By Elly Smith, Nutritionist in Manly

Did you know that around 80% of improving the immune system is actually located in our digestive system? 

So if you want to be resilient and healthy it’s imperative to maintain a healthy gut, because a damaged inflamed gut means a damaged, dysfunctional immune system.

One essential component of a healthy gastrointestinal tract is gut flora and research is now showing that people with damaged gut flora have far fewer immune cells in their gut wall, which leaves it (and therefore the rest of their body) poorly protected from any invaders (including COVID-19). 

Below is a list of supplements and life practices that may have a supportive effect on our immune system and overall health, and a list of life practices that may have a negative effect on gut health.

Tips To Improve Gut Health

1.    Probiotics – this can be via supplementation as well as via fermented foods, such as yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, miso, tempeh and all fermented vegetables (e.g. sauerkraut).

2.    A daily diet rich in colourful fresh vegetables and fruit. This will provide you with an array of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, as well as fibre which will feed your “good bugs”.

3.    Supplementation with vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D and fish oil.

4.    Staying hydrated (drinking approx. 2L water daily).

5.    Consumption of (grass fed) bone both, and certain herbs (e.g. Echinacea, olive leaf extract, garlic, ginger) may also help.

6.    Getting adequate sleep as the digestive tracts kicks into reparation during rest.

7.    Reducing levels of stress, because stress has shown to reduce immune function.

Three Things To Avoid

                      1.    High intake of sugar and highly refined foods.

                      2.    High intake of alcohol.

                      3.    High levels of stress.

We will beat this virus! For now, we just need to be patient and make strategic and informed choices. 

Please feel free to reach out to elly@akashahealth.com.au with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this article or any other health concern you may have, as I am more than happy to help you through this difficult time.”

Learn more about Elly & her GUT HEALING PACKAGE HERE