The Gut-Lung Hack: how to stay infection-free this autumn

As autumn and winter’s darker, colder months set in, you may be welcoming the slower pace after an action-filled summer. But with the change in season comes more than just chilly days and earlier sunsets – it also brings a higher risk of coughs, colds and other illnesses. It’s time to prepare not just for the weather, but for your health too!

Common winter illnesses can negatively impact your personal life, work life, cause secondary infections, and leave you feeling far from your usual, healthy self! Emergency admissions to the hospital for upper and lower respiratory disease, both acute and chronic, have increased recently,¹ highlighting the importance of prevention.

Symptoms of a chest infection include:²

Cough
Wheezing
Mucus
Chest pain or discomfort
Fever
Tiredness

What is gut dysbiosis and how can this affect the health of your lungs?

You may wonder how your gut is linked to your lungs. Well, let me explain…

Gut dysbiosis is a term used to describe an imbalance within the gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of living microbes. If this ecosystem becomes imbalanced, it can result in unwanted symptoms and has been linked to various health conditions. Several factors can affect the composition of your microbiome, including:³

Certain medications
Poor diet
Infections
Genetics

The gut microbiome doesn’t just affect your gut health; it’s also linked to various other organs and systems within the body, such as the lungs. Research shows disruptions to the gut microbiome is linked with increased lung inflammation.⁴ It’s also documented that a flu infection in the airways can cause gut dysbiosis,⁵ highlighting the two-way interaction of the gut-lung axis. A well-balanced gut microbiome can help strengthen the body’s resistance to airway infections.⁶ That’s why looking after your gut microbes is essential!

Let’s explore 3 gut-healthy habits you can implement to help prevent those nasty chest infections –

1. Avoid processed foods

Here at Chuckling Goat, we generally like to focus on adding foods in, rather than taking foods out, but the research is clear when it comes to processed foods. They can disturb the balance of the gut microbiome by decreasing diversity, lowering levels of certain beneficial bacteria, and increasing pro-inflammatory microbes.⁷ Reducing these foods will support a healthier and more balanced gut microbiome. Try to include as many whole foods as possible, including fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and high-quality animal products. This will naturally crowd out those processed foods!

Instead of reaching for a processed sweet treat, try this gut-healthy chocolate mousse – delicious, healthy and no nasties!

2. Exercise regularly

Get your body moving! Research shows moderate endurance exercise positively impacts gut microbiome diversity and overall composition,⁸ as well as preventing intestinal permeability.⁹ But the benefits don’t stop at the gut! Exercise has also been found to reduce inflammation, support the immune system,¹⁰ and reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections,¹¹ making exercise a no-brainer!

Find an exercise you enjoy and fits into your lifestyle. Whatever movement takes your fancy, do it – your health will thank you!

3. Focus on our Gut Health Protocol

Keeping your gut happy is vital when it comes to lung health. Our Gut Health Protocol has been expertly designed to improve the composition of the gut microbiome. It’s simple, yet incredibly effective! The protocol focuses on three key products that can be easily added to a daily smoothie. The three products are:

Kefir – our goat’s milk kefir is traditionally fermented with live kefir grains, making it a potent and powerful fermented food. Fermented foods are rich in live beneficial bacteria, helping to repopulate your gut microbiome so it can thrive! Our kefir contains a whopping 27 strains of beneficial bacteria, bursting with diversity!
Complete Prebiotic – our Complete Prebiotic is a natural powder containing 18 prebiotics. Prebiotics are crucial to a healthy microbiome; gut bacteria feed on these to support their growth and activity. It also supports the production of beneficial by-products called postbiotics. Postbiotics have been found to reduce inflammation,¹² and support the modulation of the immune system and gut microbiome.¹³
Pure Fish Collagen – did you know that the amount and quality of collagen decreases as you age? That’s why we recommend our Pure Fish Collagen to those of 30+! Collagen offers many health benefits, including skin and joint health. But when it comes to your gut, it’s specifically helpful in repairing the delicate gut lining.

Remember – small habits can result in big changes! Here at Chuckling Goat, we love simple and effective approaches to health. Say goodbye to complicated nutrition advice! Cutting back on processed foods, moving your body and nourishing your gut can transform your health and protect you from the dreaded winter lurgies!

Prone to coughs? This article is for you – Winter first aid for coughs

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.

The Gut-Lung Hack: how to stay infection-free this autumn

What is gut dysbiosis and how can this affect the health of your lungs?

1. Avoid processed foods

2. Exercise regularly

3. Focus on our Gut Health Protocol

References

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

More from The Gut Health Express

As Featured In