A new study published in Frontiers in Microbiology has found that the gut microbiota plays an important role in lung health. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that people with chronic lung disease have a different gut microbiota than healthy people.
The researchers found that people with chronic lung disease had lower levels of bacteria that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is important for gut health. Butyrate also helps protect the lungs from damage.
The researchers believe that changes in the gut microbiota may contribute to the development of chronic lung disease. They plan to conduct further studies to investigate this connection.
The findings of this study suggest that gut health may be an important factor in lung health. People with chronic lung disease may benefit from eating a healthy diet and taking probiotics and postbiotics such as butyrate.
Here are some tips for improving gut health:
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Avoid processed foods, added sugars and saturated fats.
- Take probiotics and postbiotics, available in the form of supplements or fermented foods such as yoghurt and kimchi or through an adequate intake of plant fibre to promote butyrate synthesis.
- Exercise regularly.
- Manage stress.
Adopting these habits can help improve your gut health and lung health.
