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healing ways
VIRAL INFECTIONS AND GUT HEALTH
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by Drew Mulvey
ith the raised awareness of how to take care of our bodies during this time, Drew Mulvey sheds some light on the effect of viral infections. When a pathogenic organism is introduced to our bodies, there is a sharp rise in inflammatory proteins such as Interleukin-6. This can manifest as symptoms which display as heat (fever) and an increased mucus formation, commonly seen in respiratory infections. This inflammatory protein is essential in the first line of defense against pathogenic organisms; however, an overexpression of this protein, commonly seen in comorbidities such as autoimmunity and diabetes, may increase one’s susceptibility to contracting and experiencing complications from that virus. What is one thing we can do to stay healthy? Keep our guts functioning optimally! What exactly is gut health? There are tiny microorganisms that live in the gut and are responsible for 80% of immune function. They are also responsible for proper digestion and assimilation of 18
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nutrients, and synthesis of several metabolites such as biotin—a B vitamin essential for heathy hair skin and nails—and short chain fatty acids—compounds important for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal wall. There are several different strains of the bacteria but most fall under two genera, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. An optimal ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes falls in the range of 0.6-0.8. An imbalance in favor of more Firmicutes can lead to weight loss resistance; increased susceptibility to infection; decreased digestive function leading to bloating, constipation and cramping; and disruption of the integrity of the lining of the intestines. The latter may contribute to the development of food sensitivities and low-grade inflammation, increasing one’s susceptibility to pathogenic infection. Some things that can disrupt the natural balance of beneficial to harmful bacteria is lack of sleep, infection, mental anguish and, more importantly, a poor diet. What can we do to keep our guts healthy and keep out immune system
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functioning properly? Attack our nutrition. Here are some functional foods to include, reduce and eliminate for optimal gut and immune function. Include: Probiotics Our guts contain organisms that support immunity, help maintain a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria, and make nutrients more bioavailable to absorb. It is important to replenish these healthy bacteria with live cultures from food—known as probiotics—to keep the gut functioning properly. Probiotics are found in high amounts in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, sourdough bread, tofu, tempeh, miso, kombucha, kefir and yogurt. These foods are particularly high in Lactobacillus sp., which are essential for immune function. Fiber There are two categories of fiber: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble is responsible for
