What an exciting and strange time that we live where the fear of getting infected from the coronavirus causing more health damage than the virus itself.
Most of the medical and scientific community will agree with the famous French biologist, chemist and microbiologist Luis pastor who said on his deathbed that
The microbe (including viruses) is nothing. The terrain is everything.
That means it is all about how healthy the immune system of the person is where the microbe lands! I will add and explain why the gut is a crucial part of the immune system and what you can do to support it.
Did you know that up to 80% of the body’s immune cells are residing in the gut? There also live nearly 100 trillion gut microorganisms, also known as the microbiome and can weigh as much as five pounds?
Did you know that over 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut? It affects our moods and health conditions such as depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and many more.
Did you also know that over 85% of health problems are derived from stress and anxiety, which are directly and indirectly linked to the gut? Actually, within one minute of getting stressed, the body produces cortisol, changing to adrenaline which stays in our system for 4–12 hours and dramatically affects our hormones. This results amongst many things to weight gain, moods, reduced oxygenation and most importantly weakens of our immune system.
Hippocrates thousands of years ago said you are what you eat.
However, you are a combination of what the food you eat, ate before you, and what you can absorb. It is another topic altogether to analyse here, but it is good to be aware of it! As you can see, the gut plays a role of paramount importance on the way we feel and, on the way the immune system behaves? I could continue with many more examples but best to share with you some things that you can do to support and strengthen your immune system!
The things that affect most of your gut is the stress that I mentioned before the breathing, which I will say further down as well as medicines. Additionally, the food toxins and pesticides as well as the way we mix the drinks and foods that we eat play a role too. More specifically, you can follow the free steps below that require no supplements to help your gut health and consequently, your immune system.
Reduce or avoid wherever possible, taking unnecessary antibiotics, acid-reducing drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain killers. All of them create significant damage to the gut lining.
Eat organic wherever possible to avoid the pesticides on the food and especially the glyphosates, which is sprayed and used on non-organic food. If you can not buy organic fruits and vegetables, at least wash them very well with hot water and non-chemical liquid soap. You may also want to peel the skin of non-organic fruits and vegetables.
Drink filtered water even if it is a simple system such as a Brita jug as the chlorine in the water and other pollutants and pathogens have an impact on our gut lining. There are many more advanced filtering systems, but this is better than nothing start. Avoid mixing water and drinks with the food. Drink at least 15mins before eating and at least one hour, ideally two hours after your meal. Ensure that that you chew your food extremely well and as the saying goes “drink your food and eat your drink”. It makes digestion easier, saving more energy for your immune system. Eat more whole foods and avoid processed foods like wheat, sugary foods and dairy as they are very inflammatory! Also, avoid mixing too many different proteins and/or carbs in the same meal.
Furthermore, reduce animal protein consumption, especially when you are feeling weak and sick as they lessen the oxygenation in your body and consequently weaken your immunity.
Aim to leave at least five hours gap between meals but if you get hungry have a tea or drink or fruit or tomato, carrot, cucumber etc. which are much easier to digest.
Furthermore, I would like to give you two top breathing tips which indirectly linked to the gut. By reducing the oxygenation in your body, the PH will get acidic. It will result in gut microbiome change related to the health issues that I have mentioned earlier, including your immune system.
First of all, always breathe from your nose and keep paying close attention to your breathing. The moment you remove your attention from the nasal breathing, it will return to its default state, which for many people is breathing from the mouth.
Secondly and most importantly, when we sleep the night, we should rest on our left-hand side. If we want to sleep on our back, we should add pillows and be in a semi-reclining position.
Continuing on the same topic, it is also of paramount importance while you sleep to breathe only from your nose to avoid hyperventilation. Although it is a different subject altogether, I will strongly advise you to tape your mouth with hypoallergenic micropore tape, which you can buy online or at the pharmacy for about £3. It is entirely safe to use it, and if during your sleep you need to open your mouth the tape will come off. The result you are looking for is the tape to be still on your mouth in the morning when you wake up?
Finally, I would like to leave you with a quote from Plato which says “the part can never be well unless the whole is well”.
Therefore, when you are seeking a solution to your health problems, always look for a synergy of “good” healthy habits while removing or at least reducing the “bad” habits!
I wish you health and vitality!
Kostas Kapelas Msc had a successful career in hospitality for 15 years and worked for companies such as Claridge’s, Rolls Royce and Warner Brothers. He left the industry after a serious health burnout and decided to follow his passion for holistic health which led him to acquire over 30 qualifications. For the past 10 years, Kostas has been running Total Health Now© a Central London clinic that specialises in gut health, detox and weight/fat management! His clinic has helped over 2000 clients to improve their health since 2012.
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