Everyone understands that frequent colds, general malaise, and rapid fatigue are the result of a decrease in the body’s immunity, but few people think about the role the intestines play in this mechanism. This article is about the role of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in the formation and functioning of the human immune system.
Immunity – most often we think about immunity when we start to get sick. But you can not get sick …
To put it simply: immunity is a built-in function in our body, the task of which is to protect itself from the aggressive effects of the external environment and its inhabitants - bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other foreign agents that can lead to genetic failures of the entire system, as well as control and the destruction of failed and obsolete own cells.
It is the immune system that provides protection to cells from tumor formations. This is a biological defense system on which the vitality of our body depends. If, for example, we turn off our immunity for several days, then the body will die simply because it will be immediately eaten by microbes.
11 SIGNS OF weak IMMUNITY
Yes, without immunity, our body will live only a few days, so if you are alive, then you have immunity and it works, but how strong is it? How do I know if my immune system is weakened?
To do this, you can pay attention to some factors:
1. Frequent inflammatory diseases. Slow recovery and development of complications after the disease;
2. An elevated temperature of 37 – 37.5 is kept for a long time and nothing bothers;
3. Chronic diseases of viral or bacterial origin, incl. herpes, papillomas;
4. The presence in the body of intestinal parasites, fungal infections on the nails, skin, mucous membranes, candidiasis;
5. Disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal dysbacteriosis;
6. Pale skin, brittle nails, hair loss;
7. Regular bad mood, irritability, apathy, fatigue, weakness;
8. Malfunctions of the liver and kidneys. The appearance of edema and bags under the eyes;
9. Allergic reactions, frequent pustular inflammation on the skin;
10. Failures in the work of the endocrine system.
11. Development of malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumors).
That is, strong immunity is when the body not only does not get sick, but if it does get sick, it quickly coped with it without consequences, it is also the rapid healing of wounds and cuts, the absence of unpleasant body odor, allergies, inflammation, this is when various parasites, fungi, when it is not affected by tumors, etc.
TASKS OF A HEALTHY HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM
Immunity is a broader concept than we used to think.
The main task of the immune system is to protect the body, expel the pathogen or destroy it, and be sure to remember it in case of subsequent encounters with it. And already with repeated infection, the immune system will work quickly and neutralize the pathogen without any consequences for the body.
Internal control is no less important, it is necessary to ensure the balance and constancy of the internal environment of the body, to prevent malfunctions of organs at the cellular level. Therefore, any cell that disrupts the coordinated work of an organ or system will be immediately detected, destroyed and removed from the body.
The uniqueness of our defense lies in the fact that it is able to distinguish between “us” and “them” by a simple method of comparing genetic information. The hit of “something” triggers a well-established mechanism. Cells of the immune system come into contact with the guest and at the beginning of recognition (friend or foe). Just in case, the system will raise the body temperature in order to create unfavorable conditions for the existence of the guest and prevent its uncontrolled reproduction.
After recognizing a foreign agent and revealing its structure, immune cells will find already existing, specific antibodies to destroy this particular pathogen or begin to produce new antibodies to a pathogen that is still unknown to it, which will subsequently become part of the immune system – acquired immunity.
The speed of the immune response also depends on this – either there are ready-made antibodies or they need to be created. Strong immunity and quickly finds and quickly creates. If the pathogen is not familiar to our immunity, then the disease can drag on, but with strong immunity, this is not for long and without serious consequences. With weak immunity, the disease can not only be delayed, but also pass with complications.
WHERE DOES IMMUNITY LIVE?
Our immunity is not localized in one place. The cells of the immune system circulate throughout the body through the circulatory and lymphatic systems. There are central (bone marrow, spleen and thymus) and peripheral (tonsils, appendix, lymph nodes) immune organs where immune cells mature.
But the largest human immune organ, 80% of the entire immune system, is the intestines, which is not only a digestive organ, but also an important link in immunity.
Why so important? Because our gastrointestinal tract is in contact with all organs, with numerous microorganisms of the external environment (food components, bacteria, viruses, parasites) and very closely, due to which immune cells develop against “foreign”, pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, poisons, allergens, etc. inorganic substances.
80% of immunity is in the gut – are you surprised?
The main tasks of the immune system that functions in the intestines are to protect the body from the introduction and toxic effects of foreign microorganisms that can disrupt the structure and function of tissues and organs, to maintain a balance between friends and enemies, and to recognize “ours” – beneficial microflora, food… and develop immune tolerance towards them.
