Introduction
A healthy digestive system is the cornerstone of health. When the body is not digesting food well, it can greatly affect ones overall wellbeing, and result in poor assimilation of nutrients from foods. The gastrointestinal tract digests the food that we eat and absorbs nutrients and water, whilst expelling undigested components as waste products. The gut wall secretes a wide variety of components to aid digestion and eliminates millions of cells each day which must be continuously replaced. The gastrointestinal tract contains many different species of bacteria which interact with each other and the body. These bacteria are known to play an important role in maintaining the health of not only the gastrointestinal system, but also the immune system.
What would you consider the most common gut related health conditions?
As we see the demands of a busy modern lifestyle increase so have digestive complaints. 40% of the population experience at least one form of digestive discomfort at one time. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most popular medical diagnosis of gut related conditions, yet something of an enigma. It is defined as ‘a very common syndrome of abdominal pain and disordered bowel habit for which there is no organic explanation’. The condition affects 15-20% of the population in westernised nations, providing between 25 and 50% of patient referrals to hospital gastroenterology. The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and spasms, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea alternating with constipation. Bowel movements usually relieve discomfort.
Is Britain seeing increased prevalence of such conditions? If so, why?
Yes, stresses incurred by a modern busy lifestyle have an impact on the digestive health due to an increased intake of convenience foods and limited time to adequately digest food in a tranquil environment. The annual increase of IBS being diagnosed is still not a true reflection of the real scale of the problem as many people suffer without seeking advice.
What are the dietary lifestyle culprits that exacerbate problems?
The cause of IBS may be multi-factorial and differ from individual to individual. In broad terms the key factors are likely to be a high intake of refined foods, coffee, tea and sugar, antibiotics and stress induced bacterial imbalance/overgrowth limiting gut motility, digestion and absorption of foods. The common stress response of the digestive system manifests itself in a system shutdown, limiting digestive enzymes and stomach acid production which equates to undigested food particles irritating the gastrointestinal tract and a reduction in intestinal microflora.
When blood sugar rises too rapidly due to refined sugar and caffeine, gastrointestinal peristalsis slows down. There is also a recognised connection between IBS and food intolerances and allergies. Approximately two thirds of IBS patients have at least one food intolerance and some have multiple. The typical culprits for intolerance tend to be dairy, citrus and grains.
What dietary advice should retailers be giving to their customers?
With the presence of IBS symptoms, limit or avoid offensive foods such as dairy, wheat, refined and citrus foods at all costs so as not to irritate the intestinal lining. If there is a suspected presence of Candida follow a candida diet which means avoiding all foods containing sugar or yeast, and limiting fruit to two portion at most per day, so as not to feed the yeast/fungal infection. Any foods containing tyramine such as port, red wine, or beef, can cause a digestive response in some and therefore should be limited.
Encourage a diet rich in brown rice, lentils, millet, fish, probiotic yoghurt and vegetables to support cleansing of the intestine and recolinisation of a healthy gut flora. If there is a case of low stomach acid a salad a day may prove to be beneficial due to the digestive enzymes they contain that can aid the breakdown of food as does apple cider vinegar, papaya and pineapple. Adding peppermint, camomile and fennel to foods or as a drink may soothe the digestive tract.
What would you consider the top five supplements for gut health, and why?
Psyllium Intensive Comes in a powder form containing psyllium Husk, prune Juice, burdock and rhubarb to aim at promoting a healthy digestive system. The inclusion of Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) alongside probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains aim to maintain and heal a healthy gut flora.
Eradicin A potent formulation of broad spectrum antimicrobial antibacterial from freeze dried garlic, oregano oil, cinnamon oil and cloves to aim at eradicating pathogenic bacteria and encourage good bacteria in the gut.
Intestinal Bowel Supplement comes in a capsule form that combines peppermint, ginger, fennel, chamomile and cardamom oil to aim at soothing and supporting the digestive system and gastric secretions.
Bio-Acidophilus Forte comes in a capsule form containing 30 billion potency per daily intake to end of shelf life if stored correctly. The Hypoallergenic and dairy-free formulation contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum & lactis may reduce the colonisation of unfriendly bacteria and yeast organisms by producing lactic acid and natural antibiotics. An inclusion of Fructooligosaccharides (F.O.S.) when ingested, provide a specific food source for the growth of friendly intestinal bacteria
Polyzyme Forte capsules are a high potency, broad-spectrum enzyme preparation that also contains lactobacillus acidophilus to help maintain healthy gut bacteria flora, supporting the maintenance of a healthy digestive system.
What can therapists and retailers do
Make people aware of the warning signs : Abdominal pain, blood present in stools, pain from passing stools, alteration to bowel habit, nausea and vomiting, feeling full, bloating or flatulence, loss of appetite, heartburn and reflux, unexplainable weightloss, change in stool colour ie black, dark red, pale or containing mucus
