Although gut problems are often attributed to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle, they could also indicate damage from infections such as COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccinations.

The specialist in internal medicine Dr. Keith Berkowitz, who has already treated 200 patients after COVID vaccine complications, told The Epoch Times that he was diagnosing an increase in intestinal problems in long COVID patients and those with vaccine injuries.

Additionally, many people are unaware that symptoms such as persistent fatigue and difficulty concentrating may be caused by intestinal problems, says Dr. Yusuf Saleeby, also a specialist in internal medicine, told The Epoch Times.

Gut as an internal ecosystem

Impaired gut health is associated with a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, dementia, cancer, infections, autoimmune diseases and also reproductive disorders.

The well-being of the intestine is often closely linked to its microbiome, which is made up of around 100 trillion microbes in the large intestine.

A balanced microbiome is characterized by a diverse microbial population in which numerous beneficial bacteria can be found. These microorganisms produce vital substances that are important for metabolism, nutrition and immune defense. They also help to keep the mucous layer in the intestine intact and thus prevent infections from penetrating the intestinal cells.

Poor eating habits, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, alcohol and drug consumption, infections and chronic illnesses can affect the microbiome. They displace the beneficial bacteria and promote the growth of harmful bacteria.

Gut imbalance: The bridge between COVID-19 and other diseases

Various infections, including COVID-19, can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the gut and weaken the gut's protective layer. This leads to a condition called gut dysbiosis, where the balance of gut bacteria becomes out of whack.

There is also evidence that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine could reduce the diversity of these intestinal bacteria.

Dr. Sabine Hazan, a gastroenterologist and executive director of the genetic research laboratory ProgenaBiome, discovered that many patients who showed side effects after vaccination had a lack of bifidobacteria in their intestines a month later.

“We are currently observing a sustained loss of bifidobacteria in some patients, although not in large numbers,” explained Dr. Hazan. “However, if people experience symptoms after vaccination, they should be examined closely. You could currently be taking part in a clinical trial. We are developing specific markers to identify vaccine-injured patients and are looking for a microbiome pattern that is typical of vaccine injury.”

Dr. Hazan and her team are currently tracking 200 patients with vaccine injuries. In some cases, she found significant losses of bifidobacteria and other microbes, whereas there were also isolated cases in which bifidobacteria were increased, which is why the connections are still being researched.

She suspects that the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins produced in human cells after vaccination can kill bifidobacteria, just as the virus can infect and eliminate other beneficial bacteria.

Research has shown that a deficiency of bifidobacteria may be linked to conditions such as diabetes , cancer , Lyme disease and Crohn's disease . Just like with the COVID-19 virus, the lack of good bacteria such as bifidobacteria can lead to a disruption in intestinal balance, which is associated with intestinal problems and related diseases.

Previous research by Dr. Hazan showed a connection between the amount of bifidobacteria in the gut and the severity of COVID-19. Patients with higher levels of bifidobacteria tended to have mild or no symptoms, while those with a deficiency often became severely ill.

Treating COVID-19 damage could start in the gut

In order to restore the natural balance of intestinal bacteria, doctors have to consider many things. You need to make sure the right bacteria are growing, that they're in the right place in the gut, that they don't interfere with other bacteria, and that the gut can support them too, Dr. Hazan. It would be like trying to plant an apple tree in the sand if you wanted to restore bacteria to an already damaged gut.

According to Dr. Saleeby often begins supporting patients with COVID-19 damage in the intestines, as this allows the absorption of prescribed medications and nutritional supplements.

He referred as an example to low-dose naltrexone, which is often used in the treatment of long-term COVID and vaccine injuries.

“Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may provide relief for inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. As you heal the gut, LDN is better absorbed, which may require dosage adjustments,” he explained.

If the balance in the intestine is disturbed, bacteria can overgrow in the small intestine. This can make treatment more difficult. Some patients may even feel worse once therapy begins. According to Dr. According to Saleeby, this is because many treatments for vaccine side effects attempt to get rid of certain proteins (spike proteins) and better arm the body against harmful microorganisms. This can cause the immune system to overreact to the bacterial imbalance in the gut and kill many bacteria quickly, leading to an increase in dead bacteria in the body.

These dead pathogens are perceived by the body as a threat, triggering an acute inflammatory response and causing other symptoms.

According to Dr. Saleeby, reducing the treatment dosage and combining it with anti-inflammatory measures - such as hydration therapy, saunas and Epsom salt baths - can alleviate these reactions.

Dr. Berkowitz also has patients who have difficulty with standard post-vaccination therapies. These patients often exhibit symptoms of an oversensitive nervous system. He believes this is related to a lack of certain neurotransmitters in the brain caused by the loss of good bacteria. After these patients receive hydration therapies and special nutritional supplements that both calm the nervous system and rebalance gut bacteria, they respond significantly more positively to therapies for other vaccination side effects.

This article does not replace medical advice. If you have any health questions, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

First published on theepochtimes.com under the title: “How the COVID Vaccine Could Harm Your Gut, Leading to Brain Fog and Autoimmune Disease” (German edition kr).

Source: https://www.epochtimes.de/gesundheit/darmproblems-nach-covid-19-impfung-der-aktuelle-wissensstand-a4452496.html from October 23, 2023

Author: Marina Zhang