Therefore, healthy bowel function is very important for us, because. This directly affects the health and strength of the immune system. To boost immunity, you need to boost gut health. Of course, it is difficult for us to link pimples on the skin, snot, cough, red throat or poor sleep with disruption of the intestines, liver or constipation, but nevertheless … – immunity is born in the intestines and is formed in it.
The best way to boost gut immunity is to detox the whole body. An important factor determining the level of immunity is the cleanliness of the intestines, and with it the whole organism.
A mucus-laden and slugged intestine cannot perform its main functions productively, it cannot even 100% assimilate the vitamins and microelements necessary for the body, as a result of which the body lacks those substances that it needs for a healthy life, incl. and to fight viruses and bacteria and generate a speedy and accurate immune response. The presence of toxins and poisons greatly affects the weakening of the immune system. Therefore, before buying vitamins to strengthen immunity, start with a “general cleaning” – clean the intestines, liver and adjust the work of the entire gastrointestinal system so that the system can accept and assimilate them, otherwise everything will pass in transit.
MICROBIOME AND IMMUNITY
The most important and basic element of the natural defense system of the gastrointestinal tract is the intestinal micro flora. We are used to being afraid of germs, but our own micro biota is our main ally in everything related to maintaining and promoting health. Not everyone understands how important it is for strengthening the immune system, but it is she who determines how effectively the immune system copes with its task.
The immunity of each person directly depends on the state of the individual micro biota. It provides a powerful protective barrier and resistance of the body to the effects of various pathogenic microorganisms and environmental factors. If it is out of balance, then the defense weakens, the ability to recognize “strangers”, to develop and train immune cells decreases.
It is the intestinal micro flora that contributes to the development and maturation of the immune system, which helps the body to quickly respond and correctly form an immune response to the presence of certain viruses and other pathogenic microorganisms even before infection. It promotes the production of antibodies and other types of immune cells, which are distributed throughout the body through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, increasing our immunity.
It is the intestinal micro flora that provides key signals for the formation of the immune system. It actively controls the gut-related persistence of immune balance—i.e. the desire of the immune system to reproduce itself, restore the lost balance and overcome the resistance of the external environment.
The intestinal micro flora is involved in many vital processes for the healthy functioning of the whole organism, and the formation of the immune system is one of them. Therefore, the restoration of intestinal micro flora will affect not only the increase in immunity, but also the health of the whole organism as a whole. This is the most effective remedy for normalizing bowel function and the best immunostimulating drugs.
HOW TO HEALTH THE INTESTINAL MICROFLORA AND INCREASE IMMUNITY?
The general state of our immunity is equal to the general state of our health – the stronger the health, the stronger the immunity. Everything that improves health, strengthens the immune system, which means that the best drugs for immunity are:
1) a balanced mode of activity, rest and sleep. Good sleep contributes to stress resistance and the full recovery of all body systems, which also affects the healthy functioning of the immune system.
2) a balanced diet – the use of raw vegetables, fruits and freshly crushed oils provides our body with vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, antioxidants and dietary fiber. These are necessary elements that supply, incl. and the immune system.
3) eating fermented foods will fill the intestines with liv probiotics, which directly affects the increase in immunity. This will renew and balance the micro flora, restore the proper functioning of the intestines, which means it will heal the entire body.
4) keep the body clean, inner clean. Cleanliness is the key to health. Pure and healthy thoughts can be only in a clean body. Inner purity begins with the intestines. Everything that lingers in it for more than a day causes the processes of decay, fermentation and subsequent intoxication of the whole organism.
5) drink pure mineralized water. It fills and helps to assimilate nutrients, transports them to the right places, regulates body temperature and metabolism, flushes and hydrates all systems and organs, participates in all biochemical processes of the body, removes toxins, poisons and other waste from the body.
6) moderate physical activity effectively reduces harmful inflammatory processes in the body and directs the work of the immune system in a healthy direction.
Our body is a complex and independent mechanism.
Interference in its work is not appropriate. The work of all its systems and organs, incl. immune, regulated by them independently. But how smoothly and productively this mechanism works depends on who operates it and how. Wear and tear, untimely maintenance and cleaning, low-quality fuel… all this will definitely affect its operation, life and quality of service.
Therefore, the most useful for the immune system are not expensive drugs, but self-care at its most elementary levels. With the right lifestyle, a balanced diet, a healthy and clean intestine, our immunity will adjust its work itself.
