Dr. Jeff Novack’s Innovative Clinical Trial Reveals Significant Symptom Reduction Through Intermittent Fasting and No-Sugar Diet
Long COVID remains a complex and challenging condition with no approved treatments or diagnostic tests. Most of the clinical trials conducted using drugs have so far not shown a significant reduction in symptoms.
Dr. Jeff Novack, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Pacific Northwest University, has led a pioneering online clinical trial that offers new hope for those affected.
Recently published in Nature Scientific Reports, the study compared a mild fast combined with a no-added-sugar diet to a more intense fast. Results showed that the intense fast reduced Long COVID symptoms significantly more than the mild fast, though both treatments proved effective in this cross-over design study. Many participants had experienced Long COVID symptoms for years, with a mean duration of more than two years at the time they entered the study.
Dr. Novack partnered with his co–Principal Investigator (co-PI), Dr. Tom Bunker, to design and implement this unfunded clinical trial. Dr. Bunker, who holds a PhD in immunology, transitioned to a career in software development 25 years ago but developed Long COVID five years ago — making this an example of patient-led research.
Two former PNWU Professors, Mark Baldwin, DO, and Robert Sorrells, PhD, also contributed to this study, as did three PNWU graduates Ari Solomon, DO (COM ‘24), Laynee Laube, DO (COM ‘24), and Sabrina Turner, DO (COM ‘25).
“This process could reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and support viral clearance.”
“Long COVID symptoms likely arise from persistent viral inflammation, altered immune responses, and possible autoimmune effects,” explains Dr. Novack. “Our research suggests that fasting may help by activating autophagy — a natural process of clearing damaged cells — that is inhibited by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This process could reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and support viral clearance.”
The unfunded, fully online randomized crossover trial compared two fasting protocols over a 10-week period among 58 participants.
Key findings include:
- Over the 10 weeks of the study, Long COVID symptoms were reduced by approximately 50% overall.
- The more intense fasting protocol led to statistically significant greater symptom improvement.
- The top 25% of responders reported symptom reductions exceeding 90%.
- Symptom severity and frequency decreased steadily throughout the trial.
- While 55% of participants experienced transient, mild flare-ups related to fasting, the protocols were generally safe for people with Long COVID.
Dr. Novack emphasizes that this is the first clinical trial to use fasting and diet as treatments for Long COVID symptoms and the first to directly compare fasting regimens in humans with this condition. He notes that further clinical studies are needed to refine these findings, ideally incorporating blood biomarker analysis and immunological profiling.
“Intermittent fasting may also serve as a valuable complementary therapy alongside emerging pharmacological treatments,” he adds.
Currently presenting his work at a conference in Santa Fe, Dr. Novack’s dedication to rigorous science and innovative solutions continues to inspire. His research not only advances understanding of Long COVID but also highlights the potential of lifestyle interventions in chronic illness management.
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