Our gut microbiome is the ears and eyes of the immune system in our body.
Each system, organ, and even a single cell has its own microbiome. About 38 trillion organisms live in the gut alone (3818 , 38 000 000 000 000 000 000 ). The immune system in the gut is crucial and affects the immune system throughout our body. “Weak” intestines weaken our immunity, and increase susceptibility to other diseases, including, among others – various types of rashes, eczema, also neurological diseases, such as brain fog, which is one of the most troublesome symptoms of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
70% of our immune system is located in the gut.
The cells that make up the immune system are separated from the bacterial flora in our intestines by only one layer of cells in the intestinal wall, and they remain in constant contact with each other.
The key role here is played by dendritic cells, which are diffuse detectors of the immune system, with which the pathogen causing the infection can be quickly detected, and the appropriate antibody-producing cells stimulated to react efficiently and in the shortest possible time.
Importantly, a dendritic cell must receive a signal from the gut microbiome in order to activate and capture the pathogen, and then present it to the adaptive immune system! If the dendritic cell – this crucial part of the immune system, is not signaled by our gut flora, it “stays put” and waits on standby, but is not activated when the body is infected and starts to get sick.
Our gut microbiome also stimulates the activity of the vagus nerve, which receives signals from microorganisms in our gut. One wrong microbe can cause the vagus nerve to work differently. Its disturbed functioning affects the brain stem, which also begins to function differently, and this has an impact on changing our behavior, our moods, e.g. depression is related to the intestinal ecosystem. Stress causes damage to the microbiome, during long-term stress, the excess of cortisol produced damages the intestinal bacterial flora and promotes inflammation in the body by disrupting and weakening the immune system. Here too, the vagus nerve plays a role as it modulates the inflammatory response, and the inflammatory threshold is more activated when we are stressed.
We are a communicating vessel system and it is worth remembering.
The microbiome normalizes and returns to balance if we take care of it, especially the diversity of our gut flora. The first and most important thing is to strengthen it so that it works with the immune system. Simple supplementation of vitamin. C and zinc is not enough. Diet is important! Microorganisms in our intestines, with a proper diet, produce metabolites and it is these metabolites that build the body. Short-chain fatty acids are especially important, they are the product of bacterial metabolism in the large intestine and have a positive effect on the immune system. What you eat is information for your body.
Latest research on people who had a severe Covid19 showed that they had very low production of short-chain fatty acids. Eat fiber, in fruit and vegetables, 25-30g daily. According to scientists, the greater the dysfunction of the microbiome in our gut, the greater the risk of severe Covid19. High levels of Interleukin 6 increase this risk, and its level is increased by dysfunction in the gut, such as leaky gut, and the inflammation generated by it.
How can you help yourself?
Certainly take care of a good and nourishing diet of your intestinal flora. In addition, it is important to support yourself with techniques that will allow you to manage your stress, calm your mind and give your body a rest – breathing, meditation, contact with nature, it will also tone your vagus nerve.
You can also use, for example, a craniosacral therapy session, which supports the release of tensions from the body and harmonizes the work of the autonomic nervous system, the key part of which is the vagus nerve, thus increasing your body’s ability to physiological regulation and tissue relaxation, and additionally this therapy it is very pleasant and relaxing.
And if you feel that you need support, I invite you to my sessions. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me: kontakt@exploreself.pl
Agnieszka
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