Gut Health Focus
Intestinal dysbiosis and immunity: understand the types and how they affect your health
Bruna Barbosa
October 27, 2025
4 min read
17 views
Intestinal dysbiosis and immunity are more connected than most people realize. If...
Gut Dysbiosis and Immunity: How Your Gut Health Affects Your Defenses 🌟
Gut dysbiosis and immunity are more connected than most people realize. If you experience bloating, unexplained fatigue, low immunity, or recurring infections, the root of the problem may lie in your gut microbiota.
Did you know that over 70% of our immune system cells are located in the gut? When the microbiota is balanced, the intestinal barrier is strengthened, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10, are produced. Thus, the immune system naturally regulates itself, preventing inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
However, when this balance is disrupted, gut dysbiosis arises. And it is at this point that the relationship between gut dysbiosis and immunity becomes critical. An imbalance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria can directly affect your body's ability to protect itself from invaders, making you more susceptible to infections, allergies, and inflammatory diseases.
1️⃣ What is dysbiosis and where can it occur?
Intestinal dysbiosis is a condition where there is an excess of pathogenic microorganisms or a deficiency of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine. However, dysbiosis can also manifest in other areas such as the skin, mouth, vagina, and even in environments contaminated by fungi, such as moldy rooms. When this imbalance occurs, the impacts can affect digestion, metabolism, nutrient absorption, and especially immunity.
2️⃣ Main types of intestinal dysbiosis
Not all dysbiosis is the same. Learn about the main types:
SIBO: overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Symptoms include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and deficiencies in iron, B12, B9, and fat-soluble vitamins.
LIBO: excess bacteria in the large intestine. Often occurs after procedures such as colonoscopy, which reduce beneficial species.
SIFO: fungal overgrowth. This particularly affects people with high sugar intake and insulin resistance, generating symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome.
IMO: overgrowth of methane-producing archaea, such as Methanobrevibacter. This causes chronic constipation and excessive fermentation.
Parasitic infections: caused by protozoa or helminths. Very common in tropical countries, it affects the immune system and causes chronic inflammation.
3️⃣ How does intestinal dysbiosis affect your immunity?
When the microbiota is imbalanced, the intestinal wall can become permeable. This allows toxins such as LPS (lipopolysaccharide) to enter the bloodstream and generate chronic inflammation. This dysregulates the immune system and reduces the production of substances such as IgA, compromising the body's natural defenses.
The direct consequence is a decline in immunity, favoring autoimmune diseases, respiratory allergies, and recurrent infections. Therefore, intestinal dysbiosis and immunity should be evaluated together, especially in patients with persistent symptoms or chronic diseases.
4️⃣ Signs that you may have intestinal dysbiosis
✅ Frequent abdominal bloating
✅ Excessive gas with a strong odor
✅ Recurrent constipation or diarrhea
✅ Constant fatigue even with regular sleep
✅ Recurrent infections (candidiasis, flu, sinusitis)
✅ Acne, dermatitis, or unexplained skin changes
5️⃣ Why is it important to treat intestinal dysbiosis?
When neglected, dysbiosis causes a domino effect: it disrupts hormone production, impairs metabolism, reduces nutrient absorption, and inflames the body. In the long term, it can even affect your fertility and mental and emotional state.
Therefore, treating intestinal dysbiosis and immunity means taking care of your immune system as a whole. Improved gut health results in more energy, reduced susceptibility to disease, and improved emotional balance.
Practical tip:
If you identify with any of these signs, it's important to seek professional evaluation to determine if intestinal dysbiosis is the root of your symptoms.
What you can do now:
🔍 Investigate through breath tests, GI-MAP, or stool parasitology
🥦 Start a diet with a lower glycemic and inflammatory load
🦠 Replenish and modulate your microbiota with fermented foods and specific probiotics
🛑 Avoid homemade colon cleansers, especially with coffee or baking soda
🧘♀️ Reduce stress and improve your sleep
Conclusion
Intestinal dysbiosis and immunity go hand in hand. And the sooner you take care of your gut, the stronger your overall health will be.
---
Bruna Barbosa
Nutricionista – CRN-DF 16963, District Federal, Brazil
Specialist in digestive health, functional nutrition, and phytotherapy. Helping patients overcome chronic digestive conditions through personalized protocols and the Renova Digest method.
