How To Support Your Immune System During a Pandemic

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Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic

Clinical Pharmacist & Probiotic Expert

Trillions of microorganisms live in and on our bodies. They generally exist in a balanced, symbiotic ecosystem collectively known as our microbiota. Among other functions, the microbiota supports our immune system.

“Sometimes our microbiota can become unbalanced, causing us to be less resistant to pathogens and more likely to become unwell,” says clinical pharmacist and probiotic expert Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic. “These imbalances can be caused by infections, antibiotics, deficiencies in the immune system, inflammation in the gut, poor diet, and even physical and emotional stress.”

Getting enough sleep, drinking enough water throughout the day, eating properly, and avoiding excesses, such as alcohol or cigarettes, are just a few of the steps you can take to ensure that your immune system is functioning at its best. You may also want to consider adding supplements that aid in digestive system function to help support your immune health.

Balancing intestinal flora with probiotics

When bad bacteria try to attack the immune system, defence mechanisms are put in place by the immune cells and the intestinal flora to prevent these bacteria from entering the bloodstream. The intestinal flora, or gut microbiota, form a protective lining that prevents bad bacteria from colonizing and multiplying in the gut. A balance of intestinal flora also creates an environment that’s conducive to the further development of good bacteria.

Probiotics, which are living microorganisms that are good for you, mimic the action of the intestinal flora that resides in the digestive tract, supporting digestive health and promoting a healthy immune system. “More clinical trials for upper respiratory tract illness have been conducted using probiotics than with many other over-the-counter interventions,” says Skokovic-Sunjic. “We now know that specific probiotic strains can reduce the risk or shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract infections, reduce antibiotic use, and decrease work and school absences.”

While it’s too early for new research to affirm — or refute — the use of probiotics to prevent or treat COVID-19, some experts in the field believe that probiotics could potentially be an important element.

Taking action to protect yourself

While probiotics may offer hope on the horizon, it’s critical to note that not all probiotic strains are the same. “Selecting the proper probiotic is something that has become essential with the growing popularity of probiotics,” says Skokovic-Sunjic. “It’s imperative that consumers look for probiotic products with specific strains that are supported by evidence.