Immune system
The gut microbiome's influence on it
Did you know that your gut has functions beyond digestion? It significantly impacts your overall well-being, particularly your immune system. At myFloraScan, we aim to help you grasp this important link and enhance your health through our gut microbiome analysis.
In a nutshell: The gut microbiome & your immune system
The human intestine stretches over 8 meters and is teeming with more than 39 trillion microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These microorganisms make up the intestinal microbiome, often referred to as intestinal flora. A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for our overall health. In addition to housing a vast number of bacteria, the gut is also home to numerous immune cells that collectively affect the efficiency of our immune system. Thus, a well-balanced microbiome lays the groundwork for a strong immune system. Conversely, an imbalanced microbiome can undermine the immune system, leading to allergies, autoimmune diseases, and other health issues.
The connection between the gut and the immune system
The gut and the immune system are intricately connected. The microorganisms residing in your gut form a crucial component of your immune defence. They assist in warding off harmful invaders, managing inflammation, and even influencing your mood. Consequently, an imbalance in your gut’s microbial community can trigger a range of health issues, such as allergic responses, autoimmune conditions, and digestive problems, among others.
Does building up the intestinal flora really strengthen the immune system?
Research has revealed that an imbalanced gut microbiome can influence the immune system as well as various other bodily functions. Therefore, encouraging a healthy gut environment is considered a beneficial method for bolstering the immune system. Many individuals turn to probiotics, which include live beneficial bacteria intended to aid our gut health. However, evidence suggests that these supplements offer minimal lasting advantages if not accompanied by a diet tailored to support gut health. Since gut bacteria thrive on the food we eat, the choice of our diet is of utmost importance.
A well-rounded diet is essential for fortifying a compromised digestive system and ensuring lasting wellness. Frequently eating probiotic-rich foods, which introduce helpful bacteria into the gut, is especially advantageous. These foods aid in preserving a healthy gut balance and can enhance the variety of your microbiome. Examples of probiotic foods are natural yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables like sauerkraut or tempeh, kombucha, and unpasteurized, naturally cloudy apple cider vinegar (preferably diluted with water before consumption).
Besides probiotic foods, it’s also crucial to include prebiotic foods in your diet, as they nourish the beneficial bacteria in your intestines that support overall health. Prebiotic foods are rich in unique dietary fibres like inulin, oligosaccharides, and resistant starch. Common examples of these foods include grains such as oats and rye, bananas, asparagus, onions, garlic, and both Jerusalem artichokes and regular artichokes. Generally, our gut-friendly microbes thrive on plant-based fibres. Therefore, it’s advantageous to regularly consume fruits, vegetables, pulses like beans and lentils, and wholegrain products. Our blog offers various recipes that are good for your digestive system.
Because nutrition plays such an important role, with the myBioma gut microbiome analysis we not only provide insights into the microbial composition of your gut, but also offer personalised nutritional recommendations based on the individual needs of your gut bacteria. This allows you to take targeted measures to optimize your gut microbiome and strengthen your immune system at the same time.
Discover your microbiome with our test
With our test, you can sustainably improve your well-being and quality of life. It shows you which bacteria live in your gut and what they are responsible for. You will receive personalised recommendations based on your results to strengthen your microbiome through diet and lifestyle.
Blog articles on the topic of the gut microbiome & immune system
If you would like to find out more about the gut microbiome and the immune system, we can recommend our blog where you will find lots of interesting articles on the subject.
