COVID - Carolina Total Wellness

October 6, 2023October 8, 2023

Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections

(Including Covid, Flu, RSV and the common cold)

The providers at Carolina Total Wellness recommend the following lifestyle and supplement supports to optimize immune function, decrease viral transmission, reduce viral activity and support the body’s immune response to common viral infections.

Lifestyle:

Focus on eating foods that are organic and rich in antioxidants. Try to eat 5 to 7 servings of vegetables and 2 to 3 servings of fruit every day. Limit intake of sugar and processed foods.

Drink filtered water, avoiding plastics as much as possible.

Limit intake of alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per week for women and 4 drinks per week for men.

Ensure adequate, quality sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours a night, focusing on good sleep hygiene.

Integrate mindfulness and stress lowering practices every day.

Improve ventilation and air flow and utilize high quality air filters indoors, including home and work.

Nasal Spray for Prevention and Acute Exposure to Airborne Viral Illness

Over the counter Covixyl is now available to help block airborne viruses from adhering to nasal membranes. This is best used for prevention or within 4 hours of any known/expected airborne viral exposure. Follow instructions on product.

Xlear + Biocidin LSF (mix 5 pumps of Biocidin LSF with Xlear nasal spray) This nasal spray is an herbal anti-microbial that helps to kill viruses in the nasal mucosa. This is best used within 1 to 2 days of any known/expected airborne viral exposure. Use 1 spray each nostril twice daily.

Prevention Supplement Options: (all supplements available in office or in online store)

Orthomune – 2 caps once daily or 1 capsule twice daily (contains vitamin C 600mg, NAC 600 mg, vitamin D 2500 IU, zinc 25mg and Quercitin 250 mg)
Melatonin – 3 to 6 mg daily (Long Acting Melatonin or Quick Dissolve Melatonin)

*** Orthomune and Melatonin are a great combination for viral prevention. If you prefer to take supplements individually instead of a combination product, we recommend the following;

Vitamin C – 500 to 1000 mg once to twice daily (Complete Vitamin C)
Zinc – 15 to 30 mg daily (Zinc CTW)
Quercitin – 200 to 400 mg daily (Allergy Ease)
Vitamin D3 – 2000 to 3000 IU per day (K-Force, Vitamin D3, Liquid D3)

Additional options to discuss with your provider include; curcumin (curcumin phytosome or Turmero), NAC, vitamin A, and adaptogenic mushrooms (Transfer Factor Multi Immune)

The following therapeutic options are started at the first signs of illness, positive exposure and/or positive testing. Please notify your provider so that we can further personalize support.

Therapeutic Supplement Options: (all supplements available in or office or in online store)

Orthomune – Increase to 2 capsules twice daily (4 capsules contain vitamin C 1200mg, NAC 1200 mg, vitamin D 5000 IU, zinc 50mg and Quercitin 500 mg)
Viracid – 2 capsules twice daily (contains vitamin A, C, B12, zinc, astragulus, Andrographis, echinacea, L-lysine and European elder)
Curcumin – 500 to 1000 mg three times a day with food (Curcumin Phytosome)
Melatonin – 3 to 6 mg at bedtime (Long Acting Melatonin or Quick Dissolve Melatonin)

***The above 4 products are a great combination for therapeutic treatment for the duration of viral illness. If you prefer individual products, these are listed below.

Vitamin C – increase to 1000 mg two to three times a day (Complete Vitamin C)
Zinc – increase to 15 to 25 mg twice daily (Zinc CTW)
NAC – 500 to 1000 mg twice daily (NAC)
Quercitin 400 to 600 mg twice daily (Allergy Ease)
Vitamin D3 – 5000 IU per day (K Force, Vitamin D3, Vitamin D3 with K2, liquid vitamin D3)

Yours In Health,

Susan D. Denny, MD, MPH

February 10, 2022February 10, 2022

Long COVID

Susan D. Denny, MD, MPH

Over the past year I have seen an increasing number of patients with symptoms of post-acute sequelae of Covid 19 (PASC), also known as long Covid.

