COVID-19 has dominated our lives throughout the past three years, and the measures to prevent catching the virus are starting to sound like a broken record: wear a face mask, stay six feet apart from others, but have you ever wondered how your body would fare in the fight against the virus? Interestingly enough your gut can be an indicator of how your body would respond to COVID-19.
According to a study conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, researchers were able to find how our gut microorganisms likely influence how our bodies respond to COVID-19. Using shotgun sequencing, researchers were able to extract DNA from stool samples of 100 patients infected with COVID-19 and compared 27% of patients' gut microbiome while they were infected versus when they had tested negative. The results from the study had three notable findings that demonstrate how your gut plays a role in immunity against diseases.
What does this science have to do with my gut health?
The role your gut plays in fighting off diseases is pretty significant. This research demonstrates how a well-balanced gut can bring a good defense when it comes to illnesses and how detrimental dysbiosis— an imbalance of bacteria in the gut— can be on your overall well-being when your body is trying to put up a good fight.
What can you do to prevent dysbiosis? It is all about balance.
→ Keep track of what you are eating. A dietary change increasing your protein, sugar, or other food additives may throw off the microbiota in your gut.
→ Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Drinking two or more alcoholic beverages per day can actually throw off your balance, so recover with plenty of water.
→ Stay Zen. Experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress can weaken your immune system.
→ Be mindful when taking medications and antibiotics. Research shows that medications can significantly impact your gut flora. So only take medications and antibiotics when necessary.
→ Know what's in your gut. Take a gut microbiome test to learn what your unique gut microbiome looks like and what it needs to improve.