Probiotics and Immune Function
Our immune system operates on many different layers to defend the body against bacteria and viruses that harm the body. The skin and mucous membranes of our body are the most superficial and immediate barrier against access to our internal environment from the outside. Pathogens enter through the mouth and lungs which are guarded vigilantly by the membranes that line our nasal and throat passages, and also by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. If pathogens get past these barriers, then an immune response is carried out in the lungs and intestines which is mobilized by the bloodstream if these areas are compromised.
But by far, the most vulnerable entry point into the body comes from the foods (or anything else) that is ingested in our diet or enters by mouth. Ounce for ounce, and pound for pound, the food we ingest on a daily basis produces the largest reservoir of bacteria and non-digestible content inside our body, and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract therefore acts as the body’s largest immune system organ. The GI tract is speculated to provide 70-80% of our overall immune system’s function!
Not all bacteria are bad however. Without good bacteria, we would have an impaired immune system, and a less efficient digestion process. Probiotics, live microorganisms that reside on virtually everything we touch and eat, enter our GI tract naturally everyday. When ingested in adequate amounts, probiotics exert many beneficial effects on the host, and may stimulate the immune system’s function according to many studies done over the last 10 years. There are many strands of probiotics that come from sources like dirt, dairy and fermented foods like Kombucha and yogurt.
Beneficial bacteria in the form of probiotics can enter and reside in our intestinal tract to assist with food breakdown and absorption, raise the alertness of the innate and acquired immune systems (a complex subject worth discussing further), reduce C-reactive proteins that promote systemic inflammation, neutralize and treat diarrhea, reduce eczema, improve heart health, and promote regular bowel movements. The type of probiotics your body needs vary from person to person, and is dependent on factors such as health status, diet history, and deficiencies that result in signs and symptoms for the individual.
Your immune system’s health and vigor isn’t just for defending against bacteria and viruses. It is a part of how your body responds to stress, to exercise, and even involved intimately with how your body processes and ingests foods! The digestive tract needs the proper amount AND type of bacteria in the right place in order to stimulate the immune system, and too much of even the good bacteria in the wrong place can be problematic.
One of the fastest ways of gauging whether your intestinal probiotic content is adequate is to determine if your bowel movements are “regular”. Remember, the longer the waste stays inside your system, the more potential toxicity you are carrying. Excess abdominal gas, cramping or indigestion are signs that your intestinal bacteria may be out of balance. So address your immune system health from the top down, by what you eat and what you eliminate. Let the bugs sort out the in-between!
Dr. Adrian
