How Dietary Fibre Supports Immunity, Digestion, and Allergy Relief | Chiropractor in Tokyo

Many people know the common benefits of eating enough fibre:

• regular bowel movements

• lower cholesterol

• reduced risk of colorectal cancer

  
  

But did you know that fibre also plays a key role in immune health?

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, this might surprise you because the right type of fibre can actually help reduce allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

This is how a small change in your diet can strengthen your immune system and how holistic chiropractic care in Tokyo at Electra Chiropractic can support your overall wellness from the inside, out.

Understanding the Two Main Types of Fibre

There are two primary types of dietary fibre: soluble and insoluble.

• Soluble fibre (like beta-glucan, psyllium, and raw guar gum) forms a gel-like texture in your intestines, making stool smoother and easier to pass.

• Insoluble fibre (like wheat bran) helps “irrigate” the gut mucosa by stimulating water and mucus secretion (think of it as a car wash for your intestines).

Both types are crucial for maintaining digestive health and preventing constipation or diarrhea.

Fermentable Fibre: Feeding Your Gut’s Good Bacteria

Fibre can also be divided into fermentable and non-fermentable categories.

Some soluble fibres — such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and wheat dextrin — are fermentable, meaning they serve as prebiotics (food for the good bacteria in your gut).

Here are some foods locally grown near Tokyo to provide prebiotic fuel for your gut:

• Lotus root

• Burdock root

• Daikon radish

• Seaweed

• Leeks

  
  

However, if your digestive system isn’t healthy, these fermentable fibres can temporarily cause bloating or constipation. Over time, though, they help create a balanced gut microbiome, which supports both digestion and immunity.

How Fibre Affects Gut Motility and Regularity

Your intestines move stool through smooth muscle contractions, known as motility.While we can’t consciously control these contractions, we can influence them through diet, particularly with the viscosity of the food waste passing through.

• High viscosity (solid) contents move more slowly.

• Low viscosity (liquid or gas) contents move too quickly.

By eating enough fibre, you create a healthy balance, ensuring smooth, regular bowel movements through effective peristalsis (the rhythmic motion that moves waste through your digestive tract).

Fibre and the Immune System: The Allergy Connection

So, what does all this have to do with immunity? Research shows that dietary fibre directly influences B-cells, T-cells, and mast cells, which are the key players in your immune response.

Low fibre intake has been linked to increased rates of:

• asthma

• eczema

• hay fever

• food allergies

This is why: mast cells live primarily in tissues that come into contact with the outside world, including your respiratory and digestive tracts. These cells regulate inflammation and allergic responses.

When your body has enough dietary fibre, these immune cells function more efficiently, reducing airway inflammation and digestive irritation. A fibre-rich diet helps your immune system stay balanced and resilient.

Supporting Gut and Immune Health with a Chiropractor in Tokyo

Your nervous system and digestive system are closely linked, which is why many people notice improved digestion and immune function after chiropractic care. By ensuring your spine and nervous system are functioning properly, chiropractic adjustments can help your body regulate inflammation, improve gut motility, and enhance immune communication.

If you’re in Tokyo and looking to take a holistic approach to your health, schedule a posture or wellness check with a qualified chiropractor in Tokyo today.

Visit Electra Chiropractic in Tokyo

Electra Chiropractic is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from Azabujuban Station. Dr. Ariel Thorpe, DC, is an American chiropractor trained in the USA and licensed in California, Hong Kong, and Japan, offering expert care for posture, spinal health, and nervous system health.

Whether you’re seeking relief from allergies, digestive issues, or simply want to boost your overall health, Dr. Thorpe’s integrative approach combines evidence-based chiropractic care with lifestyle and nutrition advice to help you thrive.

👉 Book your consultation online here and take the first step toward better posture, better digestion, and better health.

Sources:

• The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Journal

• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)