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PROVOKE Health - Evoking the path to health resiliency
PROVOKE Health - Evoking the path to health resiliency

About Dr. Matt

D.C., DACBN, CFMP®

Chronic Inflammation: New Insights and Next Steps

By |2024-08-30T16:07:17-04:00August 30th, 2024|Categories: Inflammation|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments

In a wide-ranging speech on Aug. 23, 2004, in Phoenix, Ariz., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then an independent candidate for President of the United States, made several comments about chronic disease, a topic typically addressed by doctors and, less often, by public health officials.

“Chronic disease is an issue that affects all of us far more directly and urgently than any culture war issue, as well as all the other issues that we obsess over that are tearing apart our country,” Kennedy said. “This is the most important issue. Therefore, it has the potential to bring us together.”

Chronic Inflammation News Graphic

Mr. Kennedy highlighted several data points that we were able to verify to illustrate the severity of the issue, including:

  • The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, nearly twice as much as Europe. (source)
  • Two-thirds (66 percent) of American adults and children suffer from chronic health issues. (source)
  • About 18 percent of American teens have fatty liver disease. (source)
  • Seventy-four percent of Americans are overweight or obese. (source)
  • Cancers among young adults have increased by 79 percent. (source)

We appreciate Mr. Kennedy for bringing attention to the immense impact chronic disease has on both the U.S. economy and the health of our children and adults. As a Tampa, Florida-based medical practice dedicated to functional medicine and integrative healthcare, we have long been committed to diagnosing and treating the root causes of illness. Mr. Kennedy’s message, which you can read in its entirety here, echoes what we and our colleagues have been advocating in our clinics for years.

Inflammation – The Common Factor in Most Cases of Chronic Disease

One word that was noticeably absent from Mr. Kennedy’s remarks was “inflammation,” which those of us who have dedicated our lives to the medically-supervised care and motivation of others know is at the root of most chronic health conditions.

Virtually all chronic disease can be traced to chronic inflammation, and most chronic inflammation can be traced to preventable causes, including the following: Continue reading…

Medications That Deplete Nutrients and How to Minimize the Damage

By |2024-08-26T16:52:41-04:00August 15th, 2024|Categories: Depleted Nutrients|Tags: , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

It’s been nearly 15 years since licensed pharmacist Suzy Cohen wrote her groundbreaking book, Drug Muggers: Which Medications Are Robbing Your Body of Essential Nutrients — and Natural Ways to Restore Them. A member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, the American College for Advancement in Medicine, and the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine, Cohen effectively focused our attention on over-the-counter and prescription medications that deplete the body of essential nutrients.

In this post, I build on Cohen’s work by highlighting some of today’s common medications associated with nutrient depletion and provide guidance on how to restore the nutrients they are known to affect.

Image Medications That Deplete Nutrients

While it’s important to point out in a post like this one that some over-the-counter and prescription medications can be helpful in treating and managing various illness and relieving symptoms, it’s similarly important to acknowledge that many people don’t realize that some of these same medications can deplete their body of essential vitamins and minerals. The resulting nutrient depletion can lead to a number of health issues, creating a cycle of dependency on more medical interventions that often involve some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Being able to recognize the medications that can rob your body of what it needs to thrive and knowing how to address this issue proactively will help you maintain optimal health while managing your health.

Common Nutrient-Depleting Medications

Many medications are known to deplete nutrients. Most of these are prescription medications, but some are available over the counter, including proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) — medications used to reduce stomach acid.

Statins (Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs)1

  • Nutrient Depleted: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
  • Why It Matters: CoQ10 affects energy production in your cells and has properties that protect your heart. A deficiency in CoQ10 can cause fatigue, muscle pain, and even an increased risk of heart failure, so don’t wait for symptoms to develop before acting.
  • What You Can Do: If you are taking a statin, speak to your healthcare provider about supplementing with CoQ10. If your healthcare provider prescribed a statin medication and did not recommend a CoQ10, consider finding a physician who understands the pros and cons of statins and can explore additional options to treat cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors.

