You may already be taking vitamins C and D, as well as minerals like zinc and magnesium to better support your immune system, but have you also considered ways to improve your gut health? New research shows that a specific bacterium that resides in your intestines may be to blame for the increased symptoms of COVID-19.
In the new study presented at British Medical Journal’s Publication Intestine, a team of scientists from the Chinese University of Hong Kong suggests that the gastrointestinal tract may play a bigger role in our recovery from COVID-19, more than we initially thought. (Related: the vitamin that doctors recommend everyone take now)
After looking at blood and feces samples from 100 patients treated at two hospitals, the researchers found that the “The composition of the intestinal microbiome was significantly altered in patients with COVID-19 compared to non-COVID-19 individuals, regardless of whether the patients received medication.”
Patients whose blood samples indicated elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines (and other inflammatory markers) in the blood plasma experienced adverse symptoms of COVID-19. As these patients were battling the virus, the researchers noted “substantial involvement” of the gastrointestinal tract, since the composition of their intestinal microbiota had been altered.
“Associations between the composition of the intestinal microbiota, levels of cytokines and inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19 suggest that the intestinal microbiome is involved in the magnitude of the severity of COVID-19, possibly by modulating the host’s immune responses,” they wrote. the study authors.
Even more revealing, the intestinal microbiota in some patients remained significantly altered for up to 30 days. A small subset of patients experienced what is called dysbiosis (imbalance) of the intestinal microbiota 30 days after recovery, which could explain why some people have prolonged symptoms.
The main lesson here? The study points to a potential connection between intestinal bacteria that negatively affect inflammation in the body, which can worsen the symptoms of greed. In the meantime, with that knowledge, you can work on incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods, like green leafy vegetables like spinach; heart-healthy nuts, such as pistachios; and fatty fish like salmon in your daily diet to support your gut.
And for advice on what foods to avoid when trying to promote a healthy microbiome, read The worst foods for gut health.