x
Account
  • Sign In Sign In Create Account
    Sign In

    Forgot your password?

    Create Account
  • my Wishlist
  • Toll Free: (800) 869 9159
  • Customer Care
    • Contact Us
    • Help Center
  • My Account
    • Log in
    • Create an account
  • Rewards Program
  • Become a Humanized+ Member
  • Become a Humanized+ Member

Cart 0

Your cart is currently empty.

Continue Shopping

Total: $0.00

Or View Cart

  • Sign In Sign In Create Account
    Sign In

    Forgot your password?

    Create Account
  • my Wishlist
My Village Green
My Village Green

FREE SHIPPING! On online orders of $74+. Use code: SHIP74
This offer is for standard shipping available in the continental U.S.
Cannot be combined with any other offers.

  • My Account Log In
  • Brands
    Practitioner Brands
    • Pathway
    • Sinus Survival
    • Klaire Labs*
    • Kirkman
    • Metagenics
    • Nordic Naturals
    • Pure Encapsulations*
    • Thorne Research
    • Xymogen
    Top Brands
    • Megafood
    • Jarrow Formulas
    • Solgar
    • Nature's Way
    • Garden of Life
    • Life Extension
    • Bluebonnet
    • Derma E
    • Innate Response
    • Ollois
    Top Brands
    • Gaia Herbs
    • Herb Pharm
    • Boiron
    • Host Defense
    • Inika Organic
    • Carlson Labs
    • Enzymedica
    • Solaray
    • Renew Life

    * = Restricted Access Brands

  • Pathway Supplements
  • Categories
  • Consultations
  • Resources
    • Lab Testing
    • Rewards Program
    • Ask the Expert
    • Help Center
    • Pharmacy & Compounding
    • Medication Disposal Progam
    • Healthy Pets
    • Green Initiatives
    • Practitioner Brands
    • My Account
    • Create an Account
  • Education
    • Blog
    • Humanized - Your Health Personalized
    • Articles & Health Info
    • Radio Show Archive
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts

Blog

New Research: Poor Gut Health Linked to More Severe Outcomes in COVID-19

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Paula Gallagher

gut health

Poor gut health could put you at risk of more severe outcomes if you have COVID-19, according to a new scientific review. The review, published this week in mBio, found that those who had more serious cases of COVID-19 tended to also have gastrointestinal symptoms. It theorizes that an altered gut microbiome could allow COVID-19 to spread to more organs faster, and could be an underlying factor in known risk factors, such as chronic disease.

The main findings of the review are:
  • Severe cases of COVID-19 often include GI symptoms.
  • Chronic diseases associated with severe COVID-19 are also associated with altered gut microbiota.
  • A growing body of evidence suggests poor gut health adversely affects prognosis.
  • If studies do empirically demonstrate a connection between the gut microbiota and COVID-19 severity, then interventions like probiotics or fecal transplants may help patients.

Right now, the most common symptoms associated with COVID-19 are high fever and respiratory issues, but the virus can attack other parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal system. When COVID-19 patients become sick enough to require hospitalization, the review observed that a large percentage of these patients also experienced diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as part of their symptoms.

The review suggests that if the virus is able to enter the gastrointestinal system, it worsens the patient's outcome, and having an altered gut microbiome makes it easier for the virus to find its way into that system.

    Gut Health

    Poor gut health is associated with "leaky gut," a term referring to an unhealthy gut lining that has cracks that allow bacteria, toxins or partially digested food to leak through into the bloodstream. This could mean that COVID-19 patients with leaky gut might have worse outcomes from the virus. If the coronavirus can penetrate through the gut barrier into the bloodstream, it could potentially spread quickly to other organs.

    It has been well-established that COVID-19 largely attacks the respiratory system. But post-mortems done on those who have died of COVID-19 have found viral loads in multiple organs, including the heart, liver, brain and kidneys, suggesting that severe outcomes may be more likely when the virus spreads to other organs, something that needs more research, the review noted.

    Role of Fiber in Gut Health

    The review also noted that the virus was spreading particularly quickly in many Western countries, where many have a diet low in fiber. Fiber is a main component in maintaining a healthy microbiome in the gut.

