A Long Covid Breakthrough

This could be a game-changer. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( October 25, 2023 Good morning! We’re explaining a new study that sheds light on [what causes long Covid]( and sharing [tips for protecting your gut](. After that, we'll introduce the latest nominee for House Speaker, and later on, we’re unpacking changing attitudes around [what men should wear to work](. We’ll end with [the best bargains from Wayfair’s huge sale](. Let’s begin!   In the News [covid bacteria in a cartoon ]( Getty Images An Unexpected Connection Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found a surprising link between serotonin levels, gut health, and long Covid symptoms like brain fog and memory loss, offering [a groundbreaking explanation for this frustrating and mysterious condition](. The happy hormone: Serotonin is famous for keeping you happy, but it plays other crucial regulatory roles in your body. Most relevant here is its connection to brain health and memory, both of which are often impaired by long Covid. Gut check: Our gut is another crucial regulator. It produces nearly all of the serotonin in our body — and according to this new study, it can serve as an unwitting host for lingering fragments of the Covid virus. Worlds collide: Stick with us here. If serotonin plays a major role in cognitive function, and the gut is the command center for serotonin production, and people with long Covid have viral fragments in their gut that keep it from working properly, then we might just have a breakthrough on our hands. Feeling confused? Fear not — we’ve got an easy-to-understand explanation of this data, plus a look at [what it tells us about a possible cure for long Covid](. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fcovid-19%2Flong-covid-serotonin-gut-health%2F   More Stories [Rep. Mike Johnson on phone]( (Getty Images) Next in line: After Rep. Tom Emmer's swift withdrawal, Republicans chose Rep. Mike Johnson as their fourth speaker nominee late last night. It's far from certain that Johnson has the 217 votes he needs to be elected, but he won the secret ballot with 128 votes (runner-up Kevin McCarthy had 43) and weathered a critical follow-up vote. He then announced plans to call a full House vote at noon ET today, saying: “Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system.” So, who is Mike Johnson? Well, he's 51, a staunch Trump ally, and won his seat with a resounding victory. [Here's more.]( Israel-Hamas war: Israel said this morning that it'd launched "wide scale" strikes on Hamas positions in Gaza, and retaliated following rocket launches into Israeli territory from southern Syria. This came hours after the U.N. secretary-general called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which both Israel and the U.S. rejected as playing into Hamas' hands (though the U.S. military is urging Israel to avoid an all-out ground assault). The main U.N. aid agency in Gaza says it'll be forced to halt operations today if fuel runs out. Suspicious death: A Minnesota doctor with poison expertise has been accused of fatally poisoning his wife and charged with second-degree murder. Betty Bowman, 32, died just four days after she was admitted to a hospital in August. Investigators have found evidence that her husband Connor gave her "a drug for an ailment she did not have” — and a tipster reportedly told police that Connor said he'd get a $500,000 life insurance payout if Betty died. "Hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt": Richard Roundtree, the actor best known for playing private detective John Shaft — often dubbed the "first Black action hero" — in the Shaft film franchise, is dead at 81. His manager told Variety that Richard had a short battle pancreatic cancer. “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” they said, adding that his impact "cannot be overstated.”   In Conversation Heather Cox Richardson is the historian and writer of the incredibly smart Letters From an American Substack — which is one I read daily! I'm excited to join her on the virtual stage to discuss the state of American democracy. Heather will shed light on how we got to this perilous point, what our history really tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be. Don't miss this important exchange happening tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern — [RSVP for free right here](. [RSVP HERE](   Photo of the Day [ Denver Nuggets team president Josh Kroenke sports a championship ring] Denver Nuggets team president Josh Kroenke sports a championship ring. (Getty Images) Last night marked the beginning of a new season for the NBA, including a ring ceremony celebrating the Denver Nuggets' historic championship win in June. The hardware contains two design surprises that have never before been used in the league: a background that changes color via a lever on top, and a hidden side compartment that reveals the team's championship banner. After the revelry, it was time to get down to business, and the Nuggets came away with a 119-107 victory over the Lakers.   Must-Reads [Red and white pills making their way through a pink squiggle representing the digestive tract]( Words of Warning Antibiotics are sometimes necessary for healing, but taking them too often can damage the gut microbiome. Here's how to protect yours. [Read More »]( [Human's body wearing business casual attire with a statu's head]( Buttoned Up For many men, suiting up for the office is no longer required. A sartorial sage has tips for dressing down at work while keeping it classy. [Read More »]( [two blue hands clasped together on a crinkled tan paper background]( Built to Last Is your relationship truly healthy? 5 couples therapists share the secrets to success and the essential qualities of a strong bond. [Read More »](   Extra Credit Better together: Our partners at Humana are committed to top-notch medical care for their members, but what if you need a little help with discovering what's right for you? Here's a look at [how their compassionate agents can make all the difference](. Stew in it: That persistent chill in the air means it's finally time to break out some of our favorite comfort recipes, like [this famous chili]( that is the definition of a hearty meal. Act fast: The time to snag fall essentials is now. [Nordstrom just dropped a limited-time sale](, and discounts are flying off the digital shelves with deals like [Cole Haan sneakers up to 37% off](, [discounted Jo Malone perfumes](, and a slew of sweaters for less.   Yes, Way! [Green bed and multicolored rug from Wayfair on teal background]( KCM It's that time again — Wayfair's gigantic Way Day sale is on. Score serious deals for just about every room in your home, like [up to 50% off area rugs]( to add a pop of color to your space and as much as [70% off mattresses](. If you want even more amazing finds, we've got [a comprehensive guide to the sale](. [SEE MORE](   [The Shop Edit. Love shopping as much as we do? Subscribe to our latest newsletter and you'll never miss another trend, money-saving sale, or hard-to-find gem!]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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