15 joint-soothing foods that could potentially treat long-term Covid

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Scientists now believe that there are 15 joint-soothing foods that could potentially treat long-term Covid

Scientists now believe that there are 15 joint-soothing foods that could potentially treat long-term Covid.

A clinical trial is set to investigate whether anti-inflammatory foods can reduce the long-term effects of Covid, for which there are currently no established effective treatments.

People have long known that certain foods can alleviate joint pain and aid in treating chronic conditions like diabetes by reducing inflammation.

Now, researchers are exploring whether an anti-inflammatory diet rich in foods like berries and fatty fish can help with the symptoms of long-term Covid, which remain largely misunderstood.

Doctors at the University of Southern California (USC) announced an unprecedented clinical trial this week, aiming to assess the impact of an anti-inflammatory diet on long-term Covid symptoms, which are believed to affect over 20 million Americans.

The trial is based on recent research suggesting that long-term Covid may result from an exaggerated inflammatory response in the body, which continues even after the virus has been fought off.

Scientists now believe that there are 15 joint-soothing foods that could potentially treat long-term Covid.

With no validated treatment methods, there has been extensive debate over whether symptoms are being exaggerated or attributed to other health issues.

Dr. Nuria Pastor-Soler, Chief Researcher and Associate Professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, said, “Research like ours is crucial to expanding our understanding of long-term COVID and ultimately helping to determine effective treatment methods to enhance the quality of life for patients. The results of this trial are expected to bring us closer to potential solutions.”

Long-term Covid is a condition characterized by a range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, brain fog, fatigue, and depression, which can persist for weeks or even years after recovering from the virus.

Researchers at the University of Southern California are undertaking an unprecedented clinical trial to investigate the impact of an anti-inflammatory diet on long-term Covid symptoms, believed to affect more than 20 million Americans.

The research team plans to recruit 50 long-term Covid patients who have received treatment at the USC Covid Recovery Clinic. Half of the participants will follow a 30-day anti-inflammatory diet plan, while the others will stick to their regular diet. At the end of the month, the team will measure each patient’s inflammatory markers and long-term Covid symptoms. If patients tolerate the dietary intervention and show symptom improvement, the trial will be expanded to cover a larger population.

Dr. Arupa Rao, Researcher and Medical Director of the Keck Covid Recovery Clinic, said, “We are investigating whether food choices can quell the body’s inflammatory response and effectively reduce or mitigate long-term Covid symptoms in the process. This trial will be the first to examine the impact of specific foods on long-term Covid symptoms.”

The true scale and severity of the condition are still a subject of significant debate. Several studies suggest that people, whether infected with Covid or not, may experience these common symptoms.

The extent of long-term Covid among patients remains unclear, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 7.5% of U.S. adults, or one in 13, suffer from long-term Covid, defined as symptoms persisting for three months or more after the initial infection.

In some cases, this condition can be life-threatening. Last year, the CDC reported that over 3,500 Americans died from Covid-related long-term illnesses during the first two and a half years of the pandemic. Most recorded deaths occurred in the elderly, with nearly 30% of fatalities occurring in people aged 75 to 84.

A study published in the journal “Nature Medicine” in August claimed that long-term Covid is more disabling than cancer, although some doctors have called these claims “irresponsible.”

In February, researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health collected data from over 32,000 female nurses and found that nurses who adopted healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy diet, were only half as likely to develop long-term Covid.

The benefits of anti-inflammatory foods are better understood. For instance, fatty fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is one of the most anti-inflammatory foods because it contains substantial amounts of these unsaturated or “healthy” fats, which help cells in the brain, heart, and endocrine system function.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in these fish are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These have been shown to lower levels of a type of fat called triglycerides in some patients, which can reduce blood pressure. They have also been shown to support immune function and normal fetal development.

A study published in the journal “Molecular” in 2021 found that a diet rich in fatty fish improved inflammation in high-risk adults with diabetes and heart disease, possibly aiding in preventing both conditions.

EPA and DHA are primarily found in salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, trout, and anchovies.

Fruits like berries, tomatoes, and grapes have also been proven to reduce inflammation. Berries are rich in antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which have been shown to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease. A review in the “Journal of Berry Research” in 2018 also indicated that berries may reduce the risk of cancer.

Spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and onions can also reduce inflammation. Turmeric, in particular, is rich in curcumin, a compound proven to alleviate joint pain and reduce inflammation associated with diabetes.