin. If you are deficient in Niacin, you will flush. This will help you know you are taking the right supplement. Flushing is normal and will not harm you; nevertheless, you may want to start with a small dose to mentally prepare. The paper COVID, Vitamin B3 (Nicotinic Acid), and the Immune System helps explain Niacin in more detail.

Did you know that milk does not naturally contain vitamin D? How about that Niacin is added to breakfast cereals? This is because most Americans main source of vitamin D3 and Niacin (vitamin B3) is through their “fortified” breakfast foods. Chances are large you are starting deficient in D and Niacin. Both of these slow the aging process and help prevent diseases. Talk to your doctor about taking supplements.

Summary
Vaccinations may help treat the persistent virus and the residual SARS protein parts of long-COVID. In my case, that is what happened. Vaccination helped treat my “long-COVID symptoms” (fatigue, brain fog, lack of taste); however, I still have the genetic changes that increased my blood pressure and caused my blood labs to spike. Most people do not know that they have these genetic changes. Almost everybody that has had COVID has some form of long-COVID they just don’t know it. The problem appears to be worse in females (believed to be due to hormones.) Almost everybody has a compromised immune system that has had COVID.

10% of excess deaths are attributed to COVID. The other 90% are from COVID’s silent killers. Everyone that has had COVID is likely to have a diminished quality of life and a premature death. As Dr. Rob Wüst says, “There is something inside the body going wrong with the disease.”

Among the many epigenetic changes made by COVID is the down regulating of NAD+ and the hijacking of tryptophan resulting in physical and mental illnesses. Most individuals become deficient in
niacin (nicotinic acid), zinc, and vitamin D. It is likely that COVID causes epigenetic changes to predisposed conditions, so treatments will vary widely depending on your genes.

What is the call to action here? Just don’t get it? Or something else?
Yes. Both. Certainly avoid getting it at all costs. Do not get it multiple times. The virus works opposite of the typical virus where the immune system gains immunity strength fighting the infection. COVID compromises your immune system. Most people develop a form of autoimmune disease. Second, and just as important, is to start treatment ASAP. The virus WILL cause epigenetic changes to your genes triggering predisposed genes. For examples, I have seen people develop an iron deficiency likely because they were predisposed to iron-deficiency anemia. I have seen people develop pernicious anemia likely because they were predisposed to a B12 deficiency. I have seen people develop breast cancer that did have the breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) genes. People with a family history of cardiovascular conditions have had to double their medications. Several have suffered strokes or heart attacks. Quite a few people I know have turned pre-diabetic while other pre-diabetics have become diabetic. THE EARLIER YOUR INDIVIDUAL CONDITIONS ARE TREATED THE BETTER. Review your family health history. Get a medical physical. Insist on blood labs that include B12 and D. Change your diet as if you were diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular conditions, high cholesterol, and diabetes. If you feel excess fatigue or brain fog after physical or mental exertion, stop that routine.

New Health Concern
COVID compromises your immune system. Now, I am seeing people having difficulty fighting the common cold and other typical illnesses. Often they are coming down with symptoms that last for weeks. Unfortunately, this is allowing weaker viruses to mutate in their body and become more efficient. At the same time, their immune systems are becoming weaker. A vicious downward health cycle for the planet. Perhaps you should be wearing a mask if you’ve had COVID in the past? After all, you are immunocompromised.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS:
1. Is that the original vitamin stack (niacin plus) still the same or have you all updated it?
2. Is it for everyone who has had COVID or just if symptoms of long-COVID?
3. They comment about excess fatigue. Where are you going with that? Does post-COVID fatigue have a treatment?

