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Leaky Gut Syndrome: 7 Signs You May Have It

The AHA! Team — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 06:19:53 +0000

Kathleen McCoy, BS via Dr. Axe – As more Americans are affected by poor diet choices, chronic stress, toxic overload and bacterial imbalance, it appears that the prevalence of leaky gut is potentially reaching epidemic proportions. The medical profession is just now agreeing this condition even exists, which is especially shocking considering that “intestinal permeability” (another name for leaky gut) has been discussed in the medical literature for over 100 years! Why should leaky gut syndrome concern you? In recent years, studies consider leaky gut a “danger signal for autoimmune disease.” Below is a brief description of common leaky gut syndrome symptoms seen in people struggling with this condition. A four-step process is recommended to help promote healing — including trigger foods to remove from your diet and beneficial supplements to add in. What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome? The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, said, “All disease begins in the gut.” More than two millennia after his death, scientific research has now proved he was on to something all those years ago. For over three decades, study after study has been published (several thousand articles exist to date) discussing our growing understanding of immunity, gut function, and how modern diets and lifestyles negatively contribute to overall health by damaging the digestive system. This particular phenomenon is called leaky gut syndrome. In the medical literature, leaky gut is also referred to as “increased intestinal hyperpermeability.” What happens when you have leaky gut? The intestines are protected by a single layer of specialized epithelial cells that are linked together by tight junction (or TJ) proteins. As one 2020 review explains, leaky gut symptoms are a consequence of intestinal TJ malfunction. These TJ proteins are the gateway between your intestines and your bloodstream. They control what is allowed to pass into the bloodstream from your digestive system. More than 40 different TJ proteins have now been recognized to play a role in gut health. TJ proteins have a very precise job. They have to maintain the delicate balance between allowing vital nutrients to enter your bloodstream, while remaining small enough to prevent xenobiotics (disease-causing substances like toxins and bacteria) from passing out of your digestive system into the rest of your body. Here’s how a report published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology describes the pathology of intestinal permeability: “The intestinal epithelial lining, together with factors secreted from it, forms a barrier that separates the host from the environment. In pathologic conditions, the permeability of the epithelial lining may be compromised allowing the passage of toxins, antigens, and bacteria in the lumen to enter the bloodstream creating a ‘leaky gut.’” Symptoms (Plus Related Conditions) According to one review focusing on medically reviewed research about intestinal permeability (among other sources), the chronic condition of hyperpermeability may be linked to numerous symptoms and health conditions, including some autoimmune diseases. What are the symptoms of leaky gut? Some of the most prominent signs you may have this condition include: Gastric ulcers Joint pain Infectious diarrhea Irritable bowel syndrome Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis) Small intestine bacterial overgrowth Celiac disease Esophageal and colorectal cancer Allergies Respiratory infections Acute inflammation conditions (sepsis, SIRS, multiple organ failure) Chronic inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis) Thyroid disorders Obesity-related metabolic diseases (fatty liver, type II diabetes, heart disease) Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, Hashimoto’s and more) Parkinson’s disease Chronic fatigue syndrome Propensity toward weight gain or obesity Leaky gut may not directly cause any of these conditions — it’s more that people who have gut issues are more likely to have a number of other health problems. So while the scientific evidence has not yet proved that increased intestinal hyperpermeability is actually responsible for these conditions, it strongly suggests that leaky gut and other dysfunctions tend to occur simultaneously. Common Leaky Gut Problems Here’s more about some of these problems can develop due to gut dysfunction: 1. Food sensitivities Some research suggests that intestinal hyperpermeability can cause the immune system to overproduce various antibodies, which may make some more susceptible to antigens in certain foods (especially gluten and dairy). In studies involving rats and human children, leaky gut and food allergies have been linked. Allergies are believed to be one of the most common symptoms. 2. Inflammatory bowel disease Researchers from Hungary uncovered in 2012 that elevated gut permeability is oftentimes localized to the colon in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. As far back as 1988, scientists suggested that Crohn’s disease may be more of a risk for people with leaky gut. A small study (observing 12 patients) discovered that zinc supplementation may help resolve the TJ dysfunction in these cases, although more medically reviewed research is required on a larger scale to confirm these results. 