If you experience muscle pain or weakness, work with your healthcare provider to switch to a different statin medication or explore alternative treatments. Here at PPROVOKE Health, we have patients who had experienced weakness for years during which neither the patient nor doctor was aware this was a side effect of a statin medication. As an aside, I can’t imagine ignoring, dismissing, or failing to address a patient’s years-long experience of weakness and fatigue. Weakness and fatigue are not normal and should be treated just as you would treat heart disease. An increase in energy and strength is usually a sign of improved health and fitness.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (Acid Reflux Medications)2

  • Nutrients Depleted: Calcium, Vitamin B12, and Magnesium.
  • Why It Matters: Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may lead to low magnesium levels, which is associated with muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, and seizures. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to cognitive issues, nerve damage, and anemia . A deficiency in calcium may increase the risk of bone fractures.
  • What You Can Do: If you are taking a proton pump inhibitor such as dexiansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex), the best thing you can do is work to resolve the underlying problem in your digestive tract. At PROVOKE Health, we have been working with patients for many years on resolving gastrointestinal problems using comprehensive diagnostic testing and integrative treatments to get to the root of the problem.

Our approach may include Continue reading…

What Does Functional Medicine Say About the Mediterranean Diet?

By |2024-08-30T15:32:52-04:00August 8th, 2024|Categories: Food & Nutrition|Tags: , |0 Comments

Depending on your plan of care, your Tampa functional medicine healthcare provider, like those at PROVOKE Health, may recommend an eating plan based on the Mediterranean diet. If you’re unfamiliar with it, the Mediterranean diet, inspired by the traditional eating habits of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, has long been praised for its health benefits.

Rich in plant-based foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins, the Mediterranean diet emphasizes overall well-being rather than calorie counting or restrictive eating. But what does functional medicine say about the Mediterranean diet? That’s the focus of today’s post.

Tampa Functional Medicine at PROVOKE Health

At PROVOKE Health, we practice functional medicine in Tampa because it’s a patient-centered approach to healthcare that’s intentional about addressing the underlying causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms. This approach to healthcare focuses on personalized plans of care that consider the unique health history (both yours and your family), genetics, biochemical factors, lifestyle, and health and fitness objectives of each of our patients.

When it comes to that which fuels our bodies, especially when we’re sick, functional medicine practitioners like our Founder, Dr. Matt Lewis, D.C., DACBN, CFMP®, and our Medical Director, Dr. Karalynne Blochberger, MD, often emphasize the importance of whole, nutrient-dense foods that support overall health and prevent chronic disease. And that’s where the Mediterranean diet comes into play.

Mediterranean Diet Photo

For additional information about functional medicine, please read Functional Medicine Explained, here on the PROVOKE Health Blog.

Key Components of the Mediterranean Diet

Before diving into the Functional Medicine perspective, let’s first take a moment to understand the components of the Mediterranean diet:

  • Vegetables and Fruits: These form the cornerstone of the diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The Mediterranean diet encourages at least five (5) servings of vegetables and fruits per day, ensuring a variety of colors and types to maximize your intake of nutrients that support your plan of care.
  • Whole Grains: Unlike refined grains, whole grains are packed with fiber, which supports digestion and helps you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Whole-grain bread, pasta, and rice are staples of the Mediterranean diet.
  • Healthy Fats: The Mediterranean diet emphasizes healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, and seeds. These fats are beneficial to your heart health and can help reduce inflammation, which is common in most of the chronic illnesses we treat at PROVOKE Health.
  • Lean Proteins: Fish and seafood are the primary sources of protein that the Mediterranean diet relies on — particularly those rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Poultry, beans, and legumes are also included, while red meat is limited.
  • Minimally Processed Foods: The Mediterranean diet is intentional about its avoidance of processed foods and refined sugars, focusing instead on whole, natural ingredients. As we like to say, if it comes in a box, it’s probably not going to be compliant with this particular approach to eating.