1) I take take 25-50mg of niacin with each meal. Niacin does not stay in the bloodstream for more than a couple hours. Taking large doses once a day is not nearly as effective as taking small doses throughout the day. I crush 5mg of zinc twice-a-day and allow it to linger in the mouth as it is better absorbed that way. Zinc lozenges are an alternative. Vitamin D is best obtained through a combination of a once-a-day supplement and limited exposure to sunlight. I radically changed my diet to enhance NAD+ production.
2) Everyone who has had COVID. The symptoms of long-COVID are only about 1/3 of the disease. 2/3 of the disease are the “silent killers” and show no symptoms. 99% of people that have had COVID have genetic changes with negative health consequences.
3) My fatigue was part of the 1/3 of the disease with symptoms. In my case, it was being caused by persistent virus. Similar to HIV, COVID can covertly live and thrive undetected. Once I killed the persistent virus (by getting vaccinated), the chronic fatigue and brain fog were cured. However, all my epigenetic changes remain i.e. the silent killers e.g. elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, liver enzymes, etc.

Coronavirus: Science Based Information on the Covid-19 Virus

bookmark_borderCOVID -19: Permanent Organ Damage

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Update: February 21, 2025: Non-Hospitalized Long COVID Patients Exhibit Reduced Retinal Capillary Perfusion
In patients with long COVID, researchers found that the most significant change was a decrease in blood flow in the smallest blood vessels in the deeper layers of the retina. Researchers believe this decrease in circulation may reflect reduced blood flow in the brain, potentially leading to neurological symptoms.

“In oculomics—the field of study that examines the relationship between eye health and systemic diseases—we are understanding the power of the retina as a biomarker for disease, identifying early signs of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. It’s exciting to see how long COVID could fit into this framework,” said Dr. Gill. “Retinal imaging allows us to see the blood vessels that we cannot readily image elsewhere, so in this context, the eyes really are the ‘window to the soul.'”

“This finding bridges gaps between ophthalmology, neurology, and COVID-19, helping us better understand how inflammation affects different organs in the body,” said Manjot K. Gill, MD, senior author of the study and ophthalmology lead of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive COVID-19 Center. “The change in blood vessels in the deep part of the retina supports the hypothesis that long COVID affects similar blood vessels in other parts of the body, like the brain, which can potentially contribute to the symptoms of long COVID such as memory loss, brain fog and fatigue.”

Original Article
“Dr Betty Raman, from the University of Oxford and one of the lead investigators on the study, says it is clear that those living with long-COVID symptoms are more likely to have experienced some organ damage.”

The biggest impact was seen on the lungs, where MRI scans were 14 times more likely to show abnormalities. Scans were also three times more likely to show abnormalities in the brain, and twice as likely in the kidneys, among people who had severe COVID.

The article Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study was published September 22, 2023 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

After hospitalisation for COVID-19, people are at risk of multiorgan abnormalities in the medium term. Our findings emphasise the need for proactive multidisciplinary care pathways, with the potential for imaging to guide surveillance frequency and therapeutic stratification.

ABOUT LONG-COVID
Long-standing multiorgan impairment following SARS-CoV-2 infection has been a major concern for individuals recovering from severe disease and is thought to be caused by a multitude of factors, including direct viral cytotoxicity, chronic inflammation, ischaemic injury, acute reactivation of other viruses, metabolic derangements, and acute treatment effects (especially invasive ventilation). Numerous reports of delayed organ complications such as myocarditis, stroke, and pulmonary emboli have led to speculations that the multiorgan dysfunction caused by COVID-19 might be responsible for impaired recovery and ongoing symptoms in individuals, a condition referred to as long COVID.

COVID-19 Chronic Conditions

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderCOVID: Insulin Reduction, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Stroke

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by Daniel Brouse
March 11, 2023

COVID=19

Post-COVID patients are at an increased risk of developing or exacerbating diabetes.

