The link between gut health and immunity is profound. While you may understand the impact of diet on weight and energy, you might not fully grasp the extent to which the immune system influences gut health.
Surprisingly, a remarkable 80% of your immune system resides within your gut and the majority of your body’s serotonin does, too. This means if your gut isn’t healthy, then your immune system and hormones won’t function, and you will get sick. Unfortunately, this is also how autoimmune disorders begin.
Your nutrition has a direct influence on your immune function. Immune cells in the gut interact with the microbiome (the diverse array of bacteria and fungi that live in the gastrointestinal tract), which is directly influenced by an individual’s diet and lifestyle.
The foods we eat affect the diversity and composition of bacteria in the gut, which in turn affect immune cells. Those gut bugs are healthiest (and happiest!) and support strong immunity when their hosts (that’s us!) consume plant foods that are high in fiber.
“The delicate interplay between the microbiome and the immune system is of utmost importance,” states Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, a distinguished professor of digestive diseases at the renowned David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “The composition of the gut directly influences the development and education of immune cells.” It is worth noting that dietary diversity and microbial diversity are inseparable partners, emphasizing the significant connection between them.
“The typical Western diet, which is high in animal proteins, sugar, processed foods, and saturated fat, results in less-diverse gut bacteria and promotes inflammation and chronic disorders”, he says.
A fiber-rich diet, on the other hand, supports the microbiome and reduces the inflammatory response. “Gut bacteria subsist on complex carbohydrates and fiber that our own cells are unable to digest,” Dr. Jacobs says. Those fibrous sources are plant foods, from apples and broccoli to yams and zucchini.
According to Dr. Heber, the founding director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, carrying excess weight can impact immune function. It turns out that fat, once believed to be inactive tissue, actually releases hormones and chemicals that trigger inflammation. In fact, “fat is now recognized as a metabolically active endocrine organ”, as stated by Dr. Vijaya Surampudi. She explains that obesity directly affects the immune system, leading to a low-grade inflammation response. By maintaining a healthy weight through a plant-based diet, we can enhance both the microbiome and the immune system.
Here are some strategies doctors recommend: Eat plenty of plants. Dr. Heber recommends seven servings a day of colorful fruits and vegetables. “From a health standpoint, plant-based eating is what you need to do” He says.
Eat good fats. “Healthy fats support immune function”, Dr. Heber says. He suggests cooking with olive oil, avocado oil or canola oil. He also adds avocado slices to salads in lieu of dressing and uses olive oil in a spray bottle when cooking.
Good fats such as these should comprise 20% to 40% of daily caloric intake. Eat wild-caught fish.
Eat protein at every meal. The typical American diet features a big serving of protein at dinner, perhaps in the form of a hearty steak, but the immune system fares better on more regular protein servings. “We are doing our bodies a disservice when we do not have enough protein with each meal,” says Michael C. Garcia, MD.
Like fat, muscle is an endocrine organ that directly affects the immune system, he says, and muscle is made from protein. Dietary protein can come from animal products, but plant sources are better for the microbiome.
Use natural spices and herbs in food preparation. Not only do herbs and spices add flavor to foods, but, they’re rich in phytochemicals that may support gut-bug diversity.
Why Probiotics are Essential for Your Gut
- Fortify Your First Line of Defense: The gut is home to approximately 70% of your immune system. Probiotics play a pivotal role in supporting a healthy gut microbiome, strengthening the integrity of your intestinal lining, and enhancing immune function. By adding probiotics to your daily routine, you can boost your immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens and reduce the risk of infections.
- Balance the Microbial Symphony: The delicate balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in your gut can be disrupted by factors such as poor diet, stress, antibiotics, and environmental toxins. Probiotics act as microbial superheroes, replenishing the good bacteria and restoring harmony in your gut. By nurturing a diverse and thriving microbiota, probiotics help regulate immune responses, prevent inflammation, and maintain a robust defense against diseases.
- Enhance Antibody Production: Probiotics stimulate the production of antibodies, which are crucial for recognizing and neutralizing harmful invaders in your body. These friendly bacteria train your immune cells, teaching them to distinguish between harmful pathogens and harmless substances. By promoting efficient antibody production, probiotics strengthen your immune system’s ability to identify and eliminate threats, providing a proactive defense against infections and diseases.
- Alleviate Gut Inflammation: Chronic inflammation in the gut can impair immune function and lead to a host of health issues. Probiotics have been shown to reduce gut inflammation by modulating the activity of immune cells and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory compounds. By calming the flames of inflammation, probiotics help create an environment in your gut that is conducive to optimal immune function and overall well-being.
- Support Overall Wellness: A healthy gut contributes to overall wellness, and a balanced immune system is a vital component of that equation. Probiotics not only bolster your gut health and immune function but also have a positive impact on other aspects of well-being. They can improve digestion, alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, enhance nutrient absorption, and even support mental health. By prioritizing your gut health with probiotics, you’re laying a solid foundation for your overall wellness journey.
Incorporating a high-quality probiotic supplement into your daily routine is a proactive step towards nurturing your gut and supporting your immune health.
BioOptimizers Gut Health Supplements
P3-OM For Gut Health
- New patented SUPER-strain for maximal protein digestion and assimilation
- Specifically prepared as freeze-dried culture to remain potent through your digestive system
- Can multiply inside your gut so you don’t need as many colony forming units (CFUs) as other probiotics
- Requires no refrigeration to maintain potency
- Vegetarian-friendly, lactose-free, 100% plant-based
- “Good guy” bacteria to fight off the bad guys and help your good gut bacteria win-the-war inside you
- Optimizes your healthy gut microbiome when taken on an empty stomach
- Optimizes your digestion when taken with food or in the morning
What it Does and Why it Stands Out From The Rest:
- Supports Gut Barrier Health and Nutrient Absorption: When the gut barrier is supported by probiotics, it becomes stronger, less inflamed, and more efficient at digestion and nutrient absorption. A leaky gut allows bacterial toxins or partially digested food particles into the bloodstream, leading to chronic inflammation. P3OM can support the leaky gut repair process, which in turn helps with food sensitivities and chronic inflammation.
