The symptoms of colds and flu are very similar to those of the novel coronavirus; however, gastrointestinal symptoms are also common among some COVID-19 patients.
Is it feasible that individuals with bowel diseases are more susceptible to severe symptoms of COVID-19? A new study answers this question affirmatively, potentially linking the genes shared by the intestines and other body organs. Many health experts have noted that numerous COVID-19 patients have experienced nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, confirming that the coronavirus does not only affect the lungs but can also target other organs in the body. Multiple studies have shown that the digestive system and other internal organs are filled with ACE-2 protein receptors, which the virus uses as a gateway to infect human cells and begin spreading throughout the body.
Dr. Hinam Stanley Kim from a South Korean university recently sought to explore this connection by examining existing research linking COVID-19 infection (specifically related to the digestive system) and gut health. She found ample evidence suggesting that poor gut health exacerbates the symptoms of COVID-19. Does leaky gut facilitate the spread of the coronavirus in the body? Based on a comprehensive review of current research, Dr. Kim hypothesizes that imbalances in the gut microbiome lead to permeability in the digestive tract, which aids the coronavirus, as a weak gut barrier cannot prevent the pathogen from crossing into other internal organs. These organs are laden with ACE-2 receptors, making them highly susceptible to damage from virus infection.
Despite these findings, the link remains unclear, as some individuals infected with the coronavirus do not experience gastrointestinal symptoms. However, many cases with chronic diseases, including diabetes and obesity, have shown more severe symptomatic relations tied to an imbalance in gut microbiome and coronavirus infection. Previous studies indicated that individuals with severe COVID-19 symptoms lack beneficial bacteria that produce molecules keeping the digestive lining strong and leak-free. Dr. Kim asserts that researchers need to find empirical evidence that clearly demonstrates a link between the gut microbiome, poor gut health, and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. The coronavirus does not only target the lungs, and if experts find this connection, gastrointestinal-targeted treatments could benefit COVID-19 patients with more severe conditions.
She also noted that improving gut health through increased fiber intake could not only help prevent severe symptomatic exposure due to COVID-19 but may also prevent common chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions that will persist even after the pandemic ends.
