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Study finds people who practice intermittent fasting experience less severe complications from COVID-19

Intermountain Healthcare, July 7, 2022

Intermittent fasting has previously shown to have a host of health benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Now, researchers from Intermountain Healthcare have found that people who regularly fast are less like to experience severe complications from COVID-19.

In a new study published this week in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, Intermountain researchers found that COVID-19 patients who practiced regular water-only intermittent fasting had lower risk of hospitalization or dying due to the virus than patients who did not.

“Intermittent fasting has already shown to lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. In this study, we’re finding additional benefits when it comes to battling an infection of COVID-19 in patients who have been fasting for decades,” said Benjamin Horne, Ph.D., director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at Intermountain Healthcare.

They identified 205 patients who had tested positive for the virus. Of those, 73 said they regularly fasted at least once a month. Researchers found that those who practiced regular fasting had a lower rate of hospitalization or death due to coronavirus.

“Intermittent fasting was not associated with whether or not someone tested positive COVID-19, but it was associated with lower severity once patients had tested positive for it,” Dr. Horne said.

Fasting reduces inflammation, especially since hyperinflammation is associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. In addition, after 12 to 14 hours of fasting, the body switches from using glucose in the blood to ketones, including linoleic acid. “There’s a pocket on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that linoleic acid fits into—and can make the virus less able to attach to other cells,” he said.

Low CoQ10 levels linked with neurodegeneration: Study

University of Tokyo , July 4, 2022

Researchers have found low levels of CoQ10 in people with multiple system atrophy, and suggested supplementation could help.

The study , published in JAMA Neurology, shows a link between low levels of blood coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). 

The data backs recent hypotheses that CoQ10 deficiency could be linked with development of the neurodegenerative disorder, and that supplementation could be beneficial for MSA sufferers, the team said.

The study included 44 Japanese patients with MSA (average age of 64) and 39 Japanese control patients (average age 60).

CoQ10 has properties similar to vitamins, but since it is naturally synthesized in the body it is not classed as such. With chemical structure 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decaprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, it is also known as ubiquinone because of its ‘ubiquitous’ distribution throughout the human body.

The coenzyme is concentrated in the mitochondria – the ‘power plants’ of the cell – and plays a vital role in the production of chemical energy by participating in the production of adenosince triphosphate (ATP), the body’s co-called ‘energy currency’.

A role beyond the mitochondria is also acknowledged, with CoQ10 acting as a potent antioxidant. The coenzyme plays an important role in preserving levels of vitamin E and vitamin C.

They found plasma levels of CoQ10 were significantly lower in MSA patients, regardless of age, sex and Coenzyme Q2, polyprenyltransferase (COQ2) genotype. COQ2 is a protein coding gene which plays a part in the biosynthesis of CoQ10, Dr Tsuji explained.

Gardening can cultivate better mental health

University of Florida, July 6, 2022

Many longtime gardeners will tell you that the garden is their happy place