By Alvin Philipose, B.S., B.S., DC (Ret.)
“Spike protein detox” is one of the most common things people search for when they have symptoms that never fully went away after COVID-19 or after vaccination. If that’s you, the fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, or joint pain are real, and wanting a clear explanation is reasonable.
This article is meant to give you an honest picture: what researchers have found about spike protein lingering in the body, what no treatment has yet been shown to do, and how we approach these symptoms at Venturis Clinic in Oklahoma City.
Can spike protein stay in the body?
For most people, spike protein from infection or vaccination is cleared within days to weeks. A handful of studies, however, have detected spike protein or its fragments longer than expected in some people:
- A 2023 study in Clinical Infectious Diseases (Swank and colleagues) found circulating spike protein in the blood of a subset of people with long COVID months after infection, and far less often in people who recovered fully.
- A 2023 study in Circulation (Yonker and colleagues) detected free spike protein in the blood of adolescents and young adults who developed myocarditis after mRNA vaccination.
- Other small studies have reported viral protein in immune cells or tissue long after infection, a finding researchers often call “viral persistence.”
These are important findings, but they are early. The studies are small, the tests are specialized research assays rather than routine lab tests, and scientists are still working out whether lingering spike protein causes symptoms or is simply a marker of something else going on with the immune system.
Is there a proven “spike protein detox”?
Not yet. No treatment, whether a supplement, an IV therapy, or a device-based therapy like EBOO, has been shown in a clinical trial to remove spike protein from the body faster than the body clears it on its own. Products or clinics that promise to “flush” or “eliminate” spike protein are going beyond the evidence.
Several clinical trials are now studying long COVID treatments, including antivirals and immune-modulating drugs, partly because of the viral-persistence findings above. That research is where real answers are likely to come from.
What EBOO ozone therapy is
EBOO (extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation) is a procedure in which blood is drawn through a line, passed through a filter while being exposed to an oxygen and ozone mixture, and returned to the body, usually over about an hour.
It’s important to be clear about its status:
- EBOO is an investigational therapy. It is not FDA-approved to treat long COVID, post-vaccine symptoms, or any other condition.
- Published research on EBOO is limited, mostly small studies and case reports in other conditions such as circulation problems. There are no controlled trials of EBOO for long COVID or for removing spike protein.
- Like any procedure involving blood access, it carries risks, including bruising, vein irritation, lightheadedness, and, rarely, more serious complications.
Some patients seek EBOO because of its theorized effects on inflammation and oxygen use, and some report feeling better afterward. Individual experiences are not the same as proof, and we tell every patient that directly.
How we actually approach lingering post-COVID symptoms
Whether someone comes in asking about spike protein, EBOO, or just wanting answers, our starting point is the same: figure out what’s driving the symptoms. That usually includes:
- A detailed history of when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse
- Screening for conditions that commonly follow COVID-19, such as POTS and other forms of dysautonomia, mast cell activation, sleep disruption, gut changes, and deconditioning
- Appropriate lab work and coordination with your primary care physician or specialists when something needs their attention
- A plan built around what the evidence supports first, with investigational options discussed openly, including what we don’t know, when they’re reasonable to consider
Related reading: Long COVID care in Oklahoma City and EBOO ozone therapy at Venturis Clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a test for spike protein in my blood?
The assays used in the studies above are research tools and are not routinely available through standard labs. A positive or negative commercial test marketed for this purpose should be interpreted cautiously.
Does EBOO remove spike protein?
There is no clinical evidence that it does. We don’t offer EBOO as a spike protein removal treatment.
What should I do if I have symptoms after COVID or vaccination?
Start with a thorough medical evaluation. Several post-COVID conditions, such as POTS, have established ways to diagnose and manage them, and new or worsening chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting needs prompt medical attention.
Talk it through with us
If you’re in the Oklahoma City area and dealing with symptoms that haven’t resolved after COVID-19 or vaccination, we’re glad to sit down with you, review what you’ve already tried, and give you a straight answer about your options, including the ones we think aren’t worth your money.
This article is for general education and isn’t a substitute for individual medical advice. EBOO is an investigational therapy that has not been approved by the FDA for the conditions discussed here.
