How nutritionist LEE HOLMES healed her long Covid: I always took pride in my health until that damned virus took everything from me. Here’s how I got my life back

By William On Dec 27, 2024

As a clinical nutritionist and bestselling author of ten books on health and nutrition, I never thought I would be on the other side of the health equation.

But in April 2022, during a trip to England, I contracted Covid-19 and my life took an unexpected turn.

I thought, “Oh, I have Covid. I guess I’ll have to wait a few weeks before I get on a plane to Australia.”

Little did I know that those few weeks would stretch into three grueling months, testing not only my physical health but my identity as a health expert.

As someone who lived and breathed nutrition, when the tables turned, I found myself struggling with a condition that was beyond my expertise and pushed me to the edge of my physical and emotional limits.

Suddenly I was no longer the counselor but the patient, struggling to apply my own teachings to a body that seemed to have forgotten everything I thought I knew about health and healing.

At first, the symptoms felt almost flu-like: fatigue, headache and fever. But as the days turned into weeks, I realized I was dealing with something much more complex.

My symptoms began to change shape, cruelly offering a glimmer of hope one moment, only to collapse with renewed intensity the next.

As a clinical nutritionist and bestselling author of ten books on health and nutrition, Lee Holmes (pictured) never imagined I would find myself on the other side of the health equation.

One of the most alarming developments was pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart’s protective sac.

Pericarditis is one of the known rare side effects of mRNA Covid vaccines, but few people are aware that it can also be caused by Covid infection.

I had to lie on my stomach in bed for about a month, barely able to move. This condition, coupled with extreme fatigue, joint pain and cognitive problems, painted a grim picture of Covid’s long-term multi-systemic impact.

The journey back home to Sydney was difficult in my weakened state.

Upon arrival I faced a huge challenge: 47 steps to my house. I remember crawling on my hands and knees one by one, desperately trying to reach my front door while dragging my suitcase behind me, absolutely exhausted.

“Suddenly I was no longer the counselor but the patient, struggling to apply my own teachings to a body that seemed to have forgotten everything I thought I knew about health and healing.”

Post-exertional malaise (PEM) began to affect my daily life, and I knew that once inside, I would have to rest for days to recover from the exertion of the trip home. If I didn’t, I would have learned by now that the palpitations, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness and malaise would soon return in full force.

But beyond the physical toll of what I now know to be long Covid, I struggled with an overwhelming sense of shame – perhaps the worst ‘symptom’ of all.

Here I was, a clinical nutritionist speaking about health and promoting wellness to clients and via social media, and I literally couldn’t get out of bed.

The shame was crushing. The shame I felt was overwhelming.

As a health expert, I had built my career on helping others achieve vibrant health. Now I found myself unable to practice what I had long preached.

The irony was not lost on me – here I was, the author of countless books on nutrition and wellness, barely able to crawl up the stairs to my own bed.

I felt like an imposter and it got me thinking: how could I continue to advise others about health if I couldn’t even get out of bed myself? This internal conflict was eating away at me and adding a layer of emotional turmoil to my already debilitating physical symptoms.

I worried about what my customers, readers, and followers would think if they knew the truth. This secret battle with the long Covid-19 crisis tested not only my body, but also my identity as a healthcare worker.

It was a humbling experience that forced me to confront my own vulnerabilities and reassess my understanding of health and healing.

