Immune cells in our gut appear to help protect the brain from infection. A fascinating study in mice suggests that immune cells in the gut are trained to recognize and respond to pathogens and then move to the brain’s surface to protect it.
The lining of the gut is rich in immunoglobulin A (IgA), antibodies that act as the first line of defense in responding to pathogens. Researchers found IgA-producing plasma cells in the meninges, a protective membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord, that originated in the intestine. To test their hypothesis, the study authors implanted Candida albicans, a pathogenic fungus, into the mice’s bloodstream and observed that IgA antibodies appeared in the meninges to attack the pathogen and protect the brain.
While researchers continue to unravel this data, you can support your immune system and healthy levels of secretory IgA by:
Consuming prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods such as fermented foods, leeks, garlic, onions, and Jerusalem artichokes; dietary sources of vitamin A including liver, sweet potato, carrot, winter squashes, and dark leafy greens; and mushrooms, such as white button and Reishi ,which are rich in IgA-boosting beta-glucans.
Reducing stress and finding ways to boost positive emotions, such as tapping, exercising, watching a funny movie, or visiting with friends.
Kara Fitzgerald, ND, received her doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She completed the first Counsel on Naturopathic Medicine-accredited post-doctorate position in nutritional biochemistry and laboratory science at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory under the direction of Richard Lord, PhD. Her residency was completed at Progressive Medical Center, a large, integrative medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Fitzgerald is the lead author and editor of Case Studies in Integrative and Functional Medicine and is a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)’s Textbook for Functional Medicine. With the Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on the DNA methylome using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her practice. The first publication from the study focuses on reversal of biological aging and was published 04-12-2021 in the journal Aging. She has published a consumer book titled Younger You as well as a companion cookbook, Better Broths and Healing Tonics and has an application-based Younger You Program, based on the study.
Dr. Fitzgerald is on the faculty at IFM, is an IFM Certified Practitioner and lectures globally on functional medicine. She runs a Functional Nutrition Residency program, and maintains a podcast series, New Frontiers in Functional Medicine and an active blog on her website, www.drkarafitzgerald.com. Her clinical practice is in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Additional publications
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