In the first DGA published during a global pandemic, you would think that COVID-19 would have time to spread. Unfortunately, he received only one sentence. I know most of us are ready to see the coronavirus in our rearview mirrors, but it’s not history (yet).
The last 10 months have shown us real-time scientific discoveries, linking preventable nutritional problems (eg vitamin D deficiency) with COVID-19. And considering immunity is a priority, I think it’s a longing Dietary guidelines did not take the opportunity to inform Americans about the links between nutrition and immune function. The single statement in the DGA explains that “people living with chronic diet and disease are at increased risk of severe illness caused by the new coronavirus.”
I appreciate, however, that the DGAC (remember, they wrote the 835-page Scientific Report to inform the DGA much shorter) adds more color to the problem, calling for two competing epidemics in our country: “These parallel epidemics, a non-infectious one (obesity and chronic diet-related diseases) and infectious diseases (COVID-19) appear to be synergistic. ”
Schneeman explains that the committee faced a logistical, temporal challenge: “The COVID-19 pandemic arose as the committee advanced to its final stages of work.” She went on to say that “As a committee, we have been struck by the vulnerability of those with chronic diet-related diseases (eg, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease) to the worst outcomes of the virus infection. In addition, the disruptions caused by the pandemic have led to food insecurity and famine, increasing the challenges of making healthy dietary choices. ”
DGAC member Regan Bailey, Ph.D., MPH, RD, reiterates this paradox, sharing that while “nutrition is essential for immune defense and resistance to pathogens, both malnutrition and overnutrition can affect immune function. (Bailey is a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Purdue University and director of the Purdue Diet Evaluation Center.)
At mindbodygreen, we recently explored malnutrition in the complex issue of food insecurity, as well as overnutrition (and unhealthy nutritional patterns) in the synergy between metabolic health and immunity.
Based on this knowledge, I believe that embracing healthy nutritional patterns, supporting food security initiatives, addressing nutrient gaps, and maximizing other lifestyle factors (e.g., physical activity, sleep, etc.) are strong levers we can choose. to improve metabolic health and thus our immune system.
Indeed, DGAC member Linda Van Horn, PhD, RDN, LD, Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University and Head of the Division of Nutrition at Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasizes that, “now more than ever, the importance of Healthy eating, weight control and the prevention of both cardiometabolic and infectious diseases is a globally recognized goal. “
Finally, sinking deeper into the nutrition / immune system relationship Dietary guidelines was passed on to the next iteration (2025–2030). Donovan, meanwhile, shares these perspectives: “A healthy immune system depends on an adequate supply of many nutrients, proteins, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3), vitamins (eg vitamin C and fat soluble). vitamins A, D and E) and minerals (eg iron and zinc). ”
In addition to these macro- and micronutrients, Donovan explains that “the best place to get immune-supporting nutrients is from whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, which provide dietary fiber and phytonutrients that benefit the gut microbiome and immune function.” .