Living with long Covid? Here are 10 positive steps you can take today

Prioritize rest and pace: Listen to your body and avoid overloading. Pacing involves carefully balancing activity and rest to conserve energy and prevent worsening symptoms. Instead of sprinting through the day and crashing at the finish line, pacing helps you break down your tasks into manageable chunks and take regular breaks to recharge.
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on foods that reduce inflammation, such as leafy greens, berries and omega-3-rich fish. Switching to an anti-inflammatory diet helps counteract the properties of long Covid, which generate internal fluid and heat, stimulating inflammatory processes that negatively affect the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal system and metabolic health.
Try a low-histamine approach: Experiment with cutting back on high-histamine foods to control your symptoms. High levels of histamine can contribute to chronic inflammation in the body. By following a low-histamine diet, you will reduce your intake of histamine-rich foods that can contribute to inflammation, and you may experience less inflammation overall and an improvement in long-term Covid symptoms. Foods high in histamine include fermented or aged products such as cheese and alcohol, as well as processed meats, canned fish, chocolate and yeast.
Practice gentle movements: Add light stretching or yoga if you are able, but be careful not to push too hard. Practicing yoga can reduce stress and tension in the body, thereby regulating the nervous system.
Implement stress reduction techniques: Try meditation, deep breathing exercises, or gentle mindfulness exercises to help manage stress and anxiety. External stimulation of the vagus nerve can help reduce its severity and reduce stress in your life. Breathing exercises and breath work that can help reduce the severity of your complaints.
Seek support: Work with healthcare professionals knowledgeable about the long Covid-19 crisis to develop a personalized treatment plan and read Nature’s Way to Healing. A long Covid guide to a hands-on protocol to speed up recovery time.
Join support groups: Long Covid can make socializing difficult, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a hermit. Connect with others who are going through the same thing as you. Virtual support groups and online communities are a great way to combat the loneliness and isolation that comes with a long Covid-19 crisis.
Focus on sleep hygiene: Sleep disorders can worsen the physical and psychological symptoms of long Covid-19. For example, poor sleep can increase your feelings of fatigue and reduce the body’s ability to fight infections, which can make it harder to recover. Prioritize good sleep by establishing a consistent routine and creating a restful environment.
Stay hydrated: Make sure you drink enough fluids throughout the day to support your body’s healing processes. Maintaining proper hydration depends not only on beverages, but also on the consumption of water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Be kind to yourself: Practice self-compassion and remember that recovery is not linear. Celebrate small victories and be patient with your progress.

I understood that I had to dig deep and not let this setback define me, so I thought, “If this is happening to me, it must be happening to many others around the world.”

With renewed purpose, and as a nutrition nerd at heart, I dove into medical research and consulted with professors and scientists around the world. I meticulously documented my journey and findings, exploring the intricate connections between long Covid-19 and various body systems.

One of my most important discoveries was the role of mast cells and histamine in maintaining long-term Covid symptoms. This led me to adopt a low-histamine, anti-inflammatory diet as part of my healing protocol. It helped immensely and strengthened my belief in the power of nutrition to help manage chronic conditions.

But the diet was only one piece of the puzzle. I also had to learn the crucial importance of rest and pace – a challenging concept for a ‘go-getter’ like me. I had to embrace what I now call “extreme mental calm,” with meditation and breathing exercises to regulate my nervous system.

As I navigated my recovery, I encountered the frustrating reality that many people with long Covid-19 face: a medical community still struggling to effectively understand and treat the condition. This experience fueled my determination to share my knowledge and help others in similar situations.

Today I have made significant progress in my recovery and have channeled my experience and research into a new book called… Nature’s Path to Healing: A Long Covid Guidewhich provides a comprehensive protocol for managing long-term Covid symptoms.

My journey underlines the complex nature of the long Covid-19 crisis and the need for a multi-faceted approach to healing. It also emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit and the power to turn personal struggles into a force for positive change.

This unexpected detour in my health journey has become a powerful testament to the body’s ability to heal and the mind’s ability to overcome. Even in the face of a mysterious and debilitating condition, I have discovered that there is a way forward, not just for me, but for everyone struggling with this complex problem.

As we continue to learn about and grapple with the long-term effects of Covid-19, I feel compelled to share my story. It is crucial to shed light on the personal experiences behind the statistics and pave the way for better understanding and treatment.

Long Covid has taught me that health is not a destination, but a journey. It has reminded me of the importance of compassion – for others and for ourselves.

As I continue to heal and help others, I carry with me a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly healthy and the complex, often invisible struggles that many of us face.

My experience with long Covid has transformed me not only as a healthcare provider, but also as a person. It has strengthened my commitment to holistic health and given me a new perspective on the intricate connections between our bodies, our minds and the world around us.

Through this challenging journey, I have found a new purpose – to be a voice for those struggling with the long Covid-19 crisis and to continue exploring innovative ways to promote healing and wellness in all its forms support – and it’s something I’m very grateful for.