NORFOLK, Va. - Other than washing our hands and staying home, what else can we do to prevent a deadly outcome from COVID-19?
Researchers at the University of Virginia say regular exercise may save lives! Doctors at the university say keeping our bodies moving boosts our chances of surviving COVID-19.
Dr. Zhen Yan and his research revealed that exercising helps the body produce a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off acute respiratory distress syndrome, which has been a major cause of death in COVID-19 patients. But by exercising regularly, our bodies build that special antioxidant in the blood that protects our organs, especially our lungs.
Dr. Yan says it’s one the best things we can do right now.
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“It’s a wake-up call, and starting today, you should go exercise regularly,” he said. “If you have not started it yet, you should start. If you have done it, keep doing it. In the midst of the pandemic, we stay home. We keep social distancing. We should keep exercising. The biggest take home message I have is, ‘Enjoy exercise.’”
You don’t have to run a marathon every day - just get moving in your home or outside when it’s safe.
