Obesity leads to worse COVID-19. A study showed that obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) was associated with a significantly increased risk of critical COVID-19 and mortality. There is excess fatty or adipose tissue deposits in obesity.
New research from Stanford University, SARS-CoV-2 infects human adipose tissue and elicits an inflammatory response consistent with severe COVID-19, showed that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect fatty or adipose tissue.
Infected adipose tissues result in the production of inflammatory mediators that are also seen in COVID-19. The study is available as a preprint from medRxiv and has not been peer-reviewed.
Sources of fatty tissue
The researchers collected adipose tissue from uninfected obese people undergoing bariatric surgery or cardiothoracic surgery.
Different locations and types of fatty tissues were collected. Subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin, visceral fat or fat inside the abdominal cavity, pericardial fat (fat in the sac surrounding the heart), and fat on the outer surface of the heart (epicardial fat) were collected. Then, the fat cells were inoculated by SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory.
The same fat sources were also obtained by autopsy from people who died of COVID-19.
Findings
Fat cells can get infected
The SARS-CoV-2 was able to infect all fat cell types and specific white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages are part of the front-line immune defense that “eat” or phagocytose any germs that they encounter.
Once infected, the fat cells and macrophages produce the same mediators of inflammation found in severe COVID-19.
Their findings were confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the fatty tissues from the autopsy cases who died of COVID-19. The deceased has more SARS-CoV-2 viruses in their fatty tissues than the adjacent organs, the kidney or heart.
What’s the significance of the study?
Viruses replicate as much as they can and spread throughout the whole system. It can be deduced from the study said that the more fatty tissue available, the greater the amount of SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
The greater the infection, the more pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced. The excess cytokines cause a hyperimmune response that harms the patient’s organ systems like the heart, kidneys, and brain. This is one explanation for the high mortality among obese patients with COVID-19.
Other conditions associated with obesity like diabetes, high blood sugars, and hypertension produce sustained and prolonged inflammation and a higher tendency to form blood clots.
COVID-19, on top of obesity, is like adding kindling and dry wood to a preexisting smoldering fire.
The combination of all can lead to an inappropriately elevated inflammatory response in COVID-19 and cytokine storm.
Fat and Long COVID Syndrome
Long COVID syndrome is a long-term sequelae COVID-19. Typically it presents as malaise, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and anemia. It can affect nearly every organ system and manifest as respiratory system disorders, nervous system, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders. [3]
The authors suggest that excess adipose tissue serves can also serve as a reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 after acute COVID-19. These “hidden” viruses can stimulate a prolonged inflammation that may explain Long COVID syndrome.
That is why it is necessary to wipe out the SARS-CoV-2 in the whole body with an effective antiviral like Ivermectin.
What makes Ivermectin a kick-ass antiviral?
Ivermectin for Long COVID
A study in Peru showed full clinical resolution of symptoms in 94% of cases among 33 people with Long COVID syndrome given Ivermectin. The Long COVID-19 Syndrome and What to Do About It
That’s why Ivermectin is part of the I-RECOVER protocol for managing Long COVID Syndrome.
One strategy to prevent severe COVID and other metabolic disorders is losing excess fat with intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting burns visceral fat, lowers blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides, and improves insulin resistance.
There is no need to buy any diet plan, you can do it anywhere, and it will save you money on grocery food, medications, and hospitalizations.
Take-away message
Excess fat can lead to severe COVID-19 and other deadly diseases like heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. You can achieve effective fat loss with intermittent fasting.
Don’t Get Sick!
Knowledge about Covid-19 is rapidly evolving. Stay current by subscribing. Feel free to share and like.
If you find value in the articles, please consider donating to show your support.
Related:
- Yogurt and Intermittent Fasting Reduced Body Toxins
- Intermittent Fasting Grows New Liver Cells Faster
- Intermittent Fasting while on Diabetes Medications
- The Fasting Experience of 1422 Subjects at the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic
- The Effects of Three-Week Fasting in the Extremely Obese
- The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Asthma
- How to Do Intermittent Fasting
- The Kaizen Way of Fasting
- Early Time-Restricted Feeding is Intermittent Fasting In Sync with the Circadian Rhythm
- 12 Ways to Have a No-Weight-Gain Holiday Season!
References:
- SARS-CoV-2 infects human adipose tissue and elicits an inflammatory response consistent with severe COVID-19.
- Shenoy S. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), viral load and clinical outcomes; lessons learned one year into the pandemic: A systematic review. World J Crit Care Med. 2021;10(4):132-150. Published 2021 Jul 9. doi:10.5492/wjccm.v10.i4.132
- Al-Aly Z, Xie Y, Bowe B (June 2021). “High-dimensional characterization of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19”. Nature. 594 (7862): 259–64. Bibcode:2021Natur.594..259A. doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03553-9. PMID 33887749.
- I-RECOVER Management Protocol for Long Haul COVID-19 Syndrome (LHCS)
© 2018 – 2021 Asclepiades Medicine, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
DrJesseSantiano.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment