We recently came across this article on Mind BodyGreen that was written by their senior health editor, Kristine Thomason, that we thought was well worth the share as it ties in with similar articles that we have published.
By now, you're very familiar with the daily COVID-prevention checklist: Wash your hands, don't touch your face, wear your mask in public, and socially distance from others. And repeat. Each of these precautions aligns with guidelines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, to help mitigate viral transmission.
What the CDC (or any of the powers that be, for that matter) doesn't address quite so clearlymuch to many experts' dismayis the fact that nutrition is also a non-negotiable in the fight against COVID-19.
As for the CDC guidelines, there is a mention tucked into their "Food and Coronavirus" guidelines, where they advise: Reduce pandemic-related stress through good nutrition; incorporate vitamins C and D, plus zinc, into your diet for possible immune system support; read labels on any canned foods you buy, and seek out the healthiest options; and prioritize fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. They also point toward resources at the USDA Nutrition Assistance Program if you need help securing nutritious foods.
Of course, all that information is important and usefulas are the other COVID-19 guidelines the CDC has laid out. But, unfortunately, there's not a single mention of nutrition as a preventive measureit's entirely left out of the conversation on their "Prevent Getting Sick" section. The way we see it, leaving nutrition as a side note is a huge miss. After all, we've had nutrition top of mind since day one of the pandemicwhether it's featuring an immunologist's COVID dietary advice or discussing top immune-supporting nutrients with a longevity expert.
One expert who has been particularly outspoken about this topic is preventive medicine specialist David Katz, M.D. He already gave a compelling COVID reality check on the mindbodygreen podcast, and now, he's sharing his thoughts on the importance of nutrition as a tool to keep you healthynow and always. But especially now.
Why nutrition needs to be a priority, not an afterthought.
"The greatest single influence of whether you develop a bad chronic disease or die prematurely is your diet quality," says Katz. "Diet is constantly, universally important. Literature showing that it is the single leading predictor of all-cause mortality is incontrovertible."
So, why exactly don't we hear more about diet in relation to disease prevention? To start, other factors that affect health and mortality are often much more straightforward. For example: You're either a smoker or a nonsmoker; you either do physical activity or you don't; your blood pressure is either high or normal. "But diet is an infinite array of intermingled variables," says Katz. "There are many ways to get it right. There are many more ways to get it wrong."
There are also numerous other factors at play (think cultural, socioeconomic, the list goes on) that can interfere with your access and understanding of optimal nutrition. Not to mention, as survival-driven humans, our instincts are programmed to be more attuned to immediate threats rather than long-term ones, Katz explains. "One of the reasons we neglect our diet is it doesn't fly at the speed of a bullet," he says. "If I eat a doughnut today, it won't affect me tomorrow. The cause and effect are separated by time, so it's hard to see. We are pretty blas about the massive association between diet and adverse health outcomes in general." That is, until we're faced with a pressing threat. Enter: COVID-19.
Why focusing on diet amid COVID-19 is both a necessity and an opportunity.
It's no secret that individuals with underlying health conditions like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease are at a higher risk of adverse COVID outcomes. "To ignore that is absurd, and to ignore that diet is the greatest single driver of all of that is also absurd," says Katz.
For that reason, Katz sees the current COVID-19 climate not only as a reason to prioritize diet more than ever but also an ideal time for people to make lasting change.
"It's a massive opportunity to address the acute and the chronic," he says. "We should have done it anyway, but that's the problem with dietit's a slow-motion threat; it doesn't trigger our anxiety. COVID does, so I say, let's catch the wave."
So, what can you do...today?
"There's never been a better time to have the 'let's get healthy, America' conversation," says Katz. That's because, even small, conscious changes can affect your health and immunity.
As for a healthy diet, Katz believes there's a basic theme to eating optimally, but there isn't a narrow prescription every person needs to adopt. To get you started on your own path, he shares a few tips for taking positive, dietary steps forwardand they're backed by other experts in the field, too:
1. Start with one healthy meal...but know the benefits get better over time.
"You can alter your immune response with a single meal," Katz says, "the magnitude of benefit will accrue over time, you certainly won't get the full measure from one good meal, but you can start the party." He notes that there is evidence in studies that observe how harvest cells in the immune system react to different stimuli. "They react in a way that's more likely to protect you following a high-quality meal, as opposed to a low-quality meal."
