Probably Our Best Bet Against Covid 19

THE GI CONNECTION

It has been known for centuries that most infections start from the gastro interactive tract (GI Tract) or gut. Emerging test data in Covid infected patients is pointing more and more towards earliest unnoticed symptoms of the virus through an upset stomach.

According to WebMD article dated April 1, 2020 titled Mild COVID-19 Often Appears With Only Gastro Symptoms, a team of researchers from Wuhan, China, warns that Failure to recognize these patients [patients with diarrhea and other digestive symptoms] often may lead to unwitting spread of the disease amongst outpatients with mild illness, who remain undiagnosed and unaware of their potential to infect others.

According BMJ Medical Journal GUT, published May 7, 2020 titled COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal tract: more than meets the eye, A prerequisite of CoV infection is its entry into the host cells ... ACE2 as a viral receptor to enter host cells and ACE2 is an important regulator of intestinal inflammation ...  Therefore, both studies highlight the prevalence of GI symptoms in COVID-19 disease.

We all know that human health stems from the gut. High levels of stress affect the gut that can lead to many other complications. This is probably why most doctors had advised reduced stress levels and drinking plenty of fluids. In China, people started consuming herbal tea while In India and Pakistan, herbalists recommended increased intake of hot tea.

High prevalence of disease fighting bacteria in the gut can be found in the largest populated countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia and India where street food prepared in the most unhygienic of conditions is available to the masses. Over the years, these populations have developed enzymes in the gut to ward off dangerous infections. Each new episode of gastroenteritis comes greater immunity that is passed down generations.

Widespread use of spices such as turmeric, garlic and ginger prevents GI inflammation and provides natural barriers while the lack of access to doctors, heavy reliance on home remedies, negligible use of antibiotics, and plant-based diets in poor countries allowed good disease-fighting bacteria to remain in the gut for longer periods. On the contrary, heavy and frequent use of antibiotics, highly clean food preparation practices and large intake of meat products, exposed larger segments of populations in western countries to viruses and infections.

GUT REMEDIES

On June 19, 2020, Madagascar president Rajoelina announced the launch of  CVO+, a curative and preventive capsule against Covid-19 made from artemisia. Artemisia is a powerful plant extract that prevents spread of infections by inhibiting ACE2 receptors in the gut.

Similarly, in India and Pakistan, senna makki is a popular herbal tea used as a laxative to relieve constipation. Senna makki also works on the lower intestine and helps to clean out the bowel.

GUT CLEANING REGIMEN

The gut is a complicated battleground of good and bad bacteria trying to dominate the body. Two core components of the gut include the small and large intestines. Good bacteria can be found predominantly in our small intestine while the large intestine holds waste ready to be extruded.

If we are able to increase the population of good bacteria in the small intestine while ensuring timely extrusion of waste from the large, we stand a better chance in building gut immunity in the fight against covid 19.

Yoghurt is an ideal source of lactobacillus, the good bacteria that is found in our small intestine that helps us breakdown and ferment food. Even better is the buttermilk that is teaming with L.bacillus. To increase gut health and help our body fight off infections, yoghurt and or buttermilk should be consumed in the evening after meals and should be the last intake before going to bed. This will increase the L.bacillus population in our gut helping to build immunity throughout the night. Furthermore, as we rest, it allows our body to concentrate more on the stomach.

After waking up in the morning and having a normal breakfast, ispaghol or a strong tea should be taken to increase bowel movement and induce extrusion. Emptying the large intestine in this sequence would allow any bad bacteria / infection to travel from the small intestine to the large intestine in the gut and exit the body at the very start of the day. For those with irritable bowels, oral rehydration salts (ORS) should be added to the diet as a regular item. ORS contains potassium and electrolytes so in case any such critical salts have been lost during gut cleaning regimen, they can be quickly replenished.

To further improve gut cleaning, avoid use of hormone-induced meats such as poultry or beef that can create imbalances and increase intake of all types of vegetables (fresh or cooked) and all plant-based foods including bread, nuts, legumes etc. Plant based foods help the body to maintain optimum levels of vitamins, minerals and are natural antioxidants. The only vitamin we get from meat is B12 so take B12 supplements to meet this deficiency while avoiding meats altogether.

Maintaining gut health is an important preventative measure against coronavirus that we may all have overlooked so far. As we learn more from research, the gut may be the first and last entry of the virus in our bodies!