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Anyone who thinks that the intestine only serves to digest food is wrong. Recent studies show that they also have a huge impact on our overall health. In other words: if your gut isn’t working properly, your body could suffer the consequences. Professor Eric De Maerteleire, bioengineer and doctor in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, provides a brief explanation and explains how to keep your intestine healthy.
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Immune system in the intestine
75% of our immune system is located in the gut. A healthy digestive system is therefore essential for identifying and combating pathogens. “We often talk about the GALT system. This is short for gut-associated lymphoid tissue,” says De Maerteleire. “The GALT, the largest immune organ in the body of humans and pets, contains a variety of immune cell types from the innate and acquired immune systems. The gut and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) are essential components of whole-body immune defenses, protecting the body from foreign antigens and pathogens, while allowing tolerance to commensal bacteria: these are harmless bacteria, even beneficial, living in and on our body. the life of the body and food antigens are made possible.”
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- In technical terms, the GALT is considered part of the mucosal immune system and consists of aggregated tissue, including Peyer’s platelets and solitary lymphoid follicles, and nonaggregated cells in the lamina propria, intestinal epithelial cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, and mesenteric lymph nodes.
- In human language: inside our intestine there is a layer of cells responsible for the correct functioning of the immune system. This layer must not be damaged and can only remain intact if the contents of the large intestine are in balance.
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Probiotics and prebiotics
There are many things you can do to keep your gut healthy. First, the most effective and obvious option is to take probiotics daily. “Probiotics are living bacteria that have a positive effect on the intestine. They ensure the balance of microorganisms in the digestive system,” explains De Maerteleire. You can find probiotics in fermented foods and drinks such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, skyr, and some soy products. “Each person should eat 150 to 250 grams of yogurt per day, preferably immediately after lunch. At that time the pH value of the stomach is higher, so that the probiotics reach the intestine more quickly.”
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“A second important measure is to eat dietary fiber – prebiotics – which feed the good bacteria in our large intestine. You should eat 15 grams of fiber per 1000 kilocalories you need every day. An example: someone who has to consume 2000 kcal per day. You should eat 30 grams of fiber per day. We are currently well below this figure. The average Belgian eats just 19-20 grams of fiber per day. One of the priority recommendations of the Belgian Higher Health Council is to eat at least 125 wholemeal products every day.”
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Last update: December 2023
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2023-12-28 23:02:25
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