- Optimizes Digestive Function and Relieves Digestive Symptoms: Probiotics plus prebiotics can help improve digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). P3-OM produces protein-digesting enzymes that help you break down the proteins you eat. L. plantarum also ferments fibers and produces beneficial substances that support the gut barrier, balance the gut immune system, and provide energy to the gut cells.
- Controls the Growth of Bad Bacteria, Viruses, and Yeasts in the Gut: L. plantarum OM has antiviral and anti-fungal properties. It also specifically kills bad bacteria and leaves beneficial bacteria intact. With these properties, P3-OM probiotics can also support recovery from food poisoning and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- Improves Mood, Stress Resilience, and Brain Balance: L. plantarum produces neurotransmitters and ensures that they are in balance with each other. Symptoms of imbalanced neurotransmitters include anxiety, depression, irritability, and brain fog. L. plantarum also supports the gut-brain axis to normalize excessive stress response, so some people may find that it improves their mood, ability to handle stress, and cognitive function.
- Support Healthy Immune FunctionIf you have a healthy immune system, you can effectively fight off an infection. A healthy immune system also means that you’re less likely to have autoimmunity, allergies, or other symptoms of chronic inflammation. L. plantarum can support balanced and healthy immune function.
- May Help With Yeast Infection: The vaginal bacteria flora reflects that of the gut, so recurrent vaginal yeast infection is a sign of gut dysbiosis. Several lactobacilli strains help with vaginal yeast infections, when taken orally. Therefore, P3-OM may help with vaginal yeast infection as a probiotic. Some of our users find P3-OM probiotics helpful with yeast infections, while others combine it with other interventions.
- May Improve Weight Loss: Your gut bacteria play a major role in your physique. For example, having too much bad bacteria due to unhealthy diets can lead to a leaky gut, which then allows bad bacteria toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins create chronic low-grade inflammation that cause fatigue and increase hunger, which often leads to weight gain. P3OM can help repair a leaky gut and kill bad bacteria, which can both support weight loss efforts in combination with diet and exercise.
- Support Muscle Building Efforts: Optimal digestive function and protein assimilation are critical for muscle building, in addition to the right diet and training program. Also, incompletely digested proteins on bodybuilding-style diets can become very unhealthy metabolic products. L. plantarum OM is a proteolytic bacteria, which can support your protein digestion and assimilation.
- Probiotic Plus Prebiotic: When prebiotics are added to probiotics, it is known as a synbiotic. Synbiotic refers to the synergistic combination of healthy gut bacteria, from the probiotic, and fibers that the probiotic can ferment for additional energy, provided by the prebiotic. Synbiotics tend to be more effective than probiotics alone because the bacteria’s growth and survival is enhanced by the prebiotics. The fermentation process that results from their combination also produces metabolites that further benefit our health.
Biome Breakthrough
Biome Breakthrough is a powerful combination of IgYmax and synbiotics (probiotics and prebiotics). It is synergistically designed to filter out bad bacteria and reseed the good ones, as well as repair the gut lining.
- Promotes overall GI health
- Promotes healthy and strong gut barrier
- Eliminates bloating & gas
- Promotes healthy immune response
- Promotes a balanced inflammatory response in the gut
- Increases nutrient absorption
- Raises your energy levels
About The Brand
Ah, Bioptimizers, a brand that has truly won my heart beginning with their Magnesium Breakthrough Supplement which I have taken for 3 years now.
This brand was founded by Wade Lightheart and Matt Gallant, who were both driven by a shared passion for optimizing their own bodies and minds.
In 2004, after years of studying and experimenting, Wade and Matt founded Bioptimizers with a mission to revolutionize the world of health supplements. What started as a humble journey of self-discovery quickly transformed into a powerhouse brand, backed by their authentic desire to share their findings with the world.
Fast forward to today, Bioptimizers has not only gained a massive following of dedicated customers but has also garnered support from leading biohackers and longevity experts.
Bioptimizers is a trusted name in the health and wellness community.
For me, what sets Bioptimizers apart from competitors is their cutting-edge approach to product development. Instead of relying on cheap fillers and synthetic ingredients, they prioritize the use of natural, high-quality ingredients in their formulations.
Their flagship product, MassZymes, for instance, boasts an advanced enzyme blend that optimizes protein absorption, leading to improved digestion and enhanced muscle recovery.
But it’s not just about the products – it’s the brand’s genuine care for their customers that sets them apart. Wade and Matt have created a tight-knit community around Bioptimizers, fostering a sense of belonging and support for everyone on their wellness journey.
Their team of experts is always there to provide personalized guidance and answer any questions, making me feel like a valued part of the Bioptimizers family.
So, you see, my love for Bioptimizers isn’t just about the exceptional products, but also about the incredible story behind the brand. It’s inspiring to witness the transformation of two friends’ passion into a thriving business that genuinely makes a positive impact on people’s lives.
I trust Bioptimizers because they have earned that trust through their transparency, commitment to research, and, most importantly, their own personal journey towards better health.
Sources:
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum–Nomad and Ideal Probiotic – Frontiers in Microbiology
Efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum in prevention of inflammatory bowel disease – Science Direct
Digestive Enzymes For Bloating And Gas – Bioptimizers
You May Also Enjoy Reading: The Ultimate Guide To Berberine
