Fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations and breathing difficulties.

Those are just some of the common symptoms of "long Covid" that can affect people in the long term after recovery from infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

There's still much left to learn about long Covid. While eating the right foods is not a cure for long Covid, diet and nutrition could play a key role in helping those suffering from it to cope, experts tell CNBC Make It.

According to Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, director of the Mayo Clinic's Covid Activity Rehabilitation Program, symptoms are only "half of the picture."

"The other half is how those symptoms affect a person's ability to live their lives. Unfortunately, the symptoms of long-haul COVID can be quite limiting."

Vanichkachorn added that over a third of Mayo Clinic's patients with long Covid report having troubles with some of the most basic activities of life, such as getting dressed, showering, and eating.

"It's just a bad movie that we still don't have the ending for," said Dr. Joan Salge Blake, Boston University's clinical professor of nutrition.

Heart disease, certain cancers you can fight all of those diseases with a knife and a fork. That is empowering because you have control of what's on your plate and what you eat.

Dr. Joan Salge Blake

Clinical professor, Boston University

Long Covid is essentially post-infection conditions that could linger for weeks, months or years long after a person tests negative for Covid-19. It can also be referred to as post-Covid conditions or chronic Covid.

Experts who spoke to CNBC Make It said there's still a lot to learn about long Covid, but nutrition plays a vital role.

"Heart disease, certain cancers, stroke and type two diabetes you can fight all of those diseases with a knife and a fork," said Blake.

"That is empowering because you have control of what's on your plate and what you eat."

For those looking for ways to cope with the symptoms of long Covid, CNBC Make It finds out what you should and shouldn't be eating.

Vanichkachorn and Blake both emphasized the importance of a balanced diet, which they say will be beneficial for general health specifically, a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts and whole grains.

Fruits and vegetables, in particular, are "powerhouses" when it comes to essential vitamins and minerals, said Blake.

However, that doesn't mean forgoing meat or protein, Vanichkachorn said, adding that fish and chicken are good options.

A Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts and whole grains.

Cristina Pedrazzini/science Photo Library | Science Photo Library | Getty Images

Blake added, "Poor protein [intake] can contribute to fatigue, and that's the one thing you don't want because Covid is going to give you fatigue it sure isn't going to help if you don't have enough protein in your diet."

Fatty fish, like tuna and salmon, is a good source of omega-3 acids, which can improve cardiovascular health.

But ultimately, the focus should be building a well-rounded "super diet," instead of focusing on "superfoods," Blake said.Superfoods are those rich in antioxidants, fiber and fatty acids, which are beneficial for health.

"It's a super diet that will help you fight chronic diseases. When all the vitamins and minerals are working together, that is going to be your best defense."

Research hasn't confirmed if specific vitamins are helpful in fighting long Covid, but it is nevertheless important to treat vitamin deficiencies, said Vanichkachorn.

"For example, a deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty thinking," he said.

Minerals like iron are important too. A recent study indicated that patients with long Covid may have trouble with how their bodies use and store iron.

Ekaterina Goncharova | Moment | Getty Images

"Iron deficiency can cause many symptoms, including anemia and fatigue. Deficiency can occur from many reasons, such as poor intake, but can also be associated with chronic diseases," said Vanichkachorn.

However, he cautioned against using vitamin or mineral supplements without first seeking medical advice.

"If you are worried about vitamin or mineral deficiencies, the first step is to speak to your medical provider," he said.

Vanichkachorn stressed that all patients with long haul Covid should stay hydrated.

"When individuals have acute Covid, they are often resting and sleeping for prolonged periods of time. With this, their nutrition gets thrown off, particularly hydration," he added.

"Unchecked, dehydration can make anyone feel miserable, not just patients who are experiencing long-haul COVID."

If plain water is too boring, you can also add a piece of fruit such as lemon or lime to help with the taste.

Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn

Director, Mayo Clinic's Covid Activity Rehabilitation Program

Acknowledging that patients often need reminders to stay hydrated, Vanichkachorn encouraged those with long Covid to carry a bottle with them.

