Understanding long COVID-19; the heart-healthy benefits of diet
Q: My husband has what we think is long COVID-19. What causes it, what are the symptoms, and how is it treated? — Kathrine R., Des Moines, Iowa
A: The National Center for Health Statistics says that around 18 million Americans have had or are currently contending with long COVID-19 — defined as having persistent symptoms for three months or more that occurred some time after initial infection with the SARS-COV-2 virus.
But what is long COVID-19? According to a study in JAMA Network, there are 12 symptoms associated with the condition. They include PEM (postexertional malaise or tiredness after exertion), fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, GI symptoms, palpitations, changes in sexual desire or capacity, loss of or change in smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements.
Each person may experience slightly different combinations of symptoms, and sometimes they resolve in a few weeks or months and other times they drag on. One recent study may offer insight into what is going on in your body when this happens.
A study in the journal Nature found that there were irregularities in the way immune B and T cells function in people with long COVID-19 and, interestingly, folks with long COVID-19 have lower-than-normal levels of the hormone cortisol, which is important for responding to stress and feeling alert and energized. The researchers also found that viruses for conditions such as mononucleosis and Epstein-barr that were dormant (from previous infections, perhaps) were reawakened in folks with long COVID-19 — perhaps accounting for many of the common symptoms or simply indicating dysfunction of the immune system.
What can be done to ease symptoms of long COVID-19? Therapies that address Epstein-barr symptoms, lifestyle choices that support immune strength, and improved sleep habits may help. Other smart moves: Reach out to your primary care doctor to ask about doing progressive exercise and taking colchicine and a statin — anecdotal reports show these medications have benefits. Also, folks with long COVID-19 may need referrals to a pulmonologist, cardiologist, neurologist, mental health expert and/or a physical therapist, depending on symptoms and their severity.
Q: My doctor has started me on a statin but still says I am at high risk for a heart attack. What more can I do to reduce that risk effectively? — Francis T., Lexington, Kentucky
A: I am glad you are under the care of a doctor, and there are many things you can do to reinforce the cardiovascular benefits of taking a statin. Unfortunately, many folks aren’t as aware of their risks as you are. In fact, a new survey by the American Heart Association shows fully 50% of people who have already had a stroke or heart attack don’t know what “bad,” AKA “lousy” LDL cholesterol is.
Knowing your number for lousy LDL cholesterol is important because it can clue you into how your efforts to improve your heart health are working — and it can make you aware of other health risks. I suggest you aim for an LDL of less than 70 milligrams.
So what steps can you take to improve your heart health? Well, a new meta-study in JAMA Network Open shows that adopting a vegetarian diet for an average of six months lowered LDL levels by 6.6 mg/dl, HBA1C by 0.24% and body weight by 7.5 pounds. Just make sure you don’t eat highly processed carbohydrates (French fries and some pasta, for example) and sugar-added vegetarian treats.
If you don’t go all vegetarian, other tried-and-true methods of protecting your heart — and overall — health include eliminating all red and processed meats, added sugars and syrups, and highly processed foods from your diet. And everyone can aim for getting 300-plus minutes of exercise a week, decreasing inflammation with stress management, taking colchicine or aspirin (ask your doc first), and keeping your immunizations up-to-date. For detailed information on effective, science-based ways to restore your heart health, check out the free newsletter at Longevityplaybook.com and the programs available on the site.
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Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, “The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow,” and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com. (c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.