3. Autoimmune disease The key to understanding how leaky gut can cause autoimmune diseases is through research done on a protein known as “zonulin.” According to a one article published in the journal Physiologic Reviews: “Zonulin is the only physiological modulator of intercellular tight junctions described so far that is involved in trafficking of macromolecules and, therefore, in tolerance/immune response balance. When the finely tuned zonulin pathway is deregulated in genetically susceptible individuals, both intestinal and extraintestinal autoimmune, inflammatory, and neoplastic disorders can occur.” Eating certain food allergens, such as gluten, may trigger this dangerous cascade. University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers uncovered that gluten “activates zonulin signaling irrespective of the genetic expression of autoimmunity, leading to increased intestinal permeability to macromolecules.” The good news is that it seems possible to reverse these autoimmune reactions’ problematic immune responses. 4. Thyroid problems One of the autoimmune diseases that leaky gut syndrome may directly affect is Hashimoto’s disease. Also known as “chronic thyroiditis,” this disorder is displayed with hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), impaired metabolism, fatigue, depression, weight gain and a host of other concerns. 5. Nutrient malabsorption Various nutritional deficiencies can also result from leaky gut, including vitamin B12, magnesium and digestive enzymes. Those common nutrient deficiencies are one reason why many functional medicine practitioners prescribe a whole-food multivitamin in addition to probiotics for people suffering from this condition. 6. Inflammatory skin conditions First described over 70 years ago, the “gut-skin connection theory” describes how increased intestinal hyperpermeability can cause a slew of skin conditions, particularly acne and psoriasis. Creams and drugs with endless lists of (sometimes dangerous) side effects are often prescribed for these skin disorders, yet there has been evidence for several decades that part of the root cause might exist in the gut. 7. Mood issues and autism According to a study published in the journal Neuroendocrinology Letters, intestinal permeability has been shown to contribute to various neurocognitive disorders. For example, the inflammatory response characteristic of intestinal hyperpermeability triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other chemicals that are thought to induce depression. A study published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience described the “vicious circle between immune system impairment and increasing dysbiosis that leads to leaky gut and neurochemical compounds and/or neurotoxic xenobiotics production and absorption.” The authors described findings from a number of studies that point to their theory that autism may be connected to problems in the microbiome, particularly within the first year of life. It is actually now a common hypothesis in modern science. Causes What is the main cause of leaky gut? As explained above, it occurs when certain tiny particles that should never be able to enter your bloodstream start to make their way through due to dysfunction of the mucosal barrier in the gut. There also commonly are abnormalities in the gut stemming from antimicrobial molecules, immunoglobulins and cytokine activities. This presents a major problem, as the vast majority of your immune system is found inside the gut (sometimes called the microbiome). The result is a disruption of acute inflammation and sometimes autoimmune reactions. A normal part of your immune response that serves to fight infections and diseases winds up over-performing, leading to chronic inflammation, which is at the root of most diseases. Some of the underlying causes of leaky gut include: Genetic predisposition — Certain people may be more predisposed to developing this condition because they are sensitive to environmental factors that “trigger” their bodies into initiating autoimmune responses. Poor diet — Especially a diet that includes allergens and inflammatory foods, such as unsprouted grains, added sugar, GMOs, refined oils, synthetic food additives, conventional dairy products and alcohol. Chronic stress Toxin overload — This includes “chronic stressors,” such as high drug and alcohol consumption. We come into contact with more than 80,000 chemicals and toxins every single year, but the worst offenders for causing leaky gut include antibiotics, pesticides, tap water, aspirin and NSAIDs. It’s recommended to buy a high-quality water filter to eliminate chlorine and fluoride and look to natural plant-based herbs to reduce inflammation in your body. Bacterial imbalance — Also called dysbiosis, which means an imbalance between beneficial and harmful species of bacteria in your gut. A large body of evidence now shows that gut microbiota is important in supporting the epithelial barrier and preventing autoimmune reactions. At least 10 percent of all gene transcriptions found in intestinal epithelial cells that are related to immunity, cell proliferation and metabolism are regulated by gut microbiota. Controversies Do most conventional doctors support the idea that leaky gut is real? Not exactly, as it the topic remains controversial. WebMD refers