mediated anti-inflammatory cytokine profile . 32 Vitamin E is an antioxidant42 and optimises and enhances the immune system . 33 Vitamin K contributes to blood health and bone homeostasis . It is essential for coagulation 52 and improves cardiometabolic health . 53 Coenzyme Q10 is involved in mitochondrial energetics , 54 , 55 antioxidant action , 54-57 reducing inflammation , 57 improving vasodilation , 56 and improving exercise capacity . 58 Omega-3 is involved in cell membrane structure , cell signalling and coagulation , and has anti-inflammatory
20 , 59-63 properties .
Minerals Calcium plays a central role in various essential functions 64 and affects nearly every aspect of cellular life . 65 Calcium is involved in cell signalling , 66 signal transduction , 67 enzyme regulation , 67
66 , 67 regulation of muscle contraction , mineralisation of bone , 64 and blood clotting . 67 Chromium is involved in
68 , 69 the metabolism of carbohydrates , glucose , 70 , 71 lipids , 68 , 69 , 71 protein , 68 and insulin . 71 Iodine has potential benefits in people with long-COVID . Iodine is involved in metabolic regulation , 72-75
73 , 74 , 76
production of thyroid hormones ( tetraiodothyronine [ T4 ] and triiodothyronine [ T3 ]), 77 thyroid hormone regulation , 41 neural differentiation , 72 motor function , 78 mental development , 72 and cognitive function . 78 Magnesium is a multipurpose mineral involved in the synthesis of ATP , DNA , and RNA , 42 mitochondrial health , 79 metabolic functions , 80 energy metabolism , 80-82 neurotransmission , 79 heart rhythm , 79 and immune system health . 79 Manganese is an antioxidant 73 , 83 , 84 and is involved in immune function , 84 development , reproduction , bone growth , regulation of blood glucose , blood coagulation and haemostasis , energy metabolism , 84 and in the metabolism of proteins , lipids , and carbohydrates . 83 Selenium is an antioxidant . 42 , 85 Selenium is functionally essential for the immune system , 85 particularly for the Th1 cytokine-mediated immune response . 32 Zinc is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrient . 42 Zinc for immune system health , the metabolism of RNA and DNA , gene expression , and signal transduction . 42 It supports a Th1 cytokine-mediated immune response . 32 Zinc deficiency is linked with decreased immunity . 86
Amino acid N-acetylcysteine ( NAC ) is an amino acid that has potential in managing post-viral syndrome . NAC has numerous properties , including antioxidant , 87-89 anti-inflammatory , 87 detoxifying , 89 and mucolytic actions . 89 NAC decreases oxidative stress . 89 NAC is one of the precursors of glutathione , which is an important antioxidant . 88 , 89 It also improves
89 , 90 lipid profile .
Herbal medicines Herbal medicines have been utilised worldwide for thousands of years and play a significant role in restoring health . 91-95 In vitamedicine , herbal medicines are used to support the healing process and promote optimum health . Herbal medicine formulas are personalised and individualised .
Andrographis has antiviral , 96 antibacterial , 97 96 , 97
anti-inflammatory , antithrombotic , 96 and antiplatelet properties . 96 , 98 Andrographis can be used for the prevention and treatment of the common cold . 96 , 98 Ashwagandha is a multipurpose herb . Some of the functions and uses of Ashwagandha include adaptogen , adapting the body to stress , 99 reducing stress , 99 anxiety , 100 neuroprotective actions , 99 improving memory , 101 cognition , 101 attention , 101 endurance and stamina , 102 and cardiorespiratory endurance and stamina . 102 Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory 99 and antioxidant properties , 103 Brahmi is useful for the reduction of anxiety , 100 , 104 , 105 as a nervine ( with anti-stress effects ), 104 as a neural tonic , 106 and for memory-enhancing effects , 104 , 105 recall , 107 enhanced cognitive performance 104 , 107 , 108 and anti-inflammatory 104 and antioxidant 106 effects . Echinacea has antimicrobial , 109-111 immunomodulatory , 109 , 110 and antiinflammatory 109 , 111 properties . Garlic has immunomodulatory , 112 112 , 113 antimicrobial , antibacterial 113 112 , 113 and antiparasitic properties .
100 , 114-116
Passionflower is an anxiolytic , analgesic , 117 anti-spasmodic , 117 and sedative . 114 , 117 , 118 Passionflower is used to reduce anxiety , 100 , 115 , 116 , 118 nervousness , 118 irritability , 118 insomnia , 117 , 118 117 , 118
neuralgia , Rhodiola is an adaptogen with anti-stress , antidepressant , 119-121 anti-inflammatory , and antioxidant properties . 122 Saffron has antioxidant , anti-inflammatory 123-125 learning and memory enhancing , 124 neuroendocrine , and neuroprotective effects . 123
Mindfulness and meditation Viral infections affect the central nervous system 12 affecting both physical 11 and mental health . 11 , 12 The practice of mindfulness can effectively reduce stress , 126 , 127 anxiety , 126 , 127 depression , 126-129 relapse of depression , 127 emotional distress , 127 post-traumatic stress disorder , 129 chronic pain , 127 and improve quality of life . 127 , 128 Meditation has a wide range of applications , 130 including reducing stress , 126 , 131 , 132 126 , 131
anxiety , depression 126 , 128 , 129 , 131 pain , chronic pain , fibromyalgia , migraine , 131 heart rate variability , 133 and post-traumatic stress disorder . 129 Meditation has been found to improve mood , 131 131 , 132
cognition , attention , 132 , 133 creativity , 133 selfawareness , 132 present-moment awareness , 132
128 , 131 and quality of life .
Conclusion
Long-COVID is a complex long-term condition . Vitamedicine is a personalised person-centred holistic system of health care . Vitamedicine looks at the whole person , physically , mentally , emotionally , socially , and environmentally , and focuses on the individual needs of the person . Using a Viatmedicine approach , individual diet , nutritional , herbal , and lifestyle medicines can be utilised for the management of long-COVID .
REFERENCES For a full list of references please visit : https :// www . atms . com . au / wpcontent / uploads / 2022 / 08 / Article-3- McEwen-Vitamedicine-and-Postviral- Syndrome-REFERENCES . pdf
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