Wellness Minneapolis
  • Home
  • Appointments
  • Dr. Barrett
    • About Dr. Barrett
    • Mentoring
    • Dr. Barrett's Blog
  • Dr. Aidanne
  • Jesse Haas, CNS, LN
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Recipe Box
    • Trusted Resources
    • Book List
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs >
      • Charm FAQ
  • Contact
  • Shop

Mitochondria and COVID-19

2/21/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels
Mitochondrial health has been implicated as a potential contributor to the symptoms of long COVID. 

Mitochondria are tiny organelles found within cells that play a critical role in human health. They are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell because they generate most of the cell's energy. This energy is essential for many cellular processes: the regulation of the immune system, the regulation of inflammation, and the maintenance of healthy tissues and organs. Additionally, mitochondria play a role in programmed cell death (apoptosis), which is necessary for removing damaged or abnormal cells. Overall, maintaining the health and function of mitochondria is important for maintaining overall health and preventing disease. Dysfunction in mitochondrial health has been linked to several diseases including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. Mitochondria also play a crucial role in the functioning of our immune system. 

The mechanisms by which mitochondrial health may contribute to long COVID are still being explored. 

SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19 effects mitochondrial functions. These manipulations of our mitochondria can release mitochondrial DNA into the cytoplasm of a cell which activates something called the inflammasome and suppresses both our innate and adaptive immunity.1 In a nutshell, it appears that SARS-CoV-2 uses our own mitochondrial for it’s benefit leaving behind inflammation and a suppressed immune response. 

Reactivated viruses including Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV-6) have been found in patients with long COVID. EBV and HHV-6 can lead to mitochondrial fragmentation which impacts our ability to produce energy.2 This might explain the potential symptom of exercise intolerance in long COVID patient. 

Mitochondrial health is just one of many factors likely contributing to long COVID symptoms. 

We can support mitochondrial health in a variety of ways:
  1. Eating a healthy diet: a diet rich in nutrients including antioxidants, B vitamins, and Coenzyme Q10, can support mitochondrial health.
  2. Regular exercise: physical activity has been shown to increase the number of mitochondria in cells and improve their function.
  3. Getting enough sleep: Sleep is important for overall health and has been shown to have a positive impact on mitochondrial function.
  4. Avoiding toxins: Exposure to toxins, including alcohol, drugs, and environmental pollutants, can damage mitochondria and reduce their function.
  5. Taking supplements: Some supplements including antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin C, E, and alpha-lipoic acid) and Coenzyme Q10, may support mitochondrial health. However, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
  6. Managing stress: Chronic stress can contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction. Managing stress through practices such as meditation, yoga, or exercise can help support mitochondrial health.

Exercise is important not just because it increases the number of mitochondria but also because of myokine production. Myokines are signaling molecules that are produced by muscle cells and play a role in regulating various biological processes in the body. They are released during physical activity and can act locally on muscle cells or travel to other tissues in the body to influence metabolic, immune, and endocrine function. The mitochondria signal to each other using myokines.3 When patients are too fatigued for cardiovascular exercise I often recommend very gentle strength training to encourage muscle growth and increase the number of myokines being produced. 


References:
  1. Singh , K.K., Chaubey , G., Chen , J.Y., and Suravajhala , P. (2020). Decoding SARS-CoV-2 hijacking of host mitochondria in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 319, C258–C267. 
  2. Davis HE, McCorkell L, Vogel JM, Topol EJ. Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2023 Mar;21(3):133-146. doi: 10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2. Epub 2023 Jan 13. PMID: 36639608; PMCID: PMC9839201.
  3.  Nunn AVW, Guy GW, Botchway SW, Bell JD. SARS-CoV-2 and EBV; the cost of a second mitochondrial "whammy"? Immun Ageing. 2021 Oct 30;18(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12979-021-00252-x. PMID: 34717676; PMCID: PMC8556816.



0 Comments

Long Covid and the Epstein-Barr Virus

2/8/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels
​Long COVID or Post COVID Conditions (PCC) can include a wide range of ongoing health concerns after a COVID infection that can last for months or even years. 

General symptoms include:
  • Fatigue that interferes with daily life
  • Symptoms that are worse after physical or mental activity
  • Brain fog
  • Sleep difficulty
  • Gastrointestinal complaints
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Headaches
  • Fever
  • Skin rashes

These symptoms are similar to ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and other chronic illnesses that can occur after infections (1). 

Having lasting symptoms after an infection isn’t new. In naturopathic medicine when we treat patients who have prolonged fatigue, joint pain and brain fog we test for Epstein-Barr virus reactivation as one of the potential causes.  

