Healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of post-COVID complications, finds study

Primarily based on the UK Biobank cohort of greater than 68,000 folks, a brand new examine led by Dr. Junqing Xie evaluated the influence of assorted way of life components akin to smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, bodily exercise, sedentary time, sleep period, and dietary habits on post-COVID issues, hospitalization, and demise.

Printed in Nature Communications, and featured as an Editors’ Spotlight of current “Public well being” analysis, the examine discovered that people with a positive way of life had a decrease danger of hospitalization, decrease incidence of long-term or on-going well being points affecting a number of components of the physique, and diminished danger of post-COVID demise, in comparison with these with an unfavorable way of life.

The advantages of a wholesome way of life have been noticed throughout all 10 organs, together with cardiovascular, coagulation, metabolic, gastrointestinal, kidney, psychological well being, musculoskeletal, respiratory problems, and fatigue.

Importantly, the researchers discovered that adopting a wholesome way of life can present direct safety in opposition to post-COVID issues, past simply decreasing the danger of extreme illness in the course of the preliminary an infection. The advantages of a wholesome way of life have been additionally constant, no matter illness severity, vaccination standing, hospitalization, or the variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Junqing Xie, a Postdoc and Extraordinary Junior Analysis Fellow stated, “The information from our examine is a convincing reminder to us all that sustaining a wholesome way of life won’t solely construct up resilience to many power sicknesses but in addition the flexibility to deal with undesirable stresses, akin to COVID-19.”

The findings align with earlier proof on the broader advantages of a wholesome way of life on power illness prevention and life expectancy. However the findings are additionally related for future pandemic preparedness, offering a transparent roadmap for sufferers, clinicians, and policymakers to prioritize preventive methods centered on modifiable way of life components.