What is the seriousness of the emerging coronavirus (SARS Cove-2) that causes Covid-19 disease? Would eating a certain food or diet help prevent it? Is there a diet that helps in the process of recovery or recovery?
These and other questions we posed to Dr. Paul Thornali, Director of the Diabetes Research Center at the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, who answered them in an interview with Al Jazeera Net.
What is Covid-19 disease?
Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Medical workers were not aware of this new virus before the outbreak began in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December. Preview (opens in new tab) First 2019. Today, the virus has become a reality we live in, and it has caused a pandemic affecting many countries Worldwide.
Why is the virus classified as dangerous?
The disease is dangerous because it may turn into some people into severe viral pneumonia, which may threaten the life of the person with it, since there is no vaccine or effective treatment currently. In this regard, the SARS Cove-2 virus is classified as a serious disease, due to its relatively high death rate, which reaches about 5% globally.
In spite of this, the percentage is much lower in the State of Qatar (about 0.1%), and it is classified as dangerous due to the high rates of its prevalence rate, as it is initially transmitted from person to person through nasal or mouth spray, and it also spreads easily from a patient who carries the virus with coughing Or sneeze or even talk.
These properties combine to cause a serious pandemic. There is no doubt that this poses a challenge to health care workers caring for infected and sick people, to biomedical scientists who are diligently looking to respond to the urgent demand for vaccines and effective treatments, and for the general public to comply with and adhere to the rules of social divergence and hygiene standards to reduce the spread of virus and disease.
Does eating a certain food or diet help prevent infection with the emerging coronavirus?
So far this is uncertain, but the best advice is to follow a healthy, balanced diet to maintain good nutritional health. Those with reduced lung function appear to be more likely to develop the strong symptoms of the Corona virus, including the elderly, those with chronic respiratory diseases and diabetics. Therefore, a diet that maintains good lung function may help reduce the dangerous development of the Corona virus.
Studies in the United States and elsewhere around the world have also shown that a diet rich in fiber (vegetables and high-fiber cereals and nuts) is associated with good pulmonary functions. Scientists have also found that a fiber-rich diet also increases tissue sensitivity to insulin, which reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Therefore, there are multiple health benefits to enrich your diet with fiber.
Suppose a person has contracted the disease, is there a diet that helps in the healing or recovery process?
This is also uncertain. Some may claim that there are benefits to various nutritional supplements, herbal teas or natural products, but there is currently no scientific evidence to draw from clinical trials. One of the best tips currently available: A healthy balanced diet rich in fiber. A diet that supports lung function is expected to contribute to recovery from the negative effects of coronavirus.
As mentioned in the previous question, studies in the United States and elsewhere around the world have shown that a diet rich in fiber, such as vegetables and high-fiber cereals and nuts, is associated with good pulmonary functions.
Can Vitamin C Supplements Heal Corona Virus?
There has long been widespread allegation, not based on sufficient evidence, that Vitamin C can contribute to treating the common cold caused by nasal virus strains, with some cases caused by strains of the non-life threatening coronavirus. There was a report indicating that high doses of intravenous vitamin C were successfully used in the treatment of 50 patients with moderate to severe cases of coronavirus in China.
The dose of vitamin C used ranged from 10 to 20 grams per day, and patients received it intravenously over an 8-10 hour period. This was an experimental study, so it is not yet clear whether patients will recover if they are not treated.
A carefully controlled clinical trial is currently being conducted in Wuhan, China, where 140 patients with Covid-19 virus will be randomly selected for vitamin C treatment. These patients will receive a dose of 12 grams of vitamin intravenous injection over a period of 4 hours, twice a day for 7 days, or they will receive a placebo by injecting a physiological saline solution into a vein.
This study is expected to be completed in September of this year. For the time being, it is not yet clear whether vitamin C is helpful in treating the virus. If the study finds that there is a benefit in administering vitamin C doses to patients with Covid-19 virus, then the intake of these vitamins will turn into a treatment that can only be provided within hospitals. Since this dose exceeds the maximum dose considered safe, there may be a risk that patients will be exposed to harmful effects.
The nutritional dose of vitamin C that healthy adults are advised to take is 90 milligrams for men and 75 milligrams for women. We usually get that dose through a healthy, balanced diet.
As for nutritional supplements, studies have found that if this dose is increased, there will be a slight increase in the concentration of vitamin C in the blood above the level of 400 mg. When taking larger doses, extra vitamin C is rapidly excreted in the urine. Therefore, there are likely to be few general health benefits for nutritional supplements that have a concentration greater than 400 milligrams of vitamin C per day.
Does vitamin D contribute to preventing or reducing the risk of coronavirus infection?
Vitamin D is an essential ingredient for good health, especially bone and muscle health. It also has a secondary role in maintaining the health of the human immune system. Sun exposure is the main source of vitamin D in most people. Many people suffer from low levels of vitamin D in the blood, especially in high latitudes during the winter, if they have to stay indoors, or if they need to stay in constantly covered areas (such as the hot summer period where it is difficult to get out In the sun).
Foods rich in Vitamin D include fish, dairy products, egg yolks and fortified cereals. It is important to avoid exposure to vitamin D deficiency, but there is no scientific evidence that this vitamin can protect against infection with the Coronavirus.
The dietary dose of vitamin D that healthy adults are advised to take is 600 IU, or 15 micrograms per day, and 800 IU (20 micrograms) per day for elderly people over 70 years of age. Eating a dietary supplement, at 400 IU per day, and eating foods rich in vitamin "D" are important for those who isolate themselves with limited exposure to sunlight.
Too much vitamin D intake - for example 10 times more than the recommended dietary dose - may contribute to significant damage, and this should only be abstained if clinical advice from a qualified health professional is obtained.
It should be noted that vitamin D supplements are not licensed to prevent or treat any infection, including the emerging coronavirus. A specialized study by the National Institute for Health and Quality of Care in the United Kingdom concluded that there is no evidence to support the feasibility of taking vitamin D supplements to prevent or treat coronavirus.
What are the most important dietary advice that you provide to strengthen the immune system in general?
The best advice is to follow a healthy, balanced diet to maintain nutritional health, and if your current diet does not have enough fiber, consider increasing your fiber intake by adding vegetables, high-fiber cereals and nuts to your meals.