In the first DGA published during a global pandemic, you’d think COVID-19 would get some airtime. Unfortunately it only got one sentence. I know most of us are ready to see the coronavirus in our rearview mirrors, but it’s not history (yet).
The past 10 months have shown us scientific discoveries in real time linking avoidable nutritional problems (eg Vitamin D deficiency) to COVID-19. And since immunity is a top priority, I think it’s a miss Nutritional guidelines did not take the opportunity to educate Americans about the link between diet and immune function. The single entry in the DGA explains that “people living with diet-related chronic conditions and illnesses are at increased risk for serious illness from the novel coronavirus.”
However, I appreciate that the DGAC (remember, they wrote the 835-page Scientific Report to inform the much shorter DGA) is adding more color to the issue by mentioning two simultaneous epidemics in our country: “These parallel epidemics, a non-infectious one. (obesity and diet-related chronic diseases) and an infectious disease (COVID-19) appear to be synergistic. ”
Schneeman explains that the committee faced a logistical, timing challenge: “The COVID-19 pandemic emerged as the committee began the final stages of its work.” She continued: “As a committee, we were struck by the vulnerability of people with diet-related chronic diseases (eg, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease) to the most serious consequences of an infection with the virus. of the pandemic led to food insecurity and hunger, making it more difficult to make healthy food choices. ”
DGAC member Regan Bailey, Ph.D., MPH, RD, repeats this paradox and shares that while “nutrition is critical for immune defense and resistance to pathogens, both malnutrition and overnutrition can impair immune function.” (Bailey is a professor in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University as well as director of the Purdue Diet Assessment Center.)
At mindbodygreen, we recently explored malnutrition in the complex problem of food insecurity, as well as overfeeding (and unhealthy diets) in the synergy between metabolic health and immunity.
Based on these insights, I believe that embracing healthy diets, supporting food security initiatives, addressing nutrient deficiencies, and maximizing other lifestyle factors (e.g., physical activity, sleep, etc.) are powerful levers that we can use to improve metabolic health. and thus our immune system.
Indeed, DGAC member Linda Van Horn, Ph.D., RDN, LD, professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, and chief of nutrition at the Feinberg School of Medicine, underscores the fact that, “now more than ever, the The importance of healthy eating, weight management and prevention of both cardiometabolic and infectious diseases is a recognized goal worldwide. “
Ultimately, delve deeper into the relationship between diet and immune system Nutritional guidelines was passed on to the next iteration (2025-2030). In the meantime, Donovan shares these useful insights: “A healthy immune system depends on an adequate intake of many nutrients, proteins, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids), vitamins (eg Vitamin C and the fat-soluble fatty acids). 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.”