There have been many discussions and information/misinformation around the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), mostly because it is a new virus and not much is known about it. Every day new information is shared by the scientific community as to how the virus spreads and infects its host. However, one issue that remains indefinite is why some people show stronger symptoms than others. Sure, age and underlying health conditions such as heart conditions and obesity have been linked to a higher chance of complications, but why is that?

As we previously discussed in one of our articles, gut bacteria can affect your mood, mental health. As it turns out, gut bacteria can do a little more than that. Not only can gut bacteria regulate your state of mind by regulating neurotransmitters that send messages and signals to your brain, but they can also affect your immune system and how your body fights against Covid-19.

A recent study suggests that healthy gut bacteria “could play a role in modulating host immune response and potentially influence disease severity and outcomes.” Moreover, in another review published in mBio, Dr. Heenam Stanley Kim proposed that gut dysfunction may exacerbate the severity of infection by enabling the virus to access the surface of the digestive tract and internal organs. These organs are vulnerable to infection because, on their surface, they have a protein that SARS-CoV-2 targets. This is more evident since the elderly and those with some chronic health conditions have a well-known association with altered gut microbiota, and they also show more severe symptoms.

A vast majority of the hospitalized patients due to Covid-19 had diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, in addition to their breathing problems. This suggests that when the virus enters the GI tract, it increases the severity of the disease. The inflammation caused by an overly responsive immune system could increase the severity of the symptoms and every cause multi-organ failure.

The disease has also been linked to a weakening of beneficial bacterial species and the development of toxic ones. The unfortunate truth is that in the post-pandemic world, a great many would have to figure out a solution for the chronic diseases and other problems associated with poor gut health.  

The Good news is that by maintaining a healthy gut, you can minimize the severity of the symptoms associated with Covid-19 and further boost your immune system to fight against the infection. There are many ways of promoting a healthy gut which we will discuss in further detail in our recipes and blogs.