The most recent study has yielded thrilling results, suggesting that following a keto diet may reduce the seriousness of COVID-19.
In this piece, we’ll investigate how metabolic wellbeing affects the probability of extreme sickness. We’ll analyze the evidence to see if the keto diet could provide any advantages in dealing with the COVID-19 virus.
Diet and Immunity
A warning before we begin: It is not possible to use nutrition to avoid a SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is necessary for causing the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
It is therefore reasonable that throughout the course of the pandemic, public health agencies have zeroed in on vaccines, drugs, as well as non-pharmaceutical measures such as wearing masks and maintaining a physical distance from one another.
As the popular saying states, the food you consume has an impact on who you are. Most people in the United States consume an abundance of sweeteners and pre-packaged items. And junk food leads to a junky immune system.
A comprehensive assessment of investigations wherein the American diet and its relationship to immunity were examined in 2014 determined that the surplus of calories and macro-nutrients in our diet may produce amplified inflammation, a weakened ability to restrain infection, higher rates of cancer, as well as an elevated likelihood of developing allergic/auto-inflammatory diseases.
The authors emphasized that the food we eat and its effects on our immune system should be discussed and considered just as much as the connection between diet and cardiovascular health.
This is quite a strong statement, considering the overall importance of cardiovascular health when it comes to dietary advice.
The Link Between Metabolic Health and Severe Cases of COVID-19
All of the chemical reactions occurring in your body that are essential for keeping you alive are known as metabolism. Energy production? Yes. Growth? Yup. Tissue repair? Of course. Fighting disease? Absolutely.
It should be expected that inadequate metabolic wellbeing can have disastrous impacts on one’s physical condition.
Sadly, the metabolism of the average American adult is far from perfect. In the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, just 12% of Americans were found to have healthy metabolic fitness.
A general agreement cannot be found on a precise description of “metabolic wellbeing,” however, it can be understood as a state of not having metabolic syndrome. A person with metabolic syndrome meets 3 or more of the following measurements:
- Waist circumference above 40 inches in men, 35 inches in women
- Systolic blood pressure (top number) above 120 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) above 80 mmHg
- Fasting glucose (blood sugar) level of 100 mg/dL or greater and HbA1c greater than 5.7%
- Triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or greater
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) less than 40 mg/dL in men, 50 mg/dL in women
Poor metabolic health puts you at a higher risk for many diseases, including:
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Cancer
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Dementia
Keto for COVID-19
The keto diet has been a big topic of conversation in the health and wellness industry for some time now.
The keto diet involves limited carb intake and an abundance of dietary fat, which leads to the body transitioning from relying on carbohydrates for energy to entering a metabolic condition known as ketosis. In ketosis, your primary source of energy is coming from fat.
Although the keto diet has gained notoriety for leading to speedy weight reduction, there is far more to the program than this. For many years, it has been used as a cure for epilepsy, metabolic problems, cardiovascular ailments, tumors, brain deteriorating glitches, sugar level complications, headaches, and a wide variety of other issues.
Now, doctors are looking into how the keto diet may be able to stop the origin of serious effects of COVID-19: cytokine storms.
Cytokines
The expression “cytokine storm” has become increasingly recognized since the beginning of the pandemic. Before looking into the effects of cytokine storms on the intensity of COVID-19, it’s beneficial to understand what cytokines are.
In a nutshell, cytokines are a wide variety of little messenger molecules released by cells in a coordinated way in reaction to bacteria, viruses, or other microscopic organisms that can lead to illness.
Think of the immune system as an orchestra.
The initial immune cell (the leader) to spot a foreign entity issues cytokines with a summons for an immune reaction to take place. Cytokines act as messengers, delivering directives to different cells and bodily systems (players), which then trigger a response from immune cells and also result in more cytokines being produced.
Cytokines can bring about a particular type of immune response called inflammation.
Cytokines send signals that cause the cell walls and blood vessels to become more porous during episodes of acute inflammation. Typically, only water and microscopic molecules are allowed to travel from the bloodstream into the tissue. Nevertheless, swelling leads to porous blood vessels, which facilitates the sudden entrance of larger proteins and immune cells to the hurt or infected region.
