Hip
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A number of long COVID patients are reporting substantial improvements from the supplement lactoferrin. See these threads reporting major benefits (the brand and type used is indicated):
Lactoferrin is a protein found in mother's milk which has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
Typically long COVID patients start on low doses of lactoferrin (250 mg daily), and over a few days titrate up to higher doses (1500 mg or more daily). Taking too much too soon may cause increased symptoms or a Herx.
Most lactoferrin supplements you buy are in fact apolactoferrin, a synthetic form of lactoferrin. Though you can also buy lactoferrin. This article states that the "apo" form has additional benefits over regular lactoferrin (for example apolactoferrin is a better antimicrobial).
Apparently both lactoferrin and apolactoferrin increase iron absorption from the diet. This article says lactoferrin helps normalise iron metabolism: "though lactoferrin is both an iron scavenger and donor (depending on the cellular environment), it has been found to scavenge or donate iron at the appropriate times when the body is in need of the reaction."
One study found lactoferrin binds to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, although a placebo-controlled clinical trial did not show benefits for patients hospitalised with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (though the authors state lactoferrin potentially might be useful in earlier phases of COVID-19).
One study found lactoferrin was effective for two children with long COVID who had gastrointestinal symptoms.
Lactoferrin appears to have positive effects on the intestinal mucosal immune system.
A study found lactoferrin binds to and neutralises bacterial LPS and stops it from activating inflammatory TLR-4 signalling pathways.
Interestingly, this long COVID patient found that cheaper brands did not work as well as the more expensive Jarrow brand of apolactoferrin:
Someone else on Reddit echoed this experience:
- Huge improvements with lactoferrin — Jan 2024 apolactoferrin
- Incredible recovery with lactoferrin! — Aug 2023 Jarrow apolactoferrin
- Has anyone tried BOTH lactoferrin and dandelion? That combo made a massive difference for me — Jul 2023 Jarrow apolactoferrin
- Lactoferrin working great but causing some GI issues — Jun 2023 Life Extension apolactoferrin
- Lactoferrin and l-arginine plus vitamin c is making me feel normal again — Jun 2023 Life Extension lactoferrin
- From Laying in a Dark Room to Going for Walks in the Sunshine: The Simplest & Most Effective Recovery — May 2023 Life Giving Store lactoferrin + apolactoferrin
- Apolactoferrin showing significant results for me — May 2023 Jarrow apolactoferrin
- Lactoferrin is helping me with PEM and tremors — May 2023 Jarrow apolactoferrin
- Lactoferrin is a miracle supplement for me — Mar 2023 Vitamatic apolactoferrin
- Lactoferrin Improvement; Connection with Menstrual Cycle and Viral Reservoir? — Feb 2023 Humanx lactoferrin
- Feeling fully recovered after 8 months — Jan 2023 Brand unknown Update after 5 months
- Lactoferrin high dose succesful — Nov 2022 Brand unknown
- I would say I am probably back to normal — Feb 2022 Humanx lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is a protein found in mother's milk which has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
Typically long COVID patients start on low doses of lactoferrin (250 mg daily), and over a few days titrate up to higher doses (1500 mg or more daily). Taking too much too soon may cause increased symptoms or a Herx.
Most lactoferrin supplements you buy are in fact apolactoferrin, a synthetic form of lactoferrin. Though you can also buy lactoferrin. This article states that the "apo" form has additional benefits over regular lactoferrin (for example apolactoferrin is a better antimicrobial).
Apparently both lactoferrin and apolactoferrin increase iron absorption from the diet. This article says lactoferrin helps normalise iron metabolism: "though lactoferrin is both an iron scavenger and donor (depending on the cellular environment), it has been found to scavenge or donate iron at the appropriate times when the body is in need of the reaction."
One study found lactoferrin binds to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, although a placebo-controlled clinical trial did not show benefits for patients hospitalised with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (though the authors state lactoferrin potentially might be useful in earlier phases of COVID-19).
One study found lactoferrin was effective for two children with long COVID who had gastrointestinal symptoms.
Lactoferrin appears to have positive effects on the intestinal mucosal immune system.
A study found lactoferrin binds to and neutralises bacterial LPS and stops it from activating inflammatory TLR-4 signalling pathways.
Interestingly, this long COVID patient found that cheaper brands did not work as well as the more expensive Jarrow brand of apolactoferrin:
Someone else on Reddit echoed this experience:
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