Who Supports the Hero That Defeats Germs? | A Story About Immunity and Lactic Acid Bacteria

"I want to boost my immunity," "I want a body that doesn't catch colds easily."

Have you ever looked into this, only to find it difficult because of all the technical terms?
So, this time, using everyone's favorite Anpanman as an analogy, I will summarize the

mechanism ofimmune responses
and thebeneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria on immunityin simple terms.By the time you finish reading, your motivation for gut health should be
significantly boosted.

The heroes inside your body, explained using Anpanman

Bakinman comes to town,Bakinmanand bullies thechildrenmaking them cry.

Hearing their cries, the one who rushes to the scene isAnpanman.

He defeats Bakinman and restores peace to the town.

However, if he gets wet in the rain or his face gets damaged in battle, Anpanman
cannot exert his strength.

At times like that,Uncle Jambakes a new bread face for him.

Revived, Anpanman defeats Bakinman once again,
the children regain their energy, and everyone in town smiles.

Please try applying this story directly to your body.

• Anpanman = Immune cells

• Bakinman = Germs/Viruses

• Uncle Jam = Lactic acid bacteria

• Town = Intestines

• Children = Cells

• Everyone = The whole body

In other words, when germs enter the body, immune cells rush in and defeat
them.

And the unsung hero that supports those immune cells from behind is lactic acid bacteria,
indeed.

What is an immune response? | The biological defense system that protects the body

Immune responseis the mechanism for finding, defeating, and expelling "foreign substances" that have entered the body, such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, and
cancer cells.

It is a biological defense system that protects our bodies every day.

Immune responses are broadly divided into two stages.

1. Innate immunity | The frontline barrier you are born with

• Physical barrier: Skin and mucous membranes prevent the entry of germs

• Chemical barrier: Stomach acid and enzymes break down foreign substances

• Functions of immune cells:

  • Macrophages gobble up foreign substances

  • Neutrophils rush to the scene and destroy them

  • NK cells (Natural Killer cells) attack virus-infected cells and cancer cells

This is a speed-oriented team that reacts in minutes to hours.

2. Acquired immunity | An elite force that never forgets once it has learned

• T cells: Helper T cells as the command center, and Killer T cells as the execution unit

• B cells: Create antibodies to neutralize foreign substances

• Immune memory: Remember opponents fought once before to attack faster and stronger next time

The reason vaccines are effective is because they utilize this "power to remember."

Reviewing the flow of immune reactions

1. Invasion: Germs or viruses enter the body

2. Initial defense: Macrophages and neutrophils respond (innate immunity)

3. Information transmission: Dendritic cells report to the command center, "Such an enemy has arrived"

4. Specific Attack: T cells and B cells pinpoint and repel enemies (acquired immunity)

5. Memory: Remembering enemies so that if they come again, the body can react immediately

This sequence of events continues quietly inside your body 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

6 Beneficial Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria on Immunity

So, how does Uncle Jam—or rather, lactic acid bacteria, support this immune system?

1. Improving the intestinal environment to boost immunity

Lactic acid bacteria increase good bacteria in the gut and suppress the overgrowth of bad bacteria. In fact, it is said that
about 70% of immune cells are concentrated in the gut, making the gut the front-line base for immunity. When the gut is clean, the foundation of your immunity becomes stronger.

2. Activation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)

They stimulate the Peyer's patches, the command centers for immunity located in the intestinal mucosa, and switch on macrophages and NK cells. This is truly the role of Uncle Jam cheering on Anpanman.

3. Acting as a brake on inflammation

Lactic acid bacteria increase anti-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-10) to gently control excessive inflammatory responses. They are also thought to be useful in preventing and alleviating allergies and autoimmune diseases.

4. Adjusting the Th1/Th2 balance

There are two routes in immunity: Th1 (cell-mediated immunity) and Th2 (humoral immunity), and lactic acid bacteria are expected to help balance these. This is a welcome support for those whose constitution tends to favor Th2, such as those with hay fever or atopic dermatitis.

5. Reducing toxins in the gut

The lactic acid and acetic acid produced by lactic acid bacteria lower the pH in the gut, suppressing the growth of bad bacteria and toxins. This protects the mucosal barrier and makes it harder for pathogens to invade.

6. Supporting the production of IgA antibodies

Lactic acid bacteria stimulate B cells to boost the production of antibodies called IgA. IgA is a reliable guardian that watches over the gut to prevent germs from entering.

Positive changes in the body brought about by lactic acid bacteria

• Towards a body that is less susceptible to infectious diseases like colds and influenza

• Expectations for alleviating allergic symptoms such as hay fever and atopic dermatitis

• Reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases

• Alleviating intestinal issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

In other words, incorporating lactic acid bacteria into your daily routine could be described as
continuously gifting a fresh, healthy face to the hero known as your immune cells.

Summary | Let's Support the Anpanman Inside Your Body with Lactic Acid Bacteria

No matter how strong Anpanman is, without Uncle Jam, he wouldn't have a new face baked for him and would eventually run out of strength.
Our bodies are the same.

The hero known as immune cells needs the unsung hero known as lactic acid bacteria
to be fully operational every day. Maintaining a healthy intestinal environment leads to:

• Building a body that doesn't succumb to infectious diseases

• Days not shaken by allergies

• A life that is less tiring and even lightens your heart

Why not start today by quietly cheering on the Uncle Jam inside your gut?

In closing

The more I learn about the gut, the more I realize how important small daily habits are.

For those who think, "Doing it all at once is impossible...", start with just one thing.

As a morning habit, I have incorporated
"ReChest," which contains enzyme-fermented garlic egg yolk and lactic acid bacteria derived from plum blossoms (Patent No. 6913898).
I like that it's easy to continue even on busy days.

I like that it's easy to continue even on busy days.

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Thank you very much.