How is are your SIgA and IgG levels?

What are IgA and IgG antibodies?

What is IgG?

• Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most common type of antibody
• Prevents infections as it is “on guard” -ready to multiply and attack when foreign substances get into the body.
• When we don’t have enough of IgG antibodies, we are more likely to get infections.

What are IgG deficiencies?

• When our body does not make enough IgG- we are more likely to get infections
• When your body is experiencing an “attack’, it then produces immunoglobulins or antibodies
• Antibodies are made by the B-cells and plasma cells
• These antibodies are released throughout the body to help kill BACTERIA, VIRUSES and other germs.

What are the four Immunoglobulins made in the body?

• Immunoglobulin A
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M
• Immunoglobulin E

Immunoglobulin G (IgG)

• IgG is the most common type of immunoglobulin -that (ideally) is always on guard and ready to attack if there is any threat of infections or foreign substances that got through into the body.
• If you don’t have enough of IgG then you have an increased risk of getting an illness.

What are the symptoms of an IgG deficiency?

Infections that most often affect people with IgG deficiency are:

• Sinus infections and other respiratory infections
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Ear infections
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Infections that result in a sore throat
  • Rarely, severe and life-threatening infections
  • In some people, infections cause scarring that harms the airways and lung function.
  • This can affect breathing.
  • People with IgG deficiency also often find that pneumonia and the flu vaccines don’t keep them from getting these infections.

Learn more here on IgG

1. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/igg-deficiencies 

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

• IgA is an antibody blood protein that’s part of our immune system.
• Ideally, our body makes IgA and other type of antibodies to help fight off sickness

The function of immunoglobulin A in immunity.

Abstract: 

• The vast surfaces of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts represent major sites of potential attack by invading micro-organisms.
• Immunoglobulin A (IgA), as the principal antibody class in the secretions that bathe these mucosal surfaces, acts as an important first line of defense.
• IgA, also an important serum immunoglobulin, mediates a variety of protective functions through interaction with specific receptors and immune mediators.
• The importance of such protection is underlined by the fact that certain pathogens have evolved mechanisms to compromise IgA-mediated defense, providing an opportunity for more effective invasion.
• IgA function may also be perturbed in certain disease states, some of which are characterized by deposition of IgA in specific tissues.
• This review details current understanding of the roles played by IgA in both health and disease. –https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16362985

Immune system and Chronic Stress and SIgA

• We have (should have) large amounts of Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) that are produced into our gastrointestinal tract (GI)
• The production of SIgA is dependent on the load of mucosal antigens (pathogens, bugs, reactive foods) encountered by our first line of defense “Army” on guard in our GI tract tissue called “GALT” = Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue:
  • The digestive tract is an important component of the body’s immune system. In fact, the intestine possesses the largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the human body.[6] The GALT is made up of several types of lymphoid tissue that store immune cells, such as T and B lymphocytes, that carry out attacks and defend against pathogens.
  • The GALT is a component of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) which works in the immune system to protect the body from invasion in the gut.
  • Owing to its physiological function in food absorption, the mucosal surface is thin and acts as a permeable barrier to the interior of the body.
  • Equally, its fragility and permeability creates vulnerability to infection
  • The vast majority of the infectious agents invading the human body use this route.

• [2] The functional importance of GALT in body’s defense relies on its large population of plasma cells, which are antibody producers, whose number exceeds the number of plasma cells in spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow combined.[3]
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut-associated_lymphoid_tissue
• The SIgA antibodies fight against antigens as enteric pathogens or infections and Virulence factors which is a “pathogens or microbes ability to infect or damage a host”.  Also in Latin means “poisoned wound” or “full of poison”
• The main antigens that the SIgA recognizes are the “good guy” bacteria in the intestinal microbes – also called Commensal bacteria (normal microflora), mucosal immunity …
• Commensal flora in the GI tract is the “gut flora” as in probiotics (Megaspore)
• The gut microflora that reside in our microbiome -digestive tract …we are the host to the microbes
• It is estimated that the 25& to 75% intestinal bacteria are coated with SIgA
• One method to improve SIgA levels is with spore based probiotics and …
• Saccharomyces Boulardii: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions …
  • S. boulardii is sometimes used as a probiotic with the purpose of introducing beneficial microbes into the large and small intestines and conferring protection against pathogens.^[5][6][7] It grows at 37 °C (98.6 °F).^[8] In addition, the popular genome-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 was proven to be effective in S. boulardii.^[9] Boulard first isolated this yeast after he observed natives of Southeast Asia chewing on the skin of lychee and mangosteen in an attempt to control the symptoms of cholera. In healthy patients, S. boulardii has been shown to be nonpathogenic and nonsystemic (it remains in the gastrointestinal tract rather than spreading elsewhere in the body).
  • –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharomyces_boulardii
• According to a blog by Jill Carnahan back in 2012… SIgA also plays a role in
  • shaping the composition of the intestinal microbiota, which in turn can influence your gut’s defense against invaders and enhance resistance to the intestinal infections.
  • Profound Role in Intestinal Balance and Your Health
  • SIgA plays a profound role in intestinal balance and health. 
  • SIgA is the main immunoglobulin in mucus secretions.
  • The intestinal cells produce about 2-3grams of SIgA every day! 
  • Production tends to peak in childhood and start to decline after about sixty years old.
  • Read the rest on https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2012/09/08/low-siga-and-why-it-matters-to-your-gut-health/

A few take aways for you:

1. SIgA is part of our first line of defense against foreign enemies as pathogens, bacteria, parasites, fungi, toxins, and viruses.
2. SIgA prevent micro-organisms from binding to absorptive surface of cells
3. “Effectively, they attach themselves to invading bugs and trap them in mucus to prevent them from going anywhere!” – Jill Carnahan
4. If our SIga levels are low, our intestinal permeability is impacted (leaky gut) – mucosal tissue damaged … leaky gut = low levels of SIgA
5. Stress is on… SIgA is turned off.

