Episode 115: Dr. Carla Kuon on Long COVID, Chronic Fatigue & Mitochondrial Healing

In this episode, Dr. Adam Rinde sits down with integrative medicine specialist Dr. Carla Kuon from University of California San Francisco (UCSF) to explore the latest insights into long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, and post-viral illnesses. Dr. Kuon shares powerful breakthroughs from her clinical work and research—especially around mitochondrial health and how overlooked deficiencies in riboflavin (B2) and iron (ferritin) can disrupt the body's energy systems.

You’ll learn how chronic inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and “bad programming” in the brain are key components of these conditions—and how holistic strategies like nutrient therapy, mindfulness, and vagus nerve stimulation are helping patients recover.

Whether you’re a patient, provider, or just curious about the future of functional medicine, this conversation is full of takeaways and hope. 💛

00:00 – Intro & sponsor01:04 – Meet Dr. Kuon: Long COVID, CFS & fibromyalgia04:11 – Microclots, brain rewiring & dysautonomia07:46 – The 4 fatigue buckets: updated understanding10:06 – Cell danger response & the stuck nervous system14:40 – Riboflavin: the overlooked vitamin for mitochondria19:41 – Iron, ferritin, and why levels matter more than you think23:44 – Digging deeper into nutrient absorption issues27:00 – Kreb cycle breakdown: how energy is made30:08 – Iron infusions, glutathione, and absorption challenges35:15 – UCSF research: viral persistence & new drug trials38:10 – Long COVID & the HIV research legacy41:37 – Mindfulness saved my medical career44:09 – Vagal nerve tools: gadgets, breath, and acupuncture45:17 – Final thoughts: There is hope

📚 Mentioned in this episode:

• ⁠⁠⁠The LONG COVID Solution: A holistic, integrative approach to post viral recovery.⁠⁠

• UCSF Optimal Clinic

• MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)

• GammaCore & vagus nerve stimulation tools

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#LongCovid #ChronicFatigue #FunctionalMedicine #Mitochondria #PostViralRecovery #OneThingPodcast #DrCarlaKuon

👇 Links:

Dr. Kuon's website:

Dr. Kuon's book ⁠⁠The LONG COVID Solution: A holistic, integrative approach to post viral recovery.⁠

Our Affiliate Sponsor:

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