It may seem impossible, but the functioning and efficiency of the immune system also originates from the well-being of the gastrointestinal system and, in particular, from the balance of the commensal microbial flora present in the colon.
It is a set of microorganisms that live in the mucous membranes that line the intestinal surface and that carry out numerous useful, if not essential, activities for the human body. In fact, they promote digestion and assimilation of some nutrients, participate in the production of metabolic energy, produce some vitamins , including vitamin K, and even some molecules capable of regulating the responses of the immune system . They are also directly involved in the defense against the attack of pathogens in the intestine. They are therefore defined, in common jargon, "good bacteria".
Following an unregulated diet , an unhealthy lifestyle , drug abuse, an excess of toxic substances such as waste and heavy metals or antibiotic therapy, the delicate balance between the various microbial strains that make up the intestinal flora can break ; this alteration, also defined as “dysbiosis” , can lead to a series of consequences. In addition to having direct effects, such as the onset of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal system or the manifestation of abdominal discomfort (bloating, meteorism, dysentery, abdominal cramps), this imbalance is also reflected indirectly on the immune system, reducing its 'efficiency. This can also occur in organs distant from the intestine: for example, the dysbiosis associated with the intake of antibiotics can reduce the response, at the nasal level, to infection by the influenza virus.
A healthy intestinal flora promotes the proper functioning of the immune system , both in the presence of inflammatory diseases (protecting the tissues from damage associated with inflammation) and in physiological conditions. Especially in this delicate period it is essential to have a defensive system capable of operating to the full of its capabilities.
So why not start from the basics?
How to take care of the intestinal flora and one's intestine?
It is possible to promote your intestinal well-being by first looking after your diet : a varied diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which provide fiber (better to avoid raw vegetables if you suffer from meteorism, in order to reduce fermentation phenomena, and prefer instead those steamed, boiled or baked) is ideal for nourishing the intestinal flora.
In case of intestinal dysbiosis due to an unhealthy diet or to the intake of drugs, it is possible to supplement one's diet with products based on prebiotics and probiotics, which restore the balance of the bacterial flora, such as Floravita Plus.
Even a product based on plant extracts having a beneficial action on the gastrointestinal tract, such as Papaya, Lemon Balm, Pineapple, Aloe and Malpighia can prove useful for restoring the well-being of the intestine, supporting digestive activities and promoting intestinal regularity.