Gut microbes play a huge role in determining how well the immune system operates. “Seventy to 80 percent of our immune tissue is located in or around our GI tract, which means that our gut microbes are constantly communicating with our immune system,” says Minneapolis-based naturopathic doctor Sara Jean Barrett, ND.
Gut dysbiosis is recognized more as a driver of systemic autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers have identified specific microbes that create SCFAs that educate regulatory T cells and promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines to help maintain immune balance.
Other microbes, when they overgrow, have been linked to inflammation and immune dysregulation. Patients with RA, for instance, tend to harbor low levels of helpful Faecalibacterium and an overabundance of the inflammation-fueling Prevotella species.
The key to a strong immune system is sufficient bacterial diversity. “[A well-populated] microbiome promotes a healthy balance between the T-regulatory cells and inflammatory T cells,” Barrett says. “It really plays a critical role in helping to protect you from autoimmune diseases.”
This understanding of the gut-immune axis may lead to new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment. Already, scientists have found that certain gut bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, can boost the effects of cancer immunotherapy by helping immune cells target tumors more effectively.
The Mighty Microbiome
Your gut microbiome affects much more than digestion: It has an impact on your immune resilience, hormonal health, and more. Learn more at “9 Ways the Gut Microbiome Influences Health,” from which this article was excerpted.
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