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

Based mostly on the UK Biobank cohort of greater than 68,000 folks, a brand new research led by Dr. Junqing Xie evaluated the affect of assorted way of life elements akin to smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, bodily exercise, sedentary time, sleep length, and dietary habits on post-COVID problems, hospitalization, and demise.

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

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

Importantly, the researchers discovered that adopting a wholesome way of life can present direct safety in opposition to post-COVID problems, past simply lowering the danger of extreme illness through the preliminary an infection. The advantages of a wholesome way of life had 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 mentioned, “The information from our research is a convincing reminder to us all that sustaining a wholesome way of life won’t solely construct up resilience to many persistent sicknesses but in addition the power 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 persistent 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 elements.