Most people who contracted COVID-19 recovered without complications, but there are some who continue to suffer symptoms months down the line. There are, however, steps you can take to improve your health and combat ‘long covid’:
SLEEP: its free, no need for a prescription, but totally ignored. Getting your 8-hours sleep religiously is the best way to improve your immune system. See our blog for more: https://www.prolongevity.co.uk/blog/sleep
EXERCISE: also free! With the covid restrictions now lifting it is important to keep moving for the sake of our sanity as well as physical wellbeing. Walking is healthy and improves your immune system. If you can do a few minutes of brisk walking (get properly puffed) so-much the better
DIET: Eat the Rainbow! Key to combating long covid is the microbiome – the colonies of bugs in our gut and elsewhere including the skin and even the lungs, which do so much for us, including manufacturing our vitamins as well as helping control our weight, our blood sugar and yes, even our mood. Look after your bugs and they’ll look after you! So no more McDonalds, PizzaHut and Doritos… Instead aim for lots of colours and lots of variety. A rich and varied diet will support a diverse and varied, and therefore resilient, microbiome. Aim to eat 30-40 different plants (veg/salad/fruit) each week
We are what we eat – so ditch the sugars, carbs and processed foods. Remember in combination these foods conspire to raise your blood sugar which forces your body to raise insulin in a forlorn attempt to maintain normal levels. Raised insulin is the root cause of type2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension and much more besides.
STRESS: It has been shown that dog owners live longer! In part because they walk more but equally because our canine friends are great stress-busters. Stress raises cortisol which in turn raises blood sugar and blood pressure. None of this helps our immunity or general wellbeing. Humans are social species so focus on whatever stressbuster works best for you
VITAMINS: Supplements are no substitute for a healthy diet. We are not believers in expensive supplements which end up as expensive urine! That said we believe almost anyone will benefit from supplementing VitaminD and Vitamin K in high doses. Both Magnesium and Selenium can be worth considering. Drop us a line if you have any queries
KEEP TAKING THE TABLETS. Ignore the social media scare-stories about paracetamol, ibuprofen and some blood-pressure medicines. In particular if your GP prescribes medication for a long-term condition don’t miss doses. Do discuss any concerns with your pharmacist