Intestinal microflora and immune system

The intestine is not only an organ that digests food. Bacteria inhabiting it play an essential role in the process of protecting the body from infections. The state of this organ primarily determines the human immune system since 70% of immune cells reside here. Intestinal microflora and the immune system intertwine closely.

We call a variety of microorganisms living in the human gastrointestinal tract intestinal microflora. Most of them are bacteria of the colon, mainly represented by bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These are probiotic microorganisms that are important for human health and perform many of the functions necessary to ensure healthy functioning of the body.

Immune system

The main ones are the following:

• digestion of food;
• synthesis of specific vitamins such as K, B12, PP, etc.;
• obstruction of reproduction of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms;
• stimulation of the immune system

Intestinal microflora and immune system interrelate. Therefore, it is also necessary to take care of the condition of the gastrointestinal tract to maintain health.

Effect of proper nutrition on intestinal microflora and the immune system

We typically should suppress pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic microorganisms by the bacteria that are friendly to the body and present in the intestine, as mentioned earlier. However, many factors associated with the daily existence of a person, his habits, the environment, diseases and taken medications may adversely affect the intestinal microflora, disrupting its balance.

In this case, conditions arise for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Besides, the normal functioning of the intestines starts malfunctioning. Moreover, the ability of the immune system of the body to resist infections is deteriorating.

The following factors adversely affect the intestinal microflora:

• unhealthy diet;
• alcohol intoxication;
• diseases of such organs of the digestive system as liver, stomach, pancreas;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• stresses.

Gastroenterologists consider proper nutrition to be the primary condition for maintaining intestinal microflora balance.

Intestinal microflora

We should balance and diverse it, using mainly natural products such as meat, not sausage; fruit, and not candy. When cooking, we should give preference to boiling, stewing, baking. Fats, ready-to-eat store meals, sugary drinks, and sweet pastries are subject to restrictions.

An essential component of nutrition, contributing to the maintenance of intestinal microflora in a healthy state, are dairy products of low-fat content: kefir, yoghurt without additives, ryazhenka. They contain the body’s necessary bacteria and create a favourable environment in the intestine for the suppression of pathogenic microorganisms, thereby helping probiotics to perform their functions of immune protection successfully.

Intestinal microflora and immune system ensure our health. For example, colonic irrigation allows us to restore the healthy microflora of the bowel. Besides, experienced professionals carry colon hydrotherapy out in our clinic situated in central London.