As the coronavirus pandemic worsens, more people are concerned with how to avoid getting sick and stay well. Frequent handwashing, social distancing, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces are all good steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, you may also want to think about ways to improve your overall health and make your body less likely to experience severe symptoms of this widespread illness. Starting a medical weight management program can be just what you need to boost your immune health and keep you well throughout this public health emergency. Here’s why.
Body fat affects your immune response. Losing weight can benefit your health.
According to the Obesity Action Coalition, there are several ways obesity affects immune health. More research is needed to fully understand this connection. However, it is known that
obese individuals have higher levels of white adipose tissue (WAT). This type of fat helps to regulate inflammation in the body. So, having too much can lead to chronic inflammation, which dampens the immune response. In other words, excess fat can limit your body’s ability to fight off the coronavirus and other illnesses following exposure.
Losing weight also means building muscle through daily exercise in addition to balanced eating. Exercise can further strengthen your immune system by improving circulation and metabolism.
Changing your diet dramatically changes your health.
Even before you start seeing big results on the scale, following a
weight management program can have widespread benefits for your health. As you begin a new weight loss regimen, you will eat more nutritious, whole foods. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods all work to support your immune health by offering a wider array of essential vitamins and minerals to your body. Alternatively, consuming a diet that is high in saturated fats, sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods can further worsen inflammation in the body. In addition, these foods contribute to oxidative damage to the cells, so they become weakened to infection.
Because grocery stores may have limited stock in the coming weeks, you should stock up on healthy essentials now. You might have difficulty finding healthy foods that will keep on your shelves. If possible, purchase frozen fruits and veggies. If stock is limited in the freezer section, pick up some fresh selections, cut and prepare them, and then freeze for longer-term storage. Other great non-perishable items to keep on hand include canned or dried beans, lentils, nuts, rice cakes, oatmeal, and brown rice.
Weight management is closely linked to your gut biome, which also affects immune health.
Obese individuals tend to have less diverse bacteria and other beneficial microbes in the gut, which has a widespread impact on overall health. The gut biome is responsible for breaking down food in the digestive tract and helping the body absorb nutrients from the food we eat. With a less diverse biome, individuals may not get as much nutritional benefit from the same serving sizes of the same foods. Fortunately, immune boosting
weight loss supplements can help to support your gut health and improve the diversity of bacteria in the intestines. Therefore, losing weight can support your body’s absorption of nutrients, and by extension, its ability to fight infection.
To get started on a weight loss program that fits your health needs, contact WildBerryMD. We will cater your diet and weight loss plan to your medical history and wellness goals. In addition, we can help you boost your immune health with proven Metagenics supplements to revitalize your health. We have an immune boosting package available to help you boost your wellness at any weight. Learn more on our website or give us a call directly at
(520) 762-1557.