He added, "If plain water is too boring, you can also add a piece of fruit such as lemon or lime to help with the taste. These simple changes can make staying hydrated so much easier."

Because acute Covid can cause "very significant inflammation" in the body, said Vanichkachorn, it'll be good to stay away from anything that will worsen it.

"We have seen some markers of inflammation ... be elevated in this patient population [suffering from long Covid]. The inflammation likely is secondary to immune system abnormalities, perhaps even autoimmune type probabilities," he added.

Acute Covid can cause significant inflammation in the body and it'll be a good idea to stay away from sugary drinks and dessert, said Vanichkachorn.

Elizabeth Perez Holowaty | Moment | Getty Images

Continued here:
Struggling with long Covid? Experts say diet and nutrition could help here's what you need to know - CNBC

IBS (for those of who you clicked on this article out of sheer curiosityhello and welcome) stands for irritable bowel syndrome and is pretty common, affecting between 10-15% of adults in the U.S. and sigh, twice as many American women than men. If you think you have IBS, your symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation (or a mix of both) plus other not-so-fun things.

There is no cure for IBS (which, yep, sucks), but certain tactics can reduce your symptomsand that includes your diet. John Damianos, M.D., an internal medicine physician focusing on gastroenterology at Yale New Haven Hospital, often recommends a low FODMAP diet. The low FODMAP diet is one of the best studied diets in IBS, and what's been shown in the research is that the low FODMAP diet consistently improves global symptoms of IBS and specific symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating, he says. Patients do report an improved quality of life when they're on the low FODMAP diet.

But for you skincare queens, think of it like adding retinol to your nightly regimen: Best practice is to embark on a low FODMAP diet in phases, and instead of your beloved dermatologist, youll be under the supervision of a registered dietitian.

FODMAP stands for (ready for this?) Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols, which are fermentable short-chain carbohydrates, or, in other words, carbs that ferment in your gut. The idea with a low FODMAP diet is that patients with IBS do not absorb the components of the FODMAP very well, so the food goes down to the large colon where bacteria digests it and produces gas and causes discomfort, says Eva Shelton, M.D., a physician at Harvard/Brigham and Women's Hospital and member of the medical team at Mochi Health. These changes in digestion also affect the fluid balance in the gut, which can cause constipation and diarrhea, depending on the shift of the balance. The thinking behind a low FODMAP diet is that if you avoid these FODMAP foods, your gut will be happier.

You should avoid foods that are high in FODMAPs, but it gets a little tricky from there. For example, some fruits, like apples, are high in FODMAPs, whereas others, like bananas and blueberries, are not. Consider the list below an overview, but not comprehensive (gotta go to your doctor or RD for that). And note: This isnt a list of foods you cant eat, but rather, it's groups of foods that you can experiment with limiting in your diet. One person may find that simply cutting out onions and garlic does wonders, while another may see improvement by avoiding lactose or certain vegetables. Your doctor or registered dietitian may also advise you on which groups to try cutting first (such as lactose, or gluten) based on your history. Most of these foods provide nutrients, so they offer beaucoup benefits if you can tolerate them.

If a low FODMAP diet sounds restrictive, it is. And if a low FODMAP diet sounds confusing, it is. A huge pitfall that a lot of peopleeven doctorssometimes do is they'll print off a list of low FODMAP foods and high FODMAP foods from the internet and say, follow this, and that is not appropriate by any means, says Dr. Damianos. The low FODMAP diet is a highly restrictive diet, and it should actually be done in three phases, the final of which are reintroduction and personalization of the diet, so this should only be done under close collaboration with a gastrointestinal-trained registered dietitian.

For patients who dont have the access or resources to collab with a registered dietitian, Dr. Damianos recommends the Monash University FODMAP Diet app ($8 for Apple and Android).

Download the app

Dr. Shelton adds that it can be useful for patients to keep a food diary to identify food triggers and remove certain foods from their diet, 1-2 items at the time, to see if that helps improve their symptoms. The idea is to identify food triggers and avoid them in order to minimize IBS symptoms, she says.

