Gut Revolution: Interview With Dr. Christine Bishara On Gut Health, Best Diet To Feed Beneficial Bacteria, Immune Health

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Staten Islander News Organization interviewed Dr. Christine Bishara about her new book, The Gut Revolution. The importance of the information in her book cannot be overstated, particularly as she was involved in one of the first studies that linked gut microbiome with severity of illness from Covid-19. In particular, bifidobacterium and its presence or absence in the gut can be used as a predictor of how severely a person will become ill when exposed to Covid-19.

 

One of the more striking aspects of her original study was that children generally do not get sick from Covid, and they also don’t act as disease spreaders. If they are exposed, they tend to recover quickly. This was one of the things that spurred them to study this effect: what did children have that adults do not. As it turns out, children tend to have a healthier microbiome. They have more bifidobacterium in their gut, along with other microorganisms that are helpful to the human body. Whereas in adults, particularly those who are elderly and obese, the balance of their gut flora tends to lean more towards the harmful bacteria in overgrowth. This makes them more susceptible to all illnesses, not just Covid, but it was very striking when it came to the coronavirus itself.

As recent discoveries have shown, much of the body’s serotonin, which is the feel good hormone, is produced in the gut. If your gut does not have sufficient numbers of healthy bacteria, then you will be unable to produce enough serotonin. Since serotonin can reduce stress and inflammation, this is important to consider. There are several inflammatory markers that researchers can look at to determine how stressed a person is without asking them, which acts as an objective measurement rather than subjective. When people have too little of the beneficial gut bacteria, they tend to have greater amounts of inflammation throughout the body. When one has too much inflammation, they become more susceptible to falling ill when exposed to a disease pathogen.

Dr. Bishara’s book was titled the Gut Revolution because she wanted to convey how revolutionary the concept is that you can change your body, including your weight and mental state, just by changing your diet. She designed the book as both a guide for the ordinary person who wants to learn more about this topic of gut health and how to achieve better health for themselves, as well as for physicians looking for a guide to the available research.

One of the most important concepts to grasp is that you need to feed the good bacteria that naturally live in your gut. When you feed them, they are able to multiply and overtake the bad bacteria that also live in your gut, bringing you into a healthy balance. It is crucial that the balance of gut flora in your stomach and intestines leans toward the beneficial rather than the pathogenic types of bacteria. This will keep your immune system strong, and it can help to keep you from getting sick.

Much of this research is just beginning to catch on. As she mentions, it has previously been seen as a type of pseudoscience, and has been scoffed at by physicians. However, it is beginning to come to light just how important gut health is to the overall health of an individual, and doctors who care about their patients are exploring it as an avenue for treatment. Gut health is a microcosm of the macrocosm of the individual, and it has thus far been a predictor of susceptibility to disease.

For those just starting out on this journey, as well as doctors seeking to help their patients, this book will serve as an invaluable guide. It talks about the types of foods that you want to add to your diet, in particular foods high in fiber. Fiber is important because, while we cannot digest it, this is what feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

We also talked about foods to avoid, including canola oil, which many people believe is healthy. According to research and to Dr. Bishara, this is a result of excellent marketing. Canola oil is harmful to the body in multiple ways, including in its ability to increase inflammation. It is best avoided for those who want to achieve a healthy balance of gut flora. In addition, the herbicide glyphosate is also harmful to the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Studies have shown that it can kill the good bacteria in the gut, simply from the residues left on non-organic vegetables that are heavily sprayed. These would include apples, pears, strawberries, and other fruits and veggies on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen highest pesticide containing foods. They also have a top ten with the least pesticide residue for reference.

Banner Image: Dr. Bishara Video Cover. Image Credit – Staten Islander News


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This byline indicates that this article was penned by a member/members of the Staten Islander News Organization office team. Our staff writers are the backbone of our newspaper, performing all sorts of important tasks like conducting interviews, investigating leads, besides writing the news stories you see.

One Comment

  • Avatar Sent it Later says:

    Amazing content.

    This is what I need. Decades of Crohn’s.

    With the DNA-based Ashkenazim I read it’s common.

    But there is an answer?

    Dr. Bishara had the answers to my prayers.

    I appreciate the the Staten Islander and DR. Bishara were there at this time to help me with guidance.

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