Unmasking Long COVID: How Cellular Damage is Key, and How HBOT Targets It
Long COVID has left many New Yorkers struggling with lingering symptoms—fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, chronic pain, and inflammation. While the symptoms vary widely, they all stem from one critical issue: cellular damage.
At the core of Long COVID’s impact is the ACE2 protein, a receptor that regulates multiple biological circuits throughout the body. When COVID-19 binds to ACE2, it disrupts oxygen flow, damages blood vessels, triggers widespread inflammation, and impairs mitochondrial function—the energy powerhouse of cells.
How does HBOT help?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) restores oxygen supply, stimulates mitochondrial repair, and activates the body's natural healing processes—addressing the root cause of Long COVID instead of just managing symptoms.
Here’s how HBOT is transforming Long COVID recovery in New York City.
How ACE2 Disruption Explains the Wide-Ranging Effects of Long COVID
The ACE2 receptor plays a key role in regulating oxygen flow, vascular health, and immune function. It’s found everywhere—in the lungs, brain, blood vessels, heart, muscles, and immune system.
When COVID-19 disrupts ACE2 activity, it causes:
✔ Low oxygen supply to tissues (hypoxia), leading to extreme fatigue
✔ Brain inflammation, resulting in brain fog and cognitive impairment
✔ Blood vessel dysfunction, increasing the risk of heart issues and clotting
✔ Mitochondrial damage, reducing energy production
✔ Chronic inflammation, keeping the immune system in a hyperactive state
🚨 This is why Long COVID symptoms vary so much. The damage is widespread, affecting multiple systems at once.
🔗 Learn More About HBOT & Cellular Healing
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Repairs Cellular Damage from Long COVID
HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, flooding damaged tissues with oxygen-rich plasma that can penetrate deep into cells—even areas with restricted blood flow.
Key Cellular-Level Benefits of HBOT for Long COVID:
✔ Restores mitochondrial function & ATP production (energy generation)
✔ Stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis (growth of new mitochondria)
✔ Reduces oxidative stress & chronic inflammation
✔ Repairs ACE2-related blood vessel damage
✔ Enhances neuroplasticity, improving brain function & memory
1. HBOT Restores Oxygen Flow & Mitochondrial Energy Production
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate)—the energy source that powers every function in the body.
Long COVID damages mitochondria, leading to chronic fatigue, poor endurance, and sluggish recovery.
💡 HBOT enhances mitochondrial function by:
✔ Increasing oxygen supply to mitochondria for better energy production
✔ Reducing oxidative stress that contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction
✔ Boosting ATP production, restoring energy levels
🚀 The result? More energy, less fatigue, and improved endurance.
🔗 See How HBOT Boosts Energy & Recovery
2. HBOT Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis (The Growth of New Mitochondria)
HBOT doesn’t just repair damaged mitochondria—it actually stimulates the body to create new ones.
🧬 HBOT activates genes responsible for mitochondrial biogenesis, including:
✔ PGC-1α (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha) – The “master regulator” of mitochondrial creation
✔ NRF1 & NRF2 (Nuclear Respiratory Factors) – Essential for antioxidant defense and cellular repair
✔ HIF-1 (Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha) – A protein that promotes oxygen efficiency and new blood vessel formation
🚀 The result? A higher number of healthy mitochondria, leading to long-term energy restoration and resilience.
🔗 Learn More About How HBOT Regenerates Cells
3. HBOT Repairs ACE2-Related Blood Vessel Damage
Long COVID damages small blood vessels (microvasculature), leading to:
Poor circulation & cold extremities
Chest pain & irregular heart rhythms
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
💡 HBOT promotes blood vessel repair by:
✔ Stimulating angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels)
✔ Restoring microvascular function, ensuring oxygen reaches all tissues
✔ Reducing oxidative stress that damages the cardiovascular system
🔗 See How HBOT Improves Circulation
4. HBOT Lowers Chronic Inflammation & Modulates the Immune System
Many Long COVID patients experience persistent inflammation, which keeps the immune system overactive and unable to fully heal.
💡 HBOT reduces inflammation by:
✔ Lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines
✔ Promoting anti-inflammatory gene expression
✔ Supporting immune balance & recovery
🚀 The result? Less joint pain, muscle soreness, and overall inflammation relief.
🔗 How HBOT Helps Reduce Inflammation
What New Yorkers Are Saying About HBOT for Long COVID Recovery
✅ “After months of fatigue and brain fog, I finally feel like myself again.”
✅ “My post-COVID chest pain and shortness of breath disappeared after several HBOT sessions.”
✅ “The energy boost is unreal—I was barely functional before, and now I feel like I have my life back.”
🚨 Don’t wait months or years for symptoms to resolve on their own. HBOT can help you accelerate recovery and regain control of your health today.
🔗 Book Your First HBOT Session in NYC