Here's why you should take care of your gut health at flu season

Are you getting enough sleep, zinc, and vitamin C? These are crucial for the health of your immune system. However, during colder months and flu season, it's essential to pay extra attention to your defences.

A well-functioning immune system plays a critical role in fighting off flu germs. If your immune system isn't operating optimally, you're at a higher risk of falling ill. But what exactly does the health of our gut have to do with this?

The gut provides crucial support and is strongly connected to our immune system. Learn how the gut is connected to the immune system and what steps you can take to strengthen your defences, especially during flu season.

How Are the Gut & Immune System Connected?

The primary role of our immune system is to protect the body from harmful influences. 70% of all immune cells are located in the small and large intestine, and nearly 80% of all defence reactions occur there. This makes the intestine an enormously important part of our immune system.

If the immune function of the intestine is compromised, the entire body's defence system loses strength. Our digestive tract significantly influences the fight against pathogens and overall health.

How Do Our Defences Work?

When a pathogen bypasses the initial barriers, compartments capture these cells and search for suspicious surface structures. If such structures are identified, immune cells capture and break them down, presenting them to the immune system. Special cells then develop antibodies to target these pathogens. Marked by these antibodies, the pathogens attract scavenger cells that destroy them.

The intestine, being our largest immune organ, covers a total area of 200 m²—100 times larger than our body surface. Its task is to fend off pathogens while not attacking beneficial gut bacteria. About 90% of all antibodies are produced in the intestine.

Why Is the Gut Flora Important for the Immune System?

Before pathogens even reach the intestinal immune system, they must overcome a barrier formed by the intestinal mucosa and flora. The gut flora is responsible for:

• Processing food components that our enzymes cannot handle
• Producing vitamins
• Creating short-chain fatty acids
• Breaking down toxins
• Stimulating intestinal movement and function
• Competing with pathogens for resources and attachment sites
• Producing substances that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria

Research shows that a healthy intestinal flora supports the immune system and protects against various diseases. For instance, sterile-reared lab animals, which lack gut bacteria, have reduced organ sizes related to the immune system and are more prone to infections.

Influencing the Immune System via the Gut

The gut flora has a profound effect on the immune system. Therefore, nutrition plays a vital role in our health. Nutrients, vitamins, and trace elements are essential for the renewal of immune system components and contribute to normal immune defence.

Tips for Gut Health During the Flu Season

To support your gut health and thereby boost your immune system, consider the following tips:

• Regular exercise keeps digestion and the immune system functioning properly.
• Eat a varied and healthy diet.
• Limit sugar intake.
• Consume a fibre-rich diet to support your gut flora.
• Include probiotic foods in your diet regularly, such as kefir, sauerkraut, and certain cheeses.
• If you are prone to illness, a gut cleanse can strengthen your immune system. A healthy diet and adequate intake of vitamins and minerals help fortify the gut barrier and can influence infection frequency.

Our special tip: Support your immune system by taking probiotics. Probiotics are crucial for maintaining a healthy intestinal flora, which can help protect the body from harmful substances and infections. They provide your body with beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing immune function. Our Premium Probiolac offers 30 different, high-quality strains of bacteria that support gut health.

Can the Gut Weaken the Immune System?

Yes, a weakened gut can indeed impair the immune system. If semi-digested food enters the intestine, it can trigger toxic processes that stress the immune system.

Moreover, the gut is sensitive to psychological stress. Stress causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the digestive tract. This decreases the oxygen and nutrient supply to intestinal cells, impairing their immune defence function.

Conversely, a weakened immune system can lead to digestive issues. Pathogens can thrive in an impaired gut environment, worsening the situation and leading to illness.

Optimise Your Body's Performance

To ensure optimal performance, maintain a healthy gut. Pay attention to your diet, get regular exercise, and manage stress and sleep. Vitamins, minerals, and probiotics are key to providing your body with what it needs for optimal immune defence.