It’s not your imagination. There are several possible medical explanations as to why you may be having a hard time being healthy, compromising your immunity and put you at risk for Covid-19 fallout. Ongoing research reveals that there is an interaction between your hormones, metabolism and Covid-19. Strong evidence suggest that there can be direct damage to your pancreas and endocrine glands which release critical elements essential to regulating your health and immune system.
Among the research is an recent statement from the European Society of Endocrinology that highlights this interaction between Covid-19 and serious health implications. These findings have strong effects on your immune system so taking the time to aggressively work on improving these health conditions will help you feel and heal feel better during these Covid times.
1. Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes:
Not having good blood sugar control is especially serious, so putting attention to learning the skills and techniques to manage this is critical. Diabetes Self Management Training has never been more important to you. Many tools are with skilled guidance for medication, blood sugar testing, carbohydrate and diet balance.
2. Obesity/Weight Management:
Problems with getting to a realistic healthy weight is not only cosmetic but is frequently an “easier said than done” proposition because it involves so many factors, like lifestyle, habits and food preferences. Key components, to improve your weight, however will always involve calorie control and modest improvements to your activity.
3) Sleep Problems:
Sleep apnea, low sleep, interrupted sleep, and bad sleep hygiene also stem from a wide range of causes. Without good sleep quality, hormone cycles are disrupted and unfortunately have a greater “catch 22” effect by intensifying the potential cause. Look for Increased hunger and carbohydrate cravings, increased stress hormones, fatigue, and hyper-excitability as outcomes.
4. Low Vitamin D:
Even without a known health condition, a low vitamin D level (a pre-hormone) has been found to have negative consequences to your immunity and Covid-19. Getting your level checked, taking prescribed amounts of vitamin D from supplement, eating foods with Vitamin D (eggs, fish, dairy, meats, fortified foods) work with sunlight and supplements to improve this key pre-hormone.
5. Sex Hormones:
Males especially have shown a greater risk to severe Covid effects and death than females. Male sex hormones (androgens) are suspected to enable the Covid virus to gain a greater footing in the body specifically lung tissue. Medications used for treating prostate conditions and hair loss are being researched to improve Covid recovery.
Nutritionist Nicolette Pace talks with 411 TEEN