What Your Doctor Might Be Missing

by Dr. Martin Hart, DC

COVID-19 has rocked the world in many ways, some more interesting than others. But one of the more troubling outcomes is how many people were left with lingering and debilitating symptoms, quickly labeled Long-COVID.

Most puzzling about Long-COVID is how symptoms morph, shift, amplify, fade, and reappear without rhyme or reason. Additionally, symptoms can be as diverse as the people experiencing them and can affect the whole body.

Common Symptoms of Long-COVID

Fatigue
Brain fog
Cognitive issues
Mood swings or emotional dysregulation
POTS or other forms of dysautonomia
Muscle and joint pain
Headaches
Sleep disturbances
Blood clotting or heavy periods
Gut dysbiosis
Hair loss
Shortness of breath

A wide range of theories and ideas have been proposed to explain why these symptoms persist, and some of them are even true!

We now know COVID can reactivate dormant viruses like Epstein-Barr (EBV) and worsen pre-existing issues such as diabetes, insulin resistance, and kidney dysfunction. But that doesn’t explain why some otherwise healthy people still struggle long after the initial infection is gone.

So, what does explain Long-COVID?

Two Hidden Drivers of Long-COVID

1. Mold & Water-Damaged Buildings

Studies show a direct link between mold exposure and lingering COVID symptoms. People with Long-COVID are significantly more likely to have been exposed to moldy environments, especially in homes or workplaces with water damage.

Here’s what mold toxins and bacterial endotoxins do:

Suppress the immune system
Disrupt mitochondrial energy production
Ramp up inflammation
Interfere with hormone balance

These effects make it much harder for the body to recover post-infection. And unfortunately, most doctors, even in functional medicine, aren’t testing for mold toxins or endotoxins. Instead, they may prescribe cholesterol medications or immunosuppressive drugs, missing the actual root cause.

2. Mitochondrial Dysfunction & the Cell Danger Response

When a virus like COVID enters the body, our cells shift into survival mode. This process is known as the Cell Danger Response (CDR), a state where mitochondria prioritize defense over energy production.

While this can be protective in the short term, staying stuck in this mode leads to:

Chronic fatigue
Mood imbalances
Pain
Neuroinflammation
Dysautonomia (like POTS or poor temperature regulation)

Mitochondria become sluggish, neurotransmitter production drops, and inflammation stays high, leaving you feeling exhausted, anxious, and unwell.

What You Can Do Now

If you’re struggling with Long-COVID, here’s where to begin:

1. Check Your Environment for Mold

Use EC3 mold plates to test the air in your home, and perform tap tests on furniture, rugs, and clothing.

2. Start a Mold Detox Protocol

This might include:

Toxin Binders
Liver support
Nasal sprays and sinus rinses
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support

3. Support Mitochondrial Recovery

Once the danger signal is removed (mold or latent infections), help the mitochondria shift back to energy production. Some helpful tools include:

CellTropin – It supports hormonal balance by stimulating pituitary function using homeopathic dilutions of Hypophysis suis (pig pituitary gland) and promotes cellular healing and turnover, which may help with fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disruption linked to toxin exposure. It also contains ingredients like Arginine to boost circulation and nitric oxide production, Ginkgo Biloba to supports energy and mood, and Astragalus Excapus to help reduce DNA damage and support telomere health.
Thiamine (B1) – Thiamine acts as a coenzyme in the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose, which is then used to produce ATP — the energy currency of your cells. It also fuels enzymes essential for mitochondrial function and ATP synthesis, in addition to helping support brain energy, muscle function, and coordination. It’s like giving your body the right tools to keep the lights on and everything running smoothly.
CoQ10 – CoQ10 is essential for making energy inside your cells. It helps move electrons around in a process called the electron transport chain, which is how your body turns food into energy. Without CoQ10, that energy-making process slows down, kind of like trying to charge your phone without a broken charger. It’s also a powerful antioxidant, protecting mitochondria from wear and tear. Without it, your energy levels (especially in high-demand areas like brain, heart, and muscles) can take a hit.
L-Carnitine – L-Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids into your mitochondria, where they’re burned to produce ATP (cellular energy). This makes it crucial for shifting the body into a fat-burning state and for helping with metabolic flexibility, especially during exercise or when the body needs a steadier energy source.
Molecular Hydrogen – It is the smallest gas molecule in the world, so it can sneak into all the cells and tissues and get rid of free radicals without interfering with mitochondrial function while also helping your body to make more clean energy, so you feel stronger and clearer headed. It also pairs well with CoQ10.