Periodic Fasting for Treatment of Long Covid in Adults: a Pilot Study

Summary

Background:

Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute COVID-19 infection, has emerged as a significant public health concern. Symptoms range from fatigue, cognitive impairments, to respiratory difficulties, affecting patients\' quality of life. Dietary interventions, particularly fasting, have historically been used to modulate immune responses and improve health outcomes in various conditions. The Buchinger-Wilhelmi method represents a structured and medically supervised fasting approach. Given the inflammatory nature of long COVID, fasting may offer therapeutic benefits by modulating the immune response, enhancing cellular repair mechanisms, and resetting metabolic processes.

Objectives:

This clinical trial aims to assess the feasibility of a 7-day ambulatory fasting intervention using the Buchinger-Wilhelmi method on long COVID patients as primary objective. As secondary objectives, the study will investigate the potential beneficial impact of fasting on clinical, biological, and psychological parameters over a period of 4 weeks, offering insights into potential therapeutic avenues for long COVID management.

Study timeline:

The research will span a period of 4 weeks

Study population:

This study aims to recruit around 20 participants, who will all receive a fasting intervention using the Buchinger-Wilhelmi method.

Biological sample and data collection:

Participants will undergo various data and sample collection procedures, including blood draws of up to 90 42 ml per visit, collection of peripheral mononuclear cells, stool samples, and completion of questionnaires in a smartphone-based Application (MyCap).

Sample analysis:

The collected samples will be subjected to a range of analyses, including the assessment of serological markers for routine blood chemistry, evaluation of inflammation markers, and examination of stool samples.

Conditions

• Long Covid
• Chronic Inflammation

Interventions

OTHER

7-day ambulatory caloric restriction intervention using the Buchinger-Wilhelmi method

Buchinger-Wilhelmi method, will be administered in an ambulatory setting under physician guidance. It involves an initial bowel cleanse followed by 7-day fasting period. The initial bowel cleanse will be performed according to the standard procedure commonly used for colonoscopy preparation. During the fasting period, subjects will be provided with a dietary energy supply of a maximum of 350 kcal per day, primarily consisting of vegetable broths as well as fresh vegetable juices. Patients will only be allowed to consume calorie-free and unsweetened water or tea in addition to the prescribed diet.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Luxembourg

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Raquel Gomez Bravo, PhD · Rehaklinik du Centre Hospitalier Neuro-Psychiatrique (CHNP), UL

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

64 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-02-19

Primary Completion

2025-06-30

Completion

2025-09-30

Countries

• Luxembourg

Study Locations