October 27

What can worsen the effects of coronavirus? Here’s how to fight it!

Health

We've been through several waves of the coronavirus outbreak and unfortunately it has claimed many lives. Is everyone right to be afraid? Or what do the people who were particularly at risk from this pandemic have in common?

These are questions that are worth thinking about, because only in this way can we significantly reduce the risk to us and take action against it.

Unfortunately, no one is talking about an 'epidemic' that has been with us for years, with the number of cases increasing year on year; and it is an epidemic that is also closely linked to the coronavirus.

And this 'epidemic' is nothing other than the ever-increasing incidence of chronic diseases. In particular, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

Now, these various diseases are very similar in one respect: unhealthy diet and the resulting obesity play a huge role in the development and exacerbation of all of them.

But what does this have to do with the coronavirus?

I'm sure you've heard that the virus is particularly dangerous to sick, weakened bodies. Indeed, according to CDC data, 94% of those who died from the coronavirus epidemic also had a chronic illness other than the virus. The most common additional cause was cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

So you can see that it is far from enough to protect yourself externally (e.g., avoiding public places, wearing a mask, using hand sanitisers). It is much, much more important to prevent chronic diseases, in addition to strengthening your immune system, and to treat them if you already have them.

But to do this, you need to change your diet first!

Let's look at the most important points to watch out for:

1. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates!

I'm probably not telling you anything new, but the main cause of obesity, insulin resistance and type II diabetes is the excessive consumption of fast-absorbing sugars and refined carbohydrates. All these diseases have additional consequences such as vascular damage and a weakened immune system. These are a particular problem in the autumn to summer period, when your body has a harder time fighting off pathogens, viral symptoms and complications. It is therefore understandable why there are more deaths among people with chronic illness.

Instead of refined carbohydrates, eat fibre-rich, whole-grain products such as brown rice, wholemeal bread or pasta, rye and bran products or oatmeal. These have a lower glycaemic index, so they are absorbed more slowly, leaving you feeling fuller for longer and making it easier to resist snacking. They are therefore a good choice for both the prevention and treatment of diabetes and insulin resistance.

And try using fruit instead of sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth! If you're in the mood for a quick snack, a stick of Orifit or Purfit is a super healthy substitute for candy or other sugary snacks.

2. Down with the fats! Or not?

We often hear that we shouldn't eat so much fat because it's unhealthy and leads to cardiovascular problems and obesity.

This is both true and not true, because we really need fats. In fact, they can even slow the absorption of carbohydrates to prevent or treat diabetes. But it really does matter which fats you consume!

You really should cut down on animal saturated fats by choosing lean meats and reduced-fat or fat-free dairy products.

Once you've reduced these, you can increase the amount of certain natural vegetable oils that are beneficial. Examples include omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids, of which unfortunately many people take too little. They have an excellent effect on blood vessels and can even reduce inflammation! To increase your intake, eat more seafood or silver carp, flaxseed oil, walnuts or olive oil.

A great snack, for example, is a natural yoghurt sprinkled with walnut pieces. The fat in nuts slows down the absorption of the lactose in yoghurt. And for sweetening, I recommend adding a stick of Orifit or Purfit!

3. Fight the virus with fruit and vegetables

It's best to pour these oils over a big bowl of salad. After all, vegetables help prevent obesity because of their low energy density, and their high fibre content lowers cholesterol and slows the absorption of carbohydrates. And their mineral, vitamin and antioxidant content boosts your immune system.

But most importantly, eat berries such as elderberries, blueberries, currants, blackberries or chokeberries on a daily basis.

They are the best protection against cardiovascular damage, which can have tragic outcomes in people infected with coronavirus. Their daily consumption is also essential in diabetes and insulin resistance, where vascular damage is a common complication.

Berries are able to reduce blood pressure and regenerate blood vessels thanks to the antioxidant colouring substances they contain. They even act as natural anticoagulants in the case of atherosclerosis or risk of thrombosis and have been shown to have antiviral properties!

Now you're probably wondering how you could eat berries every day of the year, 365 days a year. After all, you can't even get them in the winter, or at best, you'll only find some that's been shipped in from far away. And even in summer, the local products still have astronomical prices.

Fortunately, the InnoFit fruit and vegetable concentrates (Topform, Child, Purfit) contain plenty of berries. You can get the amount you need to keep your blood vessels and immune system on top simply and in just half a minute every day with a small spoonful or a glass of water.

Make the choice to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome – or do your best to reverse these pathological processes in your body.

The body's ability to heal itself is amazing. To get these processes going, do everything you can to keep your immune system working well. This is the only way to minimise the risk of the virus wreaking havoc in your system.

Erzsébet Mihalikné Krémer


Health educator and creator of the InnoFit product family