Suffering with a Less Than Optimal Immune System? Take Care of Your Gut

Monday, February 23

You’ve probably heard it said that good health begins in the gut.  It’s true.  Approximately 80% of the immune system is in the gut in the Peyer’s Patches which are part of the gut-associated-lymphoid-tissue (GALT). 

So what does our immune system, aka gut need?  Good nutrition in the form of pesticide-free nutrient-dense foods, antioxidants, and fiber.  Grass-fed and organic meats, organic produce, nuts and seeds, and occasional whole grains as tolerated.  Probiotics to help reinoculate the gut with good bacteria---crowding out the bad, such as candida.    

What’s not good for the gut?  Added sugars, its first cousin white flour, processed foods containing man-made trans fats.  Indeed, sugars depress the immune system.  Ever feel like you’ve got a cold coming on one day, and the next day voila, you’ve got a full-blown head cold?  It may have been avoided by skipping that rich dessert last night.