Your gut microbes interact with immune cells constantly, influencing everything from acute infections, to chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions.
Here is some of the research:
🔍 A 2023 study published in PMC revealed that microbes such as non pathogenic Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium clusters IV and XIVa produce metabolites that drive the development of regulatory T cells (Tregs). These Tregs are key in preventing autoimmunity and excessive inflammation.
🔍 Additionally, a groundbreaking 2021 study in Nature explored how gut dysbiosis contributes to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The study showed that overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria like certain Enterococcus species can breach the gut barrier, triggering systemic immune activation.
🔍 When the gut barrier becomes compromised, a condition commonly referred to as “leaky gut,” harmful substances like bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) leak into the bloodstream, which activate Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on immune cells, driving chronic low-grade inflammation, a hallmark of conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Good news – we have probiotics, prebiotics, and immune modulation that can help prevent or mitigate these effects:
💊 Probiotic strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I745 enhance gut barrier function and promote anti-inflammatory cytokine production.
💊 Prebiotics like inulin and fructooligosaccharides increase populations of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, improving gut immune homeostasis.
🌀Butyrate, a type of short chain fatty acid (SCFAs), produced during fiber fermentation by gut bacteria, has been shown to modulate immune responses by enhancing the activity of Tregs and reducing inflammatory cytokines.
🌼 The takeaway: Your gut microbiome is an active player in your immune health. Supporting microbial diversity, reducing gut permeability, and incorporating prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods into your diet could be the key to a stronger, more balanced immune system.
Links to studies:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10008692/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41584-021-00585-3
Be well.
