Dr Shikha Sharma
It’s mid 2020, still the coronavirus cases around the world are increasing between 90,000 to 1.3 lakhs per day. Approximately 72.10 lakhs coronavirus cases have been identified of which approx. 4.08 lakhs deaths have occurred and approx. 35.5 lakhs people have recovered. The key factor for COVID-19 spread is its incubation period (3 to 14 days) during which person may remain asymptomatic and undetected and can spread the infection. Presently, COVID-19 spread rate is different among nations whereas in some countries its cases are reducing while in other it’s still shooting its peak and creating a havoc in people’s mind about its return as second and third wave. Although peak of the COVID-19 has reached in many countries but it is still posing a threat to human life and has limited human activity worldwide. The globally widespread distribution of virus is a major concern. COVID-19 pandemic have made people more conscious and aware about the importance of health and hygiene. So far no treatments are available for covid-19 infection thus people are delineating the ways to prevent the spread of infection and its severity. Social distancing, handwash, facemask, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth especially with unwashed hands are the few recommendations people are following around the world to mitigate the spread of disease. Currently, World’s leaders are eying on a covid-19 vaccine trials and everyone is hoping that it should be available in a reasonable time. At this stage, most of the countries are easing lockdown measures and moving towards opening their economy and defining way to live safely without contradicting coronavirus infection.
In addition to the social distancing and hygienic practice, it is also important to understand the medical conditions posing risk for contracting severe COVID-19 infection. Research evidences have unveiled that people with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and obesity which are the components of metabolic syndrome are more susceptible to the COVID-19 infection with their requirements of ICU and ventilators. More importantly, age along with these comorbidities pose an additional risk for the severity of COVID-19 infection. There are scientific reports which state that people with the above mentioned components of metabolic syndrome have increased risk of lung impairment. Nevertheless, to forget that main target organ of COVID-19 infection is lung that might also be the cause for severity of its infection in metabolic syndrome patients. It is well known that metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in western and european countries than Asians that could also be the reason of increased mortality in western countries as compared to Asians due to COVID-19 infection. According to the health ministry, In India 50% deaths due to COVID-19 accounted for age above 60 years and 73% deaths related to co-morbidities. Moreover, metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in men than women and COVID-19 report states higher mortality and severe infection in men than women. Therefore, it is understandable that any component of metabolic syndrome are the potential risk factors for COVID-19 infection severity. Importantly,metabolic syndrome can be controlled by various lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, nosmoking and no alcohol intake. Here are few lifestyle factors that one can follow to reduce the risk for developing metabolic syndrome and contracting severe COVID-19 infection.
Include vitamins in your diet: Micronutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and minerals such as copper, selenium, zinc, iron etc, have profound effect on immune function and regulation. Excess consumption as well as their deficiency can increase the susceptibility to infection. Scientific evidences states that vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin and folate prevent the development of metabolic syndrome. It is essential to obtain these nutrients through a balanced diet such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.Like Oranges, guavas, lemons, amala, bell pepper, spinach, pineapple and kiwi are rich source for vitamin C. The food sources for vitamin B include whole grains (brown rice, barley, millet), meat, eggs, milk, cheese, dark leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, lettuce, fruits such as avocados, bananas, and citrus fruits.Vitamin A food source include eggs, fortified milk, carrots, sweet potatoes, cod liver oil, broccoli, spinach, dark green leafy vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables and fruits. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant found in foods such as spinach, broccoli, hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.Copper food source include nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, dark chocolates, whole grain products, whole-bran cereals and shellfish. Sources for Zinc are yogurt, chickpea, nuts, beans, dairy products, seafood and meat. Selenium is found in walnuts, barley, brazil nuts, broccoli, whole grain products, and garlic. The rich source for iron include broccoli, figs, beans, dates, lentils and green leafy vegetables. Importantly, most of the essential vitamins and minerals are rich in green leafy vegetables and fruits.
Exercise: Research finding proves that regular moderate exercise alleviate glycemic control, lipid metabolism, blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol for diabetic and cardiovascular disease patients. Overall physical activity improves the quality of life by reducing mental stress and enhancing immunity, power and strength. Yoga is also beneficial in improving the immune response and reducing stress. Therefore performing exercise for approx. 30 min can improve the health status of an individual.
Smoking: Tobacco smoke is made up of mixture of organic and inorganic chemicals encompassing pro-inflammatory, carcinogenic and proatherogenic properties associated with the increase risk for the development of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, risk increases to 4 fold in overweight individuals or individuals who are more prone to overweight. Tobacco smoke is related with the increased prevalence of various metabolic syndromecomponents such as insulin resistance, adiposity, endothelial dysfunction, leptin resistance, inflammation, and autonomic dysfunction. Thus no smoking can help to reduce the development of metabolic syndrome.
Alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption is addictive and has become the eminent life style in various societies and culture with an average of 40% world’s population consuming regularly. Despite having deleterious effects and high mortality rate, number of people consuming it are still increasing. Alcohol consumption has both beneficial and detrimental effects with respect to metabolic syndrome. Scientific reports suggest that low to moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk for the development of metabolic syndrome while excessive alcohol intake increases the risk for the development of obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. These conditions are linked with cardiovascular disorder and are components of metabolic syndrome. Therefore it is recommended that no alcohol or low alcohol can prevent the susceptibility to metabolic syndrome.
Air Pollution: Air pollution consist of complex mixture of gases and particulate matter produced by industries, commercial and traffic. Experimental studies on animals and humans have revealed that exposure to polluted air is associated with weight gain, adiposity, insulin resistance and inflammation thus can lead to obesity. Therefore planting trees can help to reduce the disease outcome.
Green Tea: It is believed that tea exerts its effect primarily due to the presence of polyphenols in it. The beneficial effect of the green tea has been associated with body weight reduction, cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome alleviation. Therefore drinking green tea regularly can exert a beneficial effect.
Taken together, these lifestyle factors have profound influence on the development and prevention of metabolic syndrome. Healthy lifestyle can prevent the development of comorbidities and can reduce the severity of COVID-19 infection. Important thing to realise is that covid-19 infection spread quickly and highly contagious and it is not going to eliminate anytime soon. It may take years to eradicate COVID-19 completely as it has spread all over the world. Even though if vaccine becomes available by year-end or sooner it won’t be available to everyone. What we have learnt so far that even one case can be a super spreader if it gets unnoticed. What we have with us to fight against COVID-19? Its our own immune system: the only defense mechanism acting against COVID-19. Thus it becomes essential to ensure that our immune system is optimal to deal with the viral infection. Lifestyle plays an important role in depicting our day to day activity and also to boost our immune system. Therefore, following Do’s and Don’ts of lifestyle factors can help to reduce the disease conditions and improve health along with boosting immunity to fight COVID-19 infection. Finally I must say for COVID-19 infection “Prevention is better than cure”
(The author is PhD and Postdoc in stem Cells)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
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