Digestive Health and Immunity

"Every disease begins in the intestine" Hippocrates

The intestine is known for its central role in the response of the immune system (our main defense system) and today, the deterioration of intestinal function is omnipresent and certain digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea or reflux, are frequently observed in the population . It is essential to support this intestinal function when this occurs, since these symptoms, when normalized and chronic, can powerfully affect the intimate connection between intestinal health and the immune system.

There are four pillars of intestinal health:

Digestion and absorption

Motility

Integrity and immunity

Microbiota

In recent studies it has been shown that people who tend to have low immunity problems also have an imbalance in some of these “pillars”. So, if we optimize some of these we will see a favorable response in the immune response.

The way we chew our food is essential to enhance the ability to extract nutrients from it. When we eat too quickly, our food is harder to digest which drives nutrient depletion, including those needed for immune system support (e.g. vitamin A , C , D , zinc ). This can be exacerbated if digestion is also compromised by low levels of stomach acid, which often arises due to consequences of age, processed foods and the consumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Gallbladder problems can also influence decreased immunity by affecting the digestion of fats and the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamins A and D.

Alterations that lead to poor nutrient absorption can further weaken our immune system. This occurs when the absorptive surface of the small intestine becomes deformed (for example, due to celiac disease) and/or the lining of the intestine becomes chronically hyperpermeable (leaky gut) due to consumption of gluten, processed foods, intestinal dysbiosis, alcohol and stress) . This intestinal hyperpermeability deregulates the immune system by causing digestive disorders such as diarrhea, poor absorption of nutrients and chronic inflammation throughout the body.

In those who suffer from frequent diarrhea, the food consumed moves through the intestine too quickly, which limits the time available for digestion and absorption of nutrients. For its part, chronic constipation promotes the recirculation of toxins that have the ability to hinder the immune system. In parallel, low consumption of dietary fiber is a common factor in those who report constipation and this also makes our intestine susceptible to infections by reducing the diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria that live there. Finally, stress can increase the risk of infection by reducing the concentration of secretory IgA in our intestinal mucus secretions, which is a vital first line of defense.

The intestinal microbiome is fundamental for the immune system, the stimulation and defensive action of our body are deeply challenged by the modern world, in which we are exposed to an ultra-processed diet, sedentary lifestyle, high levels of stress, exposure to toxins (agrochemicals, medications), and in particular cesarean delivery, formula feeding and antibiotics. Surprisingly, preliminary research indicates that even COVID-19 patients are prone to gut dysbiosis.

When our gut health is compromised, we get infections more easily and when we have an infection, we tend to eat a more restricted diet due to a lack of appetite. This can further compromise our nutrient status and digestion, creating a vicious cycle of poor gut health and low immunity.

An excellent way to check that our intestinal health is healthy and balanced is to normalize the absence of digestive symptoms (for example, reflux, bloating, flatulence) and the ability to pass at least one dark brown, sausage-shaped stool a day. which is cleaned without showing undigested food. If this is not the case for you, poor gut health is likely to increase your risk of low immunity. Therefore, be sure to nourish your gut and support your immune system, through proper nutrition and supplementation. For this, it is important to consider the consumption of Pobiotic supplements, prebiotic fiber, polyphenols, L-glutamine and zinc that support the repair of the intestinal wall and the balance of beneficial bacteria, supporting the response of the immune system. Finally, let's not always forget to apply lifestyle interventions to manage stress, modify diet, and maintain physical movement. Your body will thank you!

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