Did you know that 80% of your body’s immune tissue dwells in the intestinal tract?

It’s true!

Areas called Peyer’s Patches, located in the small intestine, are responsible for producing the body’s immune tissues and building up antigens (molecules that attack diseases and other invaders).

Peyer’s patches also help regulate the populations of gut flora, or the bacteria that live in the digestive tract, by keeping the balance between the helpful bacteria and those that can cause sickness.

There are billions of bacteria in the body, all of which play important roles. Those that live in the gut are no exception. These organisms, also called commensal flora or probiotics, do everything from helping with waste elimination (yes, poop) to releasing anti-inflammatory compounds. They also keep the intestinal contents from leaking out, and they even eat the bad bacteria!

Without the proper balance of these good guys, along with a poor environment for them to grow and thrive, a host of health problems can arise. Inflammation, which can occur simply from everyday stress (but also poor dietary habits), releases hormones that suppress the immune system and prevent your body from using nutrients properly