No, I’m not talking about the political lines designed to divide people into states.

I’m speaking about mucosal layer of all surfaces that you interact with the external world through. What is it that determines the outcome of this interface of our mucous membranes with the environment around us? And can we do anything to optimise our health as a result of having this information?

Why mucosal immunity matters for overall wellness?

The term mucosal immunity, i.e. ‘the borders’, refers to the immune defence systems at mucosal surfaces, e.g. respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital tract. These surfaces are huge interfaces with the external world. They are very important beyond prevention of such acute infections:

1.      They are the first line of defence and prevention of infections.
Healthy mucosal mmbranes can block pathogens before they enter deeply into the body. This means fewer or milder infections, less systemic inflammation, and early disabling of the encountered pathogen (via sIgA). Plus prevention of future assaults to the previously known pathogens.

2.      They limit inflammation and reduce collateral damage:

When pathogens are held in check at mucosal surfaces, it reduces downstream systemic inflammation. Chronic or excessive systemic inflammation is implicated in many diseases — cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, neuroinflammation, etc. Thus, by reducing the total load of infections mucosal immunity helps prevent chronic immune activation.

3.      They modulate microbiome & barrier integrity:
Mucosal immunity helps maintain barrier function and regulate the microbiome. A healthy barrier prevents unwanted translocation of bacteria or microbial products (like LPS or endotoxins) which can trigger immune activation elsewhere in the body. Dysbiosis or barrier breakdown (e.g. in gut, lung or brain) has been linked to autoimmune disorders, allergies, IBD, etc.

4.      They induce long-term immune education and tolerance:
Interactions between microbiota and mucosal immune cells help train the immune system: which microbes to tolerate, which allergens are harmless, etc. Good early years mucosal immune education lowers risks of allergies, asthma, and other immune‐mediated disorders later. 

5.      They offer multiple strain protection & ensure the breadth of immune response:
Mucosal immune responses often show broader reactivity because of the variety of microbes / antigens encountered in communities. Once single strains become endemic in the society, this immunity is enhanced across the population. 

6.      They impact disease chronicity and severity:
Mucosal immune dysfunction is associated with more severe disease, more frequent infections and flare-ups (e.g.: in the respiratory or digestive systems). So strong mucosal immunity may reduce overall disease burden over time.

7.      They are important for systemic health:
The mucosal immune system interacts with systemic immunity: when immune cells are activated in mucosal tissues, they can travel to other parts of the body and trigger immune responses within whole body. Also, metabolites from microbial activity in mucosa (e.g. in the gut) enter systemic circulation where they can affect immune cell metabolism, inflammation, and hormonal expression – this links mucosal health to metabolic, neuroimmune, and other systemic conditions.

8.      Vaccine implications:
When vaccines are given intramuscularly, they elicit mostly systemic immunity but this doesn’t always stop infection or spread of the pathogens entering via mucosal surfaces. Moreover, science has shown that mRNA vaccines are not neutral when it comes to imparting immunity. Since they are affecting the genetic expression of the resident genes through the interaction with the ecosystem and genes present in the receiver, they are deemed to be unpredictable. The result is genetic engineering of a horizontal transfer, of a non- linear nature which carries several risks. The studies focusing on the science underlying mRNA technology were cemented in the 1990s and 2000s and have since been available for anyone. Sadly, they have been largely ignored when the global scenario we all witnessed unfolded recently.

IF THAT IS THE CASE, IS THERE ANYTHING we CAN do to enhance our mucosal immunity?

There are several ways we can help our bodies to optimise our borders:

1.      include more dietary fibre & prebiotics in foods we eat (like chicory root, onions, garlic, asparagus, bananas – slightly green, cooked/cooled potatoes, and legumes).

Why: Fermentable fibres they contain (inulin, resistant starch, GOS, FOS) fuel gut microbes to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, esp. butyrate) which, in turn improve epithelial barrier integrity, induce mucosal IgA, and support regulatory T cells.

2.      Go for probiotics: either from fermented foods (like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, or kombucha) or as supplements (with strains with most research data such as: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (gut & respiratory support), Bifidobacterium longum (gut barrier, tolerance) and Lactobacillus casei Shirota (respiratory protection, sIgA upregulation).

Why: Certain strains induce mucosal IgA, enhance epithelial defence, and help balance inflammation.

3.      Ingest many polyphenols from plant foods (like green tea catechins (EGCG):

enhance mucosal antiviral defence, berries & pomegranate: rich in ellagitannins which are metabolized into urolithins that support mucosal homeostasis, and cocoa flavanols: linked to improved barrier function and salivary IgA).

Why: Polyphenols modulate the microbiome, act as antioxidants, and reduce mucosal inflammation.

4.   Ensure adequate intake of various vitamins & minerals:

• Vitamin A (retinol, carotenoids): Essential for IgA class switching and gut mucosal integrity. (Sources: liver, egg yolk, carrots, spinach, sweet potato.)
• Vitamin D: Supports epithelial defences, antimicrobial peptides, and respiratory mucosal immunity. Deficiency correlates with higher infection rates. (Sources: sunlight, fatty fish, supplementation if low.)
• Zinc: Important for epithelial repair, tight junction integrity, and antiviral defences. (Sources: pumpkin seeds, oysters, legumes, whole grains.)

4.      Eat plenty of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA): from cold-water fish (salmon,

sardines), algae oil, flax (though its conversion to Omega 3 limited) or supplement.

Why: Anti-inflammatory; help resolve mucosal inflammation without blocking protective immune function.

5.      Adopt additional health enhancing lifestyle approaches like:

• Nasal & Oral Hygiene (saline rinses, gargling, iodine sprays): Support mechanical clearance of pathogens, reduce viral load, and maintain local mucosal hydration.
• Breathing practices & humming/chanting: these stimulate vagus nerve which improves mucosal blood flow, supports secretions, and regulates inflammation.
• Sleep & stress regulation: Stress reduces mucosal IgA secretion; relaxation, mindfulness, yoga, and adequate sleep restore it.
• Moderate exercise: Increases salivary IgA and improves mucosal barrier defences, BUT overtraining lowers it.

6.      Add some herbal potions but ensure you check these with your practitioner

 who is versed in herbal – drug – nutrient – food interactions as some may be contraindicated is some diseases):

• Echinacea purpurea: shown to enhance salivary IgA and reduce incidence of respiratory infections.
• Andrographis paniculata: anti-viral and mucosal immune supporting in upper respiratory infections.
• Mushroom extracts (Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake): rich in beta-glucans shown to enhance mucosal dendritic cell and IgA responses.
• Aloe vera & slippery elm: traditionally used to soothe and protect mucosal linings in GI tract.

This is why your borders matter: they make for your immune resilience, modulate overall wellness and support your internal milieu from unwanted invaders. This area is particularly relevant when going into autumn. Seems like Pasteur was right after all…