IMMUNITY

Lack of sunlight, constant temperature change between the inside and outside, lack of fresh fruit and veggies – all of this makes it easier for infections to occur. Thus, the state of our organisms is very important – whether they are ready to fight the viruses and bacteria during winter and early spring or not. I won’t be glorifying garlic or warming winter spices though. The next article will cover it. I would like to focus on intestines and the role they play in our immune system.

Lion part of our immunity depends on our intestines – and this isn’t any exaggeration. Our lifestyle, diet, amount of stress or medicine use have considerable impact on our gut flora. Endogenous microorganisms (probiotic bacteria come from them) perform many important functions. Not only do they eliminate pathogenic bacteria, keeping us safe from diseases, but they also stimulate immunity, support digestion and produce essential vitamins. As most of the bacteria is located in the large intestine, this part of our organism is a sort of health and well-being generator.

Gut flora consists of protective bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and others) and those that affect immune response (Escherichia coli, Enterococccus). Proteolytic flora is also present in our gut flora. But this one consists of microorganisms that can cause diseases in certain conditions (Proteus, Pseudomonas). But a healthy organism keeps them ‘locked’, thus preventing an infection from evolution.

Homeostatic imbalance caused by stress, diet or antibiotics overuse leads to qualitative and quantitative changes in our intestines. This may result in both digestive tract and systemic diseases, such as pimples, bronchial asthma, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation, food intolerance or chronic inflammation. For those afflictions to be cured, it’s essential to determine how much has changed in our gut flora (the amount of bacteria per 1g of feces) and then apply probiotic therapy. There is no other way to long-lasting health – we need to fight the cause not the symptoms.

Based on the article by MD Miroslawa Galecka and Ph. D. in biological sciences Patrycja Szachta “Probiotyki – terapia na miarę”.