How a healthy gut can reduce the severity of Covid and the flu
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
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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68.3% Yes
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29.2% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
What are your supermarket pet peeves?
Fruit fondlers, meat misplacers and that guy who took a leak in aisle nine.
Supermarkets can be interesting places, filled with interesting characters. They are strange, sometimes seamy and even occasionally hostile environments where people behave in a unique manner.
What are your supermarket pet peeves? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Have you ever seen a big turnaround in a town or suburb near you?
Piopio could be Waitomo’s best kept secret.
For people wanting a good lifestyle, district mayor John Robertson says they should look to small regional towns where there’s room to grow.
Have you ever seen a big turnaround in a town or suburb? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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