Functions of the gut
Digestion and absorption: The main function of the gut is to process the foods we eat into life-giving nutrients.
Gut barrier function: In addition to food, many bacteria and toxins are also ingested and it is up to the gut to make sure they do not penetrate the body where the will cause sickness and disease. The gut serves as a barrier to monitor and seal off our interior from unfriendly intruders including bacteria, toxins, and antigens/allergens. This is called the gut barrier function.
Immune system: The gut also has connections to the way your body responds to antigens that cause allergies and inflammation.
What is so healthy in the gut flora?
In the gut lies a complex ecosystem or community comprised of tiny microorganisms called the gut flora. Few people know that the gut naturally contains huge numbers of bacteria. The very word bacteria is loaded with unsavory associations. It’s a common misconception that all bacteria should be eliminated, that they are our enemies, but the majority of the bacteria in the gut are critical to good health. These bacteria, known as probiotics, are part of the protective shield that is our immune system, on the alert to detect unfriendly invaders. These unfriendly invaders enter our gut on a daily basis via our food, water and air. It’s the job of our healthy gut flora to fight these dangerous bacteria, toxins and antigens that cause allergy and inflammation and keep them from colonizing and penetrating the digestive tract. Other functions of the gut flora include:
- Influence the development and function of the gut
- Assist in digestion and absorption of nutrients
- Synthesize vitamins
- Assist in the absorption of minerals
- Break down dietary carcinogens
- Influence the development and function the immune system
- Form a natural defense barrier against bacteria, toxins and antigens
- To teach the immune system not to overreact to intruders that should be harmless, like allergens
In the war against germs, probiotics are tough soldiers that we can employ to help us. A good balance of bacteria in our gut equals better health and Health Wizard can show you the progress you are making.
