COVID-19: Does lifestyle intervention improve the course of the disease? A case series and literature review

Abstract The new disease COVID-19 is associated with high mortality, as the virus attacks our defences and our immune system. Despite the amount of research by scientists from around the world, currently, no specific antiviral treatment is recommended, and no vaccine is available. However, there is already robust research showing how to improve our immune systems through a balanced diet and lifestyle intervention in order to fight against the virus. We report a series of 10 cases of patients with COVID-19 from a poor community in Brazil who were monitored by telephone due to the lack of resources in the public health system. They received conventional medical drugs and were additionally instructed to change their eating patterns as well their lifestyles. These patients showed favourable results in their illnesses. Lifestyle interventions with balanced nutrition are not antagonistic to traditional medicine. They interact harmoniously to achieve a positive result faster. Although today we know little about the treatment of COVID-19 with drugs, we know a lot about how to improve our immune systems to help our bodies in this battle against COVID-19. Until new treatments and effective vaccines are discovered, perhaps we can revisit the teachings of the father of medicine, who 2500 years ago spoke of the importance of lifestyle interventions such as changes in nutrition, sleep and exercise for the prevention and treatment of diseases.