Common symptoms of inflammation include:
- Fever
- Aches
- Heat
- Chills
- Fatigue
After the infection has been dealt with, the immune system begins to relax and the widened blood vessels return to their usual size.
Cytokine Storm
Cytokines are essential for a strong and healthy immune system. At times, they may be excessive in their benefits.
For any immune response, it is essential for both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines to be released at the same time, with their proportion being critical for keeping the lungs in balance and functioning normally.
When the usual equilibrium is disturbed or when the incorrect kind of cytokines are secreted at the start of the immune response, an excessive cytokine production follows.
Needless to say, cytokines in a cytokine storm refuse to quiet down even after authorities arrive, similarly to an alarm that won’t stop ringing. Due to cytokine receptors present in numerous cells of the whole body, the repercussions of a cytokine storm are spread out across the entire system.
There is a clear connection between cytokine storms resulting in extensive tissue damage and a pessimistic outlook for viral illnesses. Two ailments commonly derived from a cytokine storm are acute lung injury and its severer form, acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Severe swelling in the lungs can cause a ripple effect throughout the body. Individuals who go through cytokine storms have a decline in the oxygen present in their bloodstream, have trouble inhaling, and have a build-up of liquid in their lungs. All these symptoms are seen with COVID-19.
Septic shock and failure affecting multiple organs can also arise from a large release of cytokines, forming one of the primary factors leading to death in severe cases of COVID-19.
The Keto Corona Diet
Aside from the ability to fight inflammation that comes from being in a keto state, there are many foods that fit the keto diet that are able to boost the body’s immune system and safeguard the wellbeing of an individual.
When considering immunity, you want to think about nutrient-density. This implies that foods that are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other beneficial biological compounds should be consumed.
Fortunately, a suitable ketogenic diet focuses on nutritionally full items, numerous of which directly affect your immunity.
Most sources advise stocking up on staples such as lentils and whole grains, which can be stored for long periods of time; however, these foods will disrupt the ketosis state.
If you’re able, concentrate on consuming the below items to maintain a healthy ketogenic diet and bolster your immune system.
Green Vegetables
Research has found that ingesting green vegetables offers many advantages, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as an essential part of ideal immune functionality.
It seems that consuming green vegetables like broccoli and bok choy is essential for producing a significant chemical that controls cells responsible for immunity in the gut and on the skin. Eating green vegetables causes an increase in the activation of a certain receptor on the immune cells of mice.
When green veggies are taken away, the receptors in the immune cells vanish, and the intestinal surface has no power to manage the microorganisms living on it.
You have plenty of keto-suitable green veggies you can include in your meals, such as broccoli, spinach, kale, brussels sprouts, chard, and celery. It is possible to freeze fresh vegetables after blanching them, or to purchase them frozen or canned.
Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an immune-system powerhouse nutrient. It is widely acknowledged for its capacity to reduce the length of the typical cold, but it is also useful in combating viral illnesses.
Studies indicate that for diseases related to breathing problems caused by viruses, taking vitamin C can reduce symptoms by as much as 85%.
One of the main foods that come to mind when picturing foods rich in vitamin C is citrus fruits like oranges. Despite the presence of glucose, many foods on keto diets contain substantial amounts of vitamin C and don’t share the properties of oranges.
Keto-friendly items with a high content of vitamin C include broccoli, kale, red peppers, and strawberries. Consider purchasing these new items, sanitizing them and slicing them, followed by putting them in the freezer to make them last longer.
Foods Rich in Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a major role in immunity. This vitamin plays a key role in the production of countless immune cells, as well as activating antibodies to guard your body from outside pathogens.
Studies have indicated that taking vitamin A supplements can decrease the chance of death when someone is suffering from HIV, malaria, and certain other infectious diseases.
Foods that are suitable for a ketogenic diet that are high in vitamin A include lamb and beef liver, mackerel, salmon, tuna, and butter.
You can easily put butter in the freezer and it will last for several months if stored in the refrigerator, whereas various types of canned fish are available in most supermarkets. The butcher is the place to go for a liver, or you can purchase it from a trustworthy meat delivery service, or buy it in capsule form.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are an ideal snack while following a keto diet. Filled to the brim with components that strengthen the immune system, and easy to transport, they make a great travel companion.
