Viral and Other Infections in CFS/FMS and Long COVID: Part 2—Clearing the Bugs

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the long list of infections and “hidden” culprits that plague people with CFS and fibromyalgia? Have you worried about EBV, Lyme disease, parasites, HSV, HHV-6, candida — the list just keeps growing. The truth is, all of these are notoriously difficult to test for reliably in CFS/FMS, and that just leaves you feeling even more uncertain and frustrated.

The good news is that you don’t have to identify and treat all these individually (though on occasion it helps to narrow the list down to a few). By strengthening and restoring your immune system and adopting a few targeted, healthy measures that help your body address potential threats, you can often give your system the support it needs to recover and handle the rest on its own.

In Part 2 of this three-part series on protecting yourself from viral infections, I’ll walk you through five powerful steps you can take to keep your immune system healthy and resilient. In the next two newsletters, I’ll share six additional natural bodyguards that can further help prevent infectious organisms from finding a friendly home in your body.

Follow these measures and your body can eliminate many of the remaining infections on its own.

Step 1: Optimize Immune Function

Simple lifestyle changes, along with a little “gardening” to clear out the unhealthy weeds in your body’s microbiome, can boost your energy, strengthen your immune system, and improve your overall health. Here are five practical ways to begin:

1. Optimize Key Nutrients

A lot of nutrients are essential for healthy immune function, including zinc, retinol, and vitamins B5, C, and D. A comprehensive multivitamin, such as the Energy Revitalization Drink Mix, can make covering these bases simple and convenient.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Quality sleep is critical for immunity. We discussed earlier how to improve sleep, even in FMS. I often begin with Melatonin EP120™, along with the Revitalizing Sleep Formula and Terrific Zzzz™, to help restore healthy sleep patterns.

3. Stay Well Hydrated

Much of your immune system — especially in the gut, mouth, and nasal passages — depends on adequate moisture to function properly. Don’t underestimate the power of simply drinking water.

4. Reduce Excess Sugar

High sugar intake can suppress immune function. It can be tough to do, but cutting back on sodas, fruit juices, and other sugary drinks can really make a difference to your health.

5. Address Candida

Issues such as candida overgrowth (often associated with sinus congestion or IBS) and adrenal fatigue can weaken your immune system. If either is present, make sure to get it resolved. (Feeling “hangry”? Try Adrenaplex®.)

In my next two newsletters, I'll discuss special natural options that can dramatically help keep unhealthy viruses and other bugs at bay.

After that, we’ll take a deeper dive into a few key individual infections.