What is long Covid? As defined by the CDC, long Covid is a range of new, returning or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks following SARS-COV-2 (Covid 19) infection. Symptoms can vary significantly by person and can include fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, anxiety, disturbed sleep, joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, loss of taste or smell or shortness of breath. Most of the patients I have seen with long Covid suffer from fatigue and brain fog and many have other accompanying symptoms.

In a recent systematic review of 57 studies comprising more than 250,000 survivors of Covid 19, most symptoms included mental health, pulmonary and neurologic disorders which were present 6 months after SARS-Cov-2 exposure. ¹

How many people are suffering from long Covid? Clinical trials have shown anywhere from 31% to 69% of people who have had Covid infection will suffer from long Covid. This is a present and emerging health care crisis with tens of millions of Americans currently suffering and millions more at risk of developing this syndrome. Chances are that you or someone you know has long Covid.

How long does long Covid last? This appears to vary significantly by person. Some clinical trials have shown average length to be about 3 months while others have shown that symptoms may last more than a year. An emerging consensus is that most people have symptoms for 6 months or more.

Who gets long Covid? While some clinical trials show a relationship to acute disease severity, others have shown a significant risk for long Covid even in mild or asymptomatic cases. In other words, it is possible to develop long Covid even if you had no symptoms of acute Covid infection.

A study just published in Cell on January 24, 2001 followed 200 patients over two to three months following their COVID-19 diagnoses. The researchers determined four biological factors that they say are associated with whether a person will develop long COVID.

The first factor is the level of viral RNA in the blood at diagnosis. The second is the presence of autoantibodies—those that attack the patient’s own body. Third is the reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus, a common virus that most people are infected with and recover from early in life. The last is Type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, the most predictive factor for long Covid was the presence of autoantibodies in the blood. ²

Several other studies have found significant autoantibody levels in patients with long Covid. In one study just published this month, researchers found signals of autoantibody activity that are usually linked to chronic inflammation and injury involving specific organ systems and tissues such as the joints, skin and nervous system in patients with long Covid.³We know that certain viruses can trigger the body’s immune system to begin attacking itself through a process called molecular mimicry. That appears to be a significant source of cellular damage and inflammation in patients who develop long Covid.

Another study published in Gut examined changes in the gut microbiome in patients with long Covid. They found that an altered gut microbiome composition is strongly associated with persistent symptoms in patients with COVID-19 up to 6 months after clearance of SARS-CoV-2 virus. 4

Can long Covid be treated? Yes. While conventional medicine has yet to find a medication to treat long Covid, a functional medicine approach to this illness works well. Addressing the root cause(s) of ongoing inflammation in the body from the viral over stimulation of the immune system is a top priority. Evaluation and treatment of increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), gut dysbiosis and a disrupted adrenal axis works well to help rebalance the immune system, calm inflammation and improve symptoms.

If you or someone you know is suffering from long Covid, please contact our office to make an appointment with one of our functional medicine providers.

In health,

Susan D. Denny, MD, MPH

References:

JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2128568. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28568
Su Y, et al. Cell. 2022;doi:10.1016/j.cell.2022.01.014.
Liu Y, et al. J Transl Med. 2022;doi:10.1186/s12967-021-03184-8.
Gut (2022). DOI: DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325989

November 15, 2021November 28, 2022

PEDIATRIC COVID-19 Vaccination Prep

Supporting Resiliency for Children 5 years – 11 years

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have announced recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in children 5 years and older, who do not have contraindications.

At Carolina Total Wellness (CTW), we seek to empower our patients and their families with up to date information and provide medical recommendations through our personalized approach.

If you have questions regarding vaccinations, please reach out to your established medical provider.

