Mitochondrial Dysfunction -
Fueling Long COVID Symptoms
Long COVID, for those experiencing it, it’s a life-changing struggle that can affect daily life months—even years—after the initial infection. One of the most intriguing and important pieces of the long COVID puzzle lies in how the virus messes with the mitochondria, the "power plants" of our cells, which keep everything running by producing energy. So, how does SARS-CoV-2 disrupt our mitochondria, and why does it matter so much for long COVID?
Mitochondria: Your Cells' Energy Source
Think of mitochondria as the cells' energy generators. They produce the energy molecule ATP that powers everything from muscle movement to thinking. But mitochondria aren’t just energy producers—they also play a key role in immune response, managing oxidative stress (those harmful free radicals), and even controlling inflammation. So when mitochondria are thrown off balance, it’s not just about feeling a little tired; it impacts the whole body.
SARS-CoV-2 Negatively Impacts Mitochondria
SARS-CoV-2 has developed some sophisticated ways to invade our cells, and unfortunately, that includes disrupting the mitochondria. The virus hijacks the cell’s machinery to make copies of itself, but in the process, it interferes with mitochondrial function in some pretty damaging ways:
Inflammation Overdrive: The virus messes with mitochondrial function, leading them to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause inflammation. Normally, a bit of inflammation helps the immune system, but too much, and it’s like the immune system is in overdrive—leading to fatigue, brain fog, and pain.
Immune System Confusion: When the virus disrupts mitochondria, it affects the immune system's ability to clear the infection properly. Mitochondria are involved in signaling the immune system, so when they’re compromised, the immune response can become overactive, attacking the body’s own tissues and leading to prolonged symptoms.
Energy Deficit: With dysfunctional mitochondria, cells struggle to produce ATP. For long COVID sufferers, this can feel like a constant sense of fatigue that doesn't go away with rest, and gets much worse after exercise.
How Mitochondrial Dysfunction Shows Up in Long COVID Symptoms
For people with long COVID, mitochondrial dysfunction can manifest in several common symptoms:
1. Chronic Fatigue: With ATP production hampered, cells can't make the energy they need. This leads to profound, persistent fatigue that often doesn’t respond to rest.
2. Brain Fog: The brain is an energy-hungry organ, and when its cells don't get enough ATP, cognitive functions suffer. This can mean trouble with memory, focus, and mental clarity. Following a COVID-19 infection, people have experienced “episodic” memory loss, where they forget about specific moments in time, or conversations they had, even if they happened in the same day. Taking 3-5 grams of creatine/day can help!
3. Pain and Muscle Weakness: Mitochondrial dysfunction can cause increased ROS, which leads to inflammation. This inflammation can cause body-wide muscle aches, joint pain, and general weakness.
4. Breathing Problems: Cells in the lungs are also impacted by mitochondrial dysfunction, making it harder to manage oxygen and carbon dioxide levels efficiently. This contributes to shortness of breath, even with mild activity.
Why Is This Important?
Understanding the role of mitochondria in long-COVID opens up potential avenues for treatment. Strategies that we utilize in our clinic to support mitochondrial health include:
Chinese Herbal Medicine:
Chinese herbal medicine is a sophisticated and personalized approach to health that goes far beyond standard remedies. Carefully crafted herbal combinations work in harmony to enhance mitochondrial function, strengthen a weakened immune system, and reduce inflammation. These formulas can be tailored to focus on specific organs, like the lungs, liver, or kidneys. For issues like neuroinflammation and brain fog, there are specialized herbs that target and support the central nervous system directly. This unique approach allows for truly individualized care, addressing each person’s specific needs for optimal health.
Red Light Therapy:
Red light therapy, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), is increasingly recognized for its potential to support mitochondrial health. By exposing the body to specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, this therapy helps mitochondria produce more energy, reduces oxidative stress, and promotes cellular repair. Here’s how it works:
Increased ATP Production: Red light therapy targets a specific enzyme in the mitochondria called cytochrome c oxidase. When light is absorbed by this enzyme, it enhances the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the cell's main energy molecule. This is particularly valuable in cases of mitochondrial dysfunction, where ATP production is often reduced.
Reduction of Oxidative Stress: Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause cellular damage and inflammation. Red light therapy can reduce this oxidative stress by optimizing mitochondrial function and promoting cellular balance, lowering inflammation in the process.
Enhanced Cellular Repair and Healing: By boosting mitochondrial function, red light therapy also supports cellular repair processes. This can be especially helpful for tissues that need regeneration, such as muscles, nerves, and skin cells, and has been found to promote recovery in conditions involving chronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation.
Red light therapy devices can also be purchased for home use, for people wanting more consistent treatment. The FlexBeam is an easy to use affordable device that can be purchased here.
