Seven months later, what we know about Covid-19 — and the pressing questions that remain
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE SEVERE DISEASE AND SOME NOT?
There are a few reasons some people get affected to a greater degree than others. The most consistent and well established reason is having any chronic disease. Just about any condition impacts on how your body responds to Covid. Even if the conditions are being “successfully” treated through medications, they still pose in increased risk. The most common conditions include just being overweight (YES it’s an indicator of less than ideal health and thus a disease), elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, prediabetes, pre-pre diabetes (aka insulin resistance), lung disease, arthritis…. Here are a few categories.
IMMUNE SUPPRESSION. Conditions where your immune system is suppressed like those getting treated for cancer or any autoimmune condition in which taking immunosuppressants are used, impair your ability to fight off the disease.
DRUGS which suppress your immune system include, not only cancer and autoimmune treatments, but also things like over the counter anti-inflammatories like Motrin and Aleve. A little is fine but if you are taking them regularly, re-think your routines.
OTHER DRUGS. PPIs (proton pump inhibitors which reduce acid – the most commonly purchased class of medications in the US) like Prevacid and Nexium, have been shown to triple the risk of contracting the infection and increase the risks of a more severe reaction. By reducing acid, you eliminate the destructive power of our stomach acids, allowing microbes to survive. In addition, these meds reduce absorption of many nutrients like zinc, important in preventing the bug from taking hold. There are many reasons to stop such medications. ALL drugs cause side effects. The drug which causes the most adverse side effects and deaths worldwide is Aspirin!
IMMUNE OVERSTIMULATION FROM INFLAMMATION. Any condition which increases inflammation, increases your risk of the “cytokine storm” described earlier in the pandemic. When your immune system is constantly being challenged, it overreacts. This includes conditions like heart disease, with the constant attack on our arteries, arthritis and even just being overweight. Fat cells generate inflammatory mediators, in addition to impacting on insulin’s ability to function properly, leading to Insulin Resistance. Just being at the upper end of the overweight category (25-30 lbs overweight) triples the risk of complications. If you are at the upper end of the “obese” category, your chances of dying if you catch Covid-19 is 90% and 40% of the US population is already obese, including 20% of under 20-year-olds! More than 70% of Americans are obese or overweight, the worst in the world.
FOODS like processed foods which contain many proinflammatory plant oils like safflower, palm and canola, and sugars, not to mention all the added chemicals, add to the generalized inflammatory state of the body. All the added sugars also cause inflammation. Sugars, especially artificial sweeteners, have more than 50 different “names” on food labels so read and educate yourself. I have a lot of info about reading labels on my website doctorchuma.com. All the food additives (there are more than 10,000) also contribute to inflammation. As much as people don’t want to admit it, meat and dairy also are significant sources of inflammation.
LIQUIDS. The most important thing you can drink is water. Drink as much as you can. Staying well hydrated keeps mucus membranes moist and your secretions thin, both of which are crucial to minimize the time any microbe, or allergen for that matter, spends in your nose. Avoid any sugar-sweetened beverages. Watch the juices since they are mostly just sugar water with no fiber. Limit alcohol since it is proinflammatory. Coffee is great, just be mindful of all the caffeine. Green tea, along with many other teas, are great.
LOAD. If you contract a few viral particles, they may not have much impact but if you inhale a large amount of fresh virus, your body can become overwhelmed.
How do you minimize the risks?
1) First of all, try not do get infected, or infect others by doing the basics:
2)Secondly, do everything you can to get healthier and reverse as many of the chronic conditions you can. Exercise, manage stress, sleep better and yes, eat better, which is the most important thing you do everyday, multiple times a day, and you have control over.
3) Thirdly, support your immune system by eliminating proinflammatory foods like sugar, processed foods, dairy and minimize meat, especially factory-farmed meat. Eat as many whole fruits and vegetables you can. Remember that the number one predictor of a healthy gut, where 70% of our immune system resides, is the amount and variety of fruit and vegetables you consume. Animal products contain NO FIBER! Some standout immune-boosting foods include:
4) Fourth. As mentioned above, drink as much clean water as you can. No plastic. Use stainless steel or glass. Volume and frequency (lots of sips all day long) are both important.
Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎😷