A new Harvard-led analysis finds that COVID-19 patients that live in areas with higher air pollution, such as New York City, have experienced a higher death-rate from the infection than those who lived in areas with cleaner air.
Similar effects were found for SARS patients in China back in 2003 when researchers from the University of California Fielding School of Public Health compared outcomes in China.
The researchers argue that their study reinforces the need to enforce existing regulations around air pollution, and we would argue that it also makes a good case for tightening pollution regulations further.
One bit of good news is that the plummeting levels of pollution-producing activity that resulting from worldwide lockdown measures have dramatically improved levels of air pollution. The crux of the matter – will we be able to use this experience to find new ways to tackle pollution in the future?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/climate/air-pollution-coronavirus-covid.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/coronavirus-shutdowns-have-unintended-climate-benefits-n1161921
Author: Romilly Hodges, MS CNS
https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/ Romilly Hodges, CNS CKNS CDN IFMCP mBANT CNHC, is a clinical nutritionist and Programs Director for Dr. Kara Fitzgerald.
Romilly has written peer-reviewed publications, book contributions and many online articles. She is the author of the book Immune Resilience; The Breakthrough Plan to Protect Your Body and Fight Disease published in 2022 by Avery, a division of Penguin Random House. She has contributed to professional training courses and supervised practice programs for functional medicine and nutrition professionals. Romilly has also worked in clinical research, including designing the study diet for the first-of-its-kind epigenetic diet study run through the National University of Natural Medicine, as well as follow-up clinical research. She currently serves on the Board of the Accreditation Council for Nutrition Professional Education.
We have both the opportunity and responsibility to change the trajectory of chronic disease through targeted, personalized nutrition, lifestyle and environmental interventions.
Hi Romilly,
After two weeks on the Brasco broth, my symptoms have not subsided. Initially I thought I saw some improvement, but I
am now back at square one with the chronic diarrhea, bloating, gas and even pain at times. All in my colon. Obviously due to
the COVID-19 situation my colonoscopy is on hold (my third). My doctor is thinking I may have microscopic colitis, but is unsure, thus cannot treat nor prescribe medication at this time. I am also taking Dr. Brasco”s suggested Probiotics, Antifungal, and Digestive Enzymes.
Do you have any additional nutritional information or sites/books that I can read? Or can you help me in any way?
Much appreciated and Thanking you in advance!
Laura
Dear Laura,
I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through a challenging time. I definitely recommend getting in touch with our clinic – all our practitioners are offering remote educational consultations (something we’ve been doing for several years and are well versed in). We would need to do a little digging into what underlying factors may be driving that inflammation and immune dysregulation. If testing is indicated we do have home test kits available that we can still use at this time.
Sending best wishes,
Romilly