Functional Medicine’s View on the Mediterranean Diet

From a Functional Medicine perspective, the Mediterranean diet aligns well with the principles of personalized and whole-body healthcare. Here’s are four ways: Continue reading…

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and Healthy Immune Function

By |2024-07-25T17:39:57-04:00July 23rd, 2024|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

A leading medical doctor specializing in diseases of the small intestine, stomach, esophagus, and colon, claims a drug formerly used to treat opioid and alcohol dependence, has become an intriguing choice for managing several gastrointestinal disorders.

In a recent article entitled “Low-Dose Naltrexone in Gastroenterology: A Bonafide ‘Wonder Drug,” Dr. Leonard Weinstock, M.D., a St. Louis-based gastroenterologist and researcher, asserts that naltrexone —  originally used at a dosage of 200 mg daily to treat opioid users and alcoholics — has been found successful in treating intestinal issues when used at just one-tenth of the full dosage.

In my own private practice and here at PROVOKE Health, we have a long history of using low-dose naltrexone (aka, LDN) to treat immune system dysfunction. In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that LDN is effective in treating conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It has even shown beneficial implications in several other areas, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), psoriasis, weight management, and Long COVID, which is characterized by symptoms lasting at least three months after an initial infection.

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) word cloud

So what is naltrexone and what do we here at PROVOKE Health think about the potential role of this medication in the battle to overcome chronic illness? Well, that depends. As a functional medicine and integrative healthcare practice committed to motivating patients by providing the healthcare, guidance, and support they need, we believe in providing personalized treatment that addresses the unique health and fitness needs of each patient. We do not promote any single treatment or protocol as a miracle cure or a one-size-fits-all solution.

However, in the context of our clinical practice, we have found naltrexone to be an effective tool in the treatment of a wide range of immune system dysfunctions, such as the following:

  • Long COVID
  • Psoriasis
  • Toxic mold
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Scleroderma
  • Lupus
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Celiac disease

In this post, I share how naltrexone can aid in preventing common issues that are associated with the use of opioids — namely relapse — as well as naltrexone potential benefits, at much lower doses, for temporarily restoring healthy immune function. This can be especially useful while the root causes of immune system dysfunction are being identified and addressed.

Naltrexone in the Treatment of Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders

Classified as an opioid antagonist, naltrexone has been approved for the treatment of opioid and alcohol addiction since 1984. Opioids encompass a range of substances, including the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and prescription painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and others.

These drugs work by binding to opioid receptors in the body, providing pain relief, slowing down breathing, and inducing a calming effect. However, as you already know, opioids are highly addictive. When taken at the full dose of 200 mg daily (typically four doses of 50 mg), naltrexone blocks opioid receptors to prevent the effects of opiates and reduce cravings.

Think of opioid receptors as locks and opioid molecules as keys. Naltrexone acts as a key that fits into all the locks, so the opioid molecules cannot insert their keys. While on naltrexone, someone using opioids won’t experience Continue reading…

Candida Yeast Overgrowth: A Root Cause of Many Chronic Illnesses

By |2024-07-01T19:41:26-04:00July 1st, 2024|Categories: Gut Health|Tags: |0 Comments

If you’re experiencing bloating, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and frequent migraines or headaches, it might be wise to ask your doctor to test you for candida yeast overgrowth. Not sure what candida is? Or why it’s a leading suspect in these and other conditions linked to chronic disease? That’s what today’s post is about.

Candida albicans is a microscopic yeast that lives within and around us all. Like many microorganisms, it doesn’t cause a problem until an imbalance occurs in the community of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that populate the body. Then, it can cause all sorts of illness, from obvious conditions, such as thrush and vaginal yeast infections, to a wide range of illnesses with more mysterious symptoms. These include fatigue, headache, food sensitivities, rashes, and digestive issues. In addition, Candida yeast overgrowth can trigger and contribute to numerous autoimmune disorders, including arthritis, allergies, gastric ulcers, colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

The medical community recognizes and provides treatments for the obvious, acute medical conditions caused by Candida yeast overgrowth, including thrush, vaginitis, frequent urinary tract infections, certain skin and nail infections, and severe systemic infections that affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body. But that same community has been slow to recognize the role Candida plays in chronic medical conditions.

