Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the subsequent declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, we have seen much devastation, fear, and confusion. While this is to be expected given the circumstances, I have found that one of the most valuable things to possess is accurate information.
During this pandemic, people are looking for information regarding ways to stay healthy and increase their chances of successfully overcoming COVID-19 should they actually contract it.
The nation’s leading health authorities have provided information regarding recommendations for staying safe which include things like hand washing, wearing a mask, and social distancing (which are all very important). I can’t help but feel however, that there is a bit more to overcoming COVID-19 than that given the fact that many people have been adhering to these recommendations and yet the casualty rate continues to climb.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people with chronic health diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic lung disease were at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness and mortality. This pattern has also been seen in other countries such as Italy where it was confirmed that 99% of people who had died from COVID-19 were found to have had cancer, diabetes, or lung disease, and 76% with high blood pressure.
Currently 6 out of 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, or diabetes which comprise the leading causes of death and disability in America. The CDC recommendations for addressing these health issues includes campaigns to encourage healthy eating and lifestyle practices such as physical activity.
Shouldn’t these same recommendations also hold true for COVID-19 as well?
While I am not an Immunologist, as a Registered Dietitian, I am fully aware of the impact that diet and overall healthy lifestyle can have on the wellbeing of society. I can clearly see the connection between the poor COVID 19 outcomes being seen particularly in the US and the amount of individuals with chronic health conditions. As a result, I believe the best information to be shared with the public right now should be lifestyle recommendations including a healthy diet and lifestyle
Lifestyle can be safe and cost-effective strategies to enhance the immune system and provide protection from pathogenic viral infections. For example, it is known that optimal intake of selected micronutrients can control the impact of virulent strain infections, including lower and upper respiratory tract infections by helping to optimize a well-functioning immune system [2].
Nutrition and lifestyle may not absolutely prevent people from contracting COVID-19 when exposed however, they could help to reduce the risk through enhanced immunity. In the next few blogs, I will be going in depth into 8 lifestyle pillars that can be used to help optimize our immunity and achieve the best protection against COVID 19 and other illness for that matter!