Probiotics and gut health enzymes are most commonly known for their digestive health support, but their benefits extend far beyond the gut. These supplements for bloating can help protect your immunity levels! Giving your immune system that extra bit of support is especially important during the colder months when you are more likely to catch a cold.
From teaching your immune cells how to protect to producing antimicrobial compounds, these supplements can help you achieve a strong immune system along with a healthy gut. Due to the connection between your immune system and your gut, taking those extra digestive health steps is incredibly important. Let’s continue to explore this connection to better understand how to utilize it to its highest potential.
Let’s Break Down The Relationship Between The Gut and The Immune System
The connection between our gut and immune health is revolutionizing how we think about immunity care. A person’s gut wall maintains over half of the immune cells that are stored in the body, making it the number one immune organ in the human body. So what is our gut wall and lining?
The gut wall and lining acts as a barrier between the substances and pathogens that are entering or present in our body from the internal side of our gut that is responsible for many aspects of one’s health. This barrier gets to decide what to allow in such as beneficial bacteria and nutrients and what to send the other way such as harmful bacteria. Have you ever heard of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue? This tissue helps to train your body to identify what is beneficial and what is harmful. In this area, your immune cells are able to interact with different substances such as bacteria and learn the difference between harmful and helpful.
The status of your digestive health plays a major role in how efficiently this process works and how effective your gut is in staving off the potentially harmful substances. When your gut becomes imbalanced, the consequences will be felt throughout your immune system. An unhealthy gut can cause inflammation and can leave you vulnerable to a host of illnesses. In order to use this relationship in a positive manner, we must work to protect our gut health.
The Key Mechanisms of Probiotics and Digestive Health Rituals When It Comes To Immune Support
Let’s explore some of the ways you can strengthen your gut and in turn strengthen your immune support.
- Take a Probiotic - A probiotic supplement for bloating helps to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut and helps to protect the forces keeping out harmful bacteria. The beneficial bacteria can only thrive with the implementation of prebiotic into your routine along with the probiotic. These two together are a dream team. The lacto and bifido probiotic strains are particularly helpful in immune/gut support, which are both found in our Probiotic Renu. We ideally recommend taking a probiotic first thing in the morning on an empty stomach so that it can travel and be utilized to its fullest potential.
- Fiber, fiber, fiber - As mentioned above, prebiotics are just as important as probiotics, which is when fiber enters the conversation. Soluble fiber in particular can help to feel the beneficial bacteria in your gut and allow it to flourish. When the bacteria in your gut absorbs this soluble fiber, they produce short-chain fatty acids which can reduce inflammation and can strengthen the gut barrier. Oats and rice are great sources of soluble fiber.
- Avoid Stress - Stress is truly the silent killer when it comes to the different systems within the body. When you are stressed, your body enters a state of fight-or-flight and all the focus is redirected away from the different processes such as our digestive and immune systems. Chronic stress can also weaken the gut barrier that is working to protect you. Be sure to incorporate stress-relieving activities into your daily routine. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and exercise are all great ways to reduce stress and maintain stability.
While incredibly important, taking care of your digestive system is not the only way to protect your immunity levels.
Rituals and Ways to Support Your Immune System
Taking care of your immune system requires a holistic and wellness-forward approach to multiple areas of your life. Quality sleep is one of the most important ways to successfully protect your immunity levels. Cytokines are proteins that target infection and inflammation. These proteins are produced while your body is in a state of deep sleep. Try to have a consistent sleep schedule and make sure to prioritize a restful night of sleep with little to no distraction. Avoiding screen time, dimming the lights, and turning on your diffuser are great ways to set the mood and to set yourself up for success!
A consistent exercise routine is another pillar to success when it comes to strengthening your immunity levels. Moderate and low-impact exercise has been found to be most beneficial for higher immunity levels whereas high-impact exercise can sometimes cause more harm than good. Generally, it is recommended to participate in some form of movement for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day.
Lastly, there are many essential vitamins that can help to support your immunity levels. Vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are all great options, but be sure to refer to your physician before adding any new vitamin for bloating into your routine.