COVID-19: Have you heard about this deadly combination?

I harp on the evils of sugar all the time.

In fact, I’d bet that if you scanned my archives specifically for that word, it would be far and away the one that I use the most. I absolutely love to hate sugar.

And surprise, surprise… it looks like the coronavirus pandemic has given me yet another reason to add fuel to that fire.

Triple the risk of death

If you look at the countries with the highest death rate from COVID-19 infections, you’ll find higher proportions of older people over the age of 65. But you’re also likely to find a higher proportion of obesity—which, as I’ve already written about here before, is the second largest risk factor behind severe complications from the virus.

And now, science has uncovered strong links between blood sugar control and COVID-19 outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Specifically, this study found that while diabetes is an independent risk factor for severe complications or death from COVID-19, among diabetic patients, better blood sugar control significantly reduces that risk.

In fact, researchers looked at patients with confirmed COVID-19 and pre-existing diabetes. And they found that these patients required significantly more antibiotics, anti-fungals, corticosteroids, immune globulin, and antihypertension drugs than their non-diabetic counterparts.

They were also more likely to require oxygen, as well as both non-invasive and invasive ventilation.

Ultimately, the diabetic COVID-19 patients were more likely to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), kidney failure, and septic shock. And they were a whopping three times more likely to die from these complications.

In this case, researchers defined well-controlled diabetes as a fasting blood sugar level between 70 and 180 mg/dL and an HbA1C of 7.3, on average. And let’s just say it made all the difference.

The in-hospital death rate among this group was 1.1 percent, compared to 11 percent among diabetics with poorly controlled blood sugar.

The time for change is now

I don’t know how many times I have to say it, but having poor blood sugar control will kill you—no matter what. So even if you aren’t worried about catching COVID-19, or if the illness is starting to recede in your part of the world, everyone should fear diabetes.

Poor blood sugar control is linked to a staggering plethora of diseases—not just obesity, but high blood pressure, increased stroke risk, and a higher risk of heart disease and death. The list goes on… and it’s practically endless.

So, if it takes a pandemic for this message to finally sink in, then at least something good will come out of this crisis.

The United States went into this with half its population obese—and with close to 40 million diabetics, many of whom don’t even know they have it. So if our country’s COVID-19 death rate has hit the ceiling, it’s really no wonder why.

But listen to me closely: It’s never too late to start living a healthier life. Whether it’s to keep you safe from this virus or the next one… or whether you just want to see your grandchildren graduate college.

I must admit, I’ve been so proud of my patients, as so many of them have transformed their diets as a result of their quarantine. They really seized this opportunity to learn how to cook for themselves at home, using fresh, whole, healthy foods. And that’s a skill that will pay off even after restaurants reopen. (One that you can hone yourself by experimenting with the incredible recipes in my A-List Diet book.)

Because the time to take your health and future into your own hands is now. No one else is going to do it for you. So, what are you waiting for?

P.S. Did you know you can prevent, slow, stop, or reverse age-related eye problems with natural treatments? I’ll tell you all about it in my live Ultimate Vision Summit this Sunday, June 21st at 3PM (EST). Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today. Click here now!

Source:

“For people with diabetes and COVID-19, blood sugar control is key.” Science Daily, 05/01/2020. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200501120102.htm)


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