It is easy to become fatalistic about Covid-19. We are suffering from Covid-fatigue. Yet the warnings are out that what is happening in Gauteng is likely to affect the rest of South Africa, including the South Coast.
We can’t let our guard down. This new variant is even more infectious than the others we have had in SA. Unfortunately, the protection offered by the slow rate of vaccination will benefit far too few people to meet the present crisis sweeping across our country. Thankfully, at least most of the health workers have a measure of protection, as they are at the frontline of the response, and every health worker is desperately needed.
A systematic review was published in April this year by Dr Sebastien Chastin and team from Glasgow University, in sports medicine.
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It showed that regular physical activity is not only important for reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are well-known risk factors for severe Covid complications, but that it has direct protective benefits for Covid infection.
Three advantages have been demonstrated:
· Habitual physical activity reduced the risk of acquiring Covid by 31%, and the mortality from Covid by 37% in those affected.
· Regular physical activity increased the number of surveillance CD4 cells of the immune system and also protective salivary IgA concentrations, thus improving rapid response to virus invasion.
· Antibody concentration after vaccination was enhanced in those participating in regular physical activity. Every bit of activity is beneficial.
Another study hot off the press, published in the June 7, 2021 BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health online looked at the role of different diets in their effect on Covid-19 severity.
This study included 2 884 frontline healthcare workers in six countries, comparing those who were on no special diet, plant-based vegetarians, pescatarians, and low-carb, high protein dieters.
Here are the findings:
· Plant-based diet followers had 73% lower odds of having moderate to severe Covid-19 severity, compared to those eating standard fare.
· Pescatarians had a 59% lower odds ratio of moderate to severe Covid 19 disease
· Those following a low-carb, high protein diet (aka Banting or Atkins) had almost four times greater odds of having moderate to severe Covid-19 disease.
This study confirms other research that has shown a plant-rich diet’s ability to enhance the body’s defence mechanisms and suppress the “cytokine storm” that has such devastating effects.
Plants are rich in fibre which feeds the intestinal microbiome. Many of these bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate that modify the immune system response to viral infections. Multiple phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals are supplied from a plant-rich diet.
Now is your chance to expand your dietary horizons with a wide array of colours and varieties of fruits and vegetables.
Dr David Glass
MBChB, FCOG(SA), DipIBLM
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