Numerous studies have shown a connection between poor gut health and severe covid-19. Research done in clinical trials has shown that probiotics can ease symptoms of covid.

Recently researchers have found a gut-lung connection. After looking at more than 1,000 patients infected with coronavirus, those with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms had worse outcomes than patients without GI symptoms. This was done by Rush University medical center in Chicago.

Out of all the patients evaluated, 22.4% reported one GI symptom, most commonly nausea and vomiting. Another study with patients admitted to Standford health care found that 31.9% of patients had GI symptoms when they were admitted.

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The links between poor gut microbiota and chronic diseases were made long before COVID-19. One of the underlying factors affecting the diversity of your gut microbiome is a Western diet that is characterized by a high intake of processed foods and sugar and a low intake of fruits and vegetables.

A Healthy Gut to Help Combat COVID

Health starts in the gut. To learn more about gut health and how to heal the gut, check out this article.

A new study published in Communications Biology has shown how mice with different gut microbiomes gain weight when eating processed food. Researchers examined how fungi in the gut microbiome changed the host’s metabolic reaction to refined and processed foods. The study used genetically identical mice with different fungal microbiomes. Researchers then fed mice regular mouse food, or processed food similar to that of an average American diet for six weeks.

The research showed that eating processed foods made most mice gain weight, but how much, and how their metabolism changed depended on the microbiome of the mice.

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We found that mice whose gut microbiomes contained more of the fungi Thermomyces – which manufacturers use to break down fat in commercial processes – and less Saccharomyces – yeasts used in baking and brewing – gained about 15% more weight than the mice with different microbiomes. We found similar but smaller differences in mice on a normal diet.

Fungal microbiome: Whether mice get fatter or thinner depends on the fungi that live in their gut

Similar findings have been found true for humans as well. Research has shown that the average American has to work out more and eat less to maintain the same weight as 20-30 years ago.

A new report by the World Wildfire Fund, as well as Mexico’s government shows that the Monarch butterfly population is plummeting. The current population has decreased 26% in December compared to the population in December of 2019.

Previously Monarchs occupied nearly seven acres in their hibernation forests but as of their last migration in 2020, they occupied around five acres.

The decline is likely related to the decreasing forest area in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, where the majority of hibernation colonies are recorded. Friday’s report found that in the year leading up to the most recent migration, the forest lost four times more trees than it did the year prior. 

Number of monarch butterflies hibernating in Mexico plunged 26% last year — and climate change and forest degradation are to blame

In the United States, the Monarch butterfly is close to endangered status. The decline in population is caused by numerous things, including logging and climate change. Monarch butterflies are important pollinators in our ecosystem.

As always the health of our environment and our own person health are intertwined. Pesticides and herbicides that are known to have a negative effects on human health also have a negative effect on the monarch butterfly population.

The governor of Texas has announced that “It is time to open Texas 100%” Many states have begun lifting restrictions put in place to protect against the Coronavirus.

Texas is doing away with its mask mandate and allowing businesses to open at full capacity. Texas is the biggest state thus far to lift restrictions. Mississippi has also removed its mask mandate and is allowing all businesses to operate at full capacity.

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I just announced Texas is OPEN 100%. EVERYTHING. I also ended the statewide mask mandate.

-Greg Abbott via Twitter

Numerous states have lifted restrictions in some form, including Michigan, New York, Illinois, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.

This news is coming as President Biden, and health officials warn not to ease up on restrictions for fear of another surge in cases. President Biden has said that he expects to have enough vaccines for every adult by May.

New research from Harvard University shows that air pollution was the cause of more than eight million deaths world wide in 2018. The data was published in the journal Environmental Research and shows that exposure to particulate matter from fossil fuels made up 18% of global deaths.

Areas with the highest concentration of fossil fuel pollution have the highest mortality rates, which are North America, Europe, and South-East Asia.

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“Our study adds to the mounting evidence that air pollution from ongoing dependence on fossil fuels is detrimental to global health. We can’t in good conscience continue to rely on fossil fuels, when we know that there are such severe effects on health and viable, cleaner alternatives.”

Prior to this study, the most comprehensive study on deaths from air pollution put deaths from air pollution at four million. Previous studies analyzed data based on satellite information, which can often miss information.

New data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has shown that 90% of those tested from 2016 to 2017 had plasticizers in their urine. Plasticizers are chemicals used to change the elasticity of plastic in the manufacturing process.

Plastic is in virtually every corner of our world today from the food we eat and the water we drink, our cups and plates, our clothes, and a million other things we use every day.

The study analyzed urine samples from 44 men and 100 women in Norway. Scientists measured three different groups of chemicals, plasticizers, bisphenol, and parabens.

Eight different plasticizers were found in 90% of those tested. Around 50% of people had parabens in their urine, more commonly men than women. Parabens are commonly found in cosmetics and skincare products, likely why they are more common amongst women than men.

Related: How to Detox From Plastics and Other Endocrine Disruptors

Dr. Mercola’s article on this subject covers many different areas where plastics may be present, in everything from your food to your baby’s bottles.

Health issues associated with plastic ingestion are related to their powerful hormone disruption capacity and include feminization of males, miscarriage, infertility and low levels of vitamin D

Eight Different Plasticizers Found in 90% of People

To avoid plastic toxicity or detox from plastics we recommend that you avoid plastic as much as you can. Try to use all-natural fibers, glass bottles, reusable bags, and eat fresh whole foods while drinking cranberry lemonade.

Related: How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children

Hundreds of species of fish are ingesting microplastics. Data gathered from multiple studies has shown that a total of 386 marine fish species have ingested microplastics, with 210 species that are commercially important.

With time, microplastics can end up in the muscle tissue of the fish, which is consumed by humans. Other marine life that consume fish were more likely to ingest microplastics as well.

In the last decade alone, the proportion of fish consuming plastic has doubled across all species. Studies published from 2010-2013 found that an average of 15% of the fish sampled contained plastic; in studies published from 2017-2019, that share rose to 33%.

Hundreds of fish species, including many that humans eat, are consuming plastic

The first report of plastics being ingested by wildlife came in 1969 when they found plastic in the stomach of a sea bird. Today, the number of microplastics that we find in wildlife continues to increase. This is likely due to improvement in technology that detects microplastics, and of course an increase in microplastics in the environment.

Related: How to Detox From Plastics and Other Endocrine Disruptors