Components of the gut

What’s in a gut? Read on to get to know your gut a little better.

There are two main characters in the gut, and one of them is really a hundred trillion bacteria (a microbiome, in science-speak). These tiny passengers really earn their ride! They prevent colonization by pathogenic bacteria, provide energy for their neighbouring gut wall, and keep the mucosal immune system (still getting to that, stay tuned!) running as it should.

Our other main character is the gastrointestinal barrier, a functional unit encompassing epithelial (the cells lining the tract) defence and metabolism, the mucosal immune system, and the enteric nervous system (see last week’s post for more on the ENS).

These two characters function together in many ways, which we will explore as the series continues.

Fascinated or mystified? Stay tuned for the next #gutscience by #SmartHerbals instalment.

#sciencefacts #colonhealth #SmartBiotech

source: Bischoff, SC. (2011) BMC Medicine 9: 24.

Image adapted from Adobe Stock - SciePro