5 Gastroenterologist Tips to Protect the GI Tract from COVID-19

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The new type of coronavirus uses not only the respiratory system, but also the gastrointestinal tract as a "gateway" to the body. All gastroenterologists of the world have been buzzing about this for the last month. Research shows that COVID-19 damages the lining of the digestive tract. Sometimes this damage becomes irreversible. We asked a gastroenterologist, Doctor of Medicine, Professor Yevgeny Sas, for five tips on how to protect your digestive system from the virus.

Evgeniy Sas, gastroenterologist, hepatologist, doctor of medical sciences

Coronavirus uses the gastrointestinal tract

Now even a baby knows that COVID-19 needs ACE2 receptors to enter the human body. They are found in the respiratory tract, as well as in the stomach and intestines. Actually, this is why you can get infected not only by standing next to a coughing person. You can shake the hand with the patient, and then touch the mouth with the same hand.

Thus, the infection will enter the digestive tract, and then everything will depend on your immunity. After all, not everyone who comes into contact with an infected person gets sick himself. But now it is better, of course, not to test the immune system for strength. It is imperative to observe basic hygiene standards: wash your hands for a long time and thoroughly with soap, use antiseptics and touch visible mucous membranes as little as possible - these are the nose, eyes, and mouth.

Patients with gastrointestinal diseases have a higher risk of death

Scientists have already found that in some patients, the coronavirus not only causes digestive symptoms, but also damages the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, these changes are irreversible. Observations also show that in such patients the recovery process is delayed and the risk of death is much higher than in people with typical respiratory manifestations.

What is the reason for this? A combination of factors is at work. Firstly, the infection attacks on two fronts at once: the body has to be torn apart - forces for resistance are needed both in the respiratory system and in the gastrointestinal tract.

Second, recent studies have shown that COVID-19 increases intestinal permeability. You've probably heard about such a phenomenon as "leaky gut". This is the increased permeability of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Because of it, a large number of pathogenic bacteria and toxins begin to enter the blood through the intestines, which, no doubt, weakens the body.

Thirdly, let me remind you that up to 90% of immune cells are concentrated in the intestines. There they train - they learn to protect the body from harmful bacteria that come with food. By attacking the intestines, COVID-19 deals a serious blow to the entire human immune system.

It is not difficult to conclude that people with existing chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract need to be especially careful and take care of their digestive system these days like the apple of their eye.

How to protect your gastrointestinal tract from COVID-19

Keeping chronic gastrointestinal diseases under control

If you have a chronic gastrointestinal disease, try to stay in remission for the entire epidemic. Talk to your gastroenterologist about anti-relapse therapy.

In case you must maintain systemic treatment, in no case do not abandon it without the agreement of your doctor. You will also need drugs based on the active ingredient rebamipide. It increases the production and quality of mucus and restores the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Actually, it prevents and eliminates the very increased permeability caused by COVID-19.

In addition, mucus is a protective barrier that prevents viruses from entering and penetrating mucosal cells. Recent studies have shown that this substance restores the protective barrier of the mucous membranes not only in the gastrointestinal tract, but also in the respiratory tract.

Agree that during the Covid-19 epidemic, it is especially important to restore the quantitative and qualitative composition of mucus to protect against the penetration of viruses into the body.

Normalize nutrition

Deficiency of dietary fiber, excess of carbohydrates and fats in the diet negatively affect the composition of the intestinal microflora. And saprophytic (good) bacteria, which are part of the microbiota, produce many beneficial substances and help the immune system. In addition, they are contained in mucus and thus prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the body.

In order not to disrupt the normal composition of the microflora, eat properly during the epidemic. Include in the diet more fiber, unrefined vegetable oils (olive, camelina, flaxseed, etc.), reduce the amount of animal fat and carbohydrates (especially refined sugar).

Support microflora with pro- and prebiotics

Prebiotics are food for our good bacteria. They stimulate the growth of saprophytic flora. There are water-soluble and water-insoluble prebiotics. The former can be safely used for most diseases (for example, mukofalk, nutrifiber) - they will serve as good food for intestinal bacteria.

The second - insoluble - are needed to form feces and improve peristalsis (bowel contractions). But, be careful, they can cause bloating and exacerbation of some pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract - ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases. There are combinations of prebiotics (eubicor).

Probiotics are actually the good bacteria themselves. They can also be used, just remember: they do not take root in humans, but only create conditions for the growth of good flora. The course should be long: only two weeks later, positive changes begin to occur in the human intestine.

Do not take medication unnecessarily

For some reason, people all over the world, not only in Russia, have a very negligent attitude towards the use of antibiotics, antipyretic and analgesic drugs. They are used as if it were a matter of course - how to brush your teeth.

Meanwhile, all these drugs contribute to the development of intestinal dysbiosis and increase the permeability of the mucous membrane. Therefore, their use requires supervision by a physician. During an epidemic, it is better not to indulge in such drugs.

Physical activity

In conditions of self-isolation, of course, it is not easy to maintain high physical activity. But a person, as you know, can do anything if he really wants to. Research shows that skeletal muscle has hormonal potential that has a beneficial effect on the immune system and metabolism. This provides normal nutrition to the mucous membranes in our body, and therefore additional protection.