The intestinal flora consists of an estimated ten trillion bacteria and 400 species of bacteria. The different bacterial strains found in the intestine perform important tasks. They not only help digest food and absorb nutrients. They also provide a natural defense against germs that cause disease – and affect our immune system in general. There is increasing evidence that the gut is an important player in the immune system.
The human immune system is very complex. The body’s own defense mechanisms in the form of the skin barrier, mucous membranes, stomach acid, urine and saliva form the first barriers that pathogens must overcome. When such pathogens enter the body, certain signaling substances and cell types in the blood and lymphatic system become active, including the B and T lymphocytes, which belong to the group of white blood cells. These stimulate the formation of antibodies and complex immune processes – and the fight against the invaders begins.
“Recent research has shown that lymph cell nests are also located in the intestine. The intestine therefore has its own immune system, the so-called intestinal-associated lymphatic tissue. This plays an important role in defending against harmful bacteria, viruses and pollutants,” says Dr. Birgit Terjung, medical director of the GFO Kliniken Bonn and board member of the Gastro-Liga eV. The intestine, among other things, has become a strong focus of science in recent years due to the discovery of the lymph cells in the intestine as a player in the immune system.
It has been known for some time that children who are born naturally and come into contact with bacteria from the mother’s vaginal and intestinal flora through the birth canal have a lower risk of developing allergies later. The natural defenses are further strengthened if the children are breastfed. “The intestinal flora of children born via caesarean section and vaginal delivery is different,” says Terjung. “An important influencing factor appears to be contact with the mother’s lactobacilli. In addition to lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Akkermansia muciniphila are also an important part of healthy intestinal flora.”
A diseased intestine or weak intestinal flora, on the other hand, can make the body sick. There is increasing evidence that certain diseases are linked to the intestines. “It is quite possible that the intestines are the cause of various diseases. Several mechanisms are at play and much remains to be investigated. What is known so far is that inflammatory processes in the intestine or a disturbed intestinal flora can produce messenger substances that enter the body via the blood and can cause problems elsewhere in the body,” explains Terjung. Topics currently covered include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, depression, liver diseases such as fatty liver disease and cardiovascular diseases related to the intestines. An altered composition of the intestinal flora also appears to be important in the case of obesity.
A diseased intestine can affect the immune system in other ways: In chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, digestion and nutrient utilization can be so severely disrupted that serious deficiencies occur, which further weaken the immune system. This is also the case with celiac disease. In this disease, the gluten protein from wheat, spelt, rye and barley leads to such severe inflammation in the mucous membrane of the small intestine that the intestinal villi gradually withdraw and at a certain point the nutrients from the small intestine can no longer be supplied to the body. delivered. sufficient quantities. An initial indication may be an otherwise unexplained iron deficiency, which should also lead to the exclusion of celiac disease. If celiac disease is diagnosed, it is important that those affected avoid gluten completely for life.
A healthy intestinal and intestinal flora, consisting of many useful intestinal bacteria, supports the body’s immune defense. Diet plays an important role in maintaining intestinal health. “The intestines especially like Mediterranean dishes, or Mediterranean cuisine,” says Terjung. «It is rich in vegetables, salads, herbs, legumes, nuts, whole grain products, vegetable oils, fruit and fish. All this provides the intestinal flora with important fibers, healthy fatty acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals.”
If too much fiber causes problems and you react to the fibers with strong gas formation, you can try psyllium husks as an alternative. «After a change in diet, the intestines usually regulate themselves after three to four weeks and the flatulence on the fibers decreases. Psyllium husks are a good and acceptable supplement. They feed the intestinal bacteria, make the stool smoother and absorb moisture. In this way, constipation and diarrhea can be regulated.”
However, sugar, animal fats and alcohol should only be administered to the intestines in large quantities. These weaken the good intestinal bacteria, promote the formation of unfavorable metabolic products and promote the growth of bad intestinal bacteria. Inflammation can also occur in the intestines. On the other hand, you can reach for non-alcoholic beer more often. According to the intestinal expert, the yeast in beer acts as “a small probiotic”.
Smoking also damages intestinal cells and promotes inflammatory responses. Antibiotics are also critical. “Antibiotics can permanently change the intestinal flora if they are taken over a longer period of time. This can potentially lead to food intolerances. If you have to take antibiotics, your doctor should recommend a probiotic to protect the intestinal flora,” Terjung advises.
Anyone who wants to strengthen the intestinal flora after a gastrointestinal infection can also take probiotics. According to the gut expert, anyone purchasing over-the-counter probiotics should choose one that is as broad as possible. This increases the chance that you will ingest exactly those strains that are beneficial for the intestines. “As a rule, you can’t go wrong with a probiotic treatment. They absorb beneficial strains of living bacteria. As a rule, you don’t have to worry about negative changes in your intestinal flora,” says Terjung. However, you should be careful if you have a weakened immune system and are taking probiotics with baker’s yeast sprouts. This must be avoided.
Used sources:
source: watson
I’m Maxine Reitz, a journalist and news writer at 24 Instant News. I specialize in health-related topics and have written hundreds of articles on the subject. My work has been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Healthline. As an experienced professional in the industry, I have consistently demonstrated an ability to develop compelling stories that engage readers.
