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The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Nutrition and Lifestyle Practices for Strengthening Host Defense
1Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine Graduate Program, University of Western States, Portland, OR.
Abstract:
The developing symptoms of COVID-19, as well as the progression of illness and fatality, are a clearly a function of the overall health status of the individual. Complex, chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are directly correlated with risk of disease severity and mortality. We explore lifestyle interventions that have specifically been demonstrated to strengthen host defense, reduce the probability and mitigate the severity of viral infection. Lifestyle interventions, from a Functional Medicine perspective, include nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress reduction, and connection. These factors, when in balance, provide a foundation for optimal health and immune function.
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