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Could L-Arginine help with Long Covid? Some findings through my habit of searching for solutions

I came across the idea in a very matter-of-fact way as part of the process of researching on Amazon, of all places. I looked at L-Arginine and considered its benefits in relation to what I had learned about Long Covid in the past couple of years.

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It has been quite some time since the last time I wrote something on this website. I am glad, there were hardly any subscribers who were anticipating some regular posts to appear weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. I just stopped writing and got busy with quite a few other endeavors. You can find that I have been quite active online on Twitter, or on YouTube. I also have been adding matter to my online store, which I enjoy researching for, in order to select the best product recommendations. So, obviously, this site got neglected.

Anyway, I wouldn’t be the only one who found himself getting involved in a new set of pursuits in the past 3 years or so. Our planet and the whole human family found themselves the occupation of attending to a global pandemic due to the pathogen, named SARS-CoV-2. This virus is said to have had its beginnings in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. Within a few months, it had spread to nearly every place on the globe. It has been quite something to observe how different human beings, both at an individual level and as groups, have responded to this pandemic. For a lot of people, this was the first major pandemic. Of course, in scale and effect, the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented. People attribute that also to various causes; but, as far as the scientific understanding is concerned, it is the viral pathogen, SARS-CoV-2 that is primarily to blame.

Credit: Veronica Falconieri Hays; Source: Lorenzo Casalino, Zied Gaieb and Rommie Amaro, U.C. San Diego (spike model with glycosylation) via The Scientific American

We have had many reputable sources of information including individual scientists, media houses, and scientific institutions that have put in an astonishing amount of effort to provide updates, and also informed everyone about possible solutions. This entire experience has been one of great learning. And, that is what science is really about – learning – finding knowledge, and, sifting through ignorance to come upon facts. We could all wish, there was some magical way to have all the answers right at the beginning. However, if that were the case, we wouldn’t really need the scientific approach or the pains it requires.

Long Covid. What is it?

One of the new terms that came soon after, during the early course of the pandemic, was “Long Covid”. We have had people deny the existence of Long Covid, minimize what it is, ridicule those suffering, and also those who are keen to attribute its cause and experience to the Covid vaccines rather than to the virus itself. About that last point, it is prudent to refer to one of the leading voices on the matter – Dr. Eric Topol – and how he has addressed the matter in his Substack articles. He is joined by a very capable group of experts who have tirelessly tried to understand what Long Covid is, and what possible solutions we can find. 1 2

I would encourage you to visit Dr. Eric Topol’s Substack and refer to the linked articles for details. In the meantime, while you are here this is some information on Long Covid you would find useful. 3 4 5 6

Long COVID is a term used to describe symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of COVID-19 has resolved. These symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, headaches, brain fog, and depression. Long COVID can affect anyone who has had COVID-19, even if the initial infection was mild or asymptomatic. According to a study published in Nature Reviews Immunology, Long COVID is an often debilitating illness that occurs in at least 10% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

Details produced with the aid of AI

How does one test for Long Covid?

There is no single test that can diagnose long COVID. Doctors diagnose it, in large part, based on a patient’s history of COVID-19 and by ruling out other possible causes. The doctor will ask whether the patient tested positive for COVID-19, when the symptoms began, and which symptoms the patient has experienced since the initial infection. 7

One possible help for Long Covid could come from the supplement, L-Arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body build protein. It is naturally found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. It is necessary for making proteins and is commonly used for circulation. L-arginine is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide which causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow. L-arginine can be used orally and topically as a supplement. 8 9

Could L-Arginine help with Long Covid?

You might be tempted to dismiss L-Arginine, but there already has been some high-quality investigation into its benefits for Long Covid. Here’s a useful summary and references you could find quite useful.

One study published in The Lancet10 found that adding L-arginine orally to standard therapy in patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 may have important clinical implications for COVID-19 treatment especially in low-resource environments where vaccination is not widely available. Another study published on PubMed11 suggests that L-arginine supplementation could improve long-COVID symptoms.

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I came across the idea in a very matter-of-fact way as part of the process of researching on Amazon, of all places. I looked at L-Arginine and considered its benefits in relation to what I had learned about Long Covid in the past couple of years. Earlier I shared my observation on Twitter.

I would encourage you to look into the mechanism of how L-Arginine works, and why it can be expected to provide benefits to those suffering from Long Covid. Once the rationale becomes clear, and you have consulted with your trusted physician regarding this supplement, you could make a confident decision. As already mentioned, L-Arginine in combination with Vitamin C has been investigated and found to be helpful. But, even aside from Long Covid, L-Arginine has been used by nutritionists and fitness enthusiasts for its benefits.

Based on the evidence, do consider L-Arginine as a supplement or from your preferred food sources (if you haven’t already), and be confident that it will bring you the intended benefits.

Footnotes

  1. Some Light on Long Covid
  2. Preventing Long Covid
  3. COVID-19: Long-term effects – Mayo Clinic.
  4. Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC.
  5. Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms, and recommendations.
  6. People with long COVID continue to experience medical gaslighting more than 3 years into the pandemic
  7. Long COVID > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine.
  8. L-arginine: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More – Healthline.
  9. The benefits and side effects of L-arginine – Medical News Today.
  10. Effects of adding L-arginine orally to standard therapy in patients with COVID-19: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Results of the first interim analysis
  11. Combining L-Arginine with vitamin C improves long-COVID symptoms: The LINCOLN Survey
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