Graphic of word cloud of candida overgrowth

In fact, for the last half century and even today, most conventional medical practitioners continue to push back against any suggestion that Candida yeast plays a role in chronic health conditions. They are skilled at identifying conditions that are relatively easy to diagnose and can be treated with pharmaceutical-grade antifungal medications. But they tend to overlook Candida infections that fly below the radar.

Tracing Symptoms to Causes

To be fair, the connection between Candida yeast overgrowth and chronic health conditions can be elusive. Candida overgrowth is typically just one link in a chain reaction of causes. For example, overuse of antibiotics can cause an imbalance in gut flora that triggers an overgrowth of Candida. That can lead to leaky gut that promotes an overactive immune system that attacks the joints, resulting in arthritis. In this complex case, conventional medicine would simply treat the symptoms of arthritis without ever addressing other links in the chain reaction.

In contrast, the functional medicine and integrative healthcare providers here at PROVOKE Health take a different approach. Like curious children, we keep asking questions until we have a complete picture of what’s going on: Continue reading…

Understanding the Role and Benefits of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)

By |2024-06-19T13:54:26-04:00June 19th, 2024|Categories: Peptides|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments

At PROVOKE Health, we prioritize understanding the latest advancements in functional medicine and integrative healthcare in order to provide our patients with the most effective treatments.

One such advancement is the use of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), a peptide hormone made up of 28 amino acids. Found in high concentrations throughout the body — including in the respiratory system, endocrine organs, heart, and brain, , and— VIP plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health.

If you’re unfamiliar with peptides, read “The Healing and Rejuvenating Power of Therapeutic Peptides” here on the PROVOKE Health blog. In short, peptides are short strings of amino acids — much shorter than protein molecules and easier for the body to absorb and break down — that are bioactive and have a beneficial effect on the body.

Graphic for Role and Benefits of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

In this post, we’ll focus on the benefits of VIP, starting with its impact on improving gut health.

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide and Gut Health

Vasoactive intestinal peptide has a significant impact on the health of your gut. Here’s how VIP supports a healthy digestive system: Continue reading…

Understanding the Challenges and Needs of Chronically Ill Workers

By |2024-06-11T16:10:11-04:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: Chronic Illness|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

A study completed just months ago by Amazon and the Harvard Business Review provides us with some interesting data about working people who are suffering chronic illnesses during the post-Covid age.

Entitled How People Experience Chronic Illness at Work and published in May, the study was conducted by Katie Bach, MBA, MSc, the Director of Science Partnerships and Impact at Amazon, and Gretchen Gavett, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review.

Here at PROVOKE Health, a functional medicine and integrative healthcare practice dedicated to collaborating with patients to rekindle their confidence and improve their resiliency, we create and co-manage personalized plans of care that address or prevent complex health problems, including chronic illnesses. Bach and Gavett’s study is of particular interest because it appears to be the first to explore how recent chronic illnesses such as those discussed below impact workers, and what actions employers can provide to support them better.

Image for Survey: How People Experience Chronic Illness at WorkOur patients often tell us about their work-related concerns due to conditions that include long Covid, myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which are reshaping the workplace landscape in many parts of the country. These conditions, along with mold-related illness and environmentally acquired illness, often lead to fluctuating symptoms and unpredictable energy levels, thus hindering consistent performance at work.

At PROVOKE Health, we understand the complexities of chronic illnesses and are dedicated to diagnosing and treating these conditions in order for our patients to regain their health and resilience. So when a study comes along that offers additional insight into these topics, we’re listening.

What appears to be the impact of chronic illness at work? Here is what the study reveals:

The Impact of Chronic Illness at Work

Experiences Vary Dramatically: The survey reveals a stark contrast between the perspectives of chronically ill workers and their non-ill colleagues. While 60 percent of non-ill respondents believe their organizations are supportive, only 36 percent of those with chronic illnesses agree. This discrepancy highlights a critical gap in understanding and support within workplaces.

Daily Struggles: Chronically ill workers report a range of symptoms that vary daily, making consistent performance challenging. One respondent in the study described the fluctuation as follows:

“Long Covid means that one day I can work at almost full capacity and the next I can barely get out of bed.”

