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Infection Connection

Infection Connection

Auteur(s): Dr. Nikolas Hedberg DC
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 The Infection Connection Podcast with Dr. Nikolas Hedberg covers functional medicine approaches to Long COVID, ME/CFS, Lyme Disease, Mold and Mycotoxin Illness, MCAS, Autoimmune Disease and everything related to the connection between infections and chronic illness.© Dr. Nikolas Hedberg, DC Hygiène et mode de vie sain Médecine alternative Troubles et maladies
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  • Mango Fruit Powder for Long COVID: Clinical Benefits for Microcirculation and Fatigue

    Mango Fruit Powder for Long COVID: Clinical Benefits for Microcirculation and Fatigue
    Jun 25 2025
    SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can severely damage the body’s circulatory vessels, which inhibits oxygen, hormones, and nutrients from getting to vital body tissues. Long COVID often causes persistent microcirculation issues—mango fruit powder, specifically the Careflow® extract used in VascuSelect, supports vascular repair and may improve symptoms like fatigue and brain fog. Standardized mango fruit powder, as found in VascuSelect, may help restore endothelial function in Long COVID patients. Patients with Long COVID have been shown to have impaired microcirculation up to 18 months after infection, and possibly even longer if those vessels aren’t repaired. Damaged microcirculation can lead to many of the symptoms of Long COVID including fatigue, difficulty recovering from exercise, brain fog, sluggish brain function, muscle weakness, depressed mood, loss of smell and taste, to name a few of the most common symptoms. Mango fruit powder has been shown to improve microcirculation in a couple of excellent studies I will cover below. Mango (Mangifera indica) has the following properties: · Rich in polyphenols · Activates Sirt-1 – antioxidant, improves endothelial function, anti-inflammatory, enhances metabolism · Activates AMPK – improves muscle glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation, hepatic fatty acid oxidation, lipid homeostasis, balances blood sugar, improves endothelial function · Improves eNOS – improves endothelial function, increases energy, antioxidant · Supports mitochondrial neogenesis Study 1: 100 mg vs. 300 mg in 204 subjects The first study entitled “Effects of Mangifera indica (Careless) on Microcirculation and Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Volunteers” was a double-blind, randomized study. The name “Careless” was changed to “Careflow” for good reason because it is more descriptive of the benefits of mango fruit powder. 204 subjects were divided into three groups. One group took 100 mg a day of mango fruit powder. The second group took 300 mg of mango fruit powder. And the third group was the placebo group. Mango fruit powder was taken every day for 4 weeks. Microcirculation and endothelial function were assessed. Microcirculatory reactive hyperemia flow increased, especially in the 100 mg group. 300 mg of the mango fruit preparation reduced postprandial glucose levels compared to placebo, accompanied by significantly lower HbA1c values compared to baseline. 300 mg intake significantly improved postprandial endothelial function in individuals with decreased endothelial function after high-dose glucose intake. Both doses were well tolerated without side effects. Study 2: Pilot crossover trial in 10 women The second study entitled “In Vitro Activation of eNOS by Mangifera indica (Careless™) and Determination of an Effective Dosage in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Human Pilot Study on Microcirculation” showed similar results on microcirculation. In this study, a dose of 100 mg or 300 mg of mango fruit powder was given to see the effects on microcirculation in a randomized, double-blind, crossover pilot study in ten healthy women. Both doses improved cutaneous blood flow, indicating improved microcirculation. Both doses were well tolerated without side effects. Both of the above studies clearly show the benefits of mango fruit powder on microcirculation which can help patients with Long COVID. Why standardized Careflow mango powder beats fresh mango for Long COVID microcirculation. Careflow, the mango fruit powder used in these studies, is standardized to 0.03% mangiferin which is vital for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, the mango subspecies used in Careflow is called “Kili-mooku” as opposed to the “Alfonso” mangos found in supermarkets. Mangos are cultivated in the South of India in the Tamil Nadu region as opposed to Brazil and Peru where commercial mangos come from.
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    13 min
  • Grape Seed Extract for Long COVID: Reducing Inflammation and Restoring Vascular Health

