Our immune system protects our body from external viruses or bacteria that can harm our internal health. Our gut plays an essential role in supporting our immune system.
Some statistics show that up to 80% of our body’s immune cells are found in our gut. To aid and improve the two key factors in our gut-based immunity, we first need to understand these two factors, which are the integrity of our intestinal lining, made of epithelial cells, and the diversity of microbes present and living within our gut.
The single layer of epithelial cells on the lining of our intestines is our first line of defense against exogenous invasions, as well as providing a barrier between intestinal bacteria and the rest of the body.
The semipermeable structure of the intestinal lining helps in the absorption of important nutrients and provides protection against any invasion of pathogenic microorganisms into the body, it also aids in maintaining mucosal immune homeostasis.
Your gut is a gateway to great immunity.
The mucosal lining on our intestines has tight junctions that can be referred to as ‘gateway’, as it helps in deciding which particles are healthy and should be permitted entry into your intestines.
Well-digested food can easily pass through, but unhelpful or harmful pathogens are restricted from entering. However, if these gateways are not maintained and are not healthy, it is likely that any gaps in between can allow harmful pathogens to enter and can trigger a response from your immune system.
Over time, if these gateways are not protected, they can weaken your body’s immunity against other invasions such as viruses. In the current time, western diets that are combined with a stressful lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, or overuse of antibiotics can cause these gaps to grow eventually leading to a leaky gut
Can we protect our gut barrier?
Yes, it is possible to strengthen the mucosal lining by using short-chain fatty acid production also referred to as (SCFA), which can massively encourage and support a healthy immune system.
SCFAs such as butyrate can be easily produced when microbes such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia feast on fiber-based diets that are indigestible yet can be consumed by the microbiota present in our gut.
You can also get these microbial strains through eating prebiotics, garlic, banana, and asparagus, and even taking complements such as xNARA. Also, avoiding high-fat or low-carb diets can help the lining grow strong.
One other way to have better and healthier intestinal mucosal immunity is by ensuring the intake of polyphenols such as blueberries, apples, etc. Polyphenols are known to have the ability to protect and encourage healthy intestinal mucosal immunity and also help in regulating inflammation-inducing cytokines caused by certain viruses.
Polyphenols have the ability to protect intestinal mucosal immunity, as well as potentially down-regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by certain viruses.
Eating for Microbial Diversity
Every time you eat a meal, you are also feeding the microbial community present in your body. It also means that your body’s bacteria also require fuel through the meals you eat. A diverse microbiome can also help in maintaining the immunity of your body.
Use of probiotics
One of the many ways to support and enhance the composition of the beneficial gut microbiome is to intake probiotic foods such as yogurt or use supplements such as xNARA that have dietary compounds to help in the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms.
Intake of Complements such as xNARA
It has been reported that a deficiency of a single or more nutrients is also likely to alter our body’s immune system. Deficiencies in selenium, iron, copper, zinc, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E can alter the response of the immune system.
Complements such as xNARA can help our body recover from the deficiencies of single or multiple nutrients, hence aiding in supporting and protecting healthy cells, producing antibodies to fight off external viruses or infections, and regulating the activity of immune cells.
To sum it up, our gut is the central functioning system that aids our immune system. The diet or lifestyle choices we make directly impact our gut, hence also impacting our immune system.
To maintain a strong and healthy immune system, our gut flora or gut microbiome must be well-protected and healthy. Our gut is responsible for helping our body absorb nutrients and discard any unnecessary or harmful pathogens.
From the nutrients absorbed in the gut through healthy diets and supplements, your immunity cells are given more fuel and allow your body to have a stronger and healthier immune system that can protect your body.
References:
- Susana Lechuga, Disruption of the epithelial barrier during intestinal inflammation: quest for new molecules and mechanisms. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2017 July;1864(7): 1183–1194
- den Besten G, van Eunen K, Groen AK, Venema K, Reijngoud DJ, Bakker BM. The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. J Lipid Res 2013; 54: 2325–2340
- Vighi G, Marcucci F, Sensi L, Cara G Di, Frati F. Allergy and the gastrointestinal system
- Odenwald MA, Turner JR. The intestinal epithelial barrier: a therapeutic target?
- Romier B, Schneider YJ, Larondelle Y, During A. Dietary polyphenols can modulate the intestinal inflammatory response