PEDIATRIC COVID-19 Vaccination prep:
Supporting resiliency for children 5 years – 11 years

Start 2 weeks BEFORE and continue for 1 week AFTER vaccination:

1. Clean water: ½ body weight in ounces
2. Vitamin C: 125-500mg two times a day
3. Daily Multivitamin (ActivNutrients chewables)
4. Daily Probiotic (Ther-biotic complete chewables)
5. Vitamin D: 1000IU per 25 lbs, daily (CTW Liquid D3)
6. Zinc 7.5mg daily (Zinc Drink liquid)
7. SPM Active 1 caps daily: cut/puncture the softgel and squeeze out contents onto spoon, ok to take/mix with food.

In the days leading up to your vaccination, fuel your child’s immune system with healthy, organic colorful foods that are nutrient dense. Avoid pro-inflammatory junk foods and sugary foods. Stick to sleep schedules/healthy sleep hygiene and aim for quality sleep the two nights before the vaccination.

*Day of and day after vaccination, add extra C to above protocol:
Vitamin C: 500mg two times a day

After your vaccination, think muscle, immune and lymphatic system support:

Engage your deltoid! This is the shoulder muscle which received the vaccine. Movement and engagement of the muscle will reduce the tenderness and soreness which can start setting in a few hours later. Example exercises include arm circles, push-ups, patty-cake!

Run around! Walk, run, play after the vaccination to provide a healthy stimulus for the immune system for optimal response and reduce side effects.

Stimulate lymphatic system! After the vaccine, you can begin gentle skin brushing of the vaccinated arm. When able, incorporate whole body lymph support with options like whole body dry skin brushing, gentle rebounding (jumping, hopping), or deep breathing (blowing bubbles, square breath).

AAP statement:
https://www.aap.org/en/pages/covid-19-vaccines-in-children-and-adolescents-policy/

CDC statement:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/planning/children.html

Please contact our office for an appointment to further support and personalize your path to wellness.

Your Partner In Health!

Blair Cuneo, PA-C

August 24, 2021November 28, 2022

COVID-19 UPDATED

March 31, 2021August 28, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Prep: Supporting Resiliency

By: Blair Cuneo, PA-C

Start 2 weeks before and continue for 1 week after vaccination:

1. Clean water: 8–10 glasses a day or ½ body weight in ounces

2. CTW Complete Vitamin C: 1 cap (500mg) two times a day

3. CTW Daily Multivitamin 2 caps two times a day OR MitoCore: 2 caps two times a day

4. Daily Probiotic

5. Vitamin D3 4000IU daily

6. Zinc Glycinate 15mg daily

In the days leading up to your vaccination, fuel your immune system with healthy, organic colorful foods that are nutrient dense. Avoid pro-inflammatory junk foods and sugary foods. Rest when you need to rest.

If able, consider receiving the vaccination the day before you have time off work to have a day to rest.

Day of and day after vaccination:

CTW Vitamin C: 2 caps twice a day

After your vaccination, think muscle, immune and lymphatic system support:

Engage your deltoid! This is the shoulder muscle which received the vaccine. Movement and engagement of the muscle will reduce the tenderness and soreness which can start setting in a few hours later. Example exercises include arm circles, shoulder presses or modified push ups.

Go on a walk! Perform some light cardio and exercise after your vaccination to provide a healthy stimulus for your immune system for optimal response and reduce side effects.

Stimulate your lymphatic system! After the vaccine, you can begin gentle skin brushing of the vaccinated arm. When able, incorporate whole body lymph support with options like whole body dry skin brushing, gentle rebounding, or deep breathing.

If you have questions about COVID 19 vaccinations, please contact your provider!

