DEAR DR. ROACH: Over the previous 12 months of pandemic lockdown, I’ve labored arduous at lowering energy to drop some weight and growing my train on an elliptical coach. I’m 5 toes, 7 inches tall and age 70. I went from 202 kilos to 149.3. My weight purpose is 145. My waistline is 25.5 inches. I’ve achieved a measurement 14 in clothes, which is what I wore in 2002. According to my digital scale, my BMI is now 23.4, and in accordance with the BMI chart, I’m now within the good “wholesome weight” vary.
Also, in May 2019 I had whole knee substitute surgical procedure and consider that lowering my weight could be useful to my hips, knees, ankles and toes. Because of my continued bodily remedy train, in addition to shedding the additional kilos, I really feel steadier on my toes than I’ve felt in years.
I lately learn that “older adults have a [BMI] of between 25 and 27, not beneath 25,” or they run the chance of osteoporosis. My final bone density scan confirmed that I had important enchancment of my bone density, and I’d suppose that with all this strolling on the elliptical coach (30-60 minutes day by day), it should show to be at the least nearly as good. In addition, I do some workouts with small hand weights. I’ve no purpose to suppose I’m amongst the 24% of “older” girls who’ve osteoporosis of the backbone, and many others.
Should I be content material with a weight of 149? Should I acquire again some fats? — P.R.
ANSWER: I believe nutritious diet and common train are way more necessary than the burden or BMI, at the least for people who find themselves not very overweight. It is true that carrying some additional weight protects to some extent in opposition to osteoporosis, and really skinny girls are at greater threat. However, I’m so impressed along with your exercise and accomplishments over the previous 12 months that I’d advocate you proceed your train and let your weight keep the place it’s. You ought to proceed to get bone density scans as really helpful, however you might be fairly proper that common weight-bearing train is especially good at sustaining bone well being, together with a weight loss program together with satisfactory calcium and making certain good vitamin D if you’re in danger for low vitamin D.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 58-year-old male. I had COVID and was given monoclonal antibody remedy as an outpatient two months in the past. I recovered from COVID with gentle to average signs. How do I decide if I’m protected against getting COVID once more? I’d prefer to know if I ought to get a vaccine and if that’s the case once I ought to get it. — J.D.
ANSWER: Even individuals who have had COVID-19 might get the illness once more, so that they do profit from the vaccine. However, due to the monoclonal antibody you bought, it is strongly recommended you wait 90 days from the monoclonal antibody remedy to vaccine administration. You ought to have the ability to take the vaccine in about one other month.
There is a few partial immunity that comes from getting the illness, and you might be at low threat for 90 days after an infection. It seems that the vaccine provides profit, and I’d advocate the vaccine.
Dr. Roach regrets that he’s unable to reply particular person letters, however will incorporate them within the column at any time when doable. Readers might e-mail inquiries to [email protected] or ship mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.
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