How Vaccines Impact Gut Health: What You Need to Know

Whether you're a parent who’s navigating the world of vaccines for your children or you're looking to better understand the connection between gut health and the immune system, today’s episode will give you the knowledge to make informed decisions. 

This is a conversation that needs both scientific insight and thoughtful consideration, so we’re going to dive deep into how vaccines can influence the delicate balance of our microbiome and how to best protect yourself and children no matter the decisions you make. 

I am not here to share my personal opinion on vaccines. This is a neutral conversation intended to shine light on how vaccines impact the microbiome.

Links from the episode:
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears
Explore The Children's Gut Rebalance Kit
Explore The Women's Gut Rebalance Kit

Thanks for listening! I would love to connect with you ♡

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Sending love and wellness from my family yours,
xx - Juniper Bennett
Founder of ōNLē ORGANICS

Transcript

Whether you're a parent who’s navigating the world of vaccines for your children or you're looking to better understand the connection between gut health and the immune system, today’s episode will give you the knowledge to make informed decisions. 

This is a conversation that needs both scientific insight and thoughtful consideration, so we’re going to dive deep into how vaccines can influence the delicate balance of our microbiome and how to best protect yourself and children no matter the decisions you make. 

I want to go into this by saying I am not here to share my personal opinion on vaccines. This is a neutral conversation intended to shine light on how vaccines impact the microbiome.

To start, it’s important to understand the fundamental relationship between the gut and the immune system. About 70-80% of your immune system stems from your gut. This means your gut plays a huge role in regulating immune responses, from fighting infections to managing inflammation.

When the gut is balanced with healthy bacteria, it sends signals to the immune system that keep everything in check. But when there’s an imbalance - whether due to illness, diet, or other factors - your immune system can become either too reactive or too suppressed, leading to many different health issues.

So how do vaccines fit into this picture?

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to create antibodies that protect you from specific diseases. They essentially 'train' your immune system to recognize and fight off these pathogens in the future. Now whether you are for or against vaccines, it’s important to understand how they directly impact the gut microbiome, especially in young children whose immune systems are still developing.

So this is the first part. Vaccines expose your body to specific pathogens so that you body builds antibodies against it. Well anytime we are exposed to pathogens - whether intentionally with vaccines or we pick up something like the common cold - our gut microbiome is impacted. 

Our bodies metabolize this exposure differently though. When we are naturally exposed to pathogens our bodies have more time to respond. The immune system can engage gradually, allowing the body to go through its natural processes, which include activating the gut’s defense mechanisms. When we’re exposed to pathogens through vaccines, however, the immune response is more immediate and concentrated. This sudden stimulation can create a disruption in the gut microbiome, as the immune system ramps up to produce those antibodies quickly.

This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s harmful; for people who have a balanced microbiome and fully developed immune system this immediate and concentrated exposure can be okay. But for those who already have gut imbalances, or for young children whose microbiomes are still developing, this sudden shift can cause issues. 

Many common childhood symptoms we see - like eczema, colic, constipation or diarrhea, allergies, developmental delays, sensory processing issues, and even behavioral outbursts - are most often linked to gut imbalances. When we talk about vaccines and their impact on the gut, it’s important to think about the ingredients that are added to vaccines, including heavy metals and preservatives. 

Let’s start with heavy metals, particularly aluminum and mercury. These metals are commonly used as additives to preserve or enhance the effectiveness of vaccines, but they can have unintended consequences when it comes to our gut health and detoxification pathways.

1. Aluminum is one of the most commonly used additives in vaccines. It acts as an immune booster to help the body recognize and react to the vaccine. However, aluminum can accumulate in the body and has been linked to oxidative stress, which can create an inflammatory environment in the gut. This inflammation can disrupt the balance of good bacteria and allow harmful bacteria to thrive. In the long term, chronic inflammation in the gut can weaken the gut lining, leading to increased permeability, or 'leaky gut,' which allows toxins and bacteria to pass into the bloodstream and trigger immune reactions throughout the body.

