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Bowel regularity: here are the most suitable foods

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

The well-being of our bodies is linked in large part to that of our intestines. In fact, some of the most common and troublesome conditions for men stem precisely from problems related to the intestinal tract or malfunctioning of the intestinal tract. To avoid incurring these disorders and thus being forced to use remedies of a pharmaceutical nature, it may be useful to know what are the main foods that help improve intestinal regularity and the proper functioning of our bodies by including them in one’s daily dietary program.

Recommended foods

Among the foods that contribute to proper gut function prefigure: whole grains, legumes, dried/fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, all these foods are rich in fiber, and it is this fiber that contributes to the proper functioning of the intestinal flora. In addition to proper nutrition, drinking plenty of water, about two liters a day, is also essential for the care of our intestines, to help cleanse the intestinal tract and eliminate toxins and debris left inside the colon.

Fruits and vegetables

A varied diet, with a high presence of seasonal vegetables, is a panacea for intestinal well-being. There is a distinction to be made, however, between vegetables that promote increased evacuation such as zucchini, cabbage, spinach, and lettuce, and, on the other hand, fresh vegetable soups and purees that have, on the contrary, an astringent effect. As for fruit, on the other hand, it is a very important source of useful vitamins for obtaining energy and strengthening the immune system, as well as being rich in antioxidant properties and fiber. There is caution, however, to be taken in limiting the consumption of that type of fruit that contains a high amount of sugar.

Cereals and legumes

Another important category of foods that are essential for the health of our digestive system is definitely grains and legumes. In fact, all of these foods help to increase peristaltic movement in the intestines, forming a kind of protection in the digestive system in order to prevent it from becoming sick over time. Cereals and brown rice are particularly suitable, as they possess a higher fiber content.

Other foods that are important for our bodies are
yogurt, essential for the care of intestinal bacterial flora, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which promotes transit within the intestines. In conclusion, to maintain a proper balance of our digestive system, it is necessary to follow a varied diet that contains all the main elements that contribute to the well-being of our body, all accompanied by careful and constant hydration.

Between the digestive system and the immune system: the gut in the early ages of life

25 February 20246 January 2024 by psalari

The bowel, anyone would say, is the body in charge of the digestion and assimilation: its conformation to tube and its motility, in fact, enable it, thanks to enzymes, to break down ingested foods into their individual components (so-called nutrients), absorb them into the circulatory stream, and finally “push” unusable food residues so that they are eliminated in the form of feces.

The gut as an immune organ

Nothing to object to except for the fact that in this cursory overview another function no less important than those described has been omitted: the gut, in fact, is also an immune organ whose task is crucial in the early ages of life. Let us reflect for a moment: the absorbent mucosa, which in the adult individual has an area of as much as 400 square meters, can be considered on a par with the skin. Similarly to it, in fact, although it constitutes the inner lining of the intestine, it is constantly in contact with what comes from outside and thus plays a role as both a sentinel and a barrier.

The wall of the intestine, on the other hand, is rich not only in blood vessels, which receive nutrients and distribute them to all tissues of the body, but also in lymph vessels, where lymphocytes circulate. In fact, these particular highly specialized white blood cells, after forming in the bone marrow, need to be “trained” to perform their defensive task and find precisely in the digestive tract the optimal site for their break-in, also thanks to the presence of the bacterial flora.

A protection for the little ones

In the young child, then, let us not forget that the introduction of any new food is perceived as a potential aggression. In practice, the immune system cannot distinguish between a virus and a food protein, but thanks to special systems it develops what is known as tolerance: that is, it suppresses the mechanism by which contact with various foods would trigger the reaction underlying intolerance, namely the allergic response.

How to help your child in the strenuous “recovery” of the intestines after the holidays

24 February 20246 January 2024 by psalari

A classic request that parents make to the pediatrician at this time is whether there is any provision for “Getting your child’s gut back on track” after the holidays. In fact, especially with regard to the Christmas season, it should be remembered that it is not only the dietary transgressions to cause disorders, but the many circulating viruses are also to blame, which can disrupt the Digestive system, sometimes in mutual concatenation

It may also be the case, for example, that classic indigestion, in addition to causing discomfort, alters the bacterial flora, making the gut more vulnerable to pathogens. Or a microorganism, which initially causes fever, cough, and other respiratory symptoms, may also promote nausea, vomiting, liquid discharges, and interfere with digestive processes.

What then are the best measures to help the child get better? First of all, let us remember that children, although they appear voracious and able to metabolize any mess, are no less delicate than adults: the difference lies in the fact that in the latter the symptoms are perhaps more pronounced but tend to resolve more quickly, whereas in children, if acute attacks of (liberating) vomiting or diarrhea are excluded, recovery times are slower, as well as longer vague abdominal pain, bloating or changes in fecal consistency and characteristics may persist, subtly.

