*Jordi Merino,* Associate Professor at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, talks about the interwoven challenges of COVID-19, poor diet and metabolic health. Obesity became a clear marker of the severity of COVID-19 infections, with a BMI above 35 being particularly relevant for mortality. Underlying poor metabolic health is the contribution of diet. A study looking at the diet quality and risk and severity of COVID-19 showed that a healthy, plant-based diet was associated with lower risk of contracting COVID-19 and lower severity of infection. But there is some conflicting evidence when it comes to metabolic health and COVID-19. Watch the video to discover the areas of contention.
Merino is a molecular epidemiologist specializing in human nutrition, metabolism and genomics. With a Ph.D. in nutrition and lipid metabolism from Rovira i Virgili University and postdoctoral training in genetic epidemiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, he now leads the genomics and precision medicine research group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen. His research aims to understand the molecular heterogeneity of diabetes. He studies how molecular processes and behavioral factors influence diverse clinical trajectories, responses to therapeutic interventions, and varying propensities for developing cardiovascular complications. Using advanced techniques like multi-omics profiling, wearable devices, and phenotypic analyses, his team refines strategies for diabetes management and prevention, contributing to the field of precision medicine.
This talk was presented at the recent *"Food for Thought 2023: Rising to the challenge of obesity and diabetes"* conference held by Swiss Re Institute and @TheBMJ . Learn more:
https://www.swissre.com/institute/con...