Dietary Natural Lutein and Its Impact on Hepatic Autoimmunity in Long COVID: A Clinical Case Study

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: Lutein is a nutrient that is found in many foods, particularly green vegetables. It has powerful antioxidant properties potentially to relieve oxidative-nitrosative stress in long COVID. Moreover, lutein is a promising natural agent to be used against liver damage.  Our aim is to evaluate whether natural lutein supplementation by organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) can be therapeutic in alleviating liver damage associated with long COVID.  Presentation of Case: We report a retrospective case study of a long COVID patient where autoimmune hepatitis markers were alleviated in a brief time, after consumption of organic EVOO stable in lutein. A 61-year-old Greek (unvaccinated) woman developed long COVID after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Long COVID symptoms included constipation, chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and blood markers that resembled autoimmune hepatitis (AΙH). High anti-spike protein Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies accompanied the symptoms. Magnetic resonance examination (MRI) was not conclusive for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) diagnosis. The patient was advised to follow a healthy diet and repeat the examinations. As part of the healthy diet, the patient consumed 24 ml of lutein rich (6.5 mg/Kg) stable EVOO (SEVOO) per day.  After two six months periods of testing, AΙΗ markers were normal. Discussion and Conclusion: Natural lutein consumption by means of SEVOO helped to alleviate liver damage as shown by the AIH markers and to ameliorate chronic fatigue and muscle pain in a long COVID patient.