Supporting Your Gut Immunity
Do you feel like you’re susceptible to getting sick all of the time?!
SIgA might be your answer…
Secretory Immunoglobulin A or SIgA is a stool test marker of gut immune function.
SIgA serves as our first line of defense in protecting our intestinal epithelium from both pathogenic microorganisms like E Coli and toxins like Glyphosate.
SIgA influences and supports intestinal homeostasis ie a happy balance of good and bad bacteria :).
How would I know if I have a low or high SIgA?!
Signs of low SlgA: Low SIgA is typically a sign that your gut immune function is low/under active and needs support! This is common after years of chronic high stress from toxins, infections, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, autoimmunity, emotional trauma or a high perceived stress load that was improperly managed.
Signs of High SIgA: High SIgA is common in individuals who have an ACTIVE or acute infection, virus or chronic inflammatory condition like IBD. It’s also common in those who are struggling with a high level of gluten sensitivity. This is typically a sign that the immune system is triggered and reactive-it’s telling us, HEY, there’s something going on here I’m fighting! The good thing is that the immune system is reacting as it should (which is better than a low SIgA) but the thing to note here is there is usually something triggering it that warrants treatment or support!
OK, so what’s the take home message here? Supporting a healthy SIgA (especially if you’re autoimmune like me) is key to gut healing.
Interested in getting your SIgA level testing via stool test by becoming a private client of mine?! You can schedule a complimentary consult call with me here.
Using Food & Lifestyle To Support A Healthy SIgA:
Immune Supportive Foods:
Eat whole food forms of vitamin C (red bell peppers, strawberries, goji berries, camu camu powder, kiwis and, citrus), animal-based vitamin A (beef liver, goal dairy, egg yolks), zinc rich foods (oysters and, pumpkin seeds)
Essential Fatty Acid Rich Foods:
SMASH (sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, herring)
High Quality Proteins:
We need adequate protein to MAKE immunoglobulin A! Sometimes just protein deficiency in your diet can cause you to have depleted SIgA.
Think mineral-dense animal proteins like grass fed beef, wild salmon, shellfish like shrimp, oysters and mussels and, egg yolk.
Pro tip: Those with low stomach acid (again, something we look at it functional stool testing) can have a harder time absorbing protein when stomach acid levels are optimized. This is common in those with H pylori infection, autoimmune conditions, chronic NSAID users, those with a significant birth control pill use history and those with a history of SIBO. Some s/sx can be frequent burping after eating, chronic B12 deficiency, food sitting too long after eating, undigested food in stool, constipation and anal itching
Mineral Dense Foods/Bevs:
My mineral mocktail, high quality salts, beef liver, shellfish, tropical fruits and, starchy root veggies.
Bitter Foods:
Bitter Foods like radish, radicchio, endives, watercress, dandelion greens, broccoli sprouts and cranberry to feed and boost your good gut commensal bacteria.
->High quality Beef Liver and Cod Liver Oil can be supportive supplemental ways to get more of these nutrients as well!
Lifestyle:
Focus on lowering your perceived stress levels on the daily.
First, it can be helpful to take an inventory of your ‘stress bucket’- subscribe to my website and you’ll get access to my quiz! Look at how high you are and if you’re on the higher end, I suggest adding 2-3 daily practices that help calm your nervous system to create bodily safety so that we can support healing and the improvement of gut immune function.
Stress Reducing options for my busy bees:
5 minutes of cathartic sighing (I have a guided video in the Grounded Membership)
My Rule of 3’s: Deep breathing 3 breaths, 3 times before and during meals
A 5 minute walk after lunch in fresh air
Red light exposure at night time
Avoid caffeine on an empty stomach
Eat breakfast (even a small one) within 1-2 hours of waking
Silent practices: Doing more things silently without extra stimulation (if you’re constantly on the phone/listening to podcasts/watching TV, can you do LESS multitasking?!)
Make your cup of tea without distractions and take an extra moment to savor it
Pull back on high intensity exercise-consider pilates, yoga or walking and focus on integrating your breath
Slow down in general; a rushing lifestyle can hinder gut healing
Go on a phone-less walk or hike in nature
Connect with your partner silently
Pet a furry friend
Additional Supplemental Support - There are certain supplements like Saccharomyces boulardii as well as colostrum and bovine immunoglobulins that have been shown to be supportive in cases of low SIgA. I recommend working with a functional medicine dietitian/doc for appropriate dosing of these!
Interested in getting your SIgA level testing via stool test by becoming a private client of mine?! You can schedule a complimentary consult call with me here.
References:
Li, Y., Jin, L., & Chen, T. (2020). The Effects of Secretory IgA in the Mucosal Immune System. BioMed Research International, 2020, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2032057
Pietrzak, B., Tomela, K., Olejnik-Schmidt, A., Mackiewicz, A., & Schmidt, M. (2020). Secretory IgA in Intestinal Mucosal Secretions as an Adaptive Barrier against Microbial Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(23), 9254. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239254
Singh, K., Chang, C., & Gershwin, M. E. (2014). IgA deficiency and autoimmunity. Autoimmunity Reviews, 13(2), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2013.10.005