At PROVOKE Health, we specialize in understanding these fluctuations and developing personalized treatment plans to help manage symptoms. And often, we’re able to Continue reading…

Personalized Treatment for Lichen Sclerosus: A Case Study — Part Two

By |2024-05-31T20:10:59-04:00May 31st, 2024|Categories: Lichen Sclerosus|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

Last week on our blog, one of our patients shared her experience with Lichen Sclerosus and how we have been helping her on her journey to recovery (see “Recovering from Lichen: A Case Study — Part One”).

Janet reported that her symptoms had started 10 years before she visited our Tampa functional medicine clinic, and she was diagnosed three years prior to consulting us. In all that time — despite consulting several doctors — the recommended treatments provided little to no relief.

As part of her intake here at PROVOKE Health, she reported a possible past exposure to mold, so we ordered a mold toxin antibody test, which confirmed the exposure. The positive result led us to understand that mold was aggravating her immune system causing dysregulation and contributing to hormonal imbalances. It’s likely that the problem of Lichen Sclerosus was not solely due to the mold exposure; however, we know it was a contributing factor.

Lichen Sclerosus photograph

Although Janet reported symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus dating back a decade, upon further discussion, we came to find out that she had suffered from itching for nearly 18 years. This led us to an understanding that mast cells were involved. When mast cells are activated, they secrete histamine along with other inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.

We tested for mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). She did not test positive for MCAS, but it is a complex illness. Most conditions in conventional medicine are either positive or negative. However, we suspect that MCAS may exist more on a spectrum. Janet could have been experiencing symptoms of MCAS without reaching the threshold of testing positive for it. We find this quite common in our patient population.

This is the nuance of functional medicine. A willingness and readiness to practice in areas that require flexibility and open-mindedness. The question we faced was determining what was continually aggravating those mast cells? In Janet’s case, mold was a contributing factor. For others, it can be a food sensitivity or allergy, another environmental allergy, stress levels, infections, physical exertion, or even a commonly prescribed medication (antibiotic or steroid).

Calming the Mast Cells

Because mast cell reactivity was playing a key role in producing symptoms, we had to calm those cells — make them less reactive. This was a two-step process: Continue reading…

Recovering from Lichen Sclerosus: A Patient Case Study — Part One

By |2024-05-31T20:13:00-04:00May 22nd, 2024|Categories: Lichen Sclerosus|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Editor’s Note: Today, we’re taking another detour from our usual blog posts that present information from our own medical team and staff. As we did a few weeks ago, we’re presenting a case study that we recently received from a patient who wants to share her personal journey with our healthcare practice, this time for a case of Lichen Sclerosus.

Below, in her own words, is 42-year-old Janet’s experience with Lichen Sclerosus. If you’re not familiar with Lichen Sclerosus, it is a chronic inflammatory skin condition primarily affecting the genital and perianal areas, although it can occur on other parts of the body. Common symptoms include:

  • Smooth white patches of skin
  • Itching, discomfort, and pain
  • Easy bruising or tearing
  • Painful sex and painful or difficult urination (if it affects the genital area)

The condition is more common in women, particularly those who are postmenopausal, but it can also affect men and children.

Next week, we’ll be back to our normal format with a blog post featuring our plan of care and some additional thoughts about treating patients living with Lichen Sclerosus.

– – – – – – – – – –

My Journey With Lichen Sclerosus

The most important thing I learned from my journey with Lichen Sclerosus is that the first thing I should have done is visited with someone like Dr. Matthew Lewis at PROKOVE Health.

Prior to seeing Dr. Lewis, I had been dealing with the symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus for more than 10 years. At first, I suffered from itch and irritation, but I didn’t have the classic “white patches.” I consulted multiple doctors, primary care and Ob/Gyn, who diagnosed me as having yeast infections and prescribed repeated courses of fluconazole (an anti-fungal medication). Given the inconvenience of repeat visits to doctors who provide little to no relief, I started using over-the-counter creams, suppositories, and probiotics, none of which was very effective.