Beyond the gut, aluminum is very hard on the liver making it very difficult for it to function optimally. Which is very problematic because the liver's job is to help flush out things like heavy metals. 

1. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been and is used in many vaccines. Although it has recently been reduced or removed from many vaccines, it’s still worth talking about because it is still present in many and even if we don’t vaccinate our children - as parents, we pass our toxic load down and it’s likely we all have mercury in our bodies. 

Mercury is a known neurotoxin, and even small amounts can interfere with the balance of the gut microbiome. It has been shown to reduce the diversity of beneficial bacteria in the gut and it also places a heavy burden on your liver. If the liver is overwhelmed, it can cause a cascade of other issues, including more inflammation in the gut and a weakened immune response. This cycle can be particularly harmful in young children, whose detoxification pathways are not yet fully developed.

It’s not just heavy metals that can impact the gut though. Other preservatives and stabilizers used in vaccines, like formaldehyde and polysorbate 80, are also very disruptive to the gut microbiome and the body’s detoxification systems.

Formaldehyde is a chemical classified as a known carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is used in some vaccines to inactivate toxins or kill bacteria and viruses. While it does one hell of a job in preserving the vaccine, what is it doing to our bodies? It harms your good microbiome, strains the liver and kidneys as they work to detoxify the body, and contributes to systemic inflammation. It weakens the immune system, can lead to digestive issues, and even damage DNA, increasing the risk of cancer and neurotoxicity. 

And for polysorbate 80? It is an emulsifier used to improve vaccine stability. It has been shown to affect the permeability of the intestinal lining. Which again means the gut lining develops microscopic holes that allow harmful substances to pass into the bloodstream. When these substances escape the gut, they trigger immune reactions, increase inflammation, and further strain the body’s detoxification systems. This ongoing inflammatory response weakens the gut’s ability to heal and protect the body, leading to more serious, long-term health issues.

This is where the connection between the gut and the liver comes into play.

The gut and liver are part of a tightly connected system known as the gut-liver axis. When toxins like aluminum, mercury, formaldehyde, and polysorbate 80 enter the body, the liver must detoxify them. However, if the liver is overwhelmed, these toxins can build. It’s a vicious cycle: an overwhelmed liver leads to a weakened gut, and a weakened gut puts even more strain on the liver and immune system.

Many childhood issues, like autism, ADHD, autoimmune conditions, and even behavioral disorders, have been linked to vaccines. These conditions are often seen as part of the controversy surrounding vaccines. But I want to pose a question - what if it’s not actually the vaccine itself that’s directly causing these issues? What if the real problem is in the disruption that the vaccine causes within the body?

When the gut and liver are functioning properly, the body is resilient and can handle external stressors. But when these systems are already compromised (which by the way is most of us. Most people have some severity of gut imbalance right now whether they know it or not), the body may not be able to recover from vaccination which can lead to chronic health issues. 

When we connect it all together it makes so much sense. A child is vaccinated, their gut becomes significantly imbalanced, the liver becomes overburdened, and the immune system is weakened. These disruptions all come together and create the perfect storm for health issues to arise. The vaccine may be triggering the body's response, but it's the cascade of effects that follows - the gut imbalance, liver overload, systemic inflammation - that may be setting the stage for these conditions to develop.

With this theory, it’s less about blaming the vaccine itself and more about understanding how these ingredients disrupt the body's natural balance and contribute to the underlying conditions we see in so many children today.

This is why if you choose to vaccinate, it’s important to intentionally focus on your gut health both leading up to and following the vaccination. 

