Episode #68: Exploring COVID as a Brain Disease and Long Hauler Solutions

About the Guest(s): Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is the host of Functional Health Radio, an established healthcare professional with expertise in functional medicine, chiropractic care, and neuroinflammation. With a rich background in educating medical, chiropractic, and dental professionals, Dr. Kristin is dedicated to translating complex medical research into practical knowledge for both her peers and the general public. She regularly integrates insights from reputable medical journals into her work and travels to share her knowledge at various continuing education events for healthcare providers. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delves into the implications of COVID-19 as a brain disease, discussing its impact on long-term neurological health and offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies. Highlighting the struggles faced by the 225 million individuals worldwide known as "Covid long haulers," Dr. Kristin shares her expertise on the often debilitating neurological symptoms that persist in many patients well after recovery from the initial infection. Throughout the episode, Dr. Kristin explores the science behind COVID-19's effects on the brain, emphasizing the structural impact of the virus's spike proteins and their lingering presence. By referencing several studies, including those published in top-tier journals such as Molecular Neurobiology and Nature Medicine, she discusses the immune-mediated pathways that lead to neuroinflammation, cognitive deficits, and reduced gray matter in COVID-19 patients. She sheds light on the necessity for personalized protocols when treating long-haul symptoms, combined with the use of low-level lasers, supplements, and lifestyle changes to promote healing and brain health. Key Takeaways: COVID-19 can have long-term neurological effects, leading to symptoms such as brain fog, memory loss, and anxiety. Spike proteins from the virus remain in the body, contributing to neuroinflammation and facilitating long-term cognitive issues. Integral therapeutic approaches include tailored supplementation, regular exercise, low-level laser therapy, and controlled doses of methylene blue. Variability in patient responses necessitates highly individualized treatment plans to manage and potentially reverse symptoms. Maintaining brain health requires attention to exercise, nutrition, and supplementation to combat the inflammatory effects of the virus. Notable Quotes: "Both long Covid and COVID vaccine can sometimes create things like brain fog, neuroinflammation, and long term sequelae." "We have more abnormal than normal brains in the world." "The COVID spike proteins, they hang out at the base of the skull, throughout the skull, in a system called the duromeningeal system." "COVID long haulers have way too much inflammation. Low-level laser can help you with that." "For every nerve that goes from the brain to the stomach, nine go back up." Resources: PubMed: Molecular Neurobiology, July 2021 Journal Article: Cell Host and Microbe, Volume 32, 2024 Dr. Greg Fors - BioSpec Nutritionals: Mito Detox 3 Nature Medicine, Volume 31, 2025 Listeners are encouraged to dive into this informative episode to understand fully the complex nature of COVID-19 as a brain disease and its long-term implications on health. Join Dr. Kristin as she prepares to address these pertinent challenges faced by many today and provides tools for navigating them. Stay tuned for more episodes of Functional Health Radio for continued learning and insight.