A Near-Death Experience With Covid Made Nutritionist Oz Garcia Realize 'How Valuable Life Is' - Exclusive

For Oz Garcia, a world-renowned anti-aging expert and nutritionist to the stars, long COVID turned his life upside down. Known for advising Fortune 100 CEOs and celebrities on living healthy lifestyles, Garcia had no idea that COVID-19 would pose a very real risk to his life. In his new book, "After Covid: Optimize Your Health in a Changing World," Garcia details the after-effects of the condition and explores the techniques and healthy habits that finally helped him to heal. 

While many individuals recover after catching COVID-19, some develop long COVID, also known as chronic or post-COVID. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person with long COVID may find their symptoms persisting for months or even years after their initial infection. 

In an exclusive interview with Health Digest, Oz Garcia discussed his near-death experience with COVID-19 and how it made him realize just how valuable his life really is.

People all over the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and some patients continue to endure the after-effects of the virus. The symptoms of long COVID may include fatigue, joint and chest pain, and shortness of breath. Some patients have also reported experiencing depression and cognitive problems, rapid heartbeat, headache, muscle pain, and difficulty concentrating.

Discussing his own journey with long COVID, nutritionist Oz Garcia told Health Digest, "I didn't think I needed this experience, but I now see how valuable life is. What I went through was terrifying. I lost full biological autonomy; I lost an immense amount of control over my thinking, and it was horribly debilitating." After implementing a regimen, which included healthy eating, regular exercise and sleep, mindfulness and meditation, and breathing techniques, Garcia started to see improvements in his condition.

Since then, Garcia has gained a new perspective on life, which has inspired his next project. "[I'm working on] my next book, which will be on having a meaningful life," he explained. "I'm going back through a reappraisal of my value systems after this experience. I'd like to learn how to live another 70 years, and some of my studies have ties to Buddhism, Stoicism, neuroscience, and the value of writing and journaling."

"After Covid: Optimize Your Health in a Changing World" by Oz Garcia is out now.