To combat all these symptoms, it is first of all advisable to follow a simple diet: not necessarily “plain,” but characterized by lightly seasoned and elaborate dishes, such as spaghetti with tomato sauce, grilled steak or fish, pasta and beans, and minestrone. Also crucial is a proper balance between animal and vegetable foods: fruits and vegetables should never be missing from the table, and if they were really not liked by the child, we remember that, albeit with a loss of fiber, these sources of very important nutrients can be offered in the form of juices and centrifuges, prepared at home and consumed at the moment.

Pay attention, then, to the quantities of meals eaten throughout the day. If disturbances are present, it is better for them to be light and frequent rather than sparse and abundant. Fats deserve special mention; their intake should be moderated not only as a matter of calories but also because these substances slow down and weigh down digestion.

Finally, let’s not forget the importance of physical activity, which acts as a favorable stimulus on the motility of the digestive tract, and the intake of probiotic preparations, which are useful in restoring a balanced intestinal microflora arrangement.

Gut bacteria deployed to combat anxiety

15 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

The human gut is home to billions of bacteria that collectively form the gut microbiota, whose crucial role in digestion has long been known. But a growing body of scientific evidence is pointing out that these microorganisms also affect our behavior and even our brains. Now, the authors of a new systematic review show that bringing about a change in our gut flora can be an effective way to alleviate the symptoms of anxious states.

Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine analyzed 21 studies focusing on interventions to treat anxiety through modulation of gut bacteria. The review, which involved 1,503 subjects and was published in the journal General Psychiatry, confirmed that some approaches are indeed effective.

To manipulate gut bacteria in participants, two main approaches were used: in seven of the studies included in the analysis, patients’ diet was changed, while in the other 14, probiotic supplements were administered. Probiotics, often referred to as “good bacteria,” are found in certain foods and can help rebalance depleted intestinal flora. Of the probiotic studies, seven used only one type of bacteria, two used two types, and the remaining five used three or more bacterial strains.

In all the studies reviewed, the Chinese researchers found a positive effect; in some cases it was small, but in eleven of them there was a marked improvement in anxiety symptoms: five through the probiotic approach and six through the dietary approach. The review also improved our knowledge regarding the combination of traditional anxiety medications with intervention on gut bacteria: to this propósito, the authors found that improvements occurred only when dietary interventions were combined with medications and not with probiotic intake.

Taken alone, the diet interventions had an 86 percent efficacy rate, which could be related to the more effective growth of different types of bacteria following the dietary regime change. Regarding supplementation with probiotics, however, experts speculate that the bacteria in the supplements might compete against each other and consequently fail to produce the desired changes to the gut microbiome. It is also possible that only certain types of bacteria make a difference, and identifying them will be the task of future research.

Yang B, Wei J, Ju P et al. Effects of regulating intestinal microbiota on anxiety symptoms: A systematic review

General Psychiatry 2019;32:e100056.

The effect of the gut microbiota on drugs

16 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

In recent years, the gut microbiota, that is, the set of microorganisms that we host in our gut and with which we constantly interact, has been attracting extreme interest because of the positive effects it has on the body when healthy and the disorders that can arise when imbalances (called “dysbiosis”) are present. Recent data indicate that the gut microbiota can influence a multiplicity of metabolic processes and modulate our response to externally introduced substances, including drugs. In practice, therefore, the effects of the therapies we take depend not only on the characteristics of our bodies, but also on those of the bacteria we live with. The study on the subject.

Time change: the effects on the gut

15 February 20246 January 2024 by rosanna.feroldi

The transition from daylight saving time to daylight saving time and vice versa causes some transient discomfort for many people, especially in terms of resynchronization of sleep-wake rhythms and mealtimes, fatigue or feeling slightly unwell/nervous during the day. Generally, for those with no health problems, everything works out in less than a week, the maximum period needed to realign one’s biorhythm to the legally mandated time.

For those with risk factors or specific diseases, however, changing the time every six months can result in far greater inconvenience. Numerous epidemiological studies have long indicated that the incidence of severe acute cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke), as well as episodes of depression or anxiety in predisposed people, increases in the weeks after the hands of the clock move.

Recent data have, moreover, shown a correlation between the transition from daylight saving time to summer time and the risk of seeing worsen chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, with a significant increase in the number of flare-ups in the following 30 days in patients who were under control in the previous month. An observation entirely in line with the knowledge regarding the link between circadian rhythms and the regulation of gastrointestinal activity and the immune and inflammatory response.

In addition, it should be considered that the abrupt change in the amount of daylight to which one is exposed, resulting from the fake “time zone,” has a not insignificant impact on mood, and this aspect can also significantly affect the gastrointestinal symptoms of IBD or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which are also known to have a psychosomatic component.

Considering the considerable discomfort associated with IBD flare-ups (not infrequently disabling for several days/weeks), as well as the acute cardiovascular events already mentioned, and the expenditure of health care resources required to treat them, one frankly wonders whether it is ethically permissible and economically viable to continue to maintain the ritual change of the time twice a year, even in view of the now limited energy savings it makes in the face of the drastic change in the population’s living and working habits.