“Human health is inextricably linked to the gut microbiota, intestinal homeostasis, and mucosal immunity. IgA is at the center of this dynamic.”- Jill Carnahan,

Low SIgA and Why it Matters to Your Gut Health

How does CHRONIC stress impact the levels of SIgA?

“Chronic stress adversely affects the mucosal immune system by way of its negative influence on cortisol levels, inflammation control, and antibody production. Under chronic stress, SIgA production can be suppressed because of elevated cortisol.”

Secretory IgA – BioHealth Lab

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

• an antibody playing a critical role in mucosal immunity and is produced in greater quantities than all other types of antibody combined.
• In its secretory form, SIgA is the main immunoglobulin found in mucous secretions and provides protection against potentially pathogenic microbes, due to its ability to resist degradation by enzymes and survive in harsh environments such as GI and respiratory tracts.
• SIgA is the first line of defense against bacteria, food residues, yeast, parasites and viruses, and imbalances may provide the link between gut imbalances and systemic illness.
• Deficiency of SIgA is a common finding with, Lifestyle, stress and nutritional factors all able to influence levels.
• What is Secretory IgA Despite the importance to an individual of mucosal immunity-
  • it is one of the least well understood areas of human immunology.
  • IgA accounts for approx. 15 – 20 % of serum immunoglobulin, but is the most abundant immunoglobulin in secretions: saliva, tears, colostrum and bronchial, intestinal, and G.I secretions.
  • Serum IgA is largely monomeric but in secretions it exists as secretory IgA a dimer of two IgA (IgA1 or IgA2) bound by a J chain and attached to a molecule known as the secretory piece.
  • This secretory piece is produced by the mucosa and facilitates the transport of SIgA into external secretions.
  • This represents the first line of defense against potential pathogens, toxins and food allergens
  • https://www.gdx.net/

Functional Lab testing to measure SIgA levels:   here is testing info from Genova Diagnostics Labs

• Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is the dominant immunoglobulin in external secretions that
• bathe mucosal surfaces (respiratory and intestines) and is a vital component of the immune
• systems “first-line of defense” against pathogenic microorganisms, viruses and bacteria.
• The daily production is weight and age dependent with the maximum production level being reached at the age of 7-10 which then declines with age. (60+)
• SIgA production is both beneficially and adversely affected by a number of diverse factors including stress, emotions such as frustration and anger, nutrients, commensals, pathogens and inflammation.

Low Levels of SIgA

• SIgA key function is to bind to invading micro organisms and toxins and entrap them in the mucus layer or within the epithelial cells, so inhibiting microbial motility, agglutinating the organisms and neutralizing their exotoxins and then assist in their harmless elimination from the body in the fecal flow.
• SIgA also ‘tags’ food as acceptable, so low SIgA leads to increased sensitivity to foods.
• Several studies link stress and emotionality with levels of SIgA. Production is adversely affected by stress, which is mediated by cortisol levels. This could result in inadequate production of SIgA in response to a mucosal infection.
• Reduced SIgA levels may be associated with sub optimal adrenal output, in which case an adrenal stress index test would be recommended. (DUTCH COMPLETE TEST)

High levels of SIgA

• Elevated levels in saliva are associated with an immune response to stimulation by infections and inflammatory reactions.

High levels of SIgA production may indicate an infection of the digestive system, in which case a Comprehensive Stool Analysis with parasites would be recommended.

 The Effects of Secretory IgA in the Mucosal Immune System.

Conclusions. SIgA is the most abundant and vital antibody in the body’s first line of active defense. … New research indicates that SIgA plays an important role in overall immunity, including its ability to maintain homeostasis in the digestive tract and reduce inflammation.

Abstract

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most abundant antibody isotype in the mucosal immune system.
• Structurally, IgA in the mucosal surface is a polymeric structure, while serum IgA is monomeric.
• Secretory IgA (SIgA) is one of the polymeric IgAs composed of dimeric IgA, J chain, and secretory component (SC).
• Most of SIgA were generated by gut and have effects in situ.
• Besides the function of “immune exclusion,” a nonspecific immune role, recent studies found it also played an important role in the specific immunity and immunoregulation.
• Thanks to the critical role of SIgA during the mucosal immune system homeostasis between commensal microorganisms and pathogens; it has been an important field exploring the relationship between SIgA and commensal microorganisms.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31998782

How do we increase our Secretory IgA? A list from Kiran’s webinar

1. LOWER STRESS with mindfulness, gratitude, yoga, meditation and other mindful practices.
2. Increase MODERATE EXERCISE:  not too over training with excess training and over training
3. Increase intake of the following:  choline, vitamin C, Zinc, Colostrum, Beta Glucans, Protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
4. More exposure to environmental microbes…go play in the DIRT!
5. Watch the webinar here https://youtu.be/9ILP986YN_Q

How do we increase our T-reg and overall IMMUNE FUNCTION? A list from Kiran’s webinar

1. Spores as with Microbiome Labs Megasporebiotic (click here to order)
2. Increase Butyrate with resistant starch and spores
3. Vitamin A (10-15,000 IU/Day)
4. DHA
5. Curcumin
6. Cumin Seed Oil
7. SLEEP!!!!!
8. More on the webinar here with Kiran of Microbiome Labs

What can we do to reduce our risk of chronic infections that can lead to chronic disease??

1. Improve and maintain microbiome diversity
2. Improve the mucosa and gut motility
3. Increase your Secretory IgA
4. Increase Treg and OVERALL immune system
5. Click here to order Microbiome Labs supplements, BIOMEFX lab test and “Total Gut Restoration” program