Taste and depression from long covid

I’m a Long Covid sufferer since Spring 2020 with persistent lack of smell…I can largely identify the basic sweet, salty etc etc tastes but hardly any flavours, relying on textures. It has certainly changed my diet, and affected the pleasure I used to get from cooking, socialising and going out for a meal. About 2 years ago I started forcing myself to eat to get nutrients consumed, weirdly before though eating about third of what I used to eat pre covid I did not loose weight. I know of researchers who are looking into the link between such limited diets, poor gut biome and mental health, specifically anhedonism( opposite of hedonism ie lack of joy from the senses) and depression. Dr Monty Lyman a UK research psychiatrist is currently looking at this; he has also written numerous popular books, very readable and well referenced, linking the physiological and mental aspects of numerous ‘processes’ like pain and immunology, but don’t think he has published anything re. anhedonism yet. My son, also a UK psychiatrist, is very keen on exploring a patient’s eating habits, mineral and vitamin levels too…has your brother been blood tested for the ‘basics’ vit D, B12, ferritin and folate, or any others? What were the results? You might find the website Zoe Nutrition interesting: lots of genuine research, podcasts etc re.a whole range of poor health linked to bad ( or little) diets and poor gut biome and tips how to improve it…eg remove ultra processed food, add fermented foods like plain yoghurt, and 30 different plant foods a week…definitely worth a try. I’ve adopted them, and despite LC, of which my worst symptoms are very disabilitating faints from sudden low BP on standing, have remained comparatively content! If you want more nutritional tips, I’d be glad to help with suggestions.

Long covid for 2+ years now. My taste buds have changed. I no longer can tolerate coffee, sodas, certain types of seafood, textural things cause me problems. Some days I have no appetite. Last count on weight loss was 49 lbs. Seems to have leveled off since I have added high protein yogurt to diet and Tuna salad everyday like a cat. I cant cook like I used to because of this Long Covid thing. The depression is certainly an added disadvantage with long covid. Very troublesome. I have just accepted my fate and changed my diet and I need way more rest than you can imagine. I get anxiety and depression worse if I don't monitor my sleep and exertions. I have to choose my battles. So its no fun at all. I have POTs, MCAS and dystonia ... this stuff is evil.

It really is awful. Hoping they come up with some answers. It’s very frustrating. Thank you for responding. Hope things get better for you.

It’s a tough situation. Sorry about your brother. I had smell/taste disorder believed to be due to post covid syndrome according to ENT in late 2023. Also constant bitter taste. Was told taste is based in ability to smell. I did scent retraining and recovered smell in about 6 months. The bitter taste remains however. Possibly permanent. I have looked for all treatment options, but my neurologists and ENT have none. I have not tried nicotine. I keep hope though.

I hope your brother can find a treatment that works.

Thank you for your response. The weird thing is he can smell. I’m glad you’re doing better.

Thank you for all your insight. He has been tested. He lacks vitamin b12 and D. He’s been taking supplements but nothing has changed. He has a very poor diet because there’s only certain things he will eat because of his taste buds have changed since covid. Its frustrating. His depression is bad and he has no motivation and doesn’t help himself at all. My family has been helping him with Drs for years. Once again I appreciate all the information. I’m going to look into the books you recommended. Hope things get better for you.

Yes I understand the motivation bit! How bad is the low B12 and vit D, and is he getting dr’s help with appropriate supplements: liquid vit D (say 4000 iu strength) with vitamin K2 ( to get it into bones and teeth, not in blood vessels)and even B12 jab for eg? Folate is often low too if B12 deficient, as can be other B complex. It’s hard to remove ‘bad’ ultra processed food from someone who might only appreciate them rather than healthier foods…fortunately for me I need a crisp texture so eat fruit and veg. but soft foods like pizza, even much meat, is disgusting! Wishing you good health and patience.

Getting his vitamin levels right would be a priority for me. Sometimes, the body cannot process B12 so injections or sublingual form is required. And too much B6 can be damaging. I would think deficiencies would be vital in addressing poor nutrition.

I’ll work on that. Thank you

I found consulting with a nutritionist quite helpful.