In addition, the American Heart Association (AHA) states that diabetes often lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels and raises triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Both blood sugar and cholesterol increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Coronavirus Transforms Pancreas Cell Function
When COVID infects cells, it impairs cell activity and can also change their function. When insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas become infected with the virus, they produce much less insulin than usual, and also start to produce glucose and digestive enzymes. “We call this a change of cell fate,” said study leader Dr. Shuibing Chen, who described the work in a presentation at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

It is not clear whether the changes are long-lasting, or if they might be reversible (though individuals have been impacted more than 3-years after infection), the researchers reported in Cell Metabolism in August 2021, SARS-CoV-2 infection induces beta cell transdifferentiation. “Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunostaining from ex vivo infections confirmed that multiple types of pancreatic islet cells were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, eliciting a cellular stress response and the induction of chemokines. Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, beta cells showed a lower expression of insulin and a higher expression of alpha and acinar cell markers, including glucagon and trypsin1, respectively, suggesting cellular transdifferentiation. Trajectory analysis indicated that SARS-CoV-2 induced eIF2-pathway-mediated beta cell transdifferentiation, a phenotype that could be reversed with trans-integrated stress response inhibitor (trans-ISRIB). Altogether, this study demonstrates an example of SARS-CoV-2 infection causing cell fate change, which provides further insight into the pathomechanisms of COVID-19.”

Diabetes Risk Rises After COVID
A March 2022 study published in the Journal Nature found, “Even mild SARS-CoV-2 infections can amplify a person’s chance of developing diabetes, especially for those already susceptible to the disease. People who get COVID-19 have a greater risk of developing diabetes up to a year later, even after a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared with those who never had the disease.”

A study published in February of 2022 in JAMA, Diabetes After COVID-19 Infection, found COVID-19 Omicron infection is linked to new-onset diabetes. COVID-19 Omicron survivors may be at a greater than 60% risk of new-onset type 1 or 2 diabetes (a potential precursor of heart attack and stroke.)

A Cedars-Sinai news release said that data trends and patterns suggest that COVID-19 may act as a disease accelerator, amplifying the risk of an illness that may have come later in life. “So, it could be that instead of being diagnosed with diabetes by age 65, a person with preexisting risk for diabetes might—after a COVID-19 infection—be more likely to develop diabetes by age 45 or 55.”

The Pennsylvania State University meta-analysis Association of COVID‑19 with Diabetes included eight studies on new-onset type 1 or 2 diabetes in COVID-19 survivors published from December 2019 to October 2022. COVID-19 was tied to a 66% higher risk of new-onset diabetes regardless of age or sex. “Given the extraordinary number of COVID-19 survivors globally, the modest increase in diabetes risk could correspond to a drastic rise in the number of people diagnosed with the disease worldwide,” the authors wrote.

Cholesterol Levels
The study Risks and burdens of incident dyslipidaemia in long COVID found people with a prior COVID infection had a 24% increased risk for high cholesterol levels.

“These are people who never had cholesterol problems before,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, an author of the study and a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis. “Now, all of a sudden, they started having problems weeks and months after Covid-19.”

In June of 2023, the study Incidence of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic was published in the Journal Nature and found COVID is linked to surge in child and teen diabetes.

Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
The Centers for Disease Control says, “High blood cholesterol is a major modifiable risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. A 10% decrease in total blood cholesterol levels can reduce the incidence of heart disease by as much as 30%,” and “Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. People with diabetes are also more likely to have other conditions that raise the risk for heart disease.”

COVID: Hypertension, Heart-disease Risk Soars

Long COVID Update: Living With It

COVID in Your Genes

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

bookmark_borderLong COVID Update: 3 Years of Living With It

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by Daniel Brouse
March 7, 2023

COVID=19

In February of 2020, I contracted SARS-CoV-2. By May of 2020, I recognized a pattern of recurring symptoms including: difficulty breathing, congestion, cough, stomach aches, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell, temperature deregulation, night sweats, nightmares, vivid dreams, dizziness, brain fog, headaches, muscle aches, earaches, and peripheral neuropathy.

Over the next year, I was able to treat most of these symptoms with nicotinic acid; however, reducing the niacin dosage yielded increased symptoms. It was only after becoming fully vaccinated in 2021 (post-infection vaccination) that I appear to have been cured of most of the above symptoms. Approximately ninety days after my second dose of the COVID vaccine I was able to reduce my niacin dosage with no ill side effects.

