The Immune Boosting, Life Enhancing Power of a Healthy Gut

Not long ago, bacteria were thought to be freeloaders; hitchhikers not contributing all that much for the benefit of their human hosts.

Like an obnoxious guest at a dinner party, you could care less if they were simply thrown out.

New research proves otherwise, unlocking our dependance on intestinal bacteria when fighting disease, maintaining or enhancing health.

Our gut microbiome helps us absorb nutrients and minerals, synthesize enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins, as well as protect against pathogens, and regulate our immune system.

According to Dan Peterson, assistant professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “A huge proportion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract."

Some estimate 80 percent of our ability to fight disease comes from our gut. Intestinal bacteria stim­u­late the devel­op­ment of T‑cells, play a prominent role in deploying Natural Killer Cells, Neutrophils, as well as Antigen Presenting Cells; all essential for a healthy and effective immune response.

In covering our innate ability to fight disease, media outlets occasionally convey the importance of diet, nutrition and lifestyle. They stop short of validating the critical role nutrition plays in an optimally functioning immune response.

Sh!t that doesn't stink

If anyone should be proud of their own sh!t, it’s the Hadza tribe of northern Tanzania.

Among the last remaining hunter-gatherers, the 1,300 member Hadza are believed to have the healthiest gut bacteria on earth.

The proof is in their poop.

Researchers compared 350 stool samples of the Hadza to 17 other samples from populations across the globe.

The Hadza possess, not only an abundance of healthy gut microbes when contrasted with the average Western sample, their microbiome shifted with seasons — depending on what they ate — with certain types of intestinal bacteria unique to tribal members.

The Hadza also suffer from far fewer illnesses than their western counterparts.

One reason for this is their aforementioned gut bacteria.

Why do members of the Hadza tribe have such a healthy microbiome?

In short, diet and lifestyle.

The Hadza consume a plant based, protein rich diet, which varies based on seasons. Meals consist of tubers, edible plants, berries, baobab fruit, honey; as well as 30 different types of game meat.

One thing missing from this complex diet are processed foods, they eat what grows in nature, that’s it.

Other reasons for the thriving gut bacteria are an absence of antibiotics and an environment that is anything but sterile. You won’t find hand sanitizers, Clorox wipes, or Lysol among the tribe; there are no antibiotics either.

Sure, antibiotics have their appropriate and intended purpose, overuse however, can lead to resistance, and deplete our healthy microbiome.

A number of scientists and researchers also believe we can be too clean, constant disinfecting, sanitizing, and showering are stripping our bodies of healthy microbes, and quite possibly weakening our immune systems.

Important lessons

At this point, the evidence is overwhelmingly clear, you, me, everyone on earth should be consuming a (mostly) plant based diet, with some diverse free range or wild game and fish, with as little processed food as possible.

While the Hadza tribe takes this to an extreme, consuming absolutely nothing in the way of processed foods, you and I can at least come close.

When preparing, or even ordering a meal, emphasize vegetables, legumes, lentils, and lean proteins, while minimizing refined foods. Snack on nuts and fruits rather than chips and candy bars.

To help replenish healthy intestinal bacteria, it's best to consume fermented, low sugar foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, or kefir. These foods are loaded with beneficial probiotics and help replenish healthy bacteria already in place.

We should also avoid overly disinfecting our environment. Yes, hand washing is good, but constant hand sanitizing, may not be. Don’t use antibiotics unless they are prescribed accordingly and deemed necessary by your doctor.

Get outside, enjoy some sunshine with appropriate protection, walk in nature, and eat it’s bounty.

Thanks for reading!