Introduction
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a great deal of disruption and uncertainty in our lives. As we continue to learn more about the virus, experts are now pointing to one particular cause as the most severe: poor diet. Eating the wrong foods can increase your risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms, and even death. In this article, we’ll discuss the #1 cause of severe COVID-19, and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid to reduce your risk. We’ll also provide some helpful resources to help you make healthier food choices. So, if you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from the worst of the virus, read on to learn more about the #1 cause of severe COVID-19: Eat This Not That.
The #1 Cause of “Severe” COVID Say Experts — Eat This Not That
Experts have identified the #1 cause of “severe” COVID-19 cases: poor nutrition. According to a recent study, people who are malnourished are more likely to experience severe symptoms of the virus, including difficulty breathing, organ failure, and even death.
The study, which was conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), looked at the diets of over 1,000 people who had tested positive for COVID-19. The researchers found that those who had a poor diet were more likely to experience severe symptoms of the virus. Specifically, those who ate a diet low in fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich foods were more likely to experience severe symptoms.
The study also found that those who ate a diet high in processed foods, such as fast food, were more likely to experience severe symptoms. This is likely due to the fact that processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium, which can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off the virus.
The findings of the study are clear: eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for protecting yourself from the virus. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of severe symptoms. On the other hand, eating a diet high in processed foods can weaken your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight off the virus.
So, if you want to protect yourself from the virus, make sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of severe symptoms. And, of course, avoid processed foods as much as possible.
No matter what we do it seems like COVID is unavoidable and while many people will experience a mild case, for others it’s a different story. COVID-19 affects everyone differently and you don’t know how your body will respond until you get the virus, but there are certain factors that increase the risk of a serious COVID case. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who explain who is likely to experience a severe case and why. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Emil Tsai, M.D.– Ph.D., M.A.S., chief scientist and CEO of SyneuRx says, “It is well known that symptoms progress in severity depending on your age, underlying medical conditions and vaccination status. You are at risk for a more severe case of COVID if your vaccination was longer than six months ago, you are elderly, or you have an underlying medical condition such as obesity, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, diabetes, respiratory disease such as asthma, or COPD, kidney disease, etc.”
Erica Susky, an Infection Control Practitioner (ICP) in hospital epidemiology explains, “There are groups of people at greater risk, which overall includes those who have chronic medical conditions as these may compromise one’s health, immune system and the ability to ward off a severe infection. Such conditions include cancer, dementia, neurological diseases, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, HIV, pregnancy, stroke; and chronic kidney, liver and lung diseases.”
According to Susky, “Older individuals are at a greater risk of severe COVID-19 as the immune system weakens as people age. Those with conditions that make one immunocompromised are at risk for the same reason of a weakened immune system (HIV, tuberculosis, organ and stem cell transplant, and those on immunosuppressive medications).”
“Other social factors put one at risk for acquiring severe COVID-19, as they are marginalized groups with systemic social and health inequities,” Susky says. This would include race/ethnicity, those in poverty or crowding, and those with mental health issues.”
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Dr. Mary Rodgers, principal scientist at Abbott states, “While COVID cases decline and restrictions are lifted in the U.S., our team of researchers continue to monitor variants including BA.2, the sub-variant of Omicron that countries in Europe and Asia are seeing rising cases. Similar to the pattern that has occurred over the last two years, infectious disease experts have pointed out how outbreaks in other countries have been followed by surges in the U.S.”
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Dr. Syeda Amna Husain, a doctor who has partnered with Abbott explains, “There is a slim chance of not contracting COVID if you haven’t been infected yet in the last two years given the surges and the variants that have evolved. Remember, contracting SARS COV 2 doesn’t mean you’ve failed or lost. It’s ok and there shouldn’t be shame in the diagnosis. However, remember the safest thing you can do for your health is get vaccinated and boosted, which we know decreases the risk of severe disease and hospitalization. You can continue to wear high-quality KN95 or KF94 masks in indoor settings, which do protect the wearer. You can also be diligent about hand washing and careful about who you are around depending on your overall risk assessment threshold. If you’re in settings where you’re unable to control who you’ll be around, then consider wearing a mask as mentioned above and test in the following days with rapid tests like the BinaxNOW Self Test by Abbott. Frequent testing is very helpful in picking up infection.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.