Your immune system is always working to keep you healthy but sometimes needs a helping hand. This article explains what gut immunity is and how it functions. You will also learn how to protect yourself from sick family members and help protect them too.
The gut and immune system work together
Immune protection is always necessary. Whether it's from family members or anyone else you come into contact within your daily life.
Ensuring your digestive tract functions well is crucial for supporting your immune system. Healthy gut microbiota is also essential. The gut microbiota is the community of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The relationship between the gut and immunity is called the 'microbiota-immune axis'. In simpler terms, we can call it 'gut immunity'.
Our gut contains over 10,000 species and trillions of microorganisms
Most human microbiome resides in the gut and has the job of regulating 70% – 80% of the body’s immune system. The gut microbiome is one of the first lines of defence when exposed to potential threats. Other first lines of defence are your saliva, stomach acid, mucous and skin.
A healthy gut will send signals for a natural immune response. In exchange, the immune system helps to populate the gut with healthy microbiota.
Clinical research on gut microbiome is significant. One study has shown that the gut influences both the strength and development of the immune system.1
The relationship between the gut and immune system is complex and quite incredible
Maintaining a balanced ratio of good bacteria gives your gut immunity a chance to protect your body. It is crucial to your health and wellbeing.
But how do you keep it balanced? Scientific research points towards a range of factors that change the gut microbiota. Such as diet, stress levels, lifestyle, health conditions and medications. Food intolerances like dairy and gluten can also play a part. They can dramatically disturb the delicate intestinal lining of the gut. This alters the microbiota, making it more vulnerable to new harmful invaders.
Gut immunity connects with your lungs
Your gut and respiratory systems are connected too. Lysozymes, enzymes in the gut, affect respiratory health by signalling the immune system. The enzymes break down good bacteria and send fragments throughout the body to protect against potential threats.2
Your gut, immune and respiratory systems are interconnected.
Gut immunity for the whole family
Do you want to increase healthy gut microbiota for you and the family? You can start by making some simple changes to the household meals.
Prebiotics are food for healthy bacteria in your gut and they'll increase biodiversity. You can find them in foods like:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Leeks
- Asparagus
- Banana
- Apple
- Barley
- Oats
Reduce packaged foods containing sugar where possible. As well as fatty meat (especially preserved meats), and any other fatty or fast foods.
Fresh veggies and fruit are great for building healthy gut flora
They're also full of essential nutrients that your body needs for optimal health.
You can also include some daily probiotic foods. Such as yoghurt and sauerkraut, as they can support the strength and health of the cells of the gut lining. Luckily, in the same way bad guys can overpopulate the gut, good guys can too.
What else?
Using the right dietary supplements can also very helpful for gut immunity. Phloe Bowel Health has shown to positively impact gut immunity for people of all ages. If wanting to improve gut microbiota, we recommend the Phloe Biotics (for 9 years and older). The Phloe range also includes delicious chewable tabs for kids under 9 years. Both contain the unique Kiwifruit enzyme Zyactinase, included in all Phloe products. This high-quality ingredient provides beneficial fibre, enzymes and prebiotics. Phloe Biotics also contains a specific probiotic called Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. Perfect for digestive health and gut microbiota, ensuring healthy gut immunity.
In conclusion
Maintaining healthy digestion and gut microbiome is crucial. It will support a resilient immune response and a healthy respiratory system. It will enhance your body's ability to protect against potential threats. This will help you maintain immune health and well-being.
Our gut microbiome can be influenced by various factors, including:
- Diet
- Stress levels
- Lifestyle
- Health conditions
- Medications
To promote healthy gut microbiota, consider the following simple changes:
- Incorporate prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onion, and asparagus.
- Reduce packaged foods containing sugar and fatty meats.
- Include daily consumption of probiotic foods like yoghurt, sauerkraut, miso and kombucha.
- Include a range of Phloe Bowel Health supplements for the whole family.
A healthy gut immunity can strengthen your body's defences and support your overall well-being! And it will also benefit the whole family!
References:
- Danping Zheng, Timur Liwinski & Eran Elinav. Interaction between microbiota and immunity in health and disease (Cell Research, volume 30, pages 492–506 (2020) Springer Nature Ltd 2024.
- Claire A. Woodall, Luke J. McGeoch, Alastair D. Hay, Ashley Hammond. Respiratory tract infections and gut microbiome modifications: A systematic review (January 13, 2022) PLOS Medicine.
