As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we’ve learned the importance of hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing, but there are other things you can do to help strengthen your defenses, and it comes down to a lifestyle approach that includes food, movement, sleep and stress reduction.
In the U.S., where nearly 3 out of 4 Americans are overweight or obese, we are beginning to understand that COVID-19 is not just affecting adults over 65 with underlying health conditions. Studies continue to show that obesity is a major risk factor for COVID-19 hospitalizations and complications among younger and middle-age adults 60 and younger, particularly among men.
Dr. Mark Cucuzzella is a family physician and professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine with a clinical practice at the West Virginia University for Diabetes and Metabolic Health. He is on the front lines of treating patients impacted by comorbidities, and he has seen firsthand the importance of overall health and nutrition in the management of diet-related diseases.
I recently had the chance to talk with Mark about simple tips you can follow to live an overall healthier lifestyle. We cover everything from the difference between a low carb diet and a keto diet and how to overcome a weight plateau, to stress eating and stress reduction, plus the important role that sleep plays in fat burning, your immune system and more. Ready to listen? Here’s my interview with Dr. Cucuzzella.