Supporting Your Body Through Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): A Supplement Guide
- Jamie Sculley, ND
- May 7
- 6 min read
Other than testing, the most common question I get about chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is what to do about it. The approach can be different for everyone depending on how long you’ve been ill, your health history, your EBV triggers, and how sensitive you are to nutritional supplementation.
The approach to fighting EBV is multi-faceted with therapies being directly antiviral; preventing viral replication; providing the immune system with specific nutrients; protecting the cells and mitochondria from oxidative damage; slowing EBV down through DNA methylation; and addressing co-infections that may have triggered or been caused by EBV infection.
In this post we’ll go over some of the most helpful nutrients and supplements you can use to fight chronic EBV. I’ll go over why you might want to choose them, how to take them, and give any cautions to note.
Things to Keep In Mind
Choose your supplements wisely and choose good quality. Research the companies you go with and buy from the ones you trust.
Watch for interactions with other nutrients, medications or health conditions. Don’t take them if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
These recommendations are for adults.
If you’re sensitive to supplementation, add one at a time and start at the lowest dose.
Keep a journal of how you feel and what you’re taking so you gather important, personalized information about what works or doesn’t work for you.
You don’t have to take all of these. Maybe start by choosing one from each category or choose ones that address EBV in multiple ways.
Action | Supplement |
|---|---|
Direct antiviral | Licorice, selenium, zinc, vitamin D3, lysine |
Anti-replication | Selenium, zinc, NAC, ALA, L-methylfolate, probiotics, vitamin D3 |
Immune nutrition | Vitamin D3, vitamin C, probiotics, selenium, NAC, ALA |
Mitochondria | ALA, NAC |
Methylation | Folinic acid, L-methylfolate, vitamin D3, methylated B complex, B12, B6 |
Detox | Selenium, methylated B complex, NAC |
Co-infections | Olive leaf, monolaurin, proteolytic enzymes |
Selenium
Benefits: Is a direct antiviral, reduces viral replication, is an important immune nutrient, and helps with oxidative stress.
Cautions: May cause stomach discomfort, headache, rash at high doses.
Suggested dose: 200 mcg - 800 mcg/day. Take as selenomethionine or methyl-L-selenocysteine.
Licorice
Benefits: Is a direct antiviral and a good adrenal tonic for low cortisol and low blood pressure.
Cautions: Don’t take it if you have high blood pressure. You’ll know if you take too much because you’ll get more fatigue, swelling, muscle pain, numbness, palpitations and anxiety.
Suggested dose: Take in the morning and afternoon. 800 mg twice to three times per day for one week or 2-3 cups of tea for one week.
Lysine
Benefits: Is a direct antiviral.
Cautions: Don’t use it if you have hemochromatosis because it can increase iron absorption. Also don’t take with high cholesterol or gallstones.
Suggested dose: 2-6 grams per day, divided. Take between meals.
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Benefits: Suppresses viral replication, provides nutritional support for the immune system, protects mitochondria against EBV damage, and is a protective antioxidant.
Caution: with methylation issues.
Suggested dose: 1,000 - 4,000 mg per day. Take between meals as it may cause stomach upset.
Zinc
Benefits: is a direct antiviral and prevents viral replication.
Caution: Long term, high dose use may lead to copper deficiency.
Suggested dose: 15 - 25 mg per day. Best forms are glycinate or carnosine. Can take in capsule or lozenge forms. Take with food as it may cause stomach upset. Check your other supplements so you don’t exceed 50 mg per day.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)
Benefits: Prevents viral replication, supports the antioxidant glutathione, and provides mitochondrial support. This is also a good nutrient if you have brain fog or mood issues.
Caution: ALA can pull heavy metals from tissue. If you feel worse with ALA, then stop and consider testing.
Suggested dose: 600 - 1200 mg per day, divided. It’s best taken on an empty stomach and needs to be taken frequently because it has a short half-life.
Probiotics
Benefits: Prevents viral replication and provides immune supportive nutrition.
Caution: Use caution if you have other known GI issues.
Suggested dose: 10+ billion per day.
Vitamin D
Benefits: Is a direct antiviral, prevents viral replication, and is an important immune and methylation nutrient.
Cautions: Don’t take high doses without knowing your blood levels as you can develop toxicity and hypercalcemia.
