How to manage dysbiosis in the colon?

From the Guidelines

Managing dysbiosis in the colon requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on diet, probiotics, and lifestyle modifications. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, recommends eating a varied and balanced diet, increasing fibre intake, consuming probiotic and prebiotic foods, staying hydrated, limiting processed foods and added sugars, and considering a multivitamin or supplement.

Key Recommendations

• Increase dietary fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to promote beneficial bacteria growth, as suggested by 1 and 1.
• Incorporate fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, which contain natural probiotics, as recommended by 1.
• Take a high-quality probiotic supplement containing multiple strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species at doses of 10-50 billion CFUs daily for at least 4-8 weeks, as supported by 1.
• Reduce consumption of processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and excessive red meat which can promote harmful bacteria, as advised by 1 and 1.
• Stay well-hydrated with at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water per day to support colon health, as recommended by 1.

Additional Considerations

• In cases of severe dysbiosis, healthcare providers might recommend targeted antimicrobials or herbal antimicrobials, as mentioned in 1 and 1.
• Regular physical activity helps maintain gut motility and diversity of gut microbiota, as suggested by general medical knowledge.
• Manage stress through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques, as chronic stress negatively impacts gut microbiome balance, as supported by general medical knowledge. These approaches work by either directly introducing beneficial bacteria, providing nutrients that support their growth, eliminating harmful microorganisms, or creating an environment where beneficial bacteria can thrive, ultimately improving morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Managing Dysbiosis in the Colon

To manage dysbiosis in the colon, several strategies can be employed, including:

• Dietary modifications: A high-fibre diet can significantly reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer and promote a balanced intestinal microbiota 2, 3
• Prebiotics: Nondigestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacterial species already resident in the colon 4
• Probiotics: Microbial food supplements that beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance 4, 5
• Synbiotics: A combination of pro- and prebiotics that can characterize some colonic foods with interesting nutritional properties 4

Key Dietary Components

Some key dietary components that can help manage dysbiosis in the colon include:

• High-fibre foods: Such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains 2, 3
• Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS): A type of prebiotic that can stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria 4, 5
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in oily fish, which have anti-inflammatory effects 3
• Olive oil: Which has anti-inflammatory effects and can help prevent dysbiosis 3

Lifestyle-Associated Factors

Lifestyle-associated factors that can contribute to dysbiosis in the colon include:

• Excessive consumption of alcohol 6
• A Westernized diet: Characterized by high consumption of sugar, animal fat, and low consumption of fruits and vegetables 3, 6
• Low physical activity: Which can contribute to an imbalance in the gut microbiota 3