The Anti-Viral Gut

Book excerpt: A practical plan for strengthening the incredible antiviral defenses located in your gut and resolving symptoms—from a renowned gastroenterologist and the author of Gutbliss. Multiple studies have now confirmed a dramatic link between the health of our microbiome—the trillions of bacteria that live in our digestive tract—and our likelihood of getting devastating viral illnesses like COVID-19. Low-fiber diets, limited exposure to nature, and overzealous use of pharmaceuticals have messed up our microbiome, making many of us more susceptible to viruses than we naturally should be. But the good news is that unlike our genes, our microbiome is constantly evolving, offering a pathway back to health for those who are suffering, and proven protection for those who want to stay well. In The Anti-Viral Gut, Dr. Robynne Chutkan explains this groundbreaking research and offers a prescriptive plan for anyone trying to avoid or recover from a viral illness to rehab their gut microbes and restore their health. In this powerful road map to strengthening the gut-immune system, Chutkan gives practical advice for balancing both your internal and external environment by optimizing diet, exercise, sleep, and time outdoors to boost your host defenses and overall health. The Anti-Viral Gut includes: a step-by-step nutrition plan, including recipes to improve your good gut bacteria and an explanation of which foods and preparation methods bring you the fastest results protocols for replacing immune-suppressive, microbiome-disruptive medications with safer alternatives guidelines for exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress reduction methods for working mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation into your daily routine advice on maximizing the potent antiviral effects of nature Complete with inspiring stories from Dr. Chutkan’s own patients who have battled COVID-19, The Anti-Viral Gut will empower readers to jump-start their journey toward healing.