What is the significance of gastrointestinal (GI) health?

From the Guidelines

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is crucial for overall wellness, as it plays a vital role in digestion, immune function, and mental health, and can be achieved through a balanced diet and lifestyle modifications, as supported by recent studies 1. To improve gut health, it is essential to consume a diverse diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

• A healthy balanced diet can protect the immune system against infections and diseases, as noted in a recent study 1.
• The gut microbiota, composed of hundreds of millions of bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract, has a substantial impact on the functioning of one’s immune system and the body’s immunological response, as discussed in a 2024 study 1.
• Diets high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats may decrease the number of beneficial bacteria in the stomach, while increasing the number of potentially harmful bacteria, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet 1.
• Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, can be taken as supplements to introduce beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics like inulin and FOS feed these good bacteria, as supported by recent research 1.
• Regular exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, and limiting processed foods and antibiotics when possible all support gut health, and can have a significant impact on the composition and functioning of the gut microbiota, as noted in a 2024 study 1.
• Staying hydrated with 6-8 glasses of water daily helps maintain the mucus lining of the intestines, and can contribute to a healthy gut microbiome.
• The gut-brain connection explains why gut health impacts mood and cognition, as approximately 90% of serotonin is produced in the digestive tract, highlighting the importance of gut health for overall well-being.
• Improving gut health can lead to better digestion, stronger immunity, reduced inflammation, and potentially improved mental clarity and emotional well-being, as supported by recent studies 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Symptoms that Cumulatively Support the Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: – Abnormal stool frequency (for research purposes “abnormal” may be defined as greater than 3 bowel movements per day and less than 3 bowel movements per week); Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool); Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete evacuation); Passage of mucus; Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension.

The significance of gastrointestinal (GI) health is highlighted by the presence of various symptoms that cumulatively support the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), including:

• Abnormal stool frequency
• Abnormal stool form
• Abnormal stool passage
• Passage of mucus
• Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension These symptoms suggest that GI health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, and any disruptions to normal GI function can lead to significant discomfort and impairment. 2

From the Research

Importance of Gastrointestinal Health

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a crucial role in overall health, and its dysfunction can lead to various diseases. Some of the key aspects of GI health include:

• The gut microbiome, which influences the development of chronic diseases such as metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and colorectal cancer 3
• The intestinal barrier function, which prevents tissue injury, pathogen infection, and disease development when intact 4
• The balance between useful and harmful bacteria in the intestinal microbiome, with dysbiosis contributing to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 5, 6

Impact of GI Health on Disease

GI health has a significant impact on various diseases, including:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects around 11% of the population worldwide and is associated with significant healthcare costs 7
• IBS, which affects 11.2% of the adult population worldwide and is characterized by an imbalance of the intestinal microbiome 5, 6
• Other conditions like obesity, diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular disease, which have been linked to gut microbiota composition and relative populations of bacterial species 3

Treatment Options for GI Health

Various treatment options are available to manage GI health, including:

• Probiotics, which can protect against pathogenic bacteria and promote the growth of beneficial microbial strains in the gut 7, 5
• Prebiotics, which can promote the growth of beneficial microbial strains in the gut, but may not show significant improvement in conditions like IBS 5
• Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which can reverse dysbiosis and reduce symptoms in conditions like IBS 5, 6
• Dietary patterns, which can affect gastrointestinal motility, sensitivity, barrier function, and gut microbiota 7, 3, 4