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With so many of us already vaccinated or getting vaccinated against COVID-19, a common question I get from my weight loss patients is: “Will my weight loss medication, supplements, or diet interfere with the COVID vaccine?”
The short answer is generally no. At least not significantly enough for most people to need to change anything or worry about it.
But could something in your weight loss protocol affect the vaccine? Maybe. Let’s look a little deeper.
How vaccines work?
Vaccines work by generating an immune response. Our immune system reacts to the vaccine and memorizes it, allowing our immune system to fight off the virus the next time it encounters it.
So a good response will hinge upon having a healthy and unimpeded immune system and immune response.
With that in mind, are there any potential weight loss medications, supplements, or diets that could affect the vaccine or your immune system?
Drugs and supplements
Most medical experts agree that the vast majority of drugs will not affect the COVID vaccine.
The primary drugs of concern are those that hinder the immune system in some way shape or form, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen, or other immunosuppressive drugs like drugs to stop organ transplant rejection.
The vast majority of medication used for weight loss does not affect the immune system in any substantial way.
They suppress appetite, control insulin, or prevent fat absorption. But none of them are expected to have much effect on the immune system.
Weight loss supplements are similar, at least with supplements that are legally available in Canada.
Weight loss supplements typically also help control appetite and insulin, reduce fat and carb absorption, increase your energy levels, or provide nutrients for proper fat burning.
So the majority of legally available weight loss supplements do not work in a way that is expected to have much effect on the immune system.
Weight loss diets
Are there any diets that could be problematic? Actually yes.
Extreme diets that cut out entire food groups, or very low calorie diets, may cause nutritional deficiencies that could negatively affect your immune system.
Nutrients like vitamin A, C, and D, and minerals like zinc and selenium, are all important nutrients required by our immune system.
Depriving yourself of one or more of these nutrients inadvertently through an extreme diet or fasting for too long, may reduce the effectiveness of your COVID vaccine.
Keep in mind that deficiencies are usually only a problem in people doing these types of diets for prolonged periods of time, like over many weeks and months.
So fasting just one day, regular intermittent fasting, as well as fasting for Ramadan or Lent, will not likely cause nutritional deficiencies that will affect your immune system.
Will your weight loss protocol affect vaccines?
So if you’d like to safely continue your weight loss while you get your vaccine, there is no need to change too much.
You can continue to take your weight loss medication or supplements. Regular intermittent fasting, as well as fasting for Ramadan or Lent is perfectly fine as well.
But if you’ve been following an extreme diet, like a juicing fast, or have been following a very low calorie diet for a prolonged period of time, it might be a good idea to revert to a more moderate and varied weight loss diet, such as a calorie-controlled Mediterranean or DASH diet, before you get your vaccine.
Also remember that you should NOT delay your vaccine because you’re on a particular diet or have a nutritional deficiency.
In most cases, unless the nutritional deficiency is severe, your immune system will still generate an effective response despite mild to moderate nutritional deficiencies.
At the end of the day, if you have concerns about whether anything in your weight loss protocol will affect the vaccine, consult your own physician. They’ll be able to give you the best advice tailored for you specifically.
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Learn more about
Dr. Brian Yeung, ND: https://linktr.ee/BrianYeungND
Online Weight Loss Program, delivered virtually and to your door: https://brianyeungnd.com/online-weight-loss/
Citations
COVID-19 Vaccine and Drug Interactions: What You Need to Know https://www.goodrx.com/blog/covid-19-vaccine-drug-interactions/
Do COVID-19 Vaccines Interfere With Common Prescription Drugs? https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/covid-vaccine-medication-interaction.html
Should You Avoid Certain Medications or Treatments Before Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/should-you-avoid-certain-medications-or-treatments-before-getting-vaccinated-for-covid-19/
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Disclaimer: Dr. Brian Yeung, ND received his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Yeung is currently a practicing Naturopathic Doctor with additional prescribing authority and IV therapy certification in Ontario. This article is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Yeung and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. BrianYeungND and Dr. Brian Yeung, ND are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any conclusions drawn, services or product you obtain through this article or site.