{"id":968,"date":"2017-06-05T11:00:04","date_gmt":"2017-06-05T11:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/uni-vite.com\/microbiotic\/?p=968"},"modified":"2019-08-21T15:08:15","modified_gmt":"2019-08-21T15:08:15","slug":"strong-immune-system-starts-in-the-gut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uni-vite.com\/microbiotic\/strong-immune-system-starts-in-the-gut\/","title":{"rendered":"A strong immune system starts in the gut"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Few people realise that some 70% to 80% of the body\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s immune cells are located in their intestines.<\/span>
\n<\/strong>25% of all adults suffer \u00e2\u20ac\u201c often without being aware \u00e2\u20ac\u201c
\nfrom problems related to their gastro-intestinal tract (GI tract) or gut.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Those problems range from noticeable and inconvenient issues like constipation, diarrhoea, bloating and abdominal discomfort all the way to serious problems like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), depression and inability to lose weight. Problems they may well not associate as originating in the gut.<\/p>\n

These health problems can be caused by intestines that have an unbalanced ratio of good to bad bacteria \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and the imbalance can increase with age. The good bacteria should be in a ratio of no lower than 85% \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcgood\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to 15% \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. This predominance of beneficial bacteria keeps the pathogenic ones under control.\u00c2\u00a0 An unbalanced gut bacterial population leads to reduced immunity and poor metabolism.<\/p>\n

Your microbiome \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the vast army of microbes that live in (and on us) \u00e2\u20ac\u201c not only breaks down the food you eat for energy, but actually creates several vital vitamins.<\/p>\n

Breaking down the food we eat is essential for health as undigested food means slower transit time through your body and an increase in harmful micro-organisms and toxins trapped in the GI tract.<\/p>\n

More diverse bacteria make you healthier<\/span><\/h3>\n
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The more diverse the bacteria in your microbiome, the generally healthier you are.\u00c2\u00a0This is may well be linked to the fact that \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcgood bacteria\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 are important in gene expression \u00e2\u20ac\u201c turning on beneficial genes and turning off genes that lead to illness.<\/p>\n

A less diverse microbiome has been directly liked to over 50 serious health issues, like obesity, diabetes, arthritis, depression, fatigue, poor digestion of food and what has been called \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbrain fog\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, in many people this ratio becomes imbalanced. The non-beneficial bacteria increase in numbers, crowding out the friendly bacteria.<\/p>\n

This condition \u00e2\u20ac\u201c called dysbiosis\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u201c is not only a function of increased age; it can be caused by excess sugar in the diet, excess alcohol, stress and\u00c2\u00a0 the use of antibiotics or certain other medications.<\/p>\n

Ways to rebalance your microbiome<\/span><\/h3>\n
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  1. Avoid processed foods and sugar<\/strong> as much as possible. Sugar provides food for non-beneficial bacteria to thrive.<\/li>\n
  2. Add more fibre to your diet.<\/strong> The good bacteria \u00e2\u20ac\u201c called probiotics \u00e2\u20ac\u201c in your gut are alive and need their own food source. These are called pre<\/strong>biotics and they are plentiful in fibre \u00e2\u20ac\u201c especially the fibres in fruits and vegetables.<\/li>\n
  3. Decrease your stress level.<\/strong> The gastrointestinal (GI) system has been called your second brain<\/em>. There is a direct connection between the gut and the brain \u00e2\u20ac\u201c which is why depression can be caused by a gut imbalance. Consider stress busting exercises like this 5 Minute Mind Calmer<\/u> Take a break each hour that you sit at a desk or computer and ensure a<\/li>\n
  4. Drink more water.<\/strong> Water helps keep moving food through your digestive tract into the colon.<\/li>\n
  5. Increase your intake of probiotic foods <\/strong>which include sauerkraut, leeks, garlic, fennel and kimchi.<\/li>\n
  6. Add a high-quality probiotic supplement <\/strong>to your diet. Although many yogurts are labelled as containing lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. lactis, the truth is that yoghurts are made with these cultures but the process of pasteurisation destroys most or even all of the bacterial count. On top of that many yoghurts also contain quite high amounts of sugar.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Choose a variety of hardy live good bacteria strains<\/span><\/h3>\n
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    A worthwhile probiotic supplement will contain a variety of strains, a level of over 5\/6 billion per capsule and include hardy strains that have been shown by independent research to survive the acid environment of the stomach \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and are therefore able to pass through to the lower digestive tract and then colonise.<\/p>\n

    Bifidobacteria<\/em> strains primarily work in the large intestine to help detoxify the pathogens in your colon. Whereas Lactobacillus<\/em> strains primarily work in the small intestine to assist in digestion and absorption of foods, particularly in the better absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.<\/p>\n

    Specific strains that should be included in an effective probiotic supplement are:<\/p>\n

    Bacillus coagulans<\/strong><\/em><\/span>. This is an endospore strain that has been researched extensively at the University of Nebraska \u00e2\u20ac\u201c which itself has been specialising in probiotic research for over 70 years. Endospore strains offer far greater resistance as they pass through the GI tract. Indeed one endospore strain was found in the stomach of a bee that had been trapped in amber for 50 million years – and was still viable!<\/p>\n

    Lactobacillus acidophilus<\/strong><\/em><\/span>. The DDS-1 strain<\/strong> is very highly researched and works mainly in the small intestine to help ensure the health of the vaginal and urinary tracts.<\/p>\n

    Bifidobacterium lactis <\/strong><\/span><\/em>is found in the colon and vaginal tract. It not only supports GI function, but helps protect against yeast overgrowth, and diarrhoea. It produces lactic acid and helps increase acidity in the gut to help inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes.<\/p>\n

    Lactobacillus casei<\/strong><\/span><\/em>. This strain of bacteria is found in the small intestine where it helps provide immune support.<\/p>\n

    Lactobacillus rhamnosus<\/strong><\/em><\/span>. This probiotic strain is found primarily in the small intestine and vaginal tract. It is resistant to stomach acid, which makes it important in a probiotic formula.<\/p>\n

    Lactobacillus plantarum <\/strong><\/em><\/span>improves digestion and is linked to reduced brain inflammation that is a factor in depression.<\/p>\n

    Streptococcus thermophilus<\/strong><\/em><\/span> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a well-researched strain that is important for improved immunity.<\/p>\n

    An effective probiotic supplement must also contain some prebiotics<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0These are fibre-derived nutrients that feed and nurture the probiotics and therefore ensure their viability. Look for prebiotics from inulin and oligofructose.<\/p>\n

    A well-researched probiotic can be the answer to digestive problems and irregular bowel movements without resorting to laxatives. It can also help in losing weight, reduce hay fever symptoms and even improve mood.<\/p>\n

    One final thought. External health, as evidenced by the state of your skin, reflects internal health. So after improving the number and variety of the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfriendly bacteria\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in their microbiome, people report improvements in their skin and even a reduction in the outer signs of ageing.<\/p>\n

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    References<\/strong><\/p>\n