The intestine and the immune system are closely related. If the intestine is weakened, the entire immune system loses strength. And vice versa, if the immune system is weak, the gastrointestinal tract may be disturbed. In both cases, the intestinal flora gets out of balance. The intestinal flora – this is the term for the totality of all microorganisms that live in the intestine. Billions of tiny living organisms, predominantly bacteria, cavort there. A distinction is made between about 500 different species. They are hard-working helpers of the immune system, which ultimately even influence whether a person feels well or is ill.
Tasks of the microorganisms in the intestine
The health-promoting intestinal inhabitants perform many tasks:
- They ensure that certain nutrients can be properly digested and also utilized.
- They form vitamins, for example, vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting.
- They protect the intestine from aggressive pollutants.
- They prevent pathogenic viruses, bacteria or fungi to settle in the intestinal mucosa and cause infections.
- They provide the immune cells, which are located in the intestine, with important information. Pathogens can thus be specifically combated.
- They promote the structure and nutrition of the intestinal mucosa.
However, all these tasks can only be managed if the intestinal colonization is balanced. The microorganisms must be in a very specific ratio to each other for this.
Disturbances of the intestine
The intestine can usually compensate well for small or short-term stresses. Serious disturbances and diseases only arise when the attacks are very massive or permanent. Examples include:
- Improper diet
- An unhealthy lifestyle
- Aggressive pathogens
- Taking certain drugs such as antibiotics or cortisone
The good germs are damaged by such influences and the bad ones can spread. Toxic metabolites are formed and burden the intestine. Foreign and harmful substances can no longer be adequately defended against. Inflammatory processes can follow. More and more pathogenic germs take the place of the good, health-promoting ones. Soon the intestinal flora is “understaffed” and overloaded. The first signs of this are bloating belching and cramps in the intestines or even colic as well as greasy, strong-smelling stools.
How disturbed intestinal flora affects the immune system
The immune system also begins to “weaken.” The immune cells in the intestine can no longer work optimally, the defenses dwindle. Then pathogens have an easy time triggering health disorders. Numerous diseases can follow. Those affected react more sensitively, not only with infectious diseases. Sometimes allergies, rheumatic diseases or certain skin conditions also develop. These are all diseases that one does not initially associate with disturbed intestinal function.
Intestinal rehabilitation for the immune system
Fortunately, the intestine also accepts help from the outside, and there are things you can do to restore its function to normal. These measures are summarized under the keyword intestinal rehabilitation. There are various approaches. However, it is very important to clarify the cause of the intestinal complaints with a doctor beforehand. If the doctor gives the green light, the pharmacist can advise on the treatment with the remedial microorganisms. Most of these remedies are available only in pharmacies, but you do not need a doctor’s prescription for their use.
Therapy of intestinal inflammation
In the so-called mucosal therapy, one tries to counteract inflammation with bacterial metabolic products and restore the functions of the mucosa. Metabolic products of microorganisms such as E. coli (intestinal bacteria of humans) or certain lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria) come into question for this purpose. This therapy is particularly effective in the case of an inflamed mucous membrane, for example after diarrhea. This is because the health-promoting germs of the intestinal flora can only multiply if the intestinal mucosa is healthy. In microbiological therapy, the intestine is treated by administering whole germs, i.e. not just their metabolic products. Both live and killed germs are used for this purpose, for example also E. coli or Enterococcus faecalis. The germs occur in the natural intestinal flora and do not cause any harm.They help to rebalance the intestinal flora and contribute to the rehabilitation of the immune system.
Probiotics to strengthen the immune system
Probiotics are recommended as a preventive measure to strengthen the immune system. They are microorganisms, mostly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, which enter the intestine with food or supplements, settle there and support the work of the natural intestinal flora. Food supplements from the pharmacy, for example in the form of capsules, have the advantage that one knows exactly that the cultures arrive in the intestine in sufficient quantities and work. This is not always the case with food, for example, if the cold chain has been interrupted or storage does not take place properly.
Mushrooms against diarrhea
Prebiotics such as inulin or oligofructose are indigestible carbohydrates (oligosaccharides) that cannot be broken down by human digestive juices. They increase the number or activity of desirable lactic acid and bifidobacteria in the intestine, thereby supporting the body’s defenses. Symbiotics are combinations of pro- and prebiotics. In acute diarrhea, but also to prevent traveler’s diarrhea, for example, therapy with Saccharomyces boulardii is also suitable. This is a yeast fungus that can be taken as a capsule or powder and colonizes the gastrointestinal tract within a few hours. There it prevents the diarrheal pathogens from spreading without affecting the intestinal flora. The remedies are available without a prescription at pharmacies.
