Long Covid: Causes Speak for the Therapeutic Use of Antioxidants
By Claudia Vollbracht, DSc and Harald Herget, MD
Abstract
Hyperinflammation and oxidative stress play an important pathophysiological role not only in acute Covid-19 disease, but also in Long-Covid. In Covid-19 Vitamin C deficiency has been demonstrated and the benefit of supportive Vitamin C infusions has already been investigated. In Long-Covid excessive inflammation and reactive oxygen compounds are also co-triggers for fibrosis, thrombosis, immune dysregulation (autoimmune phenomena and viral persistence), fatigue, cognitive impairment and disturbances of the autonomic nervous system. The benefits of Vitamin C infusions – such as alleviation of fatigue, cognitive impairment and pain – have already been widely studied in other underlying diseases. Vitamin C is one of the most effective antioxidants, cofactor of relevant metabolic pathways and an important immunomodulator. The therapeutic use in Long-Covid is therefore very plausible and is confirmed by practical experience.