Lichen Sclerosus medical form image

Four years ago, the disease progressed to the point where I could no longer tolerate it. My skin began to tear when I had intercourse, and I was dealing with persistent irritation and discomfort. I consulted three more Ob/Gyns and received ineffective treatment recommendations — from changing soap and laundry detergent to using prescription estrogen cream to having surgery. I went to a functional medicine doctor and saw minor improvement after addressing nutritional deficiencies and making dietary changes. However, the discomfort was still consuming my life and causing tension in my marriage.

About three years ago, after conducting my own internet research and bringing it to the attention of my doctors, I finally received a diagnosis of Lichen Sclerosus and was prescribed the standard of care — topical steroids. When my condition continued to worsen, my physician performed a series of experimental, in-office procedures with the goal of rejuvenating the affected skin. The procedures brought me no relief, and the only option I was offered was to try another round of procedures. The physician went so far as to say I should lower my expectations. I continued to seek alternative solutions through Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and experimental laser.

In December 2023, we uncovered mold in our home, and I was referred to Dr. Lewis for his expertise in mold and mycotoxin exposure.

My Medical History

Dr. Lewis conducted a thorough review of my Continue reading…

Personalized Long-COVID Treatment: A Case Study – Part Two

By |2024-05-20T16:15:39-04:00May 10th, 2024|Categories: Long Covid|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Last week on our blog, one of our patients shared his experience with Long COVID and how we have been helping him on his journey to recovery (see “Recovering from Long COVID: A Case Study.”) His symptoms started after three bouts of Covid-19 in as many years, and even though he was a strong and healthy 63-year-old, the disease had taken a toll on his resiliency — his body’s ability to bounce back after a serious illness.

Long Covid Patient Frustrated

When we first met him, Doug was physically weak and exhausted and cognitively impaired (both thinking and memory). He had already consulted two other doctors who told him that conventional medicine had no effective treatment protocol for Long COVID and that his symptoms were likely to last for six to 24 months. They recommended that he enroll in a Long-COVID program available through the University of Florida.

We offered a better solution — a personalized plan of care to restore his health, fitness, and resiliency.

In this post, I share additional details about the personalized treatment protocol we prescribed for Doug at PROVOKE Health. But first, we offer a few words of caution.

Not a One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Here at PROVOKE Health, we practice functional medicine and integrative healthcare — a systems-based, whole-body approach that focuses on restoring health instead of merely eliminating illness or suppressing symptoms. That’s why functional medicine is effective in treating health conditions that conventional medicine cannot resolve.

Unfortunately, it is also why what works for one patient may not work for another. Every patient is unique and has special medical needs based on their age, genetics, medical history, family health history, lifestyle, health and fitness objectives, as well as other variants. We do not have a “long-COVID treatment protocol” that we prescribe to all our patients who report symptoms of long COVID. What we offer is a personalized plan of care, which evolves over time as the patient’s health improves.

In this post, I share the personalized plan of care we prescribed for Doug. We caution against using this as a standardized long-COVID treatment protocol or as a way to self-medicate. Prior to treating any patient, we conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include ordering lab tests to determine specifically what the patient needs. Taking too much or too little of a medication or supplement, poor quality products, or the wrong combination of medications and supplements, can do more harm than good. We recommend that you work closely with a certified functional and integrative medical practice in order to obtain personalized, medically supervised treatment.

Doug’s Long-COVID Plan of Care

For Doug, we developed the following personalized plan of care. Below, Doug’s doses have been omitted intentionally because they are patient-specific and because recommended doses of some medications and supplements change as the patient’s health improves over time. Medical interventions, including prescription medications and intravenous treatments are provided by our medical team using trusted compound pharmacies: Continue reading…

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21754 State Road 54, Suite 102
Lutz, Florida 33549 USA

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730 Sterling Avenue, Suite 214
Tampa, FL 33609 USA

Address

Lutz Location
21754 State Road 54, Suite 102
Lutz, Florida 33549 USA

South Tampa Location
730 Sterling Avenue, Suite 214
Tampa, FL 33609 USA