For more information about personalized consultations and the Renova Digest program, visit: https://nutribrunabarbosa.com.br
Gut dysbiosis and immunity are more connected than most people realize. If you experience bloating, unexplained fatigue, low immunity, or recurring infections, the root of the problem may lie in your gut microbiota.
Did you know that over 70% of our immune system cells are located in the gut? When the microbiota is balanced, the intestinal barrier is strengthened, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10, are produced. Thus, the immune system naturally regulates itself, preventing inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
However, when this balance is disrupted, gut dysbiosis arises. And it is at this point that the relationship between gut dysbiosis and immunity becomes critical. An imbalance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria can directly affect your body's ability to protect itself from invaders, making you more susceptible to infections, allergies, and inflammatory diseases.
1️⃣ What is dysbiosis and where can it occur?
Intestinal dysbiosis is a condition where there is an excess of pathogenic microorganisms or a deficiency of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine. However, dysbiosis can also manifest in other areas such as the skin, mouth, vagina, and even in environments contaminated by fungi, such as moldy rooms. When this imbalance occurs, the impacts can affect digestion, metabolism, nutrient absorption, and especially immunity.
2️⃣ Main types of intestinal dysbiosis
Not all dysbiosis is the same. Learn about the main types:
SIBO: overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Symptoms include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and deficiencies in iron, B12, B9, and fat-soluble vitamins.
LIBO: excess bacteria in the large intestine. Often occurs after procedures such as colonoscopy, which reduce beneficial species.
SIFO: fungal overgrowth. This particularly affects people with high sugar intake and insulin resistance, generating symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome.
IMO: overgrowth of methane-producing archaea, such as Methanobrevibacter. This causes chronic constipation and excessive fermentation.
Parasitic infections: caused by protozoa or helminths. Very common in tropical countries, it affects the immune system and causes chronic inflammation.
3️⃣ How does intestinal dysbiosis affect your immunity?
When the microbiota is imbalanced, the intestinal wall can become permeable. This allows toxins such as LPS (lipopolysaccharide) to enter the bloodstream and generate chronic inflammation. This dysregulates the immune system and reduces the production of substances such as IgA, compromising the body's natural defenses.
The direct consequence is a decline in immunity, favoring autoimmune diseases, respiratory allergies, and recurrent infections. Therefore, intestinal dysbiosis and immunity should be evaluated together, especially in patients with persistent symptoms or chronic diseases.
4️⃣ Signs that you may have intestinal dysbiosis
✅ Frequent abdominal bloating
✅ Excessive gas with a strong odor
✅ Recurrent constipation or diarrhea
✅ Constant fatigue even with regular sleep
✅ Recurrent infections (candidiasis, flu, sinusitis)
✅ Acne, dermatitis, or unexplained skin changes
5️⃣ Why is it important to treat intestinal dysbiosis?
When neglected, dysbiosis causes a domino effect: it disrupts hormone production, impairs metabolism, reduces nutrient absorption, and inflames the body. In the long term, it can even affect your fertility and mental and emotional state.
Therefore, treating intestinal dysbiosis and immunity means taking care of your immune system as a whole. Improved gut health results in more energy, reduced susceptibility to disease, and improved emotional balance.
Practical tip:
If you identify with any of these signs, it's important to seek professional evaluation to determine if intestinal dysbiosis is the root of your symptoms.
What you can do now:
🔍 Investigate through breath tests, GI-MAP, or stool parasitology
🥦 Start a diet with a lower glycemic and inflammatory load
🦠 Replenish and modulate your microbiota with fermented foods and specific probiotics
🛑 Avoid homemade colon cleansers, especially with coffee or baking soda
🧘♀️ Reduce stress and improve your sleep
Conclusion
Intestinal dysbiosis and immunity go hand in hand. And the sooner you take care of your gut, the stronger your overall health will be.
---
Bruna Barbosa
Nutricionista – CRN-DF 16963, District Federal, Brazil
Specialist in digestive health, functional nutrition, and phytotherapy. Helping patients overcome chronic digestive conditions through personalized protocols and the Renova Digest method.
For more information about personalized consultations and the Renova Digest program, visit: https://nutribrunabarbosa.com.br
