1221 days ago

How a healthy gut can reduce the severity of Covid and the flu

Naturally Healthy

A study of Croatian children attending daycare saw half of them given probiotics and the other half a placebo - after three months those taking probiotics had a lower risk of respiratory tract infections and experienced less time unwell when infected.

Swedish researchers also conducted a study on 272 adults and found that the group using probiotics experienced the milder cold and flu symptoms and less time infected with a virus.

It also found cases of the cold and flu among participants those who had taken probiotics averaged 6.2 days compared to the 8.2 days those taking a placebo experienced.

As consultant gastroenterologist and UNSW Professor of Medicine Emad El-Omar explains, the gut microbiome's primary role is to educate our immune system about our environment.

The lion's share of our immune system - around two-thirds of all immune cells – is concentrated in digestive system which is why UNSW’s Microbiome Research Centre is exploring how the gut microbiome’s make-up affects immune responses and changes with various disease progression.

Source: Dispensaries and NSW Health

picture - Supercharged Food

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.

Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔

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Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
  • 72.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
    72.9% Complete
  • 16.1% Hmm, maybe?
    16.1% Complete
  • 11% Yes!
    11% Complete
708 votes
7 hours ago

Celebrate in Style: Craft Your Own Decor with Testpots

The Team from Resene ColorShop Cambridge

Create handcrafted celebrations using Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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13 hours ago

The city's new mayor is setting out his plan

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Hamilton City Council is pledging to cut costs and avoid “gold plating” infrastructure as part of a new strategy to limit rates increases, but Mayor Tim Macindoe says central government support may be needed to meet a new national rates cap.

Macindoe said Wellington needed to be “a little more nuanced” and take population growth into account.

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