Your Gut Health Matters, Especially During Covid 19

We hear that having a strong immune system will help during this period of time. Our immune system actually is built from a strong gut.  We don’t hear nearly as much about building our gut. According to Hippocrates ( aka, The Father of Medicine) all disease begins in the gut.  This is because the gut can affect any other system in our body, including the brain.  There is a strong connection between your gut and your brain.

The best thing you can do to boost your immune system is to regularly consume copious amounts of produce. Fruits and vegetables contain hundreds of phytochemicals that are extremely beneficial in disease prevention.  The most important vegetables to eat are dark leafy greens. These include: kale, collards, mustard greens, dandelion, bok choy, spinach and more. Also include vegetables with as many colors as possible.  These include: red, green, yellow peppers, sweet potatoes, winter squash, radishes, beets and more.  Include fruit, bearing in mind that all berries offer the most anti-oxidants.  Other fruit include: apples (green, red, yellow), pears, kiwi, cherries, melons, citrus fruit and more.

To build your immune system, eat foods rich in zinc.  These include: meat, shellfish, legumes, beans, seeds, cashews, avocado and more. Also eat mushrooms, shiitake & maitake are the best for your immune system, but so are white (button) mushrooms. Drink broth, homemade is best. Some supplements to incorporate during this time especially are: Vitamin D, A Good  Multi -Vitamin, Vitamin C, Zinc, Elderberry, and an Immune Boosting Supplement (as needed).

Having a healthy gut leads to better overall health – which in turns strengthens the heart and brain, better digestion, memory, mood, and mental health.  If you suffer from IBS, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, any abdominal pain, fatigue, skin conditions, allergies, food cravings, etc. then you are probably suffering from some kind of digestive issue.  It is important to get help in this area, so you can not only heal your gut, but your entire body including your immune system.