GALT STORY:
“Gastrointestinal Tract as a Site for Immune Activation”
WHAT IS GALT?
Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue
A major player of the mucosal immune system.
Mammalian species have an intricate system of lymphatic ducts throughout their bodies that modulate immune response and allow them to defend and protect themselves from bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. What has been recently discovered is that as much as 60% of the lymphoid tissue surrounds the digestive tract. GALT is one of the primary locations where an individual can be exposed to foreign substances. Because of these constant exposures, the cell surface reactions in the gut can play a major role in normal immune responses. This directly contributes to optimal cellular communication throughout the body. Much of what is generally considered systemic inflammation, including autoimmune diseases may well come from an over activation of the GALT. Regulating immune system function by normalizing GALT is critical in preventing and managing autoimmune responses, including allergies. It is important to normalize the GALT function by 1 - utilizing enzymes to improve digestive efficiency (by preventing malabsorption), 2 – using high levels of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifido Bacterium to re-establish proper gut flora which can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory substances, 3 – utilizing nutrients, such as Glutamine, N-Acetyl Cysteine and other plant phyto nutrients that can encourage a rapid repair of the mucosal wall leading to a normalizing effect on the immune response, and 4 – eliminate known offending foods, parasites and other infectious agents. If appropriately addressed, the factors that influence autoimmune and inflammatory responses may be managed and can contribute to optimal health. It has been demonstrated that the use of many of these nutrients have been very effective in controlling allergies, auto-immune diseases and other inflammatory disorders.