Here’s what I recommend:

1. Rebalance for 30 Days Leading Up to the Vaccination and 34 Days Following.
   The Women’s and Children’s Gut Rebalance Kits are 64-day cleanses designed to eliminate harmful bacteria, yeast, and toxins that could weaken the gut’s ability to stay balanced during and after vaccination. By starting the rebalance 30 days before the vaccination, you can ensure that the gut is in a strong and balanced state when the immune system is triggered. Continuing the rebalance for 34 days after the vaccination helps your body detox the preservatives, heavy metals, and other additives. This process supports a healthier immune response and faster recovery.
2. Open Your Drainage Pathways
   The body needs fully functioning drainage pathways to remove toxins effectively. Before and after vaccination, it’s important to focus on opening these pathways, which include the liver, kidneys, colon, and lymphatic system. Simple practices like dry brushing, taking Epsom salt baths, and placing castor oil packs over the liver can help stimulate these systems and ensure toxins are being flushed out of the body efficiently.
3. Drink Lots of Water
   Hydration is key to supporting detoxification and keeping the gut and liver functioning properly. Drinking plenty of water before and after vaccination helps your body process and eliminate toxins, while also supporting healthy digestion and immune function. Make sure you or your child are getting enough water daily, especially in the days surrounding the vaccine.
4. Rest and Recovery
   Rest is one of the most important ways to support the body’s recovery after vaccination. Overexertion can put additional strain on the immune system and delay healing. Definitely prioritize sleep and downtime in the days following the vaccination.

Whether or not you choose to vaccinate, understanding the impact vaccines can have on the gut, liver, and immune system allows you to take proactive steps toward maintaining health. By focusing on rebalancing before and after vaccination, opening drainage pathways, staying hydrated, and allowing time for rest and recovery, you can minimize the potential disruptions and protect your body from long-term imbalances.

For more support in making your vaccine decisions, I highly recommend The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears. It’s an unbiased resource that simply educates on every ingredient in each vaccine, allowing you to make informed choices for your family. I’ll link this book in the show notes and at the bottom of the transcript, along with several research articles for further reading.

Reflecting on today’s episode, I understand it might be easy to interpret this information as anti-vaccine, but that’s not the intention. My goal is not to push any agenda but rather to provide you with knowledge so that you can feel confident in your decisions, whether you choose to vaccinate or not. This is about being informed, understanding how vaccines impact the gut, and knowing how to support your body or your child’s body before, during, and after.

At the end of the day, your health decisions should feel right for you and your family. By understanding the gut's role in the immune system and taking steps to support balance, you’re empowering yourself to make choices that align with your values and your health needs. Thanks for listening, if you found this episode supportive please share it with your community. We can empower each other to live our happiest and healthiest lives but learning all we can.

Research articles that support this episode: 

1. Impact of the Gut Microbiome on Immunity and Vaccine Responses

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212619/

Summary: This review discusses how the gut microbiome influences immune responses to vaccines and the potential implications for vaccine efficacy and safety.

1. Aluminum Exposure and Its Impact on the Gut Microbiome and Immune System

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0946672X18300127

Summary: This study examines how aluminum exposure can affect the gut microbiome composition and lead to immune system alterations.

1. Mercury, Vaccines, and the Microbiome

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01381/full

Summary: The article explores the effects of mercury exposure on the gut microbiome and its potential implications for health.

1. Formaldehyde-Induced Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Immune Disorders

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576919302413

Summary: This research investigates how formaldehyde exposure can disrupt gut microbiome balance and affect immune system function.

1. Effects of Polysorbate 80 on Intestinal Permeability and Gut Inflammation

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4375225/

Summary: This study looks at how emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 can increase intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") and promote inflammation.

1. Gut Microbiota and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-019-0425-6

Summary: This article reviews the connection between gut microbiome imbalances and the development of autism spectrum disorders.

1. The Gut-Liver Axis and Its Role in Health and Disease

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5808282/

Summary: This review highlights the close relationship between gut health and liver function, emphasizing how disruptions can impact overall health.

1. Immune System Development and the Gut Microbiome

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nri2710

Summary: The article discusses how the gut microbiome influences the development and regulation of the immune system, particularly in early life.

1. Adjuvants and Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5393014/

Summary: This paper examines how vaccine additives like aluminum can modulate immune responses and the potential effects on the body.

1. Heavy Metals and Gut Microbiome Interactions

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707685/

Summary: This study explores how exposure to heavy metals impacts the gut microbiome and the subsequent effects on health.