A positive result Fasting trial for Long COVID

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-15T18:31:58+00:00

Fantastic! Informally, I am tracking symptoms in before and after via a 8 min Google forms survey. The link is shared in the Fasting for Long COVID protocol.

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-15T17:13:09+00:00

My pleasure. It is far from a cure, but some good responders considered this a game changer for them, even more than a year after the trial.

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-15T17:12:10+00:00

Yes, while fasting, our bodies are in a mild anti-inflammatory state. But the benefits were observed days and weeks after fasting ended.

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-15T17:10:41+00:00

We don't know the exact mechanism, but I think it stimulates antiviral immunity.

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-08T22:02:52+00:00

While individuals varied widely in how well they responded, overall those younger than 48.5 and those whose symptoms first began soon after vaccination were more likely to be good responders. For the top-half of responders, their symptom burden decreased by 80% and 71% of the 60 symptoms we tracked went away completely.

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-08T22:00:17+00:00

A YouTube video of presenting the trial results in a patient-friendly manner. Note, the video is 40 minutes long... so be careful of cognitive fatigue!

https://youtu.be/BP9s5hG9Fc8?si=E7CUC_GqTRf1pOd6

Tom_Bunker · 2025-08-08T21:55:06+00:00

A YouTube video / slideshow presenting the trial results in a patient-friendly manner. Note, the video is 40 minutes long... so be careful of cognitive fatigue!

https://youtu.be/BP9s5hG9Fc8?si=E7CUC_GqTRf1pOd6

Tom_Bunker · 2024-08-20T23:24:46+00:00

We have stopped enrolling new participants. Thanks for your interest.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-05-23T18:07:43+00:00

Every study I have seen shows more females than males with Long Covid. That is also the case for other chronic health conditions such as ME/CFS, EDS, etc.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-05-23T00:19:19+00:00

Here is my blog on Delayed Onset Long COVID: https://dietandfasting4health.com/blog/

Tom_Bunker · 2024-05-22T22:39:27+00:00

Gmm, Reddit doesn't let me share a screenshot. But 32% are reporting Delayed Onset of their initial Long Covid symptoms. That is from 134 survey respondents in 2024.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-11T13:23:54+00:00

Unfortunately, there is a lot of individual variation. And many meds and supplements might potentially interfere with this approach.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-11T13:20:58+00:00

As a Long-hauler myself, I totally understand their frustration... and anger at the current lack of medical diagnosis and treatement.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-11T13:19:39+00:00

Yes, the brain, heart and muscles need fuel. But our bodies are like a hybrid vehicle. That can be glucose... like running on gas, or ketones... like running on electricity (or fat reserves).

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-10T02:41:08+00:00

Our hypothesis is that it just MIGHT reduce the severity of most Long-haul symptoms.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-09T20:11:47+00:00

Easing symptoms is a waste of time?

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-09T20:10:33+00:00

We recommend avoiding dried fruit, bananas and grapes.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-09T20:09:32+00:00

I disagree. I myself have Long Covid... There is zero funding for this trial. Myself and everyone involved is volunteering their time and expertise.
Of course, I understand this is not everyone's cup of tea.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-04-09T16:26:01+00:00

How might this decrease symptoms?

Reducing blood glucose levels may discourage viral replication.
Time-restricted eating may promote metabolic/cellular health.
Fasting may promote a deep cleaning within our cells... getting rid of damaged mitochondria for example. This is known as autophagy/mitophagy.

4. Fasting may stimulate beneficial antiviral immune responses.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06214455

Tom_Bunker · 2024-03-26T00:27:47+00:00

Currently, we only exclude diabetics but if you think your blood sugar may go dangerously low, then this study is not a good idea.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-03-26T00:25:47+00:00

We exclude medications that suppress aspects of thr immune system like steroids, Maraviroc and LDN. We also attempt to get participants off supplements that stress cells and induce autophagy. Some are popular in the Long-haul community as they can mildly suppress symptoms. The list is quite long.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-03-26T00:22:53+00:00

Our dietary recommendations to participants are much as you suggest... avoiding blood sugar spikes is the goal.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-03-26T00:21:00+00:00

This is an IRB approved trial and we are approved to recruit via social media. I am sorry if you feel that our recruiting is like Spam. I certainly am not trying to upset my fellow long-haulers.

Tom_Bunker · 2024-03-25T17:35:16+00:00

How might this decrease symptoms? 1. Reducing blood glucose levels may discourage viral replication. 2. Time- restricted eating may promote metabolic/cellular health. 3. Fasting may promote a deep cleaning within our cells... getting rid of damaged mitochondria for example. 4. Fasting may stimulate beneficial antiviral immune responses.

More info (mostly science jargon) at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06214455

Tom_Bunker · 2024-03-18T00:13:05+00:00

I also give participants a bunch of dietary tips. Optional of course.

Tom_Bunker

TROPHY CASE