2. Opt for wholesome, natural foods.
"Essentially the closer you get to foods that come directly from nature, the better," says Katz. "So you want to avoid ultra-processed stuff and eat as much real, minimally or unprocessed foods as possible." Simple steps in the right direction might mean sipping water instead of soda or choosing whole grains instead of refined ones. "And if the ingredient list runs off the box, it's probably a bad idea."
And when it comes to choosing those foods...amid a pandemic, experts and the CDC agree that foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc may be particularly beneficial. "There's no disagreement between scientists and doctors that vitamin D is important for the immune system," David Sinclair, Ph.D., said during a recent mbg podcast episode. While Amy Shah, M.D., notes that vitamin C is such an important nutrient for immune support.
Supplements are also an option, but Katz points out these should be used as "supplemental to, not substitutes for a high-quality diet."
3. Swap in plants when you can.
"Since our diets tend to be heavy on animal foods, and most people consume too few fruits and vegetables, the more you can shift to plant foods the better," says Katz. That includes an array of fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. "Basically, any time you can eat a plant instead of an animal, do."
Other experts agree with this sentiment, including Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D. "If we go back to the cultures that have respected longevity and ask what they ate, we find that they're eating very hearty plants," he shared in a recent mbg podcast episode.
Of course, there are other measures you can takebut a healthy diet doesn't need to be overly complex, by any means. As Katz puts it, "It's just that simple; it's just that powerful. It's actionable, it's immediate, and there's never been a better time."
See the original post here:
Why Aren't We Talking More About Nutrition Amid COVID-19? - Anti Aging News
- Scientists believe that aging might be optional - Mail Herald [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- This Week in Running: November 18, 2019 - iRunFar [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2019]
- Aging as a preventable disease and why living to 100 should be easy - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2019]
- David Sinclair on Joe Rogan Podcast - chatting about NMN and ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- NMN and NAD Reverse Aging of Blood Vessels in New Study [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- #70 - David Sinclair, Ph.D.: How cellular reprogramming could ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Lifespan: Why We Age_and Why We Don't Have To: David A ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclair supplements and protocol explained NMN ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclair's biological age was 58 after taking 1000 mg ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclairs anti-aging science | Harvard Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclair Supplements For Anti-Aging - What He Takes & Why [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- What Does David Sinclair Eat and Supplement? (2019 ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- #27 - David Sinclair, Ph.D.: Slowing aging sirtuins, NAD ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Man with string of convictions in his native Poland came to Perth to set up drug den - The Courier [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Last surviving Viking-inspired boat that served a now- abandoned island goes up for auction - The Scotsman [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Dealer Jailed After Raid Uncovers 44k of Grugs - Daily Record [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Lazarus Effect: Sixteen-year study by Dr. Leis resulted in recovery from West Nile for Dr. Bush - Northside Sun [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2019]
- OZY Takes You Ahead of the Curve in Science and Technology - OZY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2019]
- The Race To Find A Cure For Aging - Medium [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2020]
- Hard work and dedication honored - Union Daily Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2020]
- Meet the people who think soaking in a frozen Minneapolis lake is the secret to good health - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2020]
- BOYS SWIMMING: Tigersharks top Waconia in conference dual - Crow River Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- David Sinclair on NMN and Epigenetics | | LEAF [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Brave Cashel Community School get the better of St Augustine's to set-up a Munster hurling final clash with Doon - TipperaryLive.ie [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2020]
- Diane Francis: Treating aging like a disease is the next big thing for science - Financial Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2020]
- Letter: Yes to Green Growth | Opinion - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2020]
- Kelty Hearts 4-1 Caledonian Braves: Third straight defeat for Braves - Motherwell Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2020]
- Is soaking in a frozen lake the secret to good health? - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2020]
- Letter:Deputy Is Vindicated | Opinion - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2020]
- BOYS SWIMMING: Chargers take fifth at WCC Championships; look ahead to sections - Crow River Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2020]
- Lifespan: The New Science Behind Anti-Aging and Longevity that Can Help You Live to 100 - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2020]
- Not fasting is killing us, but fasting can hurt us too. Here's what to do. - Mashable [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2020]
- Anti-Aging Researcher David Sinclair Takes Metformin, NMN ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2020]
- Movers and Shakers Week Ending 2.28.20 - milehighcre.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2020]