Suggested dose: 5000 IU/day. Any dose higher than this should be guided by lab values. Vitamin D3 is the preferred form (cholecalciferol). Best taken with a meal. Sunbathing for 10-15 minutes can also produce it.
Folate
Benefits: Helps prevent viral replication and is involved in DNA methylation.
Caution: none
Suggested dose: 400 mcg to 1 mg/day. Best forms to take are folinic acid or methylfolate. If you have the MTHFR gene mutation, you may need high doses and a B complex.
Vitamin C
Benefits: Is an important immune system nutrient and antioxidant.
Caution: Can cause loose stool so don’t increase too fast until you know how you tolerate it. It enhances iron absorption so avoid with hemochromatosis.
Suggested dose: 1500 mg per day, divided. Find forms with bioflavonoids. Take with food.
Methylated B complex
Benefits: Involved in DNA methylation and detoxification pathways. Is also a good supplement if you’re under stress.
Caution: none
Suggested dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily. Take with food.
Olive Leaf
Benefits: Antiviral benefits as well as being effective against co-infections like bacteria, parasites, yeast and mold.
Caution: Can cause loose stool. Use caution with low blood pressure and if you’re on blood thinning or diabetes medication.
Suggested dose: Up to 2,000 mg per day, divided. Look for supplements that are standardized to at least 20% oleuropein. If you experience die-off, lower your dose.
Monolaurin
Benefits: Another great nutrient for its antiviral and co-infection benefits. It can help against EBV and other herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV) as well as H. pylori and some bacteria.
Caution: If you take too high of a dose you may experience die-off so start low and increase slowly until you get to the highest dose you can comfortably tolerate.
Suggested dose: 1,800 - 6,000 mg per day, divided. Use short term.
Proteolytic enzymes
Benefits: Can break through the protective viral capsule so the enzymes can go into the cell and destroy it. Can be effective against other herpes viruses, Strep and Candida.
Caution: Don’t take if you have GI tumors, esophagitis or gastritis. Don’t take within 2 weeks of surgery, if you have a pineapple or papaya allergy or with blood thinning medications or antibiotics.
Suggested dose: Look for products that specifically say “proteolytic enzymes” and that contain lipase, papain, bromelain, bacterial/fungal proteases, and/or serratiopeptidase. Try 3 capsules away from meals or before bedtime.
Supplements To Consider Based On Your Symptoms
EBV can quickly become more than an immune issue. Depending on your situation, here are considerations for prioritizing supplements based on your needs.
If you are experiencing a lot of stress:
Licorice
Adaptogens
B complex
Magnesium
Vitamin C
If you have extreme fatigue or have been ill for a long time:
CoQ10
ALA
NAC
B complex
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
If you have brain fog, anxiety, depression or mood issues:
ALA
Pregnenolone
Progesterone
Curcumin
Omega-3
In Summary…
Managing chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) requires a personalized approach, taking into account each person’s unique history, symptoms, and sensitivities. Supplements can support healing by acting as antivirals, slowing viral replication, supporting the immune system, protecting mitochondria, aiding detoxification, improving DNA methylation and fighting co-infections. Key nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and herbs are discussed as well as guidance on how to use them thoughtfully and safely.
If you liked this post and found it helpful I'd love to know! Feel free to share this post with anyone who might like to read it.
If you’d like to stay in touch, follow me on socials. If you'd like to work with me 1:1, book a consultation call.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time!
-Dr. Jamie
Resources
Anderson, P. Mitochondrial Disease and Disorders. Consult Dr. Anderson. https://www.consultdranderson.com/courses/106-mitochondrial-disease-and-disorders/
Anderson, Paul. Post-COVID Syndrome. Consult Dr. Anderson, https://www.consultdranderson.com/courses/71-post-covid-syndrome/lessons/71-recording/
Anderson, P. Redox and inflammation: Cell damage and therapies. Consult Dr. Anderson. https://www.consultdranderson.com/courses/09-redox-and-inflammation-cell-damage-and-therapies/
Kines, K. (2018). The Epstein-Barr virus solution: The hidden undiagnosed epidemic of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disease - how to heal and regain your life. Holistic Nutrition Press
Jones, E. (2008). Clinical resources and reference guide: Infectious diseases, Epstein-Barr virus.
This website is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.