Yes. Because a low FODMAP diet is very restrictive and difficult to sustain, its not meant to be a long-term solution, says Jenna Volpe, a registered dietitian based in Round Rock, Texas. The goal is to use it to discover what foods are triggering your IBS, and which foods dont seem to cause flare-ups. Certain groups should use extra caution when considering a low FODMAP diet and speak to their doctor about different courses of treatment entirely.

If youve ever struggled with disordered eating, this may not be the approach for you. Restrictive diets including low FODMAP can be very dangerous for people who are prone to disordered eating, as these types of diets often trigger these people to spiral into a full-blown eating disorder, says Volpe.

And if youre pregnant or trying to be, welp: People who are pregnant have higher nutritional demands, so restrictive diets can be dangerous and potentially lead to intrauterine growth restriction, says Dr. Damianos. This is why any dietary intervention, whether low FODMAP or something else, should be done in conjunction with a registered dietician to ensure that both the patient and the fetus are getting adequate nutrition.

Bottom line: A low FODMAP diet is all about trial and error and figuring out what foods will and wont cause a flare-up. Sure, its complicated. But! The good news is: You can do this. Grab an empty journal, start that food diary, make that appointment with a doctor, and youll be well on your way to sweet, sweet relief.

Originally posted here:
IBS Diet: What Foods to Eat and Avoid - IBS Nutrition - Cosmopolitan

Conor McGregor is known for wrecking his opponents inside the Octagon. However, he is no ordinary prize fighter competing to just get food on his familys table. The $200 million-worth Irish superstar has many businesses, apart from fighting, which either relate to his heritage or his profession as a fighter.

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Health and diet are things a fighter needs to master and the former featherweight champion has done it in his fighting career. But using his business mind, he made a venture out of it as well.

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Fans often want to take inspiration from the star athletes diet, but usually, these do not come across the internet on a border level. A famous YouTuber and bodybuilding enthusiast tried The Notorious diet and shared his experience. So, how was it?

After attempting the diets of NBA great Michael Jordan, NFL G.O.A.T. Tom Brady, and other professional athletes and big-name celebrities on his YouTube channel, a video of Conor McGregors diet for a day showed how the elite martial arts professional keeps himself in the best shape.

Per the YouTuber, the entire days diet had 6 meals (2389 calories):

Meal 1:

Meal 2:

Meal 3:

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Learn Nitty Gritty Lifestyle Details About $100 Million Spotify Podcast Ownerand UFC Color Commentator Joe Rogan

3 months ago

Meal 4:

Meal 5:

Meal 6:

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Apart from having all these 6 diets, the host also tried his hands at the UFC athletes McGregor Fast program. The host also noted that these diets plan works differently for different individuals and should not be copied without research.

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WATCH THIS STORY Kevin Holland: Watch 6 Feet 6 Rob Gronkowski Knocks Down 23-7 UFC Fighter Forcing Him To Say: F**k That S**t Im Sticking To MMA

What do you make of this analysis of Conor McGregors diet plan? Are any of these part of your daily routine? Share your diet plans in the comments below.

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Jacked Conor McGregors Diet Plan Tested by Bodybuilder After Revelation of Tom Brady & Michael Jordans Eating Routines - EssentiallySports

A LEADING expert has revealed the foods you should swerve at breakfast - and his own go-to meal.

Dr Michael Mosley, a TV presenter and weight loss guru, made the 5:2 diet famous, and has since created the Very Fast 800.

2

2

He believes a low-carbohydrate, high protein diet, with intermittent fasting, is the most ideal diet to follow for weight loss.

On his website, Dr Michael revealed slimmers should start the day with eggs, as he does himself.

Boiled, poached, scrambled or as an omelette - they'll keep you feeling fuller for longer compared to cereal or toast, it says on his website, according to the Daily Express.

But he warned that people watching their weight should be careful about which meats they eat.

If youre having eggs every morning for breakfast, bacon sounds like the perfect addition.

However, processed meats should be eaten "sparingly" and "in small quantities", Dr Michael said.