- Health inequality in England was bad. It has got worse - The Economist [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2020]
- Southland couple join volunteers to help future proof Southland A&P Show - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2020]
- Pilot Wins Top Honors at Awards Ceremony | Business - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2020]
- Flipping the switch on the ageing process - The Age [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2020]
- 7 books to read while in coronavirus quarantine or isolation - The CEO Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2020]
- Remembering loved ones who have passed away - the 68 death notices in North Staffordshire this week - Stoke-on-Trent Live [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2020]
- Can canine coronavirus drug indomethacin be used in treating humans suffering from COVID-19? - MEAWW [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2020]
- Is There Any Legitimate Health Advice in Gwyneth Paltrow's "Goop Lab"? - InsideHook [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2020]
- Will Universities, Colleges, And Law School Campuses Be Open In Fall 2020? - Above the Law [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2020]
- 'Refreshingly honest' dealer who ran Perth drug den will be sent home to Poland - The Courier [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2020]
- Has Harvard's David Sinclair Found the Fountain of Youth? [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2020]
- Carole Carson: Adventures in Aging Seven myths about getting older - The Union of Grass Valley [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2020]
- Hide and Hedonism invite guests to a virtual wine dinner - Spear's WMS [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2020]
- Budget realities from COVID-19 cut $40.6 million from Prince William budgets - Inside NoVA [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2020]
- Drug Use is Transmitted from Old to Young - UPJ Athletics [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2020]
- Fife woman breached Asbo by having illicit party at home during lockdown - The Courier [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2020]
- A Harvard Geneticist Wants To Sell A Magical ... - HuffPost [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2020]
- Jennifer Aniston: How The Morning Show felt like 20 years of therapy - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Woods, Waters, and Wildlife: Buy Licenses Now! | FCT News - Freestonecountytimesonline [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2020]
- Editorial: Five Birdies That Signal Good Work | Opinion | thepilot.com - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2020]
- We all suffer when COVID-19 locks the elderly out of societal participation - The Investment Observer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Immetas Therapeutics Announces Series A Financing to Advance Research on Inflammation Pathways in Aging and Develop Therapeutics for Cancer and... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2020]
- DS4 to rock Morden live at The Sound Lounge - Your Local Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2020]
- How newly unemployed over-50s can start-up again - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2020]
- 100 years old will be the new 60 | Health & Wellness - CL Charlotte [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2020]
- Brexit casts doubt over UK pension rights - Interactive Investor [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2020]
- Cancer. How close are we to winning the war? - Switzer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2020]
- Where Sabrina the Teenage Witch cast are now - hit TV shows and unrecognisable star - Mirror Online [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2020]
- Caledonian Braves can 'breathe a bit easier' after first win says boss Ricky Waddell - MSN UK [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2020]
- We should allow ourselves to be #pharmaproud - - pharmaphorum [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2020]
- 6 Anti Aging Benefits of Metformin - The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2020]
- Hokitika father charged with murder initially claimed son fell out of bed - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2020]
- Scientists Uncover Approach That Could Reverse Age-Related Vision Loss - Science Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- HTLS 2020: A pill that can reverse ageing? Yes, it will be possible, says Dr Sinclair - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- Reversing vision loss by turning back the aging clock - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- Pill to reverse ageing in 30 years? Why not, says Harvard professor Dr David Sinclair - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- Get younger reverse ageing and increase your health span - Have a Go News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Over 50s Spending Spree Boosts Economy By Billions - Money International [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2021]
- Hunger in Milwaukee and the World: What We Can Do About It - Wisconsin Public Radio News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2021]
- Woman's 'nasty' skin infection most likely caused by swimming in sea after shaving legs - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2021]
- David Sinclair | The Sinclair Lab [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2021]
- David Sinclair Supplements List Deep Dive - Updated 2021 [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2021]
- Don't Listen to Intermittent Fasting Influencers, The Science Doesn't Back It Up - InsideHook [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2022]
- David Sinclair Post-2022 Canyons by UTMB 100k Interview - iRunFar [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2022]
- Authorized Biography Of The Rolling Stones Charlie Watts Launched In London - uDiscover Music [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2022]
- David Sinclair Supplements (2022 List) | Brands for Anti-Aging! [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2022]