    This is potentially good news, since improving your gut health may be as easy as increasing your daily intake of dietary fiber. This could also be a simple and effective way to help prevent severe COVID-19, as well as being great to do for improvement in overall health.

    Currently, on average, American adults eat 10 to 15 grams of total fiber per day, while the USDA's recommended daily amount for adults up to age 50 is 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. Women and men older than 50 should have 21 and 30 daily grams, respectively. What does that look like?

    Here are some examples of foods and their fiber contents:

    • 1 large pear with skin (7 grams)
    • 1 cup fresh raspberries (8 grams)
    • ½ medium avocado (5 grams)
    • 1 ounce almonds (3.5 grams)
    • ½ cup cooked black beans (7.5 grams)
    • 3 cups air-popped popcorn (3.6 grams)
    • 1 cup broccolli (2.5 grams)

    Fiber Supplementation

    If you find that your daily intake of fiber isn't adding up to the recommended intake, and you would like to give your gut health a boost, consider taking a supplement like ClearFiber. This fiber supplement dissolves clearly with no grit or thickening. It mixes easily into most foods and beverages without adding any taste. If you are trying to get more fiber in your diet, start slowly and build your way up to the recommended intake over a few weeks to avoid gassiness and bloating.

    Photo from here, with thanks.

    • Category_Health Concerns, COVID 19, fiber, gut health
    ← Older Post Newer Post →

    Categories

    • Body Care & Beauty
    • Diet
    • Exercise
    • Green Living
    • Health Concerns
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Lab Testing
    • Nutritional Supplements
    • Pharmacy & Compounding
    • Stress Management & Lifestyle
    • Village Green News

    Humanized Health - NEW!

    Learn about personalized health from top experts! Check out our fascinating new shows every week, available as videos, podcasts and transcripts.:

    • How to Never Die of Heart Disease
    • Strategies to Improve Your Brain Health

    Our Bloggers

    • Paula Gallagher
      Paula Gallagher
      Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
      read more..
    • Margo Gladding
      Margo Gladding
      Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
      read more..
    • Dr. Neal Barnard
      Dr. Neal Barnard
      Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
      read more..
    • Joseph Pizzorno
      Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
      Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
      read more..
    • Debi Silber
      Debi Silber
      Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
      read more..
    • Teri Cochrane
      Teri Cochrane
      Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
      read more..
    • Dr. Rav Ivker
      Dr. Rav Ivker
      Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
      read more..
    • Susan Levin
      Susan Levin
      Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
      read more..
    • Rob Brown
      Dr. Rob Brown
      Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
      read more..

    Other Contributors

    Caroline Blazovsky
    Heather Gunn
    Jared Rice
    Ellen Kittredge
    Naz Amini
    Carmen Ugas
    Steve Stillwater
    Farzin Farid
    Joe Ailts
    Scott O’Dell
    James Brodsky, MD
    Christine M. Gonzales
    Beth Ritchie
    Jim Fox

    Invalid password
    Enter
    Stay Informed
    Join our mailing list for the latest news & exclusive discounts + FREE shipping on your first order.
    Learning Resources
    • Consultations
    • Green Initiatives
    • Pharmacy/Compounding
    • Humanized Health
    • Village Green Blog
    Customer Care
    • Help Center
    • Return Policy
    • Best Price Guarantee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Leave a Review
    General Information
    • Curbside Pick-Up
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Job Opportunities
    stay connected

    Village Green Apothecary
    5415 W Cedar Ln
    Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
    (301) 530-0800
    Toll Free: (800) 869-9159

    © 2021 Village Green Apothecary - All Rights Reserved. The information provided on this site is not intended to be a substitute for advice or treatment from a qualified physician, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Consult your physician prior to starting any new health program or if you any questions regarding a medical condition.
    Loading...
    Error
     

    is added to your shopping cart.

    is added to your wish list.

    Close
    Liquid error (message-modal line 32): Could not find asset snippets/icon-close.liquid
    You have successfully subscribed!

     

    Limited-Time Offers, End in

    -
    +
    :
    Close
    Back to top