Are you worried about the virus? Support your gut!

Modern science is finally catching up to what ancient healers have known for thousands of years: supporting the health of your gut, strengthens natural immunity, and keeps external pathogens in check.

In the article, “C*VID-19 and the Microbiome: The Gut-Lung Connection,” the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health scientists made the connection that the gut microbiome has a profound effect on the development of our immunity and our susceptibility to lung and respiratory infections.

The article states, “Bacterial ligands (lipopolysaccharides; LPS) and bacterial metabolites (short-chain fatty acids; SCFAs) from the gut enter the bloodstream and travel to the lung where they modulate immune responses and microbial composition. The gut microbiome plays a key role in maintaining barrier integrity and in the development of host immunity. When gut dysbiosis occurs, this balance shifts, and pathogenic bacteria form a majority, which leads to disease.”[1]

Eureka!

Now, it’s just a matter of time before those scientists discover that the entire human body system is intimately connected to every system in the body, and all of the organs support each other.

And, what do they think scientifically, contributes to the health of our gut?

“Immune homeostasis is dependent on a well-balanced microbiome, including microbial components and metabolites that are important for maturation and priming of the immune system. The microbiome composition is affected by many environmental factors including diet, antibiotic treatment and even stress.”[2]

This means, beyond the shadow of a scientific doubt:

• Antibiotic use and abuse destroy gut flora.
• Stress plays a big role in gut health.
• What you eat feeds your microbiome, for better or for worse.

Unfortunately, instead of educating folks about supporting gut health and natural immunity, the media and the powers that be, would much rather scare people into taking a medical injection that does NOT support the gut and microbiome at all.

When someone takes the injection, their gut health has still NOT been addressed or supported.

This sets the human body up for increased susceptibility to the latest version of the respiratory virus, and so on.

Instead of waiting for the next booster shot, and then the next one after that (and so on), it’s time to get educated on simple things to support your gut, so you can stave off and/or heal from viral respiratory infections, like the one that I can’t name for fear of being eternally canceled from the internet.

Eat Locally and Seasonally

Science understands that one of the main contributors to gut dysbiosis is when the diversity in the gut has been compromised and/or limited.

This can happen for many reasons and include:

• Antibiotic use and abuse
• Chronic high stress
• Lack of diversity of good food in the diet

One of the easiest ways to improve the diversity of your gut bacteria is to eat a wide variety of foods. And, I’m not talking about rotating between Twinkies, Ho-Ho’s, and Ding Dongs.

I’m talking about eating local and seasonal, wholesome foods throughout the year.

I understand it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, including a healthy rut, and eat the same foods over and over again all year round, but it won’t serve your gut or your immune system.

With seasonal eating, as the season’s change, so do our food choices.

A great example is a sweet and juicy Watermelon and Tomato salad in the summer and a Hearty Beef Stew with roots and tubers in the winter.

For a deeper perspective on seasonal eating read here: Seasonal Eating and Your Microbiome.

Incorporate Inulin Rich Foods

Many people think popping probiotics is the answer to healing the gut. But, adding beneficial bacteria to your gut is only one piece of the healthful pie.

Those bacteria in your gut need to eat foods that support a healthy, happy, and thriving population.

Inulin is one of those foods.

“Inulin is a water-soluble storage polysaccharide and belongs to a group of non-digestible carbohydrates called fructans.”[3]

As a non-digestible carbohydrate, inulin passes through your small intestine and is fermented by the bacteria in your large intestine.

Studies have shown that not only do inulin-rich foods reduce sweet, salty, and fatty food cravings, they also provide more overall satiety. Meaning… if the bacteria residing in your gut get the nutrients they need, you’ll have fewer cravings for crap!

“A higher consumption of ITF-rich vegetables allows a substantial increase in well-tolerated dietary fiber, which in turn improves food-related behavior. Moreover, it leads to beneficial modifications of the gut microbiota composition and function.”[4]

Some inulin-rich foods include:

• Asparagus (Warm Asparagus Salad)
• Chicory root
• Leeks, onion, and garlic (Caramelized Onion Soup)
• Barley, rye, and wheat (Mushroom Barley Soup)
• Sunchokes aka Jerusalem Artichoke

When you’re eating a meal, remember to feed your gut what it needs, too.

Whether that means incorporating onion and garlic into your recipes or enjoying recipes like the ones I linked above, this supports your gut, microbiome, immunity, and respiratory health (as well as the rest of your beautiful body).

Chill Out!

We know that stress impacts the health of the gut.

But do you know how?

When we are stressed, the body is sympathetic system dominant, and the bodily system is in fight, flight, or freeze!

When we are relaxed and breathing deeply, we are parasympathetic nervous system dominant, or in rest, digest, and rejuvenation mode.

This relaxed state is where you want to be MOST often so your body can do its job supporting your gut and nourishing natural immunity.

I know that learning to chill out can seem like an impossible task, especially in the coo-coo for cocoa puffs fear-driven world that we live in, but it’s essential for the health of your gut and immune system.

If you need help learning how to chill, learn to meditate, or do simple breathing exercises.

Another great way to chill out is to meet me in the kitchen for some fun!

When you are enjoying yourself and learning something new, it can take your mind off all of the wacky things that are going on in the world. Spend an hour feeding your mind and body with me and I promise you will feel happier and healthier by the time we finish.

I’ll teach you how to properly nourish your gut to support the lungs and respiratory system, and boost immunity naturally.

Respiratory Support Cooking Class  

I’m Looking forward to seeing you in the kitchen!

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8131000/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8131000/

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27178951/

[4] https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/109/6/1683/5479239