They say “everything is connected,” and when it comes to our body that’s certainly the case. Eastern medicine systems like Ayurveda have long held this belief and, more recently, Western medicine has begun to prove the link. A breakdown in one part of the body can cause the rest of the body to breakdown. Similarly, the strength of one organ can impact the strength of another organ. Case in point: The immune system and the digestive system.
The Basics
The immune system is the collection of cells and molecules that protect us from illness by monitoring our body and responding to any foreign substances identified as threatening. It’s our shield and personal defense system.
The digestive system (aka the gut) is a 30-foot long tract inside our body responsible for controlling digestion. But, that’s far from its only role: Research has also found that our gut significantly impacts our immune system, nervous system, hormonal health, and more.
How exactly are the two systems linked?
As it turns out, the largest amount of immune tissue in the body, (approximately 70 to 80 percent), is located within the gut. On a daily basis, we ingest bacteria, toxins, infections, and diseases via our gut. In fact, one study found our daily microbe intake from food alone ranges anywhere from 1.4 million to 1.3 billion depending on our diet—imagine that! It’s the role of the gut to serve as a protective barrier from these ingested pathogens, ensuring the invaders we intake from the external world never enter our bloodstream.
The specific immune cells responsible for this are known as Peyer’s patches. These lymph nodes, found in our small intestine, protect against infection by releasing white blood cells that attack any perceived threats.
Beyond that—supporting these immune cells—are various strains of gut flora, which avert the overgrowth of damaging microbes such as bacteria, yeasts and parasites. These “good” bacteria also play a crucial role in overall immunity by enhancing the function of the immune cells. Fact: Without the right balance of gut flora your body cannot maintain good health
Improving immunity through Gut
Given the symbiotic relationship between our immunity and digestion, it’s natural to ask how to keep the two healthy. While the natural function of our body is truly impressive, there are times where we could use a little boost to ensure homeostasis is maintained. Our Mindful Gut Health supplement contains eight clinically-proven natural ingredients that can help. Here’s how it works:
Punarnava Root: Protects the GI tract from harmful pathogenic bacteria.
