Post Covid, or is it?

After many days of quarantine, I was able to keep the virus contained to just me. My family supported me by leaving me alone for ten days, a weird existence for a mom of three.  

But being Covid-19 free doesn’t always mean symptom-free days ahead. Brain inflammation, an overactive immune system, and fatigue can persist long after being unable to detect Covid in a patient’s blood test. 

Amen Clinics recommends 7 lifestyle strategies to support your brain and body post-Covid-19:

1. Eat Healthy

 Be sure to eat a clean and healthy diet, with lots of fresh organic produce, lean protein, healthy fats (i.e., avocados and nuts), and low-glycemic carbs, such as sweet potatoes, legumes, and quinoa.

2. Abstain from Sugar, Processed and Fried Foods

Abstain from sugar as well as processed and fried foods because they increase inflammation, and after COVID-19, you definitely don’t need any more of that.

3. Avoid Alcohol

Avoid alcohol. It also promotes inflammation and can worsen fatigue, cognitive problems, and depressive symptoms.

4. Exercise and Move

Exercise and move, to the extent you can. Even if it’s just walking around your home or doing some yoga stretches, movement can still be helpful to your body, brain, and emotional stress.

5. Trouble Sleeping

If you’re having trouble sleeping, turn off your electronic devices at least 1 hour before bedtime, since the blue light emitted from them is stimulating to the brain. Try reading a book instead (paper, not from a device!).

6. Support Your Immune System

Support your immune system with an effective probiotic, vitamins D and C, as well as with certain types of mushrooms including shiitake, reishi, and lion’s mane. Mushroom powders are great mixed into coffee, smoothies, sauces, and soups.    

7. Brain Detox

Avoiding artificial sweeteners, dyes, and produce grown with pesticides

• Using household cleaners that have fewer chemicals. Try more natural alternatives.

• Switching to personal care products without harsh chemicals. Did you know lipstick often has lead in it? The crap in mainstream cosmetics is one of the theories of why Dementia and Alzheimer’s cases make up 2/3 of women!

• If you smoke, there’s no better time than right now to stop. Your brain and body will thank you for eliminating this harmful habit.

Also, consider getting an evaluation with a functional medicine physician, such as Dr. Mark Filidei, the Director of Integrative/Functional Medicine at Amen Clinics, who is treating patients with COVID long-haul symptoms. By utilizing the results from lab tests for inflammation and infection, cognitive assessments, and brain SPECT scans, Dr. Filidei creates personalized treatment plans to help patients regain their mental and physical health.