Ahmedabad: Since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the population with comorbidity remains a focus for experts – Gujarat has recorded a higher percentage of cases and deaths among those who have existing health conditions.
But what makes them more vulnerable? A research team from Pandit Deendayal Energy University (Pedu) argues that obesity affects immunity and inflammation in Covid-19 infection.
The researchers have simplified several international studies to divide the impact in two cycles – immunity / commorbid and inflammatory trails.
“Immune blood cells along with lymph cells T and B managing active and passive immune responses.
Obesity research points limit the circulated T cell level which affects antigen recognition,” said D Sivaraman, the faculty of research in the Pharmacy Department in PDEU.
“Increased leptin hormone levels because obesity lowered the helper (Th2) cell level which produces antibodies by lymphocytes B.” The researchers appointed research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) where hypertension, obesity and diabetes were found as the most common comorbid in Covid-19 patients.
“In the B cycle, we can understand that the fat cells (adipocytes) issue hyperactive leptin hormones that synergize the production of inflammatory cytokines which result in the immune system into overdrive and cause severe inflammation – known as a cytokine storm.
This causes multi-organt failure and Often found deadly, “said Pradip Kumar, faculty of research in PDEU.
Experts thus recommend a balanced diet, at least some form of daily exercise and reduction in alcohol / tobacco or other stress consumption.
“Studies have pointed towards good health benefits of a polyphenol-rich diet (nuts, vegetables, seeds, etc.) to reduce oxidative stress.
Moderate sports increase the immune system and reduce susceptibility to respiratory infections,” said SS Manoharan, Director General of PDEU.
“Increased physical activity is also associated with hematopoietic cell mobilization that facilitates the production of antibodies (humoral immunity).” The doctor agreed with the hypothesis.
Dr.
Maharshi Desai, an intensive care specialist and members of the Covid-19 committee formed by the state government, said that patients with obesity have a higher chance to get critical and relatively longer inpatients.
Dr.
Amit Prajapati, a critical care specialist, said that in his experience, the majority of patients under 50 years who died during the second wave had obesity as one of the existing conditions.
“Not only for Covid, obesity also inhibits recovery in other diseases as well.
But in Covid, it is related to higher inflammation and recovery times,” he said.