In The Anti-Viral Gut: Tackling Pathogens From the Inside Out, Dr. Robynne Chutkan, founder of the Digestive Center for Wellness, faculty member at Georgetown University Hospital, and bestselling author, demonstrates how vital a healthy microbiome is in keeping us protected against viral infections and supporting a healthy immune system. Combining groundbreaking research with patient stories, Dr. Chutkan gives a fresh perspective on what we can do to empower and protect ourselves against illness.

As viruses become more common, exposure to them is inevitable but illness is not. Science has proven that the majority of your immune system is located in your gut - microbes responsible for keeping a healthy gut also directly affect your immune system. These microbes:

She also goes into detail about how the immune system reacts to viruses and how we can keep it healthy - from what to eat for a healthy immune system (artichokes, leeks, bananas, etc) to tips for sleep, mindfulness, the importance of nature  - and a full anti-viral gut plan with tips and recipes. The human body plays host to a vast system of a trillion bacteria that comprise the microbiome, many in our digestive tract.

With 70% of our immune system located in our gut, keeping these organisms happy and healthy does more than just make us feel good - a healthy microbiome means a healthy body, and a healthy immune system. Western culture focuses so heavily on medicating and sterilizing that we kill off our gut bacteria, and the fewer we have, the fewer barriers we have against future viruses.