Boosting healthcare workers’ physical and cognitive health during COVID-19

23 Apr 2020 --- The ongoing “war” against COVID-19 has brought hero professions into the spotlight with healthcare workers being on the frontlines of the battle. For these professions, maintaining health is of paramount importance, as is maintaining high energy levels and a clear mind. NutritionInsight examines the role of nutrition for healthcare professionals in maintaining good health, while industry experts flag important ingredients to keep energy boosted when it is needed the most.

Many organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UK-based Nursing Now and the International Council of Nurses are bringing focus on the importance of healthcare workers preserving their health and the best practises to achieve this. Recently, a study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that 95 percent of people working in healthcare settings have worked while sick, most often because the symptoms were mild or started during their working day.

“Nurses are the backbone of any health system,” says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “[We have to remember] the unique role they play and we need to ensure they get the support they need to keep the world healthy.”

“Healthcare workers could benefit from immune boosters as well as sleep enhancement products to ensure a better rest. Certain ingredients can help maintain a positive mood and reduce stress in times of uncertainty. Also helpful are products to help with skin redness and inflammation after wearing gloves all day and constant hand washing,” Julia Díaz, Head of Marketing at Pharmactive Biotech Products, tells NutritionInsight.

Crateful joined forces with Operation USA to bring nutrient-dense food to hospitals and essential workers throughout Los Angeles. “In Pharmactive’s range of branded premium ingredients, there are some that could help those working exhausting hours, such as immunity-boosting Isenolic and Olivactive; sleep and mood enhancement affron, a pure saffron extract; and Xorialyc, a novel olive leaf extract that reduces skin inflammation,” notes Díaz. 

“All healthcare workers must take care to keep a normal pace in a situation as difficult as this. Many micronutrients are vital to each aspect of the immune system, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E, as well as folate, zinc, iron, copper, selenium and magnesium. That is why we always need to make sure that we have those nutrient needs met, not only due to the pandemic but to support our immune system health in general,” Núria Jiménez, Marketing Specialist, Lipofoods Nutraceutical Ingredients, tells NutritionInsight.

“Among other elements, the brain also needs iron to function properly. There have been almost 100 studies demonstrating that astaxanthin supports the brain in a variety of ways and has shown a positive effect on physical performance. Another key compound is curcumin which is widely consumed and has a global recognition based on its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown curcumin can help mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety, therefore, it can also help improve an individual’s emotional well-being,” Jiménez details.

Uma Naidoo, MD, writes on Harvard Medical School’s Health Blog that certain nutrients in foods have been shown to reduce anxiety or spur the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This can reduce anxiety and boost immunity for healthcare workers. These foods include citrus fruit and red bell peppers; spices such as ginger, garlic and turmeric; foods rich in zinc such as oysters, clams, mussels; and magnesium-rich foods that may help one feel calmer and support immunity. Naidoo also mentions the importance of probiotics and antioxidants. 

“Bioenergy Ribose would be a good fit for those working those long shifts and on their feet all the time.It accelerates energy recovery, reduces muscle stiffness and provides greater endurance. This is because Ribose is crucial to the production of ATP, the main current of cellular energy. And it is the rate limiting compound in how quickly the body rebuilds ATP after it has been depleted. While every cell in the body has the ability to make Ribose, the metabolic pathway used is very slow and cannot keep up with your body’s demands for energy,” comments Penny M. Portner, Director of Marketing at Bioenergy Life Science.

Meals and drinks for healthcare workers
Industry is taking note of the epidemic’s frontliners’ needs and many F&B companies have donated meals and energy boosting drinks. 

Since April 1, the New York Food Truck Association has dispatched several of its food trucks to hand out thousands of free servings of coffee, snacks and nutritional meals to the healthcare workers on the frontline of COVID-19, at NYU Langone Hospital, as part of a larger initiative called Frontline Food Trucks. 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many hospitals are in very short supply of food and beverage products because cafeterias and cafes are closed, and minimal nearby stores are open from which health care workers can quickly buy food in between shifts, the association explains. 

Smoothie King is also donating US$1,000,000 worth of smoothies to local hospitals, testing centers, police and fire stations and other essential workplaces across the country. Also in the US, Natalie’s Juice has donated 5,000 bottles of its fruit juice to healthcare workers at NYU Langone Hospital, with plans to expand the initiative. 

XITE Energy, a Bristol-based healthy energy drink is keeping the National Health System (NHS) and key workers going, by sending free crates of XITE Energy to those in critical roles during the coronavirus pandemic.Sports nutrition brand Redcon1 has donated more than 20,000 protein bar products to healthcare, food access and first responder organizations in the company’s local South Florida community. 

Crateful, an Italian-based catering company, joined forces with a non-profit humanitarian relief organization called Operation USA to launch Fuel Them LA, an initiative to bring nutrient-dense food in sustainable packaging to hospitals and essential workers throughout Los Angeles. 

“It’s not every day that you get to help a hero, a selfless person who puts the well-being of others before his/her own. Feeding the frontline workers is the single most important and motivating enterprise I've ever been involved in,” says Andre Marotti, Founder of Crateful.

In the UK, XITE Energy, a Bristol-based healthy energy drink is keeping the National Health System (NHS) and key workers going, by sending free crates of XITE Energy to those in critical roles during the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, they delivered crates of the drink to staff at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and are now extending that offer of free cans UK wide. So far they have delivered 24,000 cans to hospitals across the country.

By Kristiana Lalou