The NHS and other health bodies agree, as research has consistently shown a link between foods such as bacon, sausages and ham with bowel cancer and heart disease.

Instead of bacon with your eggs, Dr Micahel would go for fish, such as salmon, which is both filling and a good source of omega-3 and 6.

But the worst choice for someone trying to lose weight is cereal, Dr Michael warned.

These are "laden in sugar", he said.

Sugar for breakfast can set you off on a rollercoaster of high and low blood sugar levels.

Although you might feel great for a while after eating sugar, it wont be long until you are reaching for another snack to pick you back up again.

Many people wont realise how sugary cereals are, because they are not obviously unhealthy like chocolate bars or biscuits.

Next time youre in the supermarket, look at the nutrition labels of boxes. If the label is red, it means it is high in sugar and will make up a large proportion of your daily target.

Dr Michael also said he avoids toast, which is a breakfast staple for many.

Bread isnt bad for you, however it does get broken down into sugars.

You can reduce its effect on blood sugar levels by eating it with some protein and fats, such as eggs or peanut butter - but try and stay away from the jam and chocolate spread.

Eggs, on the other hand, are a great way to start the day because, being high in protein, they are filling.

Theyre low in calories - around 80 per egg - so you can eat two or three for breakfast with the addition of other delicious and nutritious vegetables, such as mushrooms.

On top of that, they contain selenium, vitamins A, B12, B2 and B5.

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Im a diet expert heres the food you should swerve at breakfast if youre trying to lose weight... - The US Sun

Healthy eating and exercise habits before or after diagnosis with Parkinson's disease (PD) could cut mortality risk significantly, new research suggests.

In a population-based prospective cohort study, participants with the healthiest eating and exercise regimen prior to diagnosis reduced their all-cause mortality risk by 49%, while those who adopted healthy habits after diagnosis were 65% less likely to die, compared with those who had the worst pre- and post-diagnosis habits.

The study is the largest to date to examine the association of overall diet quality and physical activity with survival in patients with PD.

Xinyuan Zhang PhD

"We found that diet and physical activity levels before Parkinson disease clinical onset were associated with the risk of mortality afterwards, which means lifestyle habits could have a long-term effect on human health," lead investigator Xinyuan Zhang, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News.

The findings were published online August 19 in JAMA Network Open.

While earlier studies have also demonstrated a link between a healthy diet and decreases in early PD symptoms, the new research tracked the long-term benefits of both diet and exercise.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 1251 participants (52.1% men; mean age at diagnosis, 73.4 years) in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Nurses' Health Study who developed PD.

The Alternative Healthy Eating Index was used to assess overall diet quality. Physical activity was measured from questionnaires and metabolic equivalent task hours per week.

Information on mortality, the primary outcome, was gathered from the National Death Index. During the 32- to 34-year follow up, 942 patients died.

In the pooled analysis, mortality risk was 31% lower among those with the highest diet scores before diagnosis compared with those who had the lowest scores (adjusted hazard ration [aHR], 0.69; P = .002). Healthy diet after diagnosis was associated with 43% lower mortality (aHR, 0.57; P < .001).

In addition, mortality risk was 29% lower for participants with the highest scores for regular physical activity before diagnosis than for those with the lowest scores (aHR, 0.71; P = .004). Similar benefits were found for those with the highest exercise score post-diagnosis (aHR, 0.47; P < .001).

A joint analysis revealed that patients with the highest scores for healthy diet and physical activity had the lowest mortality risk pre-diagnosis (aHR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.36-0.73) and after diagnosis (aHR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23-0.52).

There were no significant differences in outcomes between men and women.

The findings suggest that healthy habits, whether they come before or after diagnosis, have protective survival benefits in patients with PD, the investigators noted.

"It is never too late to start," Zhang said.

In an accompanying editorial, Beate R. Ritz, MD, PhD and Kimberly C. Paul, PhD, both from the University of California, Los Angeles, write that the study findings "not only reinforce the public health recommendations to engage in these behaviors for staying healthy in general but also add to a growing body of evidence of such behaviors providing protection against PD-related neurodegeneration specifically."

