THE COVID—OBESITY CONNECTION Now there’s another reason to get smart about those extra pounds you’ve put on during the pandemic: Obesity and weight-related illnesses are even bigger liabilities in the COVID-19 era. A report released earlier this month (March 2021) by the World Obesity Federation found that increased body weight is the second-greatest predictor of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death across the globe, trailing only old age as a risk factor. Thus there is an overwhelming COVID-obesity connection. After reading this, I looked for more information on the COVID-obesity connection. I found it in a Houston Methodist Hospital article by Katie...
THE 20 PERCENT SOLUTION Here in Southern California—and much of the rest of the state—we’re back to “stay-at-home” restrictions. Restaurants are now closed for outdoor dining as well as indoor, only leaving pickup and delivery options. Gyms, hairdressers, barber shops, movie theaters and bars have all been required to close again. The reason, of course, is that over the past few weeks the number of new Covid-19 cases has skyrocketed in California (and most other states) and hospitals are running out of beds. So now, as each of California’s region’s I.C.U. capacity falls below 15 percent, residents will be required...
WHO GETS THE VACCINE FIRST? I’m sure you’ve heard the wonderful news of the past few days that both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine candidates have shown efficacy ratings of about 95%. This is far more than most scientists expected. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy & Infections Diseases at the NIH, tells us that “from both a scientific and potential public health standpoint, this is an extraordinarily important advance.” Neither company has yet publicly shared their data but independent clinical trial monitoring boards have reviewed the results. And if all goes well, the FDA...
BUILD UP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM In these coronavirus days, building up your immune system is more important than ever. Actually the steps to take are much the same as getting & staying healthy. But I think it’s important to focus on them once again. After searching through online articles, I found one provided by AARP to be the most informative; Here are excerpts from the March 21, 2020 article by Hallie Levine, 5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System: Here are five smart steps to add to your to-do list now. Stay active Working out is a powerful way to...
AT-HOME WORKOUTS DURING CORONAVIRUS TIME Last week I wrote that us older adults need more exercise than ever to help build up our immune system. (Exercising in the Time of Coronavirus) I said that many health professionals prescribe this: Go outside! Get some fresh air, catch a few rays. Go for a walk, a jog, a run, a bike ride. To get the most benefit, do this for at least 30 minutes a day, 6 or 7 days a week. This week I want look at exercise routines that you can perform at home either indoors or in your own...
EXERCISING IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS So, most of us will be housebound for at least the next few weeks. Which probably means we’ll spend more time sitting at our computers (for work or play) or watching TV. But we all—especially us older adults—need to exercise. It’s good for our heart, it’s good for keeping our blood pressure and cholesterol levels down, and it’s great for curing mental stress. Especially important, in this time of coronavirus, exercise gives the huge benefit of building up our immune system. If you’ve been exercising regularly you’ll want to keep it up. Yet you...
CORONAVIRUS—Q & A FROM THE MAYO CLINIC I knew that my post this week would be on coronavirus disease. So, I began assembling facts & suggestions from here and there to put together into a, hopefully, coherent post. But then, fortuitously, I received a special supplement to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter (which I subscribe to) that puts just about everything relevant on the disease into one article. I’m certain you already know much of what’s included here, but I’ve decided to insert the entire piece just to make sure everything is covered. You may wish to read the original...
