Did you know that probiotics enhance the immune system?
The immune system’s role is to protect us from harmful bacteria. It is estimated that 70 – 90 % of our immune system is located in our gastrointestinal tract or gut. So, it makes sense that improving our gut health will be advantageous to our immunity. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can not only improve the way our gut works but can heal the lining of the gut.
Adding good bacteria can crowd out the bad bacteria. Go gently at first or the bad bacteria will be forced out of your system in a violent war on waste, causing an uncomfortable night on the toilet.
Our gut responds to the addition of probiotic bacteria with a flurry of activity amongst our cells, immediately giving us an immune boost.
Interestingly, probiotics improve the barrier function of the gut lining, creating an impenetrable wall against pathogens. Imagine a Teflon lining in the gut that does not allow the pathogens to stick.
Some probiotics improve the communication between the immune cells by stimulating a network of signals. This enables the good bacteria to form an army that fights together. Because of the improvement in communication, inflammation is regulated in other parts of the immune system such as our spleen.
That’s an awful lot of reasons to add probiotics into your diet today.
Get in touch today to learn how to make your own probiotic-rich food and drinks at home.
Email: julie-anne@heybodywisdom.com
Not everybody can have probiotics, please check with your health professional before changing your diet.
References
1. Vanderpool C, Yan F, Polk B. Mechanisms of probiotic action: Implications for therapeutic applications in inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008;14(11):1585-1596. doi:10.1002/ibd.20525
2. Yan F, Polk D. Probiotics and immune health. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2011;27(6):496-501. doi:10.1097/mog.0b013e32834baa4d
3. Maldonado Galdeano C, Cazorla S, Lemme Dumit J, Vélez E, Perdigón G. Beneficial Effects of Probiotic Consumption on the Immune System. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2019;74(2):115-124. doi:10.1159/000496426
4. Lei W. Effect of probiotics and prebiotics on immune response to influenza vaccination in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2018;141(2):AB121. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.385
5. Yaqoob P. Ageing, immunity and influenza: a role for probiotics?. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2013;73(2):309-317. doi:10.1017/s0029665113003777
6. 6. Leyer G, Li S, Mubasher M, Reifer C, Ouwehand A. Probiotic Effects on Cold and Influenza-Like Symptom Incidence and Duration in Children. Pediatrics. 2009;124(2):e172-e179. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-2666
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