Long Covid: Blocked Pathways & Detox Overload

The fourth damage subtype to repair

Jun 01, 2025

See my earlier posts on subtype 1: Kidney-Electrolyte Imbalance, subtype 2: Nutrient-Absorption Dysfunction, and subtype 3: Mitochondrial Collapse & Redox Imbalance. I believe these systems need to be restored in this order to avoid crashes and overwhelming the body.

Partial Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. What worked for me may not work for others. I am providing this for educational and information purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider before beginning any treatments. (Full disclaimer at the bottom.)

I’m Andrew, a systems thinker and former burned-out gifted-kid with undiagnosed ADHD and Autism. When my wife got sick with Covid, I used my background with a BSc in Biology and followed all the research I could to try and find ways to help her get well. Then in 2022 I got Long Covid after our third infection. I thought it was a curse, but it turned out it gave me the opportunity to become my own lab rat.

Doctors didn’t have many answers. So I became the researcher I needed. I dug into physiology, biochemistry, holistic medicine, and mountains of patient stories. The first thing I did was get the brain fog handled, so I could think more clearly. Then, through a lot of trial, error, spreadsheet-wrangling, and autistic pattern-recognition, I started to piece together a framework: different subtypes of Long Covid damage that each needed their own first-aid strategy. It was an n=1 study, a mix of science and anecdote, something I call Long Covid Alchemy.

This post is my fourth map to help others understand what I discovered about the terrain of this disease. And some guidance on how they might be able to find their own way out.

This one is about a different kind of fatigue, one that feels like overload. Your system isn’t just tired. It’s clogged, buzzing, reacting. You try to detox, but crash. Take a supplement and flare. It's like trying to fix a car while the engine is on fire.

That’s how I discovered the Blocked Pathways & Detox Overload subtype, centered on glutathione depletion, sulfur pathway congestion, and redox imbalance.

Main Clues

You might be dealing with this subtype if you notice:

Tired but wired
Chemical sensitivity (perfumes, smoke, supplements)
Worse symptoms from stress, heat, or detox efforts
Gas or bloating from sulfur-rich foods (garlic, eggs, broccoli)
Tension headaches, face pressure, or buzzing sensations
Trouble tolerating NAC, B vitamins, or methylation supports
“Stuck” inflammation that doesn’t resolve
Brain fog, recurring infections, or skin flareups

This isn’t just fatigue, it’s a toxic gridlock. Your body wants to clean house, but the detox exit routes are jammed.

Why This Happens

This subtype involves multiple overlapping system breakdowns. Here’s what I think was going wrong:

Glutathione depletion: Covid and oxidative stress lower your main antioxidant
Redox imbalance: Too many free radicals, not enough neutralizers
Sulfur pathway bottleneck: Trouble converting homocysteine or clearing sulfites
Transsulfuration dysfunction: Impaired use of cysteine, taurine, and sulfur compounds
Detox enzyme slowdown: Weak or underperforming systems like SOD, GPx, or catalase

The result? A buildup of toxins, histamine, inflammatory byproducts, and cellular static.

What Helped Me Unblock

This was one of the hardest subtypes to crack. More wasn’t better. I had to go slow, gentle, and precise. I don’t think everyone needs all of these, but most people may find some of these options are relevant for their recovery.

1. Redox & Glutathione Core Support

These were the first steps:

NAC (low dose): Replenishes glutathione precursor
Liposomal glutathione: Easier to tolerate than IV or precursors alone
Vitamin C: Antioxidant and mast cell stabilizer
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA): Regenerates glutathione and supports liver detox
Resveratrol & quercetin: Calms inflammation and improves antioxidant enzymes

2. Sulfur Pathway Support

Glycine: Helps buffer glutamate, supports redox
Taurine: Assists bile flow and sulfur transport
P5P (Vitamin B6): Required for transsulfuration
Molybdenum: Clears sulfite → sulfate
MSM (low dose): Sulfur donor that helped once my system was stabilized

3. Drainage and Detox Helpers

Selenium: Supports glutathione enzyme systems
Magnesium glycinate: Calms system and supports metabolism
Epsom salt baths: Provided magnesium and sulfates for detox
Gentle binders: Activated charcoal, bentonite, or fulvic acid (well-spaced from nutrients)

4. Strategy & Stacking

I found success by:

Stacking calming + detox supports (magnesium + C + glycine + taurine)
Using low doses first, then titrating slowly
Taking binders 2–3 hours away from nutrients
Watching for signs of sulfur sensitivity (anxiety, headaches, bloating)

What I Ate to Rebuild

These foods supported detox gently, without overload:

Proteins: Turkey, grass-fed beef, collagen
Low-sulfur carbs: Sweet potatoes, jasmine rice, cooked oats
Greens: Zucchini, romaine, lettuce, cucumbers
Liver detox foods: Beets, lemon juice, parsley
Polyphenols: Blueberries, rosemary, green tea
Soups and broths: Simple bone or veggie broths with olive oil and herbs

I kept meals small, warm, and simple, avoiding leftovers or complex combos until my system could handle more.

Why This Matters

This subtype made everything else fail.

Until I calmed the redox fire, my body just felt sick or poisoned. Treatments for brain fog, hormones, or improving immune function can’t work until I got these toxic metabolites clearing through my body.

This isn’t just “detoxing.” This is about restoring flow to a system jammed by inflammation and oxidative stress.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing less, but doing it right.

Please Consider Supporting This Work

While I’m working to share everything I know about Long COVID, how it works, why it lingers, and most importantly, how to fight back, a lot of my time still goes into just keeping the lights on.

If you’ve found my posts helpful, or if you want to see more deep dives, practical guides, treatment breakdowns, and community tools, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Every subscription helps me spend more time researching, writing, and building resources for those still navigating this beast.

Your support doesn’t just help me—it helps the whole Long COVID community.

What’s Next

This is Post #4 in my First Aid for Long Covid series.

The next post will explore Mast Cell Activation & Histamine Intolerance, the brain fog subtype, and how to calm the storm of misfiring nerves, fatigue, sensory overload, and emotional burnout.

You’re not broken. You’re backed up. And the flow can be restored—slowly, gently, one layer at a time.

All the best in your recovery,
Andrew, the Long Covid Alchemist

Full Disclaimer

This Substack post and any links are provided for informational purposes only, based on a science-driven and holistic approach to common Long Covid health concerns. The author is not a licensed medical professional, and nothing shared here is intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and usefulness of the information provided, errors or omissions may still exist. This content should not be considered exhaustive or authoritative and is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. This work will undoubtably be edited and amended in the future.

Some remedies, protocols, or supplements discussed here may not be reviewed or approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA or Health Canada. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own discretion and risk.

The author assumes no liability for any harm, injury, or loss arising from the use or misuse of any information provided in this post, the accompanying Excel sheet, or the Wiki. This includes any consequences related to the use of plants, supplements, or other substances mentioned.

Names and identifying details may have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.