March 23, 2020August 29, 2021

Covid 19 Recommendations

COVID19 Recommendations
Updated March 23, 2020

Your best defense against a viral infection is a healthy immune system which you can support with clean air, clean water and clean food. Focus on eating foods that are organic and rich in antioxidants (fruits and vegetables). Make sure that the water you drink is adequately filtered and do not drink out of plastic bottles. Use good quality HEPA filters in your home, especially your bedroom. Practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing with warm water and soap. Keep stress levels as low as possible and make adequate sleep a priority.
In addition to social distancing, frequent/adequate handwashing and sanitizing guidelines from CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html), here are Cov19 recommendations. Please keep in mind, information is changing daily. Covid-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is too new for us to have a body of literature on how specific nutrients or herbal remedies affect clinical outcomes. We therefore predict the risk/benefit based on understanding mechanisms involved and similarities between this virus and its most closely related viruses. Based on new concerns regarding this specific virus, we have amended our prior recommendations on high dose vitamin A and D.

These supplement regimens are not intended to cure Covid-19 but to help boost your body’s own immune response to the virus. If you suspect symptoms of Covid-19, we recommend that you call your primary care physician’s office or seek evaluation and testing through an Urgent Care center. A list of resources is available at the end of this document.

Adult Prevention Options: (supplements available through your online patient portal)
1. Vitamin C: 500-1000mg daily (CTW Complete Vitamin C)
2. Vitamin D: 2000IU -5000IU per day (CTW Liquid D3 or CTW Vitamin D3)
3. Omega 3 (EPA/DHA): 2500mg daily (CTW Omega 3 or Arctic Cod Liver oil) or (Metagenics SPM) 2 caps twice daily
4. Zinc glycinate: 15-30mg daily (Reacted Zinc or Zinc Drink)
5. N-acetylcysteine: 600mg daily (CTW Liver Support) or (Trizomal glutathione) 5mL once daily
6. (Biocidin LSF) mix 10 pumps with a bottle of over the counter nasal saline spray or Xlear and then spray twice into each nostril upon returning home from outside exposure like your office or the grocery store.
7. PEA: 2 caps daily. Recommend Vitalitus PEA or Metagenics Hemp Advantage Plus {PEA with CBD}.
8. Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders, providing >20% beta-D-glucans: 1 cap daily**
9. Real Mushrooms Reishi 415**: 1 cap daily**
**Mushrooms are highly complex. Certain compounds are immunostimulating. Is this a problem in COVID19, or a benefit? We don’t know the answer. There is also concern using immune stimulants in autoimmune patients**
Herbs such as elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, andrographis and beta glucans can help to boost immune function. However, we do not recommend taking these supplements if you have an existing autoimmune condition as these may flare your condition.

Pediatric Prevention Options: (supplements available on your online patient portal)
1. Vitamin C: 250mg daily (1/2 capsule of CTW Complete Vitamin C)
2. Vitamin D: 600IU-1000IU per day (CTW Liquid D3)
3. Omega 3: 500-1000mg daily (DHA Junior Liquid or Arctic Cod Liver oil) or (Metagenics SPM) 1 cap twice daily
4. Zinc glycinate: 15mg daily (Zinc Drink)
5. N-acetylcysteine: 300mg daily (CTW Liver Support) or (Trizomal glutathione) 2.5mL once daily
6. (Biocidin LSF) mix 10 pumps with a bottle of over the counter nasal saline spray or Xlear and then spray once into each nostril upon returning home from outside exposure that couldn’t be avoided….stay strong parents! No friend visits!
7. PEA: ages 5-14: 1 cap daily. Recommend Vitalitus PEA or Metagenics Hemp Advantage Plus {PEA with CBD}.
8. Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders, providing >20% beta-D-glucans: 1 cap daily**
9. Real Mushrooms Reishi 415**: 1 cap daily**
**Mushrooms are highly complex. Certain compounds are immunostimulating. Is this a problem in COVID19, or a benefit? We don’t know the answer. There is also concern using immune stimulants in autoimmune patients**
Herbs such as elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, andrographis and beta glucans can help to boost immune function. However, we do not recommend taking these supplements if you have an existing autoimmune condition as these may flare your condition.

