Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 08, 2025 6 days, 6 hours, 7 minutes ago
Medical News: A groundbreaking new review by researchers from the University of Pavia in Italy and the Centre Lémanique de Neuromodulation in Switzerland has shed light on the potential of common dietary supplements to help relieve the debilitating pain associated with Long COVID. With more than 30 percent of people recovering from COVID-19 continuing to report lingering pain even a year after their initial infection, the burden of Long COVID is becoming a global health crisis.
Dietary Supplements Emerge as Possible Relief for Long COVID Pain Sufferers
This condition, characterized by persistent symptoms long after the acute phase of COVID-19 has passed, includes extreme fatigue, joint pain, nerve-related discomfort, and even neurological impairments such as brain fog and memory loss. According to the researchers, pain symptoms in Long COVID are complex and can mimic chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, involving both inflammatory and neurological processes. This
Medical News report highlights the emerging evidence that specific dietary supplements - some of which have long histories of safe use - could be game changers in addressing the pain and discomfort faced by Long COVID sufferers.
Institutions Behind the Review
The team of scientists who conducted this extensive review include Nicoletta Marchesi and colleagues from the Department of Drug Sciences at the University of Pavia in Italy, RedyNeuheart s.r.l. (a biotech start-up in Milan), and the Centre Lémanique de Neuromodulation et Thérapie de la Douleur at the Hôpital de Morges in Switzerland. The researchers aimed to evaluate both the clinical and preclinical evidence behind specific supplements and their possible synergy with conventional drugs to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and support nervous system repair.
Why Pain in Long COVID Is So Hard to Treat
Long COVID pain is often “nociplastic,” meaning it doesn’t stem from direct injury or inflammation but from altered processing of pain in the nervous system. This makes standard anti-inflammatory drugs less effective. Instead, treatments targeting the nervous system - such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants - are often used. But these drugs come with side effects, long-term usage concerns, and are not always effective.
The review emphasized that many over-the-counter supplements possess mechanisms that could address the underlying causes of Long COVID pain, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, nerve sensitization, and immune dysregulation. The key is understanding how these supplements work and determining whether they can complement or replace conventional treatments.
Supplements with the Most Potential
-N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
NAC is a well-known antioxidant and glutathione precursor. The review found that NAC can help inhibit nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein linked to chronic pain. It also has strong anti-inflammatory effects and can suppress cytokine stor
ms triggered by viral infections. Interestingly, in animal models and small human studies, NAC has demonstrated significant pain-reducing properties, especially in surgical settings and chronic pain conditions.
-Curcumin (Turmeric Extract)
Curcumin, found in turmeric, has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It modulates enzymes like NF-κB and cyclooxygenase that are involved in inflammation. Clinical studies on COVID-19 have shown that curcumin supplementation reduced hospital stays, inflammation markers, and even mortality. Its neuroprotective effects could help with both pain and neurological symptoms such as brain fog.
-Berberine
Derived from various plants, berberine is known for its analgesic effects in neuropathic and inflammatory pain. It modulates key inflammatory pathways and reduces oxidative stress. Some preclinical studies suggest it may alleviate COVID-19-induced acute lung injury and associated systemic inflammation, thus reducing the risk of prolonged symptoms.
-N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC)
ALC is a compound essential to mitochondrial energy metabolism and has proven neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical studies have shown that it helps with pain, fatigue, and depression - symptoms highly prevalent in Long COVID. ALC may also improve cognitive functions by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing neurotransmission.
-Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
PEA is a naturally occurring fatty acid with potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It works by modulating immune responses and reducing nerve inflammation. Preliminary clinical studies suggest that PEA can improve cognitive function and reduce pain in Long COVID patients, especially when used alongside luteolin.
-Vitamin B Complex (B1, B6, B12)
These vitamins play critical roles in nerve function and neurotransmitter balance. The review points out that vitamin B deficiencies can mimic Long COVID symptoms and contribute to neuropathic pain. High-dose B12 therapy has shown promise in mitigating inflammatory and neurological symptoms related to COVID-19.
-DHA and EPA (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
These omega-3 fatty acids have well-documented anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. In animal studies, DHA reduced neuropathic pain and glial cell activation, which are key factors in Long COVID pain. Moreover, they help stimulate the vagus nerve and promote the production of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) that combat chronic inflammation.
-Vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased inflammation, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain. Multiple studies reviewed suggest that supplementing vitamin D improves recovery in Long COVID, particularly in patients with cognitive or muscular symptoms.
-Probiotics
Gut health has emerged as a crucial factor in immune function and systemic inflammation. Several clinical trials have shown that specific probiotics can help alleviate fatigue, brain fog, and gastrointestinal issues in Long COVID. Probiotics also support better vitamin absorption, enhancing the effects of other supplements.
The Need for Combination Therapies
The review also suggests that combining supplements could enhance their therapeutic effects. For example, NAC and curcumin could act synergistically to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine release. Similarly, PEA combined with luteolin has shown promising results in improving both pain and neurological outcomes.
Importantly, these combinations could reduce reliance on traditional painkillers and minimize side effects, offering a more holistic approach to Long COVID management. However, the authors stress that while early data is encouraging, more well-designed clinical trials are essential to confirm these effects in larger patient groups.
Real World Impact and Cautions
While these findings are promising, the researchers caution that the quality and dosage of supplements vary widely. Self-prescribing without medical supervision can lead to ineffective or even harmful results. Patients are urged to consult healthcare professionals before starting any supplement regimen.
Healthcare systems and policymakers should also pay attention. Safe, affordable, and widely available supplements could relieve pressure on overwhelmed health services dealing with long COVID-related disability and unemployment. If proven effective, these interventions could shift the paradigm from pharmacological-only approaches to integrative care.
Conclusion
The review conducted by leading experts from the University of Pavia and the Centre Lémanique de Neuromodulation underscores the emerging potential of dietary supplements in managing the complex pain conditions associated with Long COVID. Substances like NAC, curcumin, omega-3s, and vitamin D offer promising avenues for relief by addressing key biological processes involved in post-COVID pain - namely inflammation, oxidative stress, and nerve sensitization.
Although many of these supplements have a long history of safe use and evidence of efficacy in other chronic conditions, their specific application in Long COVID remains underexplored. This paper not only highlights the biological plausibility of using such nutraceuticals but also urges the medical community to invest in larger, rigorously controlled clinical trials. Until then, a cautious yet optimistic approach to integrating these compounds into patient care protocols could mark a significant step forward in the global battle against Long COVID.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Nutrients
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/7/1287
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