From the Guidelines
Maintaining good gastrointestinal (GI) health is crucial for overall wellness, as it influences not just digestion but also immune function, mental health, and chronic disease risk, and can be achieved through a balanced diet, probiotics, and healthy lifestyle choices, as supported by recent studies 1. The significance of GI health cannot be overstated, as it has been linked to various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety. A healthy gut microbiome, consisting of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, plays a vital role in maintaining immune function, mental health, and chronic disease risk. Factors that harm gut health, such as processed foods, antibiotics, stress, and lack of sleep, should be avoided, while beneficial practices like consuming fiber-rich foods, fermented products, staying hydrated, managing stress, and possibly taking probiotics should be adopted.
Some key points to consider:
- A balanced diet that is high in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, and polyphenols, and low in saturated fats, sodium content, and processed carbohydrates, is essential for maintaining good GI health 1.
- Probiotics, found in foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, can help support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut 1.
- Stress and emotional distress can impair the ability of the body to control inflammation, increasing the risk of peripheral and central pain sensitization in the GI tract, and can affect symptom status and clinical outcomes in disorders such as IBD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disease 1.
- Brain-gut psychotherapies, including cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and gut-directed hypnotherapy, can be effective in reducing symptom burden and improving coping skills in patients with chronic digestive disorders 1.
Overall, prioritizing GI health through dietary and lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on overall wellness, and can help reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. By nurturing our gut microbiome through healthy choices, we can potentially improve digestion, strengthen immunity, enhance mental clarity, and reduce inflammation throughout the body, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 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 related to the proper functioning of the digestive system, which includes the maintenance of normal stool frequency, form, and passage. Abnormalities in these factors can lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with changes in bowel habits.
- Key factors that support the diagnosis of IBS include:
- Abnormal stool frequency
- Abnormal stool form
- Abnormal stool passage
- Passage of mucus
- Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension Maintaining good GI health is essential to prevent or manage IBS symptoms, as evidenced by the efficacy of rifaximin in reducing the risk of HE-related hospitalizations and improving IBS symptoms in clinical trials 2, 2.
From the Research
Significance of Gastrointestinal (GI) Health
The gastrointestinal (GI) health is crucial for overall well-being, and its significance can be understood through the following points:
- A healthy GI tract is essential for the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from food, which is necessary for maintaining energy levels and supporting growth and repair of body tissues 3.
- The GI tract is home to a complex ecosystem of microorganisms, known as the gut microbiome, which plays a vital role in immune system function, production of certain vitamins, and regulation of inflammation 4, 5, 6.
- An imbalance of the gut microbiome, also known as dysbiosis, has been linked to various health problems, including type II diabetes, colon cancer, and other diseases 4, 5.
- Dietary fiber intake is critical for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, as it provides a source of nutrients for beneficial microorganisms and helps to promote the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have anti-inflammatory properties 4, 6, 7.
Importance of Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy GI tract, and its importance can be understood through the following points:
- A high-fiber diet can help to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are involved in the production of SCFAs 4, 6.
- Dietary fiber can help to regulate blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol levels, and support healthy blood pressure, all of which can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases 3, 7.
- A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are high in dietary fiber, can help to support the growth of a diverse range of beneficial microorganisms in the gut, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system 7.
Impact of Synbiotics on GI Health
Synbiotics, which are combinations of prebiotics and probiotics, can have a beneficial impact on GI health, and their effects can be understood through the following points:
- Synbiotics can help to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are involved in the production of SCFAs 5.
- Synbiotics can help to improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other GI disorders, by reducing inflammation and improving the integrity of the gut lining 5.
- Synbiotics can also help to support the immune system, by promoting the production of antibodies and activating immune cells, such as macrophages and natural killer cells 5.