ABSTRACT
Background: Maintaining a healthy immune system came to the forefront of people's minds as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was introduced. Antioxidants contained in dark berries have been shown to support the physical wellbeing of otherwise healthy adults. Adding a supplement rich in dark berries and citrus essential oils contributes antioxidants to the body and serves as an aid to reduce free radicals. Aim: We evaluated the effects of an antioxidant rich supplement on immune health and overall physical wellbeing compared to a control group. Method: Participants were otherwise healthy adults, aged 18-60 years old, and were placed in either the antioxidant supplement group or control group using adaptive randomization. Data was collected at day 1 and 60. The Physical Health Questionnaire was used to measure the primary outcomes of this study. The immune health was reflected through the Jackson Symptom Scale. Results: 155 participants were analyzed. Participants who consumed the antioxidant beverage saw improvements to overall health which dramatically exceeded those of the control group. The sleep domain produced improvements which represented disturbances in sleep habits as they pertain to general health. Those in the supplement group who reported illness, had illnesses lasting 1-2 days while those in the control group had illnesses lasting from 1 to 9 days. Conclusion: Length of illness was shorter and sleep duration improved in the supplement group compared to the control group. Daily consumption of 60 ml of the antioxidant drink NingXia Redâ showed significant improvement after 60 days.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A large proportion of individuals who have recovered from an acute COVID-19 infection continue to experience symptoms months later. Post-acute COVID-19 (long-haul COVID-19) can range from serious complications to quality of life symptoms such as fatigue or insomnia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential for inhalation of essential oils to improve energy levels among otherwise healthy female survivors of acute COVID-19 who experience a lack of energy more than five months after recovery. This study was conducted in the United States in late 2021. METHOD: This was a randomized double blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the potential for inhalation of Longevity™, a proprietary essential oil blend manufactured by Young Living Essential Oils (Lehi, Utah, USA), on energy levels among female survivors of COVID-19 who continue to experience fatigue more than 5 months recovery from the acute infection. Forty women were randomized to two groups: intervention and placebo. Both groups inhaled the assigned product twice daily for fourteen consecutive days. Fatigue scores were measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory (MFSI). Secondary outcomes included scores on each of the MFSI's ten subscales. RESULTS: Individuals who inhaled the essential oil blend for 2 weeks had significantly lower fatigue scores after controlling for baseline scores, employment status, BMI, olfactory function, and time since diagnosis, with a large effect size (F (1,39) = 6.15, p = .020, partial eta squared = 0.198). Subscale analysis identified subscales of vigor, as well as global, behavioral, general, and mental fatigue as benefiting from the intervention. This study provides evidence that a proprietary aromatherapy blend can significantly improve energy levels among women who are experiencing fatigue after recovering from COVID-19.