– The intestines are our main immune system. They contain much more immune cells than organs such as the thymus or spleen, says Prof. prof. Bożena Cukrowska in the book by Margit Kossobudzka “Man on Bacteria”. Fortunately, a well-known medical journalist took up a fashionable topic among bloggers and supporters of medicine. It was supported by scientific authorities. Finally, we can find out from a reliable source how important our microbiome is, what diseases it causes and what to treat, and where to find beneficial bacteria.
- They know when we first kissed and how often we use the dishwasher. Trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses are on every piece of our body, and they have built the largest metropolis in our intestines. Scientists believe that it is the richest ecosystem on Earth! Yes, it is in us, not in the Amazon rainforest, and we have more bacteria in our intestines than in our entire body. There are 39 trillion of them! Together they weigh 2-3 kg
- Dr hab. Jan Mazela from the Department of Neonatology at the Medical University of Poznań believes that intestinal microorganisms play a very important role in our immunity. Yes, if the bacteria in the gut “get sick”, so does our body. Without a good army of microbes, our immunity is stranded. We will not be able to avoid the most common diseases, effectively defend ourselves against low mood, even depression or even lose weight
- In the book by Margit Kossobudzka “Man on bacteria” we will find interviews, expert advice, hard scientific data, information on where to get beneficial bacteria, how to choose a diet and how to “handle the intestines” to support us, incl. in boosting immunity instead of depriving health
This book by Margit Kossobudzka should be a must-have for anyone who cares about their own health or that of their loved ones. Outstanding specialists * in the digestive, immune, neurological systems, skin, mouth and pediatricians speak of the microorganisms living in our belly in “Man for Bacteria”. It is so fashionable today, a holistic view of our body, which is to ensure a long life in health, but performed by the best experts, and not unverified pseudo-medical information circulating on the Internet.
The intestine is the main immune system
The fetal life already influences which bacteria colonize our intestines. And also childbirth. In this respect, a child born naturally rather than by caesarean section is in a better position. In the first case, while passing through the birth canal, it comes into contact with the mother’s bacteria, e.g. those from the intestines.
It is also important whether the mother took any medications during the pregnancy, such as antibiotics, and whether she was stressed.
– In fact, the intestines are our main immune system, not even the second one, but the most important one, says the head of the Immunology Laboratory of the Children’s Health Center in Warsaw, Prof. Bożena Cukrowska. According to the specialist, the intestine contains many more immune cells than the other organs that make up this organ, such as the thymus or spleen. – Secondly, the intestine comes into the closest contact with what we eat and what we come into contact with in the environment, including bacteria – adds Prof. Cukrowska.
The more and more frequent allergies are the result of disturbances in the intestines. The reasons are the mentioned caesareas, but also not breastfeeding a newborn, raising a child in a too sterile environment and environmental pollution.
The most important for the shape of the future intestinal flora are the first two or three years of life. The microbiome could theoretically change later, but the truth is, it doesn’t change much for most people. And trying to change is not easy at all.
Depression caused by the gut
The successful ones include, among others modification of the microbiome of patients with refractory inflammatory bowel disease using fecal transplantation from a healthy person. Perhaps this method will also be used in the treatment of depression, including depression that is resistant to the use of antidepressants. It turned out that some people depression may be associated with disturbances in the intestinal microbiota. This is what Dr. Grzesiowski, head of the Center for Research and Transplantation of the Intestinal Microbiota, believes. Some people’s mood changes after a gut microbiota has been transplanted. – It is amazing as if we were looking at another person – says Dr. Grzesiowski. It claims that gut microbiota even affects the brain. – Mice were bred that were devoid of intestinal microbiota. And it turned out that they exhibit many behavioral abnormalities – fearful, depressive, and autistic. When scientists colonized their intestines with bacteria from healthy animals, the rodents stopped being afraid and began to socialize. They were more willing to be together and the autistic behavior disappeared, she says.
A poor diet and sweeteners can destroy the beneficial intestinal flora. Scientists from Israel have proved that, among others, aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, advantame and acesulfame K are harmful). And yet all of these substances are approved by the FDA as harmless to humans.
On the other hand, the use of probiotics reduces the need for antibiotic therapy in children, according to research published in the European Journal of Public Health.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK), together with colleagues from the USA and the Netherlands, analyzed data obtained in 12 studies on the effects of probiotics on children’s health. It turned out that children who received probiotics daily in the form of a dietary supplement by 29 percent. they were less likely to have prescribed antibiotics by a doctor. When the analysis was limited to only the best-quality studies, the frequency of prescribing antibiotics fell by 53%.
In the studies covered by the analysis, strains of bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus (lactobacilli) and Bifidobacterium were used as probiotics.
It is not yet clear how probiotics help fight infections, especially respiratory and digestive infections. There are many potential mechanisms, such as the production of substances inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms by probiotic bacteria, or the regulation of the immune system by them, reminded prof. Merenstein. Therefore, taking probiotics can help eliminate harmful bacteria from the gut and at the same time strengthen the immune system to fight them.
Beneficial bacteria are supported, among others, by high-fiber diet. And it is harmed not only by dietary mistakes and antibiotic therapy, but also by stress. There are studies confirming that couples who argue often have a much worse gut condition than harmonious couples. But is the quarrel aggravating the microbiome or are the emotional outbursts the result of the poor bacterial flora inhabiting the abdomen?
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Among the interviewees, the journalists included, among others immunologist prof. dr hab. n. med. Bożena Cukrowska, head of the Immunology Laboratory of the Institute “Monument – Children’s Health Center”, Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, MD, head of the Center for Research and Transplantation of the Intestinal Microbiota in Warsaw, dr hab. n. med. Jan Mazela from the Department of Neonatology, Medical University in Poznań, prof. dr hab. n. med. Hanna Szajewska, head of the Department of Paediatrics at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Margit Kossobudzka, scientific and medical journalist, for 15 years associated with “Wyborcza”. Environmental microbiologist by education, graduated from the Faculty of Biology at the University of Warsaw. He most willingly writes about prophylaxis and research on the impact of lifestyle on health. Co-author of the books “Udar. A guide for patients and their relatives ”and“ How to live well with diabetes ”. Awarded many times.
Sources: “Man against bacteria” Margit Kossobudzka, PAP
“Man on bacteria” Margit Kossobudzka, Agora publishing house, 2018