Go For Gut-Friendly Goodies

Naini Setalvad recommends the use of probiotic food to aid our immune system in fighting pathogens

- Naini Setalvad

Did you know that close to 100 trillion bacteria colonise your body, with the largest number found in your intestine? I don’t want you to be alarmed as these bacteria are actually harmless and aid in body functions such as digestion. They are called ‘gut flora’ and are present in the digestive system. Let me reassure you that they are body-friendly micro-organisms which suppress the growth of harmful bacteria, reduce toxins (poisonous substances), and thus keep our digestive system healthy. The gut flora also plays an important role in boosting immunity, which is nothing but our body’s ability to fight diseases. So, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, when it is of utmost importance to keep our immunity up, we need to include foods such as probiotics that will aid in doing so.

Two types of immunities

Immunity is of two types: Innate immunity, which we are born with, and acquired immunity, which is developed through vaccinations. It is the innate immunity that decides how strong we are and how well we can fight infections. Natural killer cells (NK cells) are part of the innate immune system and are responsible for keeping infections at bay. Maintaining a high activity of NK cells will ensure more effective immunity, preventing illness, and thereby reducing the need for medicines and antibiotics. NK cells are often negatively influenced by stress, ageing, poor nutrition, and pollution.