Sports Performance Research Institute NZ, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
Front Public Health. 2022 Feb 23;10:748498. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.748498. eCollection 2022.
In a relatively short timeframe, millions of deaths and illnesses associated with COVID-19 have been reported, accompanied by substantial economic losses, and overall, negatively impacting society. This experience should serve as a wakeup call to those in public health and healthcare, along with politicians and citizens: COVID-19 is considered a predictable and preventable disaster. While various reactive responses to address the pandemic were implemented, some with adverse effects, proactive measures in the years before COVID-19 were neglected. Predominately this involved the development of a preventable overfat pandemic, which played a key role in both rising rates of chronic disease, the comorbidities that increase the risk for COVID-19, along with associated inflammation and malnutrition. This increased the risk of infection in billions of people worldwide, which, in essence, primed society for high rates of COVID-19 infection. Excess body fat evolves primarily from poor nutrition, particularly the overconsumption of sugar and other refined carbohydrates, which replace the vital nutrients needed for optimal immune function. Sugar and refined carbohydrates must be considered the new tobacco, as these foods are also devoid of nutrients, and underly inflammatory chronic diseases. A balanced diet of nutrient-dense wholefood must be emphasized to combat infectious and inflammatory diseases. Implementing proactive preventive lifestyle changes must begin now, starting with simple, safe, and inexpensive dietary modifications that can quickly lead to a healthier population.
在相对较短的时间内，报告了与 COVID-19 相关的数百万人死亡和患病，伴随着巨大的经济损失，总体上对社会产生了负面影响。这一经历应该警醒公共卫生和医疗保健领域的人员、政治家和公民：COVID-19 被认为是可预测和可预防的灾难。虽然针对大流行采取了各种反应性措施，但有些措施产生了不良影响，而在 COVID-19 之前的几年中，却忽视了积极主动的措施。主要是这涉及到了可预防的过度肥胖大流行的发生，这在慢性疾病的上升率、增加 COVID-19 风险的合并症以及相关的炎症和营养不良中发挥了关键作用。这增加了全球数十亿人感染的风险，从本质上讲，使社会为 COVID-19 高感染率做好了准备。多余的体脂主要源于营养不良，特别是糖和其他精制碳水化合物的过度消耗，这些物质替代了最佳免疫功能所需的重要营养物质。糖和精制碳水化合物必须被视为新的烟草，因为这些食物也缺乏营养，并导致炎症性慢性疾病。必须强调营养丰富的全食物的均衡饮食，以防治传染病和炎症性疾病。现在必须开始实施积极主动的预防性生活方式改变，从简单、安全和廉价的饮食改变开始，可以迅速使人口更加健康。
