Nutrients (Nov 2022)

The Contribution of Diet Therapy and Probiotics in the Treatment of Sarcopenia Induced by Prolonged Immobilization Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Carmen Delia Nistor-Cseppento,
  • Titus David Moga,
  • Alexa Florina Bungau,
  • Delia Mirela Tit,
  • Nicoleta Negrut,
  • Bianca Pasca,
  • Calin Florin Bochis,
  • Timea Claudia Ghitea,
  • Anamaria Jurcau,
  • Anamaria Lavinia Purza,
  • Diana Uivarosan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214701
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 21
p. 4701

Abstract

Read online

The prolonged immobilization associated with COVID-19 infection and the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have determined major changes in physical activity and eating habits, with a negative impact on physical performance. This study monitored non-pharmacological interventions (diet therapy and probiotics) in managing sarcopenia for patients with recent SARS-CoV-2 history (14 days). A prospective study was performed on 200 patients (between December 2020–December 2021), with SPPB score 2 for Group K—non-DP vs. 6.7 ± 0.57 Kg/m2 for Group K—DP, p = 0.135). After two months, significant difference between initial and final SMI values was determined for Group K—DP (6.92 ± 0.50 kg/m2 vs. 6.77 ± 0.56 kg/m2, p = 0.048). In Group K—DP, at end of study, were more patients with normal SMI (n = 32 → N = 70) values (p p p = 0.122). The hemoglobin level improved significantly following a hyper protein diet enriched with pro-biotics (p = 0.003). Diet therapy, consisting of increased protein intake and specific probiotics and specific physical therapy, demonstrated superiority in improving the functional status of patients with recent COVID-19 infection.

Keywords