Hey everyone!

This is a question that could be asked to anyone suffering from a chronic illness: have you been tested for the FUT2 gene?

There is a polymorphism in the gene that codes for FUT2, an enzyme that plays an important role in the digestive system and the immune system. Studies have estimated that approximately 20% of Caucasians are non-secretors of this enzyme due to this mutation. The test makes it possible to distinguish 3 types: secretor, half-secretor, and non-secretor.

Those who are in the non-secretor or semi-secretor categories are likely to have alterations in mucus quality.

At the intestinal level, these people have a risk of being more sensitive to dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota, accompanied by alterations of the immune system and the quality of the intestinal barrier, which can aggravate or trigger chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

If this description speaks to you, as a chronically ill person, or a person suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases (such as pericarditis), know that there are food supplements which can alleviate this problem in order to improve the quality of mucus and the intestinal barrier.

This of course requires a medical check-up. First, to know which category you are in. Then, to adapt the possible treatment. Generally, it contains 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL).

I took up to 1000 mg per day. But it was too much for me, and I reduced it to 500 mg per day as a basic treatment. I am in the “half-secretor” category, which perhaps explains this adaptation.

Without going into details, my experience is oriented towards an improvement at the digestive and gynecological levels, which is already very positive.

As far as inflammation goes, I think that's not the only factor. But if it can help my overall health and increase the quality of my immune system, then that could be something to add to the equation towards controlling chronic inflammation.

Our genes influence our gut microbiota and our body's ability to respond to disease. Medicine is still little informed about these mechanisms. Taking an interest in it seems to me to have many advantages for our health.

So, do you know your FUT2 category?

BETWEEN POSSIBLE AND IMPOSSIBLE, TWO LETTERS AND A STATE OF MIND (Charles de Gaulle).

Pericordially yours,

Vali