Avoid the Toxic 5 if you have long COVID with Dr. Evan Hirsch
Sep 14, 2024
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Dr. Evan Hirsch, a chronic fatigue expert, discusses his journey in treating long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome. He introduces 'The Toxic 5,' key factors causing fatigue, including heavy metals and infections. Dr. Hirsch emphasizes the importance of addressing toxicity, simplifying treatment protocols, and brain retraining. He shares insights on ozone therapy, mold health impacts, and safe heavy metal detox methods. The conversation delves into the complexities of long COVID and the significance of managing viral persistence for recovery.
The podcast highlights the 'Toxic 5' contributors to chronic fatigue, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions against heavy metals, chemicals, molds, infections, and nervous system dysfunction.
A holistic treatment approach for chronic fatigue is encouraged, treating multiple toxicities concurrently rather than focusing on singular toxins for more effective detoxification outcomes.
Addressing nervous system dysfunction through techniques like brain retraining is crucial for facilitating recovery and enhancing the immune response in long COVID and chronic fatigue patients.
Deep dives
Understanding the Toxic Five
The podcast emphasizes the significance of identifying the key contributors to chronic fatigue, namely the toxic five: heavy metals, chemicals, molds, infections, and nervous system dysfunction or trauma. Initially, the speaker categorized various causes into deficiencies and toxicities but has since recognized that not all factors hold equal weight. Emphasis is placed on these toxicities as root causes that contribute significantly to chronic fatigue syndromes such as ME/CFS and long COVID. Understanding these core issues allows for targeted therapies that address the actual sources of dysfunction rather than simply alleviating symptoms.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
The conversation highlights a shift towards a more holistic understanding of chronic fatigue treatments, where various toxins and deficiencies are interconnected. The speaker points out that previous approaches often focused on singular treatments for one toxin at a time, which proved ineffective. Instead, a simultaneous treatment strategy is now preferred, addressing multiple toxicities concurrently to enhance effective detoxification. This methodology acknowledges the complexity of the body’s toxic load, asserting that individual symptoms cannot be isolated from their broader systemic context.
Mindset and Nervous System Retraining
A crucial aspect discussed is the role of the nervous system and the need for retraining to promote healing from chronic fatigue syndromes. The speaker explains that addressing nervous system dysfunction is essential, as it directly influences immune response and recovery. By integrating mindset and brain retraining into treatment programs, patients often experience accelerated improvements in their conditions. The approach encourages patients to focus on creating a parasympathetic state, fostering an environment conducive to healing.
Evaluating Testing and Medical Interventions
The podcast critiques the reliance on diagnostic testing in the realm of chronic fatigue treatment, emphasizing that many tests can yield inconsistent results and may not provide reliable insights into a patient's condition. Instead of frequent testing for various causes, a more efficient methodology involves prioritizing treatment based on patient history and symptoms. The speaker advocates for direct interventions aimed at treating known toxicities rather than getting bogged down in potentially unreliable lab tests. This perspective streamlines the process, allowing patients to allocate resources towards effective therapies and supplements.
Challenges in Long COVID Management
The discussion shifts to the complexities of treating long COVID, framed as a variant of chronic fatigue syndrome that poses unique challenges. With COVID's emergence, many patients report lingering symptoms that are often overlooked by conventional medical approaches. The speaker points to the necessity of recognizing root causes, including previous infections and toxic exposures, to develop effective treatments. It emphasizes that addressing underlying issues holistically can help mitigate symptoms effectively, mirroring what has been learned from treating chronic fatigue syndromes.
In this episode, I’m speaking with chronic fatigue expert Dr. Evan Hirsch in his third appearance on the Energy Blueprint Podcast.
In this episode, we talk about how his approach to chronic fatigue and ME/CFS has evolved over the years and how he’s now working with patients who have long COVID. He also describes what he calls “The Toxic 5” and how these are at the root of many fatigue issues.
In this podcast, Dr. Hirsch and I discuss:
The “Toxic 5” primary reasons Dr. Hirsch believes people struggle with chronic fatigue
The crucial importance of addressing toxicity, protocol simplification, and brain retraining in ME/CFS
How long-term infections—now, including COVID—contribute to fatigue and their interplay with other root causes
The usefulness of testing and how much weight you should (or shouldn’t!) place on certain test results
Dr. Hirsch’s experience with ozone therapy, hyperbaric therapy, and IV vitamin C and why his stance has shifted over the years
One very surprising (and scary) statistic on mold and two key ways to get mycotoxins out of your body
The safest way to rid the body of heavy metals and the dire consequences people suffer if they aren’t ready to detox properly
The most problematic heavy metal and Dr. Hirsch’s recommendations for how to avoid it
His approach to long COVID and the problem with COVID persistence, i.e., spike proteins remaining in the body in a latent state
“Brain retraining” (a technique Dr. Hirsch learned about from his patients!) and the powerful combination of addressing the mind AND body for people with chronic fatigue
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