Immune System

Overview: The Immune System & Biomunity™

Weakened immunity has been linked to dysbiosis, or imbalance of the microbiome, due to alteration of the metabolites produced by gut bacteria. When the gut microbiome suffers from imbalance, it can result in dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune responses which can lead to inflammation as well as reduced immune response to pathogenic infection [1].  Modulation of the immune system is a key to reducing chronic inflammation, so it is essential to correct dysbiosis of gut microflora.  Without a large and diverse volume of beneficial bacteria performing their essential functions within the gut, the microbiome’s ability to support a healthy immune system is compromised.  

 

Biomunity™ Can Help

Biomunity™ promotes a well-modulated immune response throughout the body. An overactive immune system, and any hyper-response (such as a cytokine storm), is kept in check by your body’s own natural processes, which is preferable to the use of prescribed medications that can involve undesired side effects and disruption to the gut microbiome.  

The “good” microbes inside each probiotic capsule produce Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) upon arrival in the gut. These SCFAs maintain the cells of the gut barrier that help activate the body’s natural immune response functions.  In addition to both probiotic and prebiotic ingredients, Biomunity™ contains several vitamins and nutrients which have been scientifically validated to support healthy immune function. 

Taken together, this unique blend of scientifically validated ingredients provides one of the most  complete immune-support packages available today. Our probiotic blend has been shown to make a real difference in the quality of life of people with compromised immune systems so we’re confident in its ability to help people with healthy immune systems to respond to stress, environmental pathogens, and depleted microbiome bacteria resulting from antibiotic use.

The Science

The interaction between the microbiota and immune system is bidirectional and involves different components/mechanisms.  Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are the products of bacterial fermentation, are an important link between microbiota and the immune system as they are essential for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and play a role in the development of certain diseases.

Corrêa-Oliveira R, Fachi JL, Vieira A, Sato FT, Vinolo MA. Regulation of immune cell function by short-chain fatty acids. Clin Transl Immunology. 2016;5(4):e73. Published 2016 Apr 22. doi:10.1038/cti.2016.17

The gut microbiota has a profound effect on the immune system and can affect autoimmune-related diseases both within and outside of the gut.  The microbiome provides essential health benefits by regulating immune homeostasis, and alterations of these microbial communities can cause immune dysregulation, leading to autoimmune disorders.

Wu HJ, Wu E. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012;3(1):4-14. doi:10.4161/gmic.19320

Specific Ingredients that Help

Lactobacillus & bifidobacterial probiotic strains are non-pathogenic and non-toxigenic, retain viability during storage, and are well known for their ability to retain viability during storage, and to survive passage through the stomach and small bowel to improve health. [2]

 

Lactobacillus acidophilis is linked to increased serum IgG antibody levels in the gut, which is crucial in immunological memory. [3]

 

Lactobacillus reuteri can produce antimicrobial molecules, such as organic acids, ethanol, and reuterin.  Due to its antimicrobial activity, L. reuteri is able to inhibit the colonization of pathogenic microbes and remodel commensal microbiota composition.  L. reuteri also reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines while promoting regulatory T cell development and function.  [4]

 

Lactobacillus rhamnosus improves intestinal permeability, modulates microbiota dysbiosis, and modulates inflammation through the generation of regulatory T cells. [5]  

 

Inulin modulates immune functions by promoting the growth of Bifidobacterium, and increasing the relative abundance of helpful bacteria in the gut, such as Anaerostripes, Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus.  [6]

 

Arabinogalactin supports immune response and inhibits pathogens and harmful bacteria.  It has a significant effect on enhancing beneficial gut microflora, specifically increasing anaerobes such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, and it can stimulate natural killer cell cytotoxicity. [7]

 

CoQ10, an antioxidant, has proved to be of potential use as a treatment in diseases in which oxidative stress is a hallmark, and beneficial effects of CoQ10 have been reported in the treatment of chronic diseases. [8]

 

Beta-Glucans (1,3 and 1,6) support a healthy immune system as they can prime innate immune cells.  In addition, Beta-Glucans can stimulate immune functions by increasing the amounts of immunoglobulin, NK cells, killer T-cells, and other cells which will improve resistance to cancer and infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as increase biological therapies and their prevention. [9][10]

 

Vitamin C supports the immune system and antioxidant activity, and PureWay-C (the particular type of Vitamin C found in Biomunity) has especially high rates of absorption and uptake. [11] 

 

Zinc helps support immune system resistance.  It is an essential trace element that is crucial for growth, development, and maintenance of immune functions.  Zinc status is a critical factor that can influence antiviral immunity, as zinc-deficient populations are often more at risk of acquiring viral infections. [12]

References:

  1. Tiffany CR, Baumler AJ. (2019). Dysbiosis: from fiction to function.  Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2019 Nov 1; 317(5):G602-G608
  2. Macfarlane GT, Cummings JH.  Probiotics and prebiotics: can regulating the activities of intestinal bacteria benefit health?  BMJ 1999 April 10; 318)7189): 999-1003.  DOI 10.1136/bmj.318.7189.999
  3. Gill HS, Rutherfurd KJ, Prasad J, Gopal PK. Enhancement of natural and acquired immunity by Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HN001), Lactobacillus acidophilus (HN017) and Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019). Br J Nutr. 2000 Feb;83(2):167-76. doi: 10.1017/s0007114500000210. PMID: 10743496.
  4. Mu Q, Tavella VJ, Luo XM. Role of Lactobacillus reuteri in Human Health and Diseases. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:757. Published 2018 Apr 19. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.00757
  5. Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV, Escaravage E, Savignac HM, Dinan TG, Bienenstock J, Cryan JF. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Sep 20;108(38):16050-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1102999108. Epub 2011 Aug 29. PMID: 21876150; PMCID: PMC3179073.
  6. Le Bastard Q, Chapelet G, Javaudin F, Lepelletier D, Batard E, Montassier E. The effects of inulin on gut microbial composition: a systematic review of evidence from human studies. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Mar;39(3):403-413. doi: 10.1007/s10096-019-03721-w. Epub 2019 Nov 9. PMID: 31707507.
  7. Kelly, GS. Larch arabinogalactan: clinical relevance of a novel immune-enhancing polysaccharide. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4(2):96–103.
  8. Gutierrez-Mariscal FM, Arenas-de Larriva AP, Limia-Perez L, Romero-Cabrera JL, Yubero-Serrano EM, López-Miranda J. Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for the Reduction of Oxidative Stress: Clinical Implications in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Oct 23;21(21):7870. doi: 10.3390/ijms21217870. PMID: 33114148; PMCID: PMC7660335. 
  9. De Marco Castro E, Calder PC, Roche HM. β-1,3/1,6-Glucans and Immunity: State of the Art and Future Directions. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2021 Jan;65(1):e1901071. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201901071. Epub 2020 Apr 27. PMID: 32223047; PMCID: PMC7816268.
  10. Daou C,  Zhang H. Oat Beta -Glucan: Its role in health promotion and prevention of diseases.  Comprehensive Reviews in food science and food safety 2012; (11):355-365.
  11. Pancorbo D, Vasquez C, Fletcher MA.  Vitamin C-lipid metabolites: Uptake and retention and effect on plasma C-reactive protein and oxidized LDL levels in healthy volunteers.  Med Sci Monit 2008; 14(11): CR547-551
  12. Read, SA et al.  The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity.  Adv Nutr. 2019 Jul 1; 10(4):696-710.  DOI 10.1093/advances/nmz013.