The problem with long COVID is many aspects of the condition(s) do not readily present themselves. In my case, COVID appears to have permanently:
1) increased hypertension
2) increased blood sugar
3) increased cholesterol

If you have had COVID, I highly recommend a medical physical and complete blood work. Though only 10% of people “present with symptoms”, it appears COVID will impact 99% of survivors in the long-term.

With vaccination, medication, and diet, I have been able to control all of my known conditions.

I’m coming to the conclusion that there are 2 main things going on: 1) persistent virus 2) epigenetic changes

1) SARS-CoV-2 can live in organs for an indefinite period of time. Even after testing negative for weeks, the virus can be active in the brain, heart, blood, etc.

2) There appear to be dozens of epigenetic modifications.  The changes are not uniform across the population due mainly to preexisting conditions and/or predispositions (eg family history).

In my case, it is likely I had both conditions.  The persistent COVID-19 was causing most of my readily apparent symptoms.  The niacin helped treat the NAD+ deficiency but did not help clear the virus. It was only after I was fully vaccinated that I was able to clear the virus.

On the other hand, the epigenetic changes appear to be of a permanent nature.  My genes are now programmed for increased hypertension, blood sugars, and cholesterol. Unfortunately, it is quite likely I have other undetected epigenetic modifications. I am looking to my family history and being extra diligent on cancer and other health screenings.

The BBC has produced a documentary entitled The long haul of long Covid that talks about COVID induced: cognitive impairment, fatigue, lactic acid, metabolic dysfunction, micro clots, hypertension, blood sugar, diabetes, asthma, allergies, overactive immune system, muscle and joint pain, arthritis, migraines, shortness of breath, and other chronic problems.

Three years after the official declaration of a pandemic, 65 million people – one in 10 who had Covid-19 – still have symptoms. Some are so ill they are yet to return to work.

The Economist’s health editor, Natasha Loder, examines the science behind long Covid and hears about the challenges as researchers try to unravel the cause behind a condition associated with around 200 symptoms.

Natasha gains insights about the disease from Dr Walter Koroshetz, co-director of the long Covid Recover study in the United States, pulmonologist Dr Lancelot Pinto in Mumbai, India, and long Covid expert Dr Waasila Jassat in Johannesburg, South Africa.

She also meets Dr Emma Wall at London’s Francis Crick Institute to hear about the UK’s long Covid drug trial and Dr Maria Teresa Ferretti, from the Women’s Brain Project, discusses why women are twice as likely to get long Covid than men.

Some Known COVID Chronic Conditions

* Persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA in multiple organs and throughout the brain
* Destruction of Good Gut Bacteria Resulting in a Compromised Immune System
* Epigenetic Modifications (Changes to DNA)
* Change in Cell Fate
* Tryptophan Deficiency
* Dysfunctional Kynurenine Pathway
* Neurological Damage
* New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
* Exertional Intolerance, Oxygen Extraction, Reduced Exercise Capacity
* Down Regulating NAD+
* Up Regulating IDO
* Rogue Antibodies
* Insulin Reduction, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Stroke
* Increased Risk of Cancer
* Blood Clots
* Hypertension, Vascular Disorders, Myocarditis and Heart Disease
* Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
* Dysregulation of the innate immune system, i.e. “cytokine storm”

MORE ON COVID: COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Novel Coronavirus

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COVID-19: Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases

COVID-19 Compromises Your Immune System (Immunocompromised)

COVID-19: reinfection increases risks of death, hospitalization and damage to multiple organs

COVID-19: Aging Accelerant

Long-COVID: 4 Out of 5 Experiencing Limitations in Daily Activities

Long-COVID: What We Know About Long Haulers Syndrome

bookmark_borderCOVID: Hypertension, Heart-disease Risk Soars

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by Daniel Brouse

There have been many documented cases of Sars-Cov-2 causing heart problems including Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart.) Johns Hopkins Medicine says, “Coronavirus infection also affects the inner surfaces of veins and arteries, which can cause blood vessel inflammation, damage to very small vessels and blood clots, all of which can compromise blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body.”

