Welcome to the tag category page for Immune system!
Adaptogens are active ingredients found in certain plants and mushrooms that can help the body deal with stress, anxiety, and fatigue. They are considered safe and have been shown to improve feelings of calmness and some aspects of memory performance in healthy young adults. Popular adaptogens include Panax ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, and Schisandra chinensis. While research suggests they can be helpful in decreasing symptoms of fatigue and exhaustion, they should be used alongside other therapies for people with chronic and acute medical conditions. Adaptogens can be found in certain herbs and mushrooms, and there are some foods high in adaptogens.
The gut–brain axis refers to bidirectional biochemical and neural communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, with gut microbiota acting as a central mediator. Signaling occurs via the enteric nervous system and vagus nerve, immune and inflammatory pathways, enteroendocrine hormones, microbial metabolites and effects on intestinal barrier function. This network links digestion with mood, cognition, stress responses and metabolic regulation, and is implicated in functional gastrointestinal disorders, depression, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, and metabolic disease. Research is advancing rapidly, driving interest in interventions such as dietary modulation, prebiotics and probiotics (sometimes called psychobiotics), fecal microbiota transplantation and targeted microbial therapeutics, but many causal pathways and treatment effects remain unproven or preliminary. Commercial and clinical development faces challenges including variability in individual microbiomes, trial reproducibility, regulatory frameworks and safety. The trend spans pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nutrition and digital health, and is prompting cross-sector investment in microbiome sequencing, bioinformatics and personalized approaches to brain–gut health.
Postbiotics are beneficial compounds produced by probiotic bacteria in the gut when they digest and break down fibers called prebiotics. They include organic acids, enzymes, bacteriocins, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Postbiotics are considered waste products but offer various health benefits, including immune system support, diarrhea prevention, and reducing symptoms associated with irritable bowel diseases and allergies. Postbiotic skincare aims to balance the skin's microbiome by topping up good bacteria, preventing pathogens and bad bacteria from taking over, which can cause dryness, sensitivity, and other skin issues.
