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CAN COVID-19 HEALING PROCESS BE ACCELERATED WITH NUTRITION?
Nutritionists say that food and drinks play an important role in the recovery of Covid-19 patients. As with other infections, with Covid, the body needs more energy and fluid than usual, as well as extra protein for the repair of cells and tissues.
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HOW DOES FOOD CONTRIBUTE TO RECOVERY?
The immune system is a whole made up of organs, cells, and chemicals that fight infection in various ways. White blood cells, antibodies and other mechanisms in the blood are put into destroying harmful microorganisms (pathogens) that have entered the body, repairing damaged cells and tissues. Proteins and the amino acids that make up them are of great importance in this regard. During infection, the immune system pulls proteins from muscles, allowing them to be broken down into amino acids and converted into new proteins. Professor Philip Calder, who conducts research on nutrition-dependent immunity in medicine at the University of Southampton in the UK, says that weight loss and weakening of muscles when muscle are sick are caused by this. Calder said, “Protein is needed during the healing process. These provide the basic building blocks for the functioning of the body… especially in terms of those who remain motionless in the patient’s bed,” he says. Since the body works more intensively than usual, it needs more energy. “A lot of energy is needed when the immune system is in an active state, dealing with pathogens. The immune system’s response involves an abundance of repair,” he continues. Even if the appetite is not clear due to the disease, consuming high-carbohydrate foods such as oats, bread, pasta, as well as full-fat yogurt, eggs, and nuts that are energy-intensive and contain lots of protein helps in the healing process.
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VITAMINS,MINERALS AND FATTY ACIDS
It is also important to get enough vitamins and minerals in the process of illness and recovery. Prof. “They’re like the workers at the factory; they do everything and they’re really important,” Calder says. Vitamins and minerals that support the immune system include: Vitamins: A, C, D, E, B6, B9 (folic acid), B12, Minerals: zinc, copper, selenium and iron, these micro-nutrients of many fruits and vegetables with meat, eggs and dairy products are available. It is noted that people who do not see enough sun can also take vitamin B12 in the form of supplements found only in animal products, against the risk of vitamin D deficiency in people who do not see enough sun. Healthy fats found in olive oil, rapeseed (canola) oil and oily fish are also necessary for energy and new cell construction. Omega 3 fats, essential (essential) fatty acids are also fats that the body cannot produce enough on its own, which must be taken through nutrition, and are beneficial for the immune system. Sardines, salmon and mackerel fish are the main sources of Omega 3. If you have difficulty eating while you are sick, you can take a vitamin supplement enriched with omega 3. There is no single vitamin or mineral that miraculously speeds up the healing process, the role of each of them is different.
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NUTRITION IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY FROM COVID
Prof. According to the Mediterranean diet with vegetable weight is the ideal type of nutrition in the process of recovery from Covid. It contains all the nutrients that the body needs to counteract the effects of infection. “Plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats such as forest nuts, nuts, legumes, oily fish and olive oil are ideal.” Meat is a good source of protein; but quinoa, lentils, dried beans, legumes such as peas, nuts such as almonds, walnuts nuts also contain very good vegetable protein and essential amino acids. Prof. Calder notes that such a varied and fibrous food is effective for the presence of good bacteria and a healthy membrane in the intestines, which plays an important role in regulating the immune system. He points out that if there has been a problem of eating little or not at all for a certain period of time, it is necessary to consume food little by little so as not to tire the intestines. “Soft food is easier for the intestines. Within a few days, when patients start eating more, the intestines may return to their former state.” According to the advice of the National Health Service in the UK, if you are not too thin and did not lose much weight during the illness, it will be useful to consume the following foods in the daily diet to speed up the recovery process from Covid-19. Protein: a total of three palm of meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, soy products and meat alternatives (more beans, less meat and processed meat products), fruits and vegetables: 5×80 gram portions (a pinch) fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of color and, if possible, dairy products and alternatives: three thumbs up milk, cheese, yogurt, or a protein-rich and calcium-fortified alternatives (soy products)
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HOW TO COPE WITH FATIGUE?
If there has been a loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness in the process of illness, it may also be difficult to purchase, cook and eat optimal nutrients that will speed up the healing process. According to dietitian Kirsten Jackson, in this case, it should be a priority to minimize weight loss, supplement energy and muscle strength. Hot milk with cocoa and fruit and milk drinks can be used to supplement the fluid and energy needed by the body in a short way. “For those who have an appetite problem, it is usually easier to get calories from drinks instead of food.” Jackson says that some of the drinks sold on the market are diet drinks, noting that preference should be given to drinks rich in calories, vitamins and proteins. In this process, it may also be easier to eat less but often instead of preparing heavy meals for three meals a day. Dietitians also say that until recovery, three meals a can be eaten in the form of small portions, and in between, healthy snacks and drinks can be preferred.
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LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE
Half of Covid-19 patients temporarily lose their sense of smell and taste. In most of them, this condition returns to normal in two to three weeks, while in 10 percent of patients it can last for months. Experts point out the appetite-reducing effect of loss of smell and taste. For this reason, crispy, different color and temperature foods that will stimulate other senses can be effective. Sarah Oakley from the charity Absent, which runs studies for people who have lost their sense of smell in the UK, says that by smelling the same smell twice a day in a concentrated way, the process of getting the nose to smell again can be contributed to. Oakley, who calls this “physical therapy” for the nose, notes that nerve cells in the nose are damaged, and olfactory therapy contributes to the healing process. Distorted and unpleasant tastes and smells (parosmia) are also common in this process. This makes it even more difficult to eat. Although it varies from person to person, usually foods such as coffee, garlic, onions, bread, and fried meat can be a trigger. Oakley emphasizes that it is important to keep the energy level high in the early stages of this process, rather than a balanced diet. “As soon as development is achieved, you can start vegetables and fruits,” he says. Noting the importance of nutrition in the process of recovery from Covid, Prof. “The better quality your diet is, the faster you will recover, ” was said.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.