Long term studies have now shown a significant long term risk of heart disease. In the Nature article, Heart-disease risk soars after COVID — even with a mild case, the authors report:

Massive study shows a long-term, substantial rise in risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

What’s more, the risk was elevated even for those who were under 65 years of age and lacked risk factors, such as obesity or diabetes.
“It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, it doesn’t matter if you smoked, or you didn’t,” says study co-author Ziyad Al-Aly at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the chief of research and development for the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis Health Care System. “The risk was there.”

“I am actually surprised by these findings that cardiovascular complications of COVID can last so long,” Hossein Ardehali, a cardiologist at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

Data from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai found that deaths from heart attacks rose significantly during pandemic surges. “The dramatic rise in heart attacks during the pandemic has reversed what was a prior decades-long steady improvement in cardiac deaths,” said Yee Hui Yeo, MD, first author of the study. “We are still learning the many ways by which COVID-19 affects the body, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or race.”

Post-COVID individuals should be on the lookout for heart related issues. Studies have shown an increase risk of hypertension. The study Does COVID-19 Cause Hypertension? concluded, “These findings suggest that COVID-19 increases systolic and diastolic BP and may cause new onset hypertension.”

The Journal Nature published the study Long COVID and hypertension-related disorders. “As a sequel to our previous report in 2020 which reviewed the association of COVID-19 and hypertension, we summarize the possible influences of long COVID on hypertension-related organs, including the cardiovascular system, kidney, and endocrine system, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the disorders.” The study concludes, “Evidence suggests that long COVID affects the clinical course of hypertension-related disorders, such as CVD, kidney diseases, and endocrine diseases. Studies thus far also indicate that long COVID has greater impacts on older population and women.”

A niacin supplement (nicotinic acid) is recommended to help reduce the severity of long term complications.

ALSO SEE: COVID: Long COVID Update: Living With It

Insulin Reduction, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Stroke
COVID, Long-COVID, and Blood Clots

MORE Scientific Research on COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2

bookmark_borderCOVID-19: Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases

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by Daniel Brouse

Not only is COVID-19 known to cause immune system disorders, post-COVID also increases the risk of autoimmune disease.

There are multiple ways COVID has been shown to weaken the immune system (Immunocompromised) including: Destruction of Good Gut Bacteria Resulting in a Compromised Immune System, Dysfunctional Kynurenine Pathway, Down Regulating NAD+, Up Regulating IDO, Rogue Antibodies, Exacerbates Underlying Conditions, and Post–COVID-19 Associated with Immune Cell Infiltration and Altered Gene Expression.

Autoimmunity does not mean the same thing as immunocompromised.   When you are immunocompromised, your immune system is under-performing.  If you are immunocompromised, you have a weakened immune system with a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. Autoimmune diseases are usually associated with an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy cells.  COVID can cause both immunocompromised conditions and autoimmunity diseases. “COVID-19 itself shares some similarities with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, which could be a challenge for diagnostics.”

The matched cohort study Incident autoimmune diseases in association with a SARS-CoV-2 infection found:
Incident autoimmune diseases in association with a SARS-CoV-2 infection
“We found a 42.63% higher likelihood of acquiring autoimmunity for patients who had suffered from COVID-19.”

Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset autoimmune diseases after the acute phase of infection.

A study published in the journal Lancet Risk of autoimmune diseases in patients with COVID-19 found:

“After matching, the COVID-19 cohort exhibited significantly higher risks of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatopolymyositis, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, Behçet’s disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, vasculitis, psoriasi, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus and mortality.”

