Gut Immunity: Fact and Fiction

If you haven't noticed, many of the packaged foods and probiotic bacteria products we buy are touting "enhancement of the immune system" as a reason to buy these products. They make it sound like our own natural immune system is just not good enough and that it needs an extra kick that their products will provide. What do we make of all this? 

Everyone has an immune system. Without it the bacteria and viruses outside and inside would simply overwhelm us at an early age, like in infancy. Our immune system depends on our body's ability to make antibodies and certain other factors to fight and defeat these bugs. These are made in our lymph glands and, early in life, the thymus gland. However, a major part of the immune system resides in the intestinal tract. This is as it should be. The colon is home to a huge number of bacteria and some of these fellows are nasty. Our immune system, in the wall of the intestine and especially the large bowel or colon, protects us. 

A quite remarkable recent research finding is that some of these bacteria, when stimulated vigorously to grow, produce certain substances that, in turn, actually appear to make the bowel wall more resistant and stronger. The contents of the colon actually become more acid and this is likely the reason why. 

So, what stimulates the good colon bacteria? It is actually the foods that we eat, especially plant foods. These foods contain certain fibers, now known as prebiotic plant fibers that are the food source for these good bacteria. Vegetables, grains and fruits are loaded with these healthy fibers. 

But back to the original question. Does "enhancing" the immune system by ingesting vitamins, herbs or probiotics really do anything? And is this important? 

The answer to the first question is probably yes. Researchers who have done research on the bowel wall have found that when certain bacterial species, especially the Bifido (Bifidobacter) species, are increased in the colon, then indeed some increase in certain immune factors is seen. This has been seen when both prebiotic plant fibers and probiotic bacteria are fed to animals and in some instances to humans as well. 

The answer to the second question is uncertain at best. We simply do not know if this very small increase in immune factors in the colon in the otherwise healthy person results in fewer colds, other respiratory conditions or any other infection. In other words, if these immune factors increase by 1% or so, are we healthier for it? 

My educated guess is that the answer will be no, if an answer is ever obtained. Simply eating 25-35 grams of a mixed group of vegetables, grains and fruits each day will almost certainly give you the stimulus to your friendly Bifido colon bacteria and keep your immune system "enhanced" just fine. Taking anything beyond is likely not harmful, but it also is likely not very helpful either. 

Of course, for those who eat less than this amount, you should visit Jacksongi.com for Prebiotin prebiotic soluble fiber supplements