''Sterols and Sterolins and Gut Health'' By Patrick Bouic, PhD, Healthy Immunity Fifth Edition Many inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract involve the cells of the immune system and an immunological response to an offending agent. The diseases may be grouped as follows: - “Allergic” in nature: such as Celiac disease or gluten allergy (or also called gluten-induced enteropathy) - “Inflammatory” in nature: such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which includes ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease - “Autoimmune” in nature: such as pernicious anemia (where vitamin B12 uptake is inhibited due to the presence of an antibody) Irrespective of whether the disease is purely inflammatory in nature or has an underlying autoimmune component, the end result is damage to the mucosal lining of the GI tract, and a state of chronic inflammation. Certain bacteria or viruses may cause the initial onslaught but once the immune response has been set in motion, it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation, tissue damage, more inflammation and so on. It is therefore, imperative to break the cycle by avoiding certain foods and by using supplements that stop the inflammation. Research using sterols and sterolins has shown that these important molecules have potent immune-modulating properties. This means that they can intervene at the level of the immune cells, getting these cells under control, either by switching off the secretion of factors which promote inflammation, or by switching on other factors which control the release of “bad” factors. It has been shown that sterols and sterolins are able to stop the release of inflammatory factors such as Interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha, both of which are involved in the tissue damage to the mucosal membrane of the gut. Also, sterols and sterolins are able to enhance the activity of the TH1 T-helper cells, cells that control autoimmune processes. These same cells are also underactive in cases of allergies (including gut allergies): due to this underactivity, the cells, which release allergic factors, go uncontrolled. Although clinical studies have not been conducted using sterols and sterolins, based on the above science, it is foreseeable that taking sterols and sterolins in cases of IBD or Celiac disease, or even pernicious anemia, will result in controlling the immune onslaught taking place on the mucosal surface. Sterols and sterolins will decrease the release of the inflammatory factors, get the good T cells to secrete the good factors, and induce a state of balance in the immune response. By so doing, it will allow repair mechanisms to kick in and recovery from such chronic conditions to take place. Together with the other supplements and nutritional advice provided in The Immune System Cure, it is certain that inflammatory gut conditions will be controlled and that the tummy will be tamed.