In Europe, the situation is expected to improve from 2021, when a recent decision by the European Commission envisaged the final switch to the single, year-round timetable. In other areas of the world, legislative changes along these lines have yet to be considered, to the detriment of those with health problems that may be exacerbated by a transient mismatch between the internal and external clocks.

Source Föh B et al. Seasonal Clock Changes Are Underappreciated Health Risks-Also in IBD? Front Med (Lausanne) 2019;6:103. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00103

Gluten does not produce symptoms in healthy people

14 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

Intake of gluten-containing foods can be very harmful to people with celiac disease, but it causes no gastrointestinal symptoms in people without a related disorder, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial (DRCT) published in the September issue of Gastroenterology by a group of British researchers confirms.

The research is particularly relevant because of its methodological rigor and because it addresses a topic that, for many people, is still a source of great confusion. In fact, perhaps influenced by the dietary choices of some celebrities, 44% of Americans buy gluten-free foods for reasons other than celiac disease, and 65% believe that avoiding this substance is synonymous with healthier eating.

The British study debunking this belief looked at 28 participants, 21 of them women, with an average age of 38, all of whom underwent serologic testing to rule out celiac disease.

The authors divided them into two groups, both of which were educated by a dietitian and put on a gluten-free diet for two weeks, at the end of which any gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, reflux, episodes of indigestion, diarrhea and constipation were assessed; a visual analog scale was also used to measure “overall fatigue.”

Next, the researchers randomly assigned participants to add flour sachets with or without gluten to their food, twice a day for two more weeks. The daily dosage, for the intervention group, was 14 gluten proteins.

Comparison between the two groups showed no significant differences in symptoms with the exception of episodes of diarrhea, which were reduced among participants who had consumed gluten, a fact the latter was considered abnormal by the authors themselves.

The results of the study thus suggest that gluten does not cause gastrointestinal symptoms in most people, but the British researchers remind that there are many people with undiagnosed celiac disease and recommend that if they have problems, they should be tested for the disease.

Source: Croall ID, Aziz I, et al. Gluten Does Not Induce Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Trial. Gastroenterology. 2019 Sep;157(3):881-883.

What are inflammatory bowel diseases?

10 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to certain chronic conditions that cause inflammation in certain parts of the intestines. The intestinal walls swell, become inflamed, and develop ulcers, which cause discomfort and serious digestive problems. The specific symptoms depend on the part of the digestive tract affected.

Nutrition and effects on the gut microbiome

7 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

The microbial structure in the intestine is greatly influenced by the type of power type, and it of its own goes on to influence a number of metabolic, hormonal and neurological processes, based on a study of available work performed by scholars at George Washington University (GW) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The article was later published in Nutrition Reviews. The human microbiome has until recently been an under-examined topic to seek new strategies for disease diagnosis and treatment. At present, the number of those diseases that can result in disruption of the gut microbiome seems to be increasing and prevailing, and the scientific community is not aligned on a consensus of what can define a microbiome as a “healthy gut.” The GW and NIST review systematically made assessments of current thinking on existing interactions between nutrition and the gut microbiome in healthy adults. Leigh A. Frame, PhD, MHS, director of the integrative medicine program at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences said “As we learn more about the gut microbiome and nutrition, we also learn how influential they are on each other and what role they both play in disease prevention and treatment, a topic very central to public health“.

Through their review of the papers, the authors inferred that the relationship in the two directions between nutrition and the intestinal microbiome is emerging , while more research is being conducted on the process by which the microbiota utilizes and produces both macro- and micronutrients. The authors found that the research focused primarily on the benefits of dietary fiber, which serves as fuel for the gut microbiota, and also observing that protein promotes the metabolism of “microbial proteins” and potentially harmful byproducts that can remain in the gut, causing an increased risk of adverse health outcomes.”This observation reveals that the current measurement tools we possess are ineffective in identifying microbial and molecular hallmarks that can serve as valid indicators of health and disease” said Scott Jackson, adjunct assistant professor of clinical research and leadership at SMHS and leader of SMHS, NIST’s Complex Microbial Systems Group.

The authors suggest that future research should consider individual responses to different diets and how the gut microbiome responds to them, but also the emphasized function of the microbiome.

Source: International Research

What is Crohn’s Disease?

1 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

Crohn’s disease is a chronic intestinal inflammation that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. The causes are still unknown. It is characterized by intestinal ulcers, often alternating with stretches of healthy bowel, and, if not properly treated, can lead to complications such as stenosis or fistulas that may require surgery. Symptoms can range from abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea , weight loss, or fever. It can also affect the anal region with fistulas or abscesses. Immunosuppressive therapy and regular monitoring allow control of the disease and its progression in most cases.