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 recove
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:
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The LONG COVID Solution: A holistic, integrative approach to post viral recovery.
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UCSF Optimal Clinic
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MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
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GammaCore & vagus nerve stimulation tools
🔗 Subscribe & share with someone who needs this.
#LongCovid #ChronicFatigue #FunctionalMedicine #Mitochondria #PostViralRecovery #OneThingPodcast #DrCarlaKuon
👇 Links:
Dr. Kuon's book The LONG COVID Solution: A holistic, integrative approach to post viral recovery.
Our Affiliate Sponsor:
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Carla Kuon, ND
Doctor/Researcher/Author
Dr. Kuon directs the Long COVID OPTIMAL-IH Clinic since 2023, bringing relief to hundreds of Long COVID patients through integrative health modalities. She combines precision medicine, microbiome medicine, and a holistic approach in patient care. She pioneered an innovative group medical visit model to increase access to care for Long COVID patients.
Dr. Kuon teaches the CODA "Food as Medicine" course in UCSF, a popular elective course among UCSF medical students and fellows. She approaches her medical care with a "food is medicine" approach, personalizing her recommendations for patients with evidence-informed approaches, and with a focus on functional immunology. She also has experience in integrative oncology.
Authored the Long COVID Solution in 2022, a holistic protocol to help Long COVID patients heal from their illness. Her book has sold in over 12 countries worldwide and is available in a Spanish edition.
Completed training in functional Immunology in 2021 (Cogence)
Became a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Champion in 2021.
Championed a working group in 2017 that created a new addiction service at UCSF's main hospital building; she is dual board-certified in addiction medicine and internal medicine.
Created and directed the inpatient massage service in UCSF's Bone Marrow Transplant unit for adults in 2016. This project was funded by a crowdfunding campaign called "Healing Hands" led by her, and was featured in NBC Bay area news.
http://proj.at/29VFhs
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