Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, celiac disease and alopecia are just a handful of the many diseases that fall under the umbrella of autoimmune disease. What is the root cause of these ailments? About 20 million Americans, mostly women, are afflicted with autoimmune illness, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.¹ What qualifies as an atypical immunological response? This article will provide you with an overview of the immune system and how it is connected to the health of the gut.

The Immune System

Like a well-guarded building entrance, the immune system is always monitoring and looking for any potential dangers to the cells and tissues. To prevent potential invaders, the gatekeepers and security personnel continuously monitor the boundaries. If a foreign entity enters the human body, a closely regulated mechanism releases pro- and anti-inflammatory cells.

White blood cells consisting of neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, cytokines, lymphocytes, monocytes and Langerhans' cells are all part of the immune system. The T and B cells are the most powerful killer cells. Bone marrow is the site where T lymphocytes are created.²

Pathogens come in different forms including: bacteria, chemicals, yeast, parasites, damaged cells, allergens, asthma and toxins. Intracellular (found inside the cell) or extracellular (found outside the cell) are the two types of intrusions. Chemicals, bacteria and drugs are examples of extracellular invaders. Intracellular invaders include toxins, organ transplants, cancer, viruses and pregnancy. Both can trigger an antigen response.

The body possesses an active and passive immune system. Both systems identify intruders and can eliminate them without causing any harm to tissues. Active immunity implies that antibodies are made by the body and build immunity over time, sometimes lasting life-long. Passive immunity lasts for a shorter amount of time and is introduced by an outside antigen.

When cells are chronically threatened, the immune system eventually wears down and becomes overloaded. If this happens, the protection system and security personnel tend to allow outsiders to enter. The chance for disruption, imbalance and disease to infiltrate arises from inadequate cell defense.

Connecting to the Gut

The gut consists of the gastrointestinal tract or the digestive system. The digestive system has many components. It expands to about 25-30 feet in length, contains many glands, cavities and hormones, and is primarily responsible for digestion, absorption and waste from the foods we eat.¹ It is also a pathway for toxins and waste to exit our bodies. It is home to diverse microbes, (two-thirds of our immune system) and is connected to our brain via the vagus nerve.² This explains why stomach pain or nausea occurs under stress.

The gut has a precise microbial balance within the small and large intestines. The gastrointestinal tract possesses over 30 trillion bacteria and 400 bacterial species.³ In addition to ongoing inflammation, a variety of other factors frequently contribute to the inefficiencies of the gut wall and its function. These include intestinal permeability (leaky gut), microbiome imbalance and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) leading to chronic inflammation, toxin overload and poor skin barrier function.⁴ Symptoms such as bloating, low abdominal pain, gas, constipation and diarrhea indicate that there is evidence of gut malfunction. Additionally, chronic stress alters the gut and ultimately the immune system.

Chronic stress adds to the dysregulated immune system because it signals cortisol to be produced in the adrenals. If cortisol is chronically high, inflammation occurs. The intestinal lining becomes weak and permeable because of the chronic inflammation. This is a strong contributor to leaky gut or enhanced intestinal permeability.

If the gut’s lining has openings, microbes or bacteria are allowed to enter and exit the intestinal wall lining. In addition, particles that are supposed to be isolated within the intestinal wall are now able to travel outside. These particles include partially digested food, microbes and chemicals. This triggers a heightened immune response. An imbalance or overgrowth of bacteria results in poor essential fat absorption and utilization of energy. When fat is not absorbed by the cells, conditions such as dry skin, elevated triglycerides, altered immune system and weight gain may occur.

The first responders are the white blood cells. The T and B cells respond to destroy the intruder. In situations of small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO), hydrogen sulfide gas in the intestine breaks down the protective mucosal layer which presents an opening.

Related: 10 Foods that Support a Healthy Gut

Steps to Improved Health

A good place to start is to take a critical view of your gut health. What are your eating habits? Be honest about your daily stress levels. The answer is not simply adding another supplement, prebiotic or probiotic. It is imperative to analyze the gut to discover the root cause of immune issues.

In the meantime, it is extremely important to eliminate inflammation. The easiest method is to begin eating whole, organic fruits and vegetables, and lean poultry, fish and meats. It is a good recommendation to discontinue consuming sugars, white flour, dairy and gluten because of possible inflammation and gut reactions.

There are many ways to improve gut function. A few very simple strategies are to eat slowly, chew food thoroughly and eliminate drinking cold water during meals. Drinking water during meals dilutes the natural digestive enzymes needed to break the food into smaller pieces to make their way through the small and large intestines. The trillions of microbes (bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites) all compete for food to survive. When there is microbial overgrowth, nutrient absorption is crucial to enhance cellular strength needed for immune health.

If stress levels are elevated, find ways to eliminate it every day. The body is designed to heal, repair and rebuild if provided whole foods, hydration, rest and recovery, along with movement and joy.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26888748
2. https://microbiome.mit.edu/microbiome-news/how-your-gut-is-controlling-your-immune-system
3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7670
4. www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune/index.cfm

Susan Wade has more than 30 years of experience in education, kinesiology, athletic training, nutrition and aesthetics. Her functional medicine business dives deeper into resolving health issues, connecting the gut, stress, skin and inside health to help others regain their own health.