The implications of these findings for clinicians and patients are significant, and suggest that "health professionals need to encourage patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle to, at a minimum, reduce mortality risk, which is higher in individuals with PD than those without PD in the same age range," they write.

One question not answered, however, is whether the decreased mortality and other health benefits from a healthy diet and exercise among patients with PD are greater than those found among age-matched individuals without PD, the editorialists note.

They add that researchers also didn't address the mechanisms that lead to the protective effects of diet and exercise in these patients.

Still, there's no reason clinicians should not offer recommendations on diet and lifestyle to patients on the basis of this new research, Ritz and Paul write.

"Such professional guidance has the added advantage of giving many patients with PD a measure of control over their lives by engaging in activities that improve not only their disease outcome but also their quality of life and life expectancy," they add.

The study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Zhang, Ritz, and Paul report no relevant financial relationships.

JAMA Netw Open. Published online August 19, 2022. Full text. Editorial.

Kelli Whitlock Burton is a reporter for Medscape Medical News who covers psychiatry and neurology.

For more Medscape Neurology news, join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Diet, Exercise Tied to Lower Mortality Risk in Parkinson's Disease - Medscape

Fish and other foods rich in vitamin D help elevate our mood and reduce depression symptoms

Depression is one of the most common mood disorders. Depression can cause one to feel constantly sad, worthless, and tired and might stop one from enjoying activities they once enjoyed. Various factors can result in depression. Similarly, many factors can also improve one's depression symptoms.

What we eat among other factors such as our lifestyle and workout routine has been linked to influencing our moods. What we eat can help us manage our depression symptoms. In this article, we discuss how our food and mood are linked. We also discuss foods that can help elevate our mood and improve depression symptoms.

What is the link between depression & diet?

Depression is a response to hormonal imbalance. Food significantly affects the hormone levels in our bodies. A lack of happy hormone-boosting foods can affect our mood. In fact, this hormonal balance may reduce and remove the sensation of hunger. This may further worsen our depression symptoms due to lack of appetite.

On the other hand, hormonal imbalance may even result in a lack of feeling of satiety. The feeling of satiation helps us feel full and satisfied when we consume food. Lack of this sensation can also lead to overeating and other eating disorders that might later worsen depression.

Hence, it is ideal to understand the importance of a healthy meal and its effect on our mental health. Through professional guidance and proper research, you can compile a list of foods that can help or worsen your depression.

How to use our diet to our advantage?

As discussed above, certain foods can help elevate our mood. These foods have components that boost the production of happy hormones in our bodies. Hence, adding these foods to our diet may be helpful in improving depression symptoms.

Here are foods you can add to your diet if you want to boost the production of happy hormones:

1. Green leafy

Brain inflammation has been associated with severe depression. It has been proven that green leafy vegetables can lower inflammation. These green leafy vegetables include lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, etc.

2. Avocados

Good fat is essential for the proper functioning of our brain, making avocados a great addition to our meals. Avocados and other foods rich in healthy fats boost brain function.

3. Nuts

Nuts are a great source of various nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids. The key advantage of omega-3s is enhancing brain function. However, several studies have revealed that eating foods high in omega-3s can also help you control your depressive symptoms.

4. Fish

Fish are a great source of vitamin D. Multiple studies show Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms. Vitamin D is a nutrient that may be absorbed through the sun as well as diet. You can also procure it through milk, eggs, etc.

5. Berries

Some of the most common antioxidant-rich foods that we can eat are blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and raspberries. According to research, patients were given antioxidants or placebos for two years. Those who received antioxidant treatment had a considerably lower depression assessment after two years.

In conclusion, our diet plays an integral role in influencing our mental health. We can improve our mood and even disorders such as depression with the help of a good diet. However, it is important to understand that diet cannot singlehandedly be helpful.

You must follow proper therapy and medication, as prescribed by the doctor. Along with this, try to inculcate a workout routine and avoid consuming substances that may be worsening your health such as alcohol, tobacco, etc.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Depression & Diet: What Is The Link & How To Use It To Ones Advantage - NDTV