The study, titled “Iron Dysregulation and Inflammatory Stress Erythropoiesis Associated with Long-Term Outcome of COVID-19,” reveals that Long-COVID is linked to elevated levels of C-reactive protein and prolonged elevation of cytokines compared to healthy controls. Iron dysregulation is a common occurrence after infections, as the body swiftly moves iron out of the bloodstream to prevent it from becoming a potential breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The study suggests that defects in iron homeostasis, dysregulated erythropoiesis, and immune dysfunction resulting from COVID-19 may contribute to inefficient oxygen transport, inflammatory imbalances, and persistent symptoms. The information on autoimmune diseases emphasizes that an excessive release of cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in immune responses, can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response. This heightened inflammation has the potential to damage tissues and contribute to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

The study: Iron dysregulation and inflammatory stress erythropoiesis associates with long-term outcome of COVID-19

Also see: COVID-19 Compromises Your Immune System (Immunocompromised)

COVID-19 Index

bookmark_borderCOVID-19 Compromises Your Immune System (Immunocompromised)

Posted on by admin

By Daniel Brouse

SARS-CoV-2 and the results of COVID-19 cause long-term immune system dysfunction. That is to say COVID results in a compromised immune system.

* SARS-CoV-2 infection weakens immune-cell response
The magnitude and quality of a key immune cell’s response to vaccination with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were considerably lower in people with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to people without prior infection, a study has found. In addition, the level of this key immune cell that targets the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was substantially lower in unvaccinated people with COVID-19 than in vaccinated people who had never been infected. Importantly, people who recover from SARS-CoV-2 infection and then get vaccinated are more protected than people who are unvaccinated. These findings suggest that the virus damages an important immune-cell response.

* Destruction of Good Gut Bacteria Resulting in a Compromised Immune System
Gut microbiome composition was significantly altered in patients with COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 individuals.

* Dysfunctional Kynurenine Pathway
“Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses identified altered tryptophan metabolism into the kynurenine pathway, which regulates inflammation and immunity.”

* Down Regulating NAD+
“NAD regulates the inflammatory response in immune and non-immune cells through Sirtuins. Epigenetic regulation of histones and non-histone proteins is induced by sirtuins and is essential for the development, reprogramming, and differentiation of the immune system and its related pathologies. A deregulation of the NAD+ levels has been associated with metabolic diseases and aging-related diseases, including neurodegeneration, defective immune responses, and cancer.”

* Up Regulating IDO
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immune checkpoint molecule in the sense that it is an immunomodulatory enzyme produced by alternatively activated macrophages and other immunoregulatory cells. IDO is known to suppress T and NK cells, generate Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and also supports angiogenesis.

* Rogue Antibodies
Autoantibodies are antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack a person’s own healthy tissues and organs. SARS-CoV-2 infection, is associated with many different clinical features that are commonly found in autoimmune diseases, including arthralgias, myalgias, fatigue, sicca, and rashes.

* Dysregulation of the innate immune system, i.e. “cytokine storm”
It is important to note that the severity of disease in humans is not determined only by virus replication but also by the host immune response to the infection, which may lead to dysregulation of the innate immune system, i.e. “cytokine storm” (Omicron SARS-CoV-2 can infect faster and better)

* Reinfection Greater Risks & Exacerbates Underlying Conditions
The evidence shows that reinfection further increases risks of death, hospitalization and damage to multiple organ systems. COVID exacerbates underlying conditions including pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematological, diabetes, gastrointestinal, kidney, mental heal<th, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders

* Post–COVID-19 Associated with Immune Cell Infiltration and Altered Gene Expression
COVID causes long-term immune dysfunction. “These findings indicate that T cell–mediated inflammation persists in the olfactory epithelium long after SARS-CoV-2 has been eliminated from the tissue, suggesting a mechanism for long-term post–COVID-19 smell loss.”

* Elevated Cytokines and Low Iron
Defects in iron homeostasis, dysregulated erythropoiesis contribute to inefficient oxygen transport, inflammatory imbalances, and persistent symptoms. The information on autoimmune diseases emphasizes that an excessive release of cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in immune responses, can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response. This heightened inflammation has the potential to damage tissues and contribute to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

Also see: COVID-19: Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases

COVID-19 Index