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is part of the herpes family of viruses and is the main virus behind a mononucleosis infection. EBV is very prevalent because it’s easily spread via saliva and estimates are that 90% of the world’s population is infected with this virus. Once we have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus it lives in our bodies indefinitely. EBV lives in human hosts between two distinctive phases called the lytic phase and latent phase. The lytic phase is the active phase of the virus when it’s causing infection. The latent phase is a truce between our immune system and the virus during which time only a small number of viral genes are expressed. EBV reactivates to the lytic phase when we are under psychological stress that weakens our immune system and reactivation has been shown to occur in individuals experiencing certain cancers, autoimmune diseases and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) (2). 

Reactivation of EBV has been linked to symptoms of long COVID. (3)

Research has found that 82% of patients critically ill with SARS-Cov-2 infections developed a reactivation of EBV. (4) One research study in 2021 randomly selected COVID-19 patients and analyzed their blood. They found that a very high proportion of patients that went on to develop long COVID symptoms tested positive for EBV reactivation. The patients with COVID-19 that did not develop long COVID symptoms had a very low percentage of EBV reactivation. (5) One factor in long COVID may be that EBV reactivates. 

Interestingly the symptoms of EBV reactivation are very similar to the symptoms of long COVID and include: (6)
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Joint pain
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle pain
  • Headaches
  • Fever
  • Gastrointestinal complaints
  • Various skin rashes 

We can test for EBV reactivation with blood tests that include EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM, EBV early antigen (EA-D) IgG. The EBV VCA IgM is usually only detectable during the acute state of the primary infection (when you were first ill with EBV) and can show up again with a reactivation. (7)

As researchers continue to unravel the mystery around long COVID symptoms this provides us some clues for how to support patients struggling with long COVID. For years naturopathic doctors have supported patients with EBV reactivation so we have somewhere to start. 

One thing to keep in mind with EBV reactivation is that this virus thrives on the stress hormone cortisol. EBV contains stretches of DNA that sense glucocorticoid (cortisol) levels. When levels are higher EBV reactivates. Stress management is a major player in our treatment plans. 

Stay tuned for more on long COVID, EBV reactivation and ways to support your body. 



References: 
  1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html
  2. Kerr JR. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors. J Clin Pathol. 2019 Oct;72(10):651-658. doi: 10.1136/jclinpath-2019-205822. Epub 2019 Jul 17. PMID: 31315893.
  3. Chen, J., Song, J., Dai, L., Post, S. R., & Qin, Z. (2022). SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and lytic reactivation of herpesviruses: A potential threat in the postpandemic era? Journal of Medical Virology, 94(11), 5103-5111. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.27994 
  4. Simonnet A, Engelmann I, Moreau AS, Garcia B, Six S, El Kalioubie A, Robriquet L, Hober D, Jourdain M. High incidence of Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human-herpes virus-6 reactivations in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Infect Dis Now. 2021 May;51(3):296-299. doi: 10.1016/j.idnow.2021.01.005. Epub 2021 Jan 18. PMID: 33495765; PMCID: PMC7816954.
  5. Gold JE, Okyay RA, Licht WE, Hurley DJ. Investigation of Long COVID Prevalence and Its Relationship to Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation. Pathogens. 2021 Jun 17;10(6):763. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10060763. PMID: 34204243; PMCID: PMC8233978.
  6.  Straus S.E., Tosato G., Armstrong G., Lawley T., Preble O.T., Henle W., Davey R., Pearson G., Epstein J., Brus I., et al. Persisting illness and fatigue in adults with evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection. Ann. Intern. Med. 1985;102:7–16. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-102-1-7.
  7. Straus SE, Tosato G, Armstrong G, Lawley T, Preble OT, Henle W, Davey R, Pearson G, Epstein J, Brus I, et al. Persisting illness and fatigue in adults with evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection. Ann Intern Med. 1985 Jan;102(1):7-16. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-102-1-7. PMID: 2578268.
0 Comments
    Dr. Barrett, a white cis-female with brown curly hair, smiling. She wears dark, heavy glasses and a turquoise shirt with a black blazer.

    Dr. Barrett

    is a naturopathic doctor specializing in treating autoimmune disease, chronic ailments, hormone imbalance, and digestive concerns. This blog is an archive of her ongoing research in these areas.

    Categories

    All
    Autoimmune Disease
    Autoimmune Series
    Book Review
    Hashimoto's
    Hashimoto's Research Update
    Long COVID

    RSS Feed

Contact Us • Newsletter Signup
Phone: (612) 598-8627
Fax: (833) 792-0900
Find us on Instagram @wellnessmpls
Thank you to Emma Freeman and Lizzy Fasching for many of the photos on this site.
© Wellness Minneapolis | All rights reserved