See next page for graphic to review signs of illness and therapeutic options:

*** New data, obtained after this chart was generated, indicates that diarrhea occurs in up to half of all patients presenting the Covid-19***

At first sign of illness, adult therapeutic options:
1. Vitamin C: increase to 1 gram per hour x 6 hours per day. Reduce dose slightly if you develop loose bowel movements
2. Zinc liquid or lozenges: Swish liquid or allow lozenge to dissolve slowly, bathing the throat in zinc. Total zinc should be 60mg per day x 1 week. Recommended to divide this up with 1 teaspoon Zinc Drink 4 x day only to avoid copper depletion.
3. Biocidin LSF mix 10 pumps with a bottle of over the counter nasal saline spray or Xlear and then spray twice into each nostril two times a day.
4. Metagenics SPMs: Increase to 2 caps 3 times per day with first symptoms, continue x 6 weeks.
5. N-acetylcysteine: Increase to 600mg twice a day or Trizomal glutathione 5mL twice a day
6. PEA: increase to 2 caps three times per day with first symptoms. Continue for six weeks
7. Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders**: increase to 2 caps twice a day with symptoms
8. Real Mushrooms Reishi 415**: increase to 2 caps once to twice per day with symptoms.
**Mushrooms are highly complex. Certain compounds are immunostimulating. Is this a problem in COVID19, or a benefit? We don’t know the answer. There is also concern using immune stimulants in autoimmune patients**
Herbs such as elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, andrographis and beta glucans can help to boost immune function. However, we do not recommend taking these supplements if you have an existing autoimmune condition as these may flare your condition.

At first sign of illness, pediatric therapeutic options:
1. Vitamin C: increase to 500mg per hour x 6 hours per day. Reduce dose slightly if you develop loose bowel movements
2. Zinc liquid or lozenges: Swish liquid or allow lozenge to dissolve slowly, bathing the throat in zinc. Total zinc should be 60mg per day x 1 week. Recommended to divide this up with 1 teaspoon Zinc Drink 4 x day only to avoid copper depletion.
3. Biocidin LSF mix 10 pumps with a bottle of over the counter nasal saline spray or Xlear and then spray twice into each nostril two times a day.
4. Metagenics SPMs: Increase to 1 cap 3 times per day with first symptoms, continue x 6 weeks.
5. N-acetylcysteine: Increase to 300mg twice a day or Trizomal glutathione 2.5mL twice a day
6. PEA: increase to 1 cap three times per day with first symptoms. Continue for six weeks
7. Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders**: increase to 1 cap twice a day with symptoms
8. Real Mushrooms Reishi 415**: increase to 1 cap once to twice per day with symptoms.
**Mushrooms are highly complex. Certain compounds are immunostimulating. Is this a problem in COVID19, or a benefit? We don’t know the answer. There is also concern using immune stimulants in autoimmune patients**
Herbs such as elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, andrographis and beta glucans can help to boost immune function. However, we do not recommend taking these supplements if you have an existing autoimmune condition as these may flare your condition.

References:

COVID19: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Options for the Non-TCM Trained Clinician

Coronavirus (COVID-19): What a Pediatrician Wants You to Know

COVID-19: Preserving Your Family’s Health and Sanity in the Face of a Pandemic by Dr. Bird

From the NC Health Department:
If you have questions about COVID-19 (coronavirus), dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162. Sign up for updates by texting COVIDNC to 898211.
For all other questions, the DHHS Customer Service Center can assist in finding programs and people to help you. Call 1-800-662-7030.

3708 Forestview Rd., #202 office@carolinatotalwellness.com T: 919-999-0831
Raleigh, NC 27612 www.carolinatotalwellness.com F: 888-394-6442

Tag: COVID

Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections

Long COVID

PEDIATRIC COVID-19 Vaccination Prep

COVID-19 UPDATED

COVID-19 Vaccination Prep: Supporting Resiliency

Covid 19 Recommendations

Functional Medicine

Allergy Testing & Drops

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