Almonds are great for providing Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps the body’s immunity, whereas Brazil nuts are arguably one of the best suppliers of selenium, a mineral that advances your immune system.
Studies have suggested that vitamin E and selenium are beneficial to viral immunity, as they help combat oxidative stress in the body.
Be sure to get an adequate supply of selenium and vitamin E in order to avoid the mutation of otherwise mild viruses into much more severe ones.
A range of various nuts and seeds contain magnesium. Magnesium plays an important role in both specific and general immune system functioning, and is especially important for the elderly or active individuals who require additional immunity support.
Nuts can remain fresh and edible for far longer than most other edible items. They provide a lot of nutrition for a relatively small number of calories.
Protein
Proteins and the building blocks of proteins, amino acids, are essential for a functioning immune system. It is widely recognized that protein deficiency can lead to an increased chance of catching contagious illness.
Arginine, an amino acid, is particularly pivotal in the stimulation of T-cells and disabling viruses. In general, amino acids regulate a number of immune functions including:
- Activation of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages
- Immune cell expression
- Lymphocyte proliferation
- Production of antibodies, cytokines, and other cytotoxic substances
Studies have even proposed that the solution towards tackling diseases which are communicable might rest upon amino acids.
Red Meat
Red meat is an optimal choice for foods that can improve the immune system, as it is high in protein and also supplies vital elements to aid the immune system.
Zinc, one of the essential nutrients, is a mineral that is essential to maintain a strong immune system. It aids in combating oxidative stress and regulating inflammatory responses. Studies show that zinc can offer protection from viral respiratory illnesses by blocking the spread of the virus.
Red meat contains an iron-rich mineral which fortifies immunity response and growth. Iron is essential for the growth and development of immune cells, which work to shield your body from illness.
You should find room in your freezer to stock up on nutrient-rich cuts of red meat.
Supplements To Stock Up On
Good nutrition can be a great way to strengthen your resistance to COVID-19, but there are also key supplements that can contribute to increasing your immunity to the virus.
It was previously noted that taking vitamin C supplements can be advantageous for boosting immunity. You should make sure to stock up on vitamin D since it is likely that you will be spending more time inside.
In addition, make sure you’ve got a good supply of the following:
Electrolytes
Electrolytes have a major influence on immunity by managing communication between immune cells. Consequently, having an electrolyte solution available should be a priority if you fall ill at this period.
Exogenous Ketone Base
Spending time alone in the house without easy access to tempting snacks is a great opportunity to try intermittent fasting.
Consuming Perfect Keto Exogenous Ketone Base is a great way to acquire some extra energy when doing a fast or if you are looking for a pre-workout boost. All you have to do is a blend some ketones with water and you are ready to go.
Whey Protein and Collagen Protein
Perfect Keto Whey Protein and Perfect Keto Collagen Protein supply the essential amino acids that your immune system needs in order to work optimally. Beans are an excellent choice to fill up on a protein that doesn’t require being put in the fridge.
Keto Snacks
These Perfect Keto items are ideal for a treat when you are relaxing in the comfort of your own house. Perfect Keto Bars, Perfect Keto Chocolate Snacks, and Perfect Keto Nut Butter all make for delightful snacks. Rather than depending solely on canned goods, these canned goods are first-rate selections, and they are filled with elements that can allow you to have peace of mind.
MCT Oil and Powder
It is imperative to add Perfect Keto MCT Oil Powder to your kitchen staples. Adding one spoonful of MCT Oil Powder to your morning coffee can be a good substitute for dairy creamer, and give you some extra oomph to start your day.
Conclusion
If you are keeping to yourself and spending some time by yourself in response to the coronavirus epidemic, there are a lot of activities you can do to help strengthen your immunity system while staying in the ketogenic state.
It is essential to pay attention to your eating habits and provide your body with proper nutrition during this period, thus be sure to purchase keto diet-friendly and immune system-strengthening food items when you grocery shop.
Be sure that your nutritional supplement regimen is up to date. Protein powder such as whey and collagen, as well as snacks that are appropriate for the keto diet, are essential.
