The Gut-Lung Axis: How Your Gut Talks to Your Lungs

What is it?

The gut-lung axis is a two-way communication system between your gut and your lungs. It works through the trillions of tiny microbes living in your digestive tract. These microbes release chemical signals that travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. Once there, the signals help train the immune system to control swelling and fight off lung infections.

3 Things to Know

• The digestive tract and the lungs are “embryological siblings” meaning they grow from the same tissue before you’re born. That’s why they have similar features like protective mucus layers.

• Eating high fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains, plus fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut can strengthen this connection.

• The connection goes both ways. During a serious lung illness like pneumonia, the stress on the body can affect the gut too, sometimes making the gut "leaky" and the illness worse.

Fun Fact

Every breath you take brings in dust, viruses, and bacteria. Scientists think signals from your gut microbes help your lungs decide how much protective mucus to make and how to keep the airways from swelling up.

Current research

Scientists are learning how to engineer gut bacteria to make medicines. What if those bacteria could sense when the lungs are in trouble and send help through the gut-lung axis?

Explore!

ResBiotic and the Gut Lung Axis 

Modulation of the gut–lung axis by the microbiota and probiotics 

The gut-lung axis: Intestinal microbiota and inflammatory lung disease - Mayo Clinic 

The Gut-Lung Axis: The Overlooked Connection 

The Intriguing Connection Between the Gut and Lung Microbiomes 

Microbes, metabolites, and the gut–lung axis | Mucosal Immunology