Immunity is the first form of defence

What is the gut?

The gut is one of the biggest organs in your body, consisting of your small and large intestines. Until recently, scientists thought that the only role of the gut was to carry nutrients into your body and get rid of waste. However, exciting research now proves that your gut is central to your overall health and wellbeing.

What we know about the gut now

The gut is an incredibly diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, known as microbes. These microbes compete for space and food, much like the inhabitants of a rainforest. In order for the gut to thrive, there needs to be a wide diversity of microbes that create a healthy environment and allow the gut to serve its purpose in protecting you.

How your gut and immune system are linked

Your gut is the centre of your immune system. Around 70% of your immune cells are located there and help to safeguard your body against harmful bacteria. This safeguarding process relies on a diverse mix of good gut bacteria, i.e. a healthy microbiome. Your immune cells communicate with your microbiome to ‘taste’ anything travelling through your gut and decide whether it’s safe or if the immune system needs to fight it. Various studies show that people with healthy gut microbiomes have a reduced risk of infection.