Everyday I hear my clients describe the changes to their digestive function as we discuss their health history. I even had one client tell me that all her friends have gut issues and they have just accepted it as a normal part of getting older!
Contrary to popular belief, gastrointestinal discomfort is not an inevitable consequence of aging. While it is true that certain digestive issues may become more prevalent as we age, it is essential to recognise that age alone is not the sole culprit and we can have a perfectly healthy digestive system, no matter what age we are.
Here are some of the main reasons why gut issues are so prevalent:
Dietary Habits: Diets high in processed foods, sugars, and low in fiber can negatively impact gut health. The lack of fiber hinders proper digestion and deprives the gut microbiota of essential nutrients, contributing to imbalances in the microbial community.
Overuse of Antibiotics and other medications: Antibiotics, while crucial for treating bacterial infections, can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota. The overuse of antibiotics the past century is resulting in dysbiosis, an imbalance within the natural environment within the gut making individuals more susceptible to gastrointestinal issues. Other medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can also impact gut health.
Stress and Lifestyle Factors: Chronic stress and unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as lack of exercise and inadequate sleep, can contribute to gut problems. Stress, in particular, can influence the gut-brain axis, impacting digestion and exacerbating conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Environmental Toxins: Exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins, including pesticides and heavy metals, can adversely affect the gut. These substances may disrupt the delicate balance of the microbiota and contribute to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Hygiene Hypothesis: The hygiene hypothesis suggests that reduced exposure to diverse microbes in early childhood may contribute to an increased risk of developing allergies, asthma, and autoimmune conditions. With modern cleaning practices albeit beneficial to prevent some illnesses, are resulting in a lack of microbial diversity that is believed to affect the immune system and gut health.
Common symptoms that should not be ignored:
Abdominal Pain: Persistent or recurring abdominal pain that does not subside can be a sign of various gastrointestinal issues, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Persistent Diarrhea or Constipation: Chronic diarrhea or constipation that lasts for an extended period may signal an underlying digestive problem including presence of pathogens or functional issues.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant and unexplained weight loss without intentional changes in diet or physical activity can be a red flag for various health issues, including malabsorption disorders, thyroid problems, or certain cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
Bloody Stools or Rectal Bleeding: The presence of blood in stools or on toilet paper could indicate various conditions, such as hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal bleeding, or colorectal issues. This symptom warrants prompt medical attention.
Frequent Bloating and Gas: While mild bloating and gas are normal, persistent or severe bloating accompanied by discomfort may be indicative of underlying issues, including food sensitivities, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), or other gastrointestinal disorders.
Reflux, Heartburn or Indigestion: Persistent symptoms may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Helicobacter pylori infection, a stomach ulcer, gallbladder issues or gastritis. Chronic acid reflux can lead to complications, including Barrett's esophagus or stomach cancer.
Nausea and Vomiting: Chronic nausea or vomiting unrelated to pregnancy or other obvious causes may be associated with gastrointestinal conditions, infections or issues such as gastroparesis.
Unexplained Fatigue: Chronic fatigue that cannot be attributed to other factors may be linked to issues like malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic inflammation affecting the gut.
Changes in Appetite: Significant changes in appetite, such as a sudden loss of appetite or unexplained food cravings, may be indicative of underlying digestive or metabolic issues.
So how can we correct it?
As you can see, the list of issues and causes is extensive so there isn't a one size fits all protocol that will fix what is going on for you or anyone else.
The best starting point is to see a healthcare professional that will thoroughly assess your case and run further testing to uncover the underlying cause.
There are some very effective diagnostic digestive tests that can be performed where indicated to get to the root cause including:
Stool Analysis - a non-invasive test where a small sample of your stool is collected and tested for:
Digestion and Absorption Markers: This assesses how well the digestive system is breaking down and absorbing nutrients, including fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Gut Microbiota Composition: Examining the types and quantities of bacteria present in the gut can offer insights into the balance of the microbiome, which plays a crucial role in overall digestive and immune system health.
Inflammation Markers: The test may measure markers of inflammation in the digestive tract, which can indicate whether there is ongoing inflammation or irritation.
Presence of Pathogens: The CDSA can detect the presence of harmful microorganisms, such as parasites, bacteria, or yeast, which could be causing gastrointestinal issues.
Immunology Markers: This includes assessing the immune response in the gut, which can provide information about the state of the immune system in the digestive tract.
Intestinal Permeability: Also known as "leaky gut" assessment, this evaluates the integrity of the intestinal lining. Increased permeability may allow substances to pass through the gut lining and into the bloodstream, potentially triggering an immune response.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): SCFAs are produced by the gut microbiota during the fermentation of fiber. They play a role in maintaining gut health and may be measured in a CDSA.
Occult Blood: Detecting the presence of blood in the stool can help identify gastrointestinal bleeding.
Hydrogen breath test - another non-invasive test involving drinking a fluid and breathing into a tube. This test is used to detect certain gastrointestinal conditions, including Helicobacter pylori infection, carbohydrate malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The test measures the amount of hydrogen gas in a person's breath, which is produced by bacteria in the colon as they ferment undigested carbohydrates that reach the colon.
Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy or Colonoscopy - a medical procedure that involves using a flexible tube with a light and camera (endoscope) to examine the upper and or lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. Performed by Gastroenterologists, they assess:
The Interior: The endoscope allows the physician to directly visualise the lining of the esophagus, stomach, intestines and colon in real-time.
Detect Abnormalities: Abnormalities such as inflammation, ulcers, tumours, or other structural issues can be identified.
Collect Biopsy Samples: Tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during the procedure for further analysis in the laboratory. This can help diagnose conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection, celiac disease, or certain types of gastritis.
Remove Polyps or Perform Treatments: If abnormal growths or polyps are found, they can often be removed during the procedure. Additionally, certain therapeutic interventions, such as dilation of strictures or control of bleeding, can be performed through the endoscope.
By investigating further, healthcare professionals can gain a better understanding of the patient's digestive health and formulate targeted interventions or treatment plans.
Solutions to healing the gut
Depending on the underlying cause, there are a number of natural solutions to correcting your condition including:
Digestive Stimulants - if it is deemed that digestion is not effective in the upper GIT, there are natural digestive enzymes, nutrients including Zinc and bitter herbal medicines such as Gentian that can support the production of stomach acid, bile and enzymes.
Demulcents / Soothing Agents - If there is localised tissue inflammation or irritation, there are natural demulcents including Slippery Elm and Collagen that act to form a protective coating over your digestive tract to heal it faster.
Tissue Healing Cofactors - if there is damage including ulcers or intestinal hyper-permeability (large gaps within the small intestine), there are specific nutrient cofactors that help to heal the mucosal tissue. These include Zinc, Vitamin A and specific amino acids.
Probiotics, Prebiotics & Postbiotics - Naturally occurring in fermented foods including yoghurt, sauerkraut and miso, these support the health of your digestive microbiota through encouraging an optimum environment, acting as a fuel source and competitively inhibiting the growth of pathogens.
Dietary intervention - elimination of specific foods that may be exacerbating your symptoms.
Antimicrobials - If there is a pathogen, antimicrobials may be required to correct it.
If you have gut issues and you would like to get relief and correct them, book an appointment or a complimentary discovery call to take the first step towards relief!
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