Fighting Covid Takes Real Guts

A happy tum could help tackle Covid-19, scientists have claimed.

- Punteha van Terheyden

They believe the gut could be a key line of defence, with many championing probiotics, as they stimulate “good” gut bacteria.

But naturopath Louise Westra warned there is no one-size-fits-all solution – and there are better ways to keep your insides healthy.

Louise said: “Around 70 to 80 per cent of our immune system is in our gut, so maintaining good gut health is fundamental to immunity but we can’t say probiotics will reduce the risk of Covid-19.

“In my work, I use probiotics to help people with bowel diseases like Crohn’s or IBS because there is evidence good gut bacteria helps.

“But first, I always profile a patient’s microbiome – their natural gut flora – then give a custom regime of probiotics.”

While taking probiotics won’t do you any harm, without a gut profile – which can cost around £300 – they are “unlikely to be beneficial”.