Episode
112
Obesity, a major risk factor for Covid-19 mortality
Aseem Malhotra: Cardiologist and writer
We are in the war against Covid-19 for the long term. The virus is likely to be with us for many months and as we emerge from the global lockdowns, everyday life is looking very different. Re-imagining a post-coronavirus world will likely involve changes that go to the heart of how we live – our diet, personal hygiene, social behavior and work/life balance. As we learn more about the virus, it is becoming clear that a healthy body is a vital prerequisite to fighting the disease. In this episode of the Live Long and Master Aging podcast, Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a London-based cardiologist, explains why he believes obesity is a prime risk factor for mortality from Covid-19. He also suggests that the pandemic should act as a wake-up call for global populations, pursuing unhealthy lifestyles, consuming too much sugar and processed foods.
Published: 4 May 2020 @ 13:02 PT
NOTES & QUOTES
Dr Aseem Malhotra is a National Health Service (NHS) Consultant Cardiologist in the UK, and visiting Professor of Evidence Based Medicine, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, Brazil.
Connect with Dr. Malhotra: Bio | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | The Big Fat Fix | The Pioppi Diet
In the episode we cover:
- How a “horrendous state” of baseline general health, in many western populations, is relevant to Covid-19
- Ref. European Scientist: Covid 19 and the elephant in the room (April 16, 2020)
“Looking at people who seem to be worse affected from Covid-19, obesity and more specifically, metabolic syndrome, is associated with an up to tenfold fold increase in mortality from the virus itself.”
- The myths surrounding the health of people in Mediterranean countries.
- What is optimal metabolic health? Blood pressure, waist circumference, blood triglyceride, HDL, and HbA1c levels.
- Nature: Endocrine and metabolic link to coronavirus infection (April 2nd, 2020)
“Poor diet now globally is responsible for more disease and death than physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol combined.”
- Lifestyle lessons from Covid-19.
- Personal hygiene and why it matters.
“The stark reality is, from my own observations …in many ways it’s pretty filthy how people actually live.”
- Imagining the post-coronavirus world.
“We don’t know when the next pandemic, the next virus, is on its way. It may be the next 10 years and it may be far worse next time. Whereas alternatively, if we do get healthier, more resilient, we may not need a lockdown.”
Listen to Dr. Malhotra’s earlier LLAMA podcast interview: Episode 03: Waging war against sugar
The Live Long and Master Aging podcast shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.