Obese people are more at risk during Covid-19 -

Obese people are more at risk during Covid-19. Obesity has gained the form of a global pandemic. And so is Covid-19. As per W.H.O., There were 650 million obese people, out of 1.9 billion overweight people in 2016. A few reasons for the increase in obese people are Increased consumption of unhealthy and processed food and less physical activities. Further, under restricted conditions due to Covid-19, such as work from home, the closing of the gym, reduced physical activities. Have further added to obesity and its associated risk factor.

Obese people are more at risk during Covid-19.

As per a study conducted in China. it was indicated that overweight Chinese patients were at higher risk due to Covid-19 as compared to lighter people. A new study published in Annals of internal medicine also stated that obese patients have more risk of intubation or death with the risk highest for class- 3 obesity. Elderly and people with co-morbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure are at higher mortality risks under Covid-19.

New evidence has suggested that there is a close link between obesity and higher complication risks, due to Covid-19 infection. Obese people upon getting infected due to Coronavirus are at greater risk of intubation and death.

Obesity increases risk factors during Covid-19.

As per the study published in the online journal Obesity Reviews – Obese people had 46% higher chances of becoming infected than non-obese people. Obese people have at least 113% more risk of hospitalization. They have 74% more risk of ICU admission, and a 48% higher risk of death due to Covid-19 infection.

**Obese people are more at risk during Covid-19**

“He was a young healthy hardworking guy” recalls Maryellen Antkowiak, a pulmonary critical care physician and the medical director of the hospital’s ICU. “His major risk factor for getting this much sick was obesity”.

The study published in Diabetes care shows that hospitalized Covid-19 patients with metabolic syndrome (a combination of obesity, high B.P., Diabetes) were app. five times more likely (than their peers), to require ICU Care or experience respiratory distress and 3.4 times more likely to die from infectious disease.

One more study on obesity and Covid-19 published in obesity reviews states that obese people were 1.5 times higher risk of Coronavirus infection than their nonobese counterparts, The study further states that obese people were 2.1 times more likely to be hospitalized, 1.7 times more likely to be admitted to an ICU and 1.5 times more likely to die from Covid-19.

Obesity reduces immunity.

Obese people have reduced immunity as fat cells infiltrate the organs such as the spleen, bone marrow, and thymus where immune cells are produced and stored. As per Catherine Anderson, a nutritional scientist at Fairfield university ” We are losing immune tissue in exchange for Adipose tissue, making the immune system less effective in either protecting the body from pathogens or responding to a vaccine”.

What can be done?

Obesity can be reduced with enhanced immunity. As per Ayurveda. The optimum immunity can be achieved by strengthening our digestive system and cleansing the body of toxins. For more details about Ayurveda- The knowledge of life. Please click the link:-https://maansisurvivalaidfoundation.com/ayurveda-the-knowledge-of-life/

Few guidelines as per Ayurveda for reducing obesity are:-

Obese people are more at risk during Covid-19. Healthy diet improves immunity — **Obese people are more at risk during Covid-19. A healthy diet improves immunity**

Healthy balanced diet results in strong immunity:- Consuming healthy whole food, that is freshly prepared (within 2 to 3 hours of cooking) and minimizing the use of stimulants, refined sugars, and processed foods. Maintaining regular feeding habits, Eating foods that pacify imbalanced doshas, helps in building strong Agni ( a sense of digestion of food and metabolic products ) – thereby enhancing Ojas ( Ojas is responsible for the strength of the body, and controls the whole working system of the body). Thereby resulting in strong Immunity.

Garlic gives natural support to the immune system. and may heip obese people to prevent from the risk of Covid-19. — **Garlic gives natural support to the immune system.**

Including garlic in the diet gives natural support to the immune system. Garlic kindles Agni destroys natural toxins, Maintains normal body temperature, supports lungs, and cleans excessive Kapha. It also destroys harmful bacteria, while preserving the body’s natural bacterial flora.

Optimum sleeping hours:- Optimum sleeping hours as per individual body needs at regular timings play a vital role in building strong immunity. Sleep deprivations adversely impact the immunity system.

Optimum sleeping hours helps body to build immunity strong. Thus may prevent obese people from risk of Covid-19. — **Optimum sleeping hours help the body to build immunity strong.**

Minimizing stress levels:- During periods of stress, the mind releases the stress hormone- cortisol, thus suppressing the body’s immune system. Reducing stress levels helps in preserving Ojas and the body’s immune system works at its optimal level.

**Reducing stress levels helps in building immunity strong.**

Stress can also be relieved by following acts of compassion, loving our surroundings, reducing our egos, helping others, reducing our anger, etc. and that adds to building our immunity strong.

Adopting a healthy daily routine:- Ayurveda suggests maintaining a healthy daily routine, that calms the nervous system and reduces stress levels resulting in protecting Ojas and maintaining immunity strong.

Healthy daily routine helps in building immunity strong. It helps obese people by reducing risk of Covid-19. — A healthy daily routine helps in building immunity strong.

Regular appropriate body exercise: Adopting a regular exercise regimen in a daily routine helps relieve tension, get emotional and mental energies, and improve blood circulation. It activates Agni, improves digestion and assimilation, relaxes the body, and promotes sound sleep thus enhancing Ojas and the immune system.

**Exercise helps in building immunity strong.**

Engage in supportive mindful practices:- In Ayurveda, there are several therapies as Prayanama, Yoga, Meditation, etc. which help to cleanse the nadis (subtle channels of the body), relieve stress, and support the quality of Ojas that ultimately results in the strong immune system.

Thus building immunity strong and overcoming obesity may prevent obese people from the risk of getting infected due to Covid-19.