    Grape Seed Extract for Long COVID: Reducing Inflammation and Restoring Vascular Health
    Jun 10 2025
    Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or long-haul COVID, refers to a condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms or develop new symptoms after recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19. Long COVID can affect individuals who had mild, moderate, or severe initial COVID-19 infections and can persist for weeks or months after the initial illness. The specific symptoms and their duration can vary widely between individuals, but common symptoms of long COVID include fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, joint pain, chest pain, muscle weakness, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, and other neurological or psychiatric symptoms. It can also affect multiple organs in the body, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Grape seed extract, derived from the seeds of red grapes, contains powerful antioxidants that support circulation and reduce inflammation. How does COVID-19 affect microcirculation? Microcirculation refers to the circulation of blood in the smallest blood vessels, including arterioles, capillaries, and venules. While COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, there is evidence suggesting that it can have systemic effects, including impacts on the cardiovascular system and microcirculation. Here are some potential ways in which COVID-19 may affect microcirculation: Endothelial Dysfunction: COVID-19 has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is a condition where the cells lining blood vessels (endothelial cells) do not function properly. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to impaired regulation of blood flow and increased permeability of blood vessels. In severe cases, viral infection and the resulting immune response may damage endothelial cells, contributing to a pro-inflammatory state and a potential disruption of microcirculation. Blood Clotting and Thrombosis: COVID-19 is known to be associated with an increased risk of blood clot formation (thrombosis). The formation of blood clots can potentially affect microcirculation by blocking small blood vessels. The hypercoagulable state observed in some COVID-19 patients may contribute to microvascular thrombosis, leading to impaired blood flow in affected tissues. Inflammatory Response: The body's inflammatory response to the virus can also impact microcirculation. Inflammation can lead to the release of inflammatory mediators, causing vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and increased permeability, which may affect blood flow in the microcirculation. Hypoxia and Tissue Damage: Severe cases of COVID-19 may lead to respiratory distress and hypoxia (low oxygen levels). Hypoxia can have detrimental effects on tissues and organs, potentially impacting microcirculation. Tissue damage and inflammation in the lungs may trigger a systemic response that affects microvascular function in other organs. Impaired Oxygen Delivery: In severe cases of COVID-19, where acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) develops, oxygen exchange in the lungs becomes compromised. This can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and affect microcirculation. What is grapeseed extract? Grapeseed extract is a dietary supplement derived from the seeds of grapes. It is rich in antioxidants, particularly compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs). Additionally, grape seed extract contains flavonoids, another class of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help protect the body against damage from harmful free radicals, which can play a role in various chronic diseases. Grapeseed extract is commonly used for its potential health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation, enhanced immune function, and anti-aging effects. How does grapeseed extract improve microcirculation in Long COVID?
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    10 min
  • Ginkgo Biloba for Long COVID: Natural Recovery Support for Brain Fog and Fatigue

    Ginkgo Biloba for Long COVID: Natural Recovery Support for Brain Fog and Fatigue
    May 28 2025
    Recent findings have strengthened the potential role of Ginkgo biloba in alleviating multiple symptoms associated with long COVID. Ginkgo biloba may support cognitive recovery and reduce brain fog in individuals with long COVID. Clinical Evidence: Case Reports and Ongoing Trials A 2022 case series published in the American Journal of Case Reports documented five individuals suffering from post-COVID cognitive impairments—including memory loss, fatigue, and concentration difficulties—who experienced significant symptom improvement after taking 160 mg/day of ginkgo biloba. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported during the treatment period. Here are the details of the five patients with Long COVID who participated in the study: Patients with Long COVID were given 80 mg of ginkgo biloba extract twice a day. Patient 1 took ginkgo biloba for 11 weeks, and he had a substantial improvement in cognitive concerns, decreased perception of fatigue and an improvement in olfaction. He completely regained his sense of smell. Patient 2 took ginkgo biloba for 13 weeks and reported improvement in concentration and fatigue. Patient 3 took ginkgo biloba for 4 months and reported significant improvement in cognitive deficits. Patient 4 took ginkgo biloba for 7 weeks and reported improved concentration and fatigue. Patient 5 took ginkgo biloba for 6 weeks and reported improvement in depression, fatigue, irritability, and hyposmia. Two of these patients reported complete remission of their cognitive symptoms. None of the patients had any adverse effects. Further strengthening this evidence base, the COCOS (Cognitive COVID Study) launched in Europe in 2024, enrolling 400 participants across Germany, Poland, and Spain. This clinical trial will assess the efficacy of ginkgo biloba in treating post-COVID cognitive dysfunction, with results expected in 2026. How does ginkgo biloba help with Long COVID symptoms? SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been shown to damage the microcirculation blood vessels resulting in decreased blood flow to vital tissues such as the heart, kidney, muscle tissue, ear, eyes, liver, brain and nervous system. Ginkgo biloba has been shown to protect and repair large and small blood vessels, as well as a host of other body tissues. Ginkgo biloba improves circulation, repairs and protects the brain, nervous system, eye, ear, kidney, intestine, heart, and cardiovascular system. Multi-Target Mechanisms for Long COVID Recovery A 2024 review in Journal of Neural Transmission outlined Ginkgo biloba’s broad therapeutic potential due to its: Antioxidant activity to reduce oxidative stress in brain tissues Anti-inflammatory effects that may calm neuroinflammation common in long COVID Neuroprotective and vasoregulatory properties that enhance cerebral blood flow and mitochondrial function These mechanisms may be especially useful for long COVID patients suffering from cognitive fog, fatigue, and mood disturbances. This makes ginkgo biloba a perfect herbal medicine for Long COVID, and the results of these case reports are not surprising. Synergy with Brain-Healthy Nutrients A pilot study published in JBRES explored a combination of Ginkgo biloba extract and plasmalogen, a phospholipid crucial to brain cell membranes. Participants noted improvements in brain fog, mental clarity, and energy. The combination appears to support myelin sheath repair and cerebral perfusion, enhancing overall brain function. How best to take ginkgo biloba for Long COVID? Ginkgo biloba is usually dosed 120-240 mg a day in one or two doses with or without food. It can disrupt sleep, so some people may need to take it in the morning and no later than the early afternoon. The dose used in this study was 80 mg twice a day, totaling 160 mg a day. But the author’s point out that a higher dose may have yielded even better results.
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    11 min

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