[thedoc (OP)]

An antibacterial protein secreted in the small intestine creates a tiny “no man’s land” between the wall of the intestine and the bacteria that live inside the gut.  Breakdown of this physical buffer could lead to Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other chronic problems...


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[cheryl j]

There are other defenses as well, the acidic environment of the stomach, bile salts in the small intestine, lymphoid tissue in Peyers patches and possibly the appendix, antibodies in mucus, etc. And part of the defense is just other gut bacteria themselves that have formed a symbiotic relationship with us and mayout compete more aggressive, invasive bacteria.