Guneskoy Cooperative with the support of Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme organized a webinar on staying healthy during the pandemic. Dr. Hilayda Karakök emphasized the importance of healthy dietary habits, exercising and sleep schedules to keep biological age young.

[Story: Dr. Hilayda Karakök]

Current modelling studies for predicting the course of the pandemic suggests that the infection will spike after restrictions are lifted and fall arrives. Meaning, the pandemic is expected to return every fall and winter just like influenza does. There are many debates on the course of COVID-19 but the population under the risk of being critically -and deadly- infected is quite clear. Not only being elderly or having a chronic illness defines total of the risky population. A patient at the age of 107 survived coronavirus. And many patients with chronic illnesses recovered. People who are frail compared to the same age are considered high risk population. The term ‘biological age’ is used to describe frailty.

Biological age is estimated according to parameters like muscle mass and functions of the body systems. All the organ systems age together. That's why it is not possible to claim that cognitive functions work well while the muscle mass is unhealthy, or the skin shines healthily while the digestive system is suffering. It is possible for everybody to have a younger biological age by having healthy lifestyle habits.

Nutrition, sports, sleep and circadian rhythm is important to have a younger biological age. In this meeting I mentioned strategies on nutrition, sports and sleep cycle.

Here I call every single one of you to fight against Corona. A better functioning and healthy body will provide the best protection during the years following the pandemic.