Liposomal Vitamin C
Liposomal Vitamin C is a powerful form of vitamin C that’s encased in tiny fat particles
(liposomes) to enhance absorption and delivery to cells. This delivery method is especially beneficial for people with mitochondrial dysfunction and adrenal fatigue following a COVID infection. Here’s how it works:
1. Enhanced Mitochondrial Support
Antioxidant Protection: Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, and in liposomal form, it can reach cells more effectively. This is crucial for mitochondria, which are highly susceptible to damage from oxidative stress—a common issue in post-COVID symptoms. By neutralizing free radicals, liposomal vitamin C helps protect mitochondria from further damage and promotes healthier function.
2. Adrenal Support and Immune Recovery
Adrenal Health and Cortisol Regulation: The adrenal glands are among the body’s highest consumers of vitamin C, using it to produce cortisol—the hormone responsible for managing stress and inflammation. After a COVID infection, adrenal glands can be overworked due to chronic stress and immune system demands, leading to adrenal fatigue. Liposomal vitamin C can help replenish vitamin C levels, supporting the adrenal glands’ cortisol production and helping to restore balance.
Immune Modulation: Vitamin C plays a vital role in modulating immune responses. After COVID, the immune system can remain in a heightened state of inflammation, contributing to ongoing symptoms like brain fog and fatigue. Liposomal vitamin C not only supports immune cells in managing infection but also helps prevent the immune system from overreacting, reducing inflammation.
Why Liposomal Delivery is Key
The liposomal form of vitamin C allows it to enter cells more efficiently. This is especially valuable in post-COVID recovery, where nutrient absorption might be compromised. By delivering a higher dose of vitamin C directly to cells, liposomal vitamin C provides faster, more effective support to mitochondria and the adrenal glands. We carry Apex Energetics Liposomal Vitamin C.
CoQ10
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is a powerful antioxidant and essential component of the mitochondria's energy production process. Located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, CoQ10 helps facilitate ATP production by transferring electrons in the electron transport chain, the main process that generates cellular energy. Additionally, CoQ10 protects mitochondria from damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that can impair mitochondrial function. This dual role of boosting energy production and preventing cellular damage makes CoQ10 a vital nutrient for supporting mitochondrial health, especially in conditions where energy production is compromised.
The heart is one of the body’s most energy-demanding organs, constantly pumping blood and requiring a steady supply of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to function efficiently. CoQ10, found in high concentrations in heart muscle cells, helping generate the ATP needed for sustained heart function. Additionally, CoQ10’s antioxidant properties protect the heart from oxidative stress and free radical damage, which are linked to cardiovascular issues like atherosclerosis and heart failure. Low levels of CoQ10 are often associated with heart conditions, and supplementation can help support energy levels, improve heart function, and reduce oxidative damage, making it an essential nutrient for maintaining a strong, healthy heart.
SARS-CoV-2’s impact on mitochondria offers a powerful lens to understand long COVID and its symptoms. These cellular powerhouses are critical for maintaining the body's energy and immune balance, so when they’re disrupted, it has a ripple effect across the body. While the research is still emerging, one thing is clear: helping our mitochondria recover from this viral disruption could be key to addressing long COVID and giving people their lives back.
At Healing Response Acupuncture & Functional Neurology we help people suffering from Long-COVID. Call us now at 651-323-0005 or book your free 15-minute consultation online .
References
Ostojic, J., Kozic, D., Ostojic, S., Ilic, A. D. J., Galic, V., Matijasevic, J., . . . Boban, J. (2024). Decreased Cerebral Creatine and N-Acetyl Aspartate Concentrations after Severe COVID-19 Infection: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(14). doi:10.3390/jcm13144128
Molnar, T., Lehoczki, A., Fekete, M., Varnai, R., Zavori, L., Erdo-Bonyar, S., . . . Ezer, E. (2024). Mitochondrial dysfunction in long COVID: mechanisms, consequences, and potential therapeutic approaches. Geroscience, 46(5), 5267-5286. doi:10.1007/s11357-024-01165-5
Dirajlal-Fargo, S., Maison, D. P., Durieux, J. C., Andrukhiv, A., Funderburg, N., Ailstock, K., . . . McComsey, G. A. (2024). Altered mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mitochondrion, 75, 101849. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2024.101849
Stefano, G. B., Ptacek, R., Ptackova, H., Martin, A., & Kream, R. M. (2021). Selective Neuronal Mitochondrial Targeting in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Affects Cognitive Processes to Induce 'Brain Fog' and Results in Behavioral Changes that Favor Viral Survival. Med Sci Monit, 27, e930886. doi:10.12659/MSM.930886