Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Plant-Based Diets and Supplements Reduced COVID-19 Severity with Zero Mortality in High-Risk Elderly Patients

Dasaad Mulijono*, Albert M Hutapea, I Nyoman E Lister, Mondastri K Sudaryo, Helwiah Umniyati

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Plant-Based Diets (PBDs) and supplement interventions in mitigating the severity and mortality of high-risk COVID-19 patients. Observational research suggests that a diet high in plant based may decrease the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, several studies have faced criticism regarding the accuracy of obtaining dietary questionnaires and the insufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals in such diets. To address these issues, this study employed a prospective interventional design that strictly controlled the quality, quantity and processing of PBDs provided. Furthermore, the study incorporated supplementation, which enhanced the anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic and immunomodulatory properties of a PBD against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Of the 3,470 COVID-19 elderly patients, half already followed a PBD and the other half were new patients with various comorbidities and were intervened with a PBD and supplementation. The result showed our PBD patients recovered faster (12 ± 1.4 vs. 21 ± 7 days), with lower severity (2% vs. 10%-20%), hospitalizations (0 vs. 5%-10%) and deaths (0 vs. 15%-17%) compared to the General COVID-19 Indonesian Population (GCIP). Compared to those in the PBD group, the participants in the non-PBD group were twice as likely to have experienced moderate disease (with 95% confidence limit: 1.42-3.12) and 2.4 times more likely to have experienced severe disease (with 95% confidence limit: 1.2-5.0) with a significant pvalue of less than 0.0005 and 0.016 respectively. The outcome was highly favorable and aligned with the researchers' expectations, as COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates in Indonesia were among the highest in Asia. This research may provide significant insights into the prevention and management of COVID-19 and aid in better preparation for future pandemics.

Published Date: 2025-01-24; Received Date: 2024-04-22