to leaky gut as “something of a medical mystery.” This isn’t surprising, since it’s not a diagnosis that most doctors have been taught in medical school. “From an MD’s standpoint, it’s a very gray area,” says gastroenterologist Donald Kirby, M.D., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic. In his opinion, “Physicians don’t know enough about the gut, which is our biggest immune system organ.” However, a roundtable review quotes the researchers at seven different European universities in 2014 agreeing upon the following: “Alteration of the gut barrier seems to have multiple consequences facilitating the onset of a variety of diseases depending on other hits and on genetic or epigenetic constellations, respectively. The growing significance of the gut barrier and bacterial translocation raises the questions of how we can improve gut barrier functions and gut microbiota.” While it’s encouraging that science is coming around to leaky gut syndrome being a real problem, we are by no means at a point where there are standard diagnostic tools for testing and treating this problem. This means that doctors are often left with no other choice than to follow what they believe to be the “safe path” and prescribe drugs that only treat symptoms. For example, medications (like proton pump inhibitors or antacids) can be used to manage symptoms like acid reflux medications, but these drugs don’t solve the root problem. Because there is so much unknown about leaky gut syndrome, it’s critical that you understand what leaky gut is and what to look out for in case you or a loved one is affected by it. The good news is that many functional and integrative medicine practitioners have a greater understanding of this condition than they did even a decade ago. Treatment Several leaky gut syndrome tests are available that can help confirm a diagnosis and point you in the right treatment direction. Tests are helpful for identifying specific sensitivities and uncovering which types of toxins or deficiencies are contributing to your symptoms. Available tests include: Zonulin or Lactulose Tests IgG Food Intolerance Test Stools Tests Organic Acid Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Tests Lactulose Mannitol Test What leaky gut treatments are available? A four-step process can help treat leaky gut. We cover this process in a leaky gut diet and treatment plan. The basic steps to healing leaky gut are as follows: Remove foods and factors that damage the gut. Replace these with healing foods that are part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Repair the gut with specific leaky gut supplements like butyric acid. Rebalance your microbiome with probiotics (beneficial bacteria). This is key because bacteria in your...

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Is Flatulence Good for You? (Does It Depend on the Smell?)

The AHA! Team — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:00:18 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Most of us have been there: experiencing excessive farting that feels out of our control and causes a whole heck of a lot of embarrassment. While the average person farts nearly every day, some people deal with a bloated stomach and excessive flatulence more often than others. One of the most aggravating things about having gas is that it can seem impossible to minimize and to narrow down the exact culprit, considering dozens of different things can potentially be to blame. As you’ve probably experienced firsthand many times, some farts can be pretty foul-smelling and noisy, while others easily slip below the radar. Wondering how much farting is too much? A mostly healthy person might pass gas 14–18 times per day, sometimes not even realizing it because the farts are mostly silent and odorless. A mostly healthy person might pass gas 14–18 times per day Rather than how often you fart, however, you might want to take a look at the smelliness of your flatulence and to examine other digestive symptoms present in order to determine if it’s really become a problem. Is there likely anything to be worried about when it comes to your gas? Yes and no. Some flatulence is normal, especially when eating a whole foods, high-fiber diet — but excessive gas coupled with other symptoms can be a sign that something inside is going wrong, especially when it comes to digestion of certain foods. Too much farting can be a warning sign that normal intestinal gas dynamics have become compromised. This might result in subtle dysfunctions in intestinal motility, bacteria growth or changes in the microbiome composition taking place. Keep reading to learn more about flatulence and when you should and should not be concerned about your farts. What Is Flatulence? What is a fart exactly? A fart, also called gas, “passing wind” or flatulence, is caused by the internal buildup of gases that are formed during the process of digestion and respiration. The causes of farts, and how they develop within the digestive tract vary considerably depending on the person and circumstance. The main type of gas that gets trapped inside the body and leads to flatulence is nitrogen, which researchers estimate accounts for about 20 percent to 90 percent of all the gas that causes farts. Followed by nitrogen, carbon dioxide also contributes to the gaseous volume of farts (about 10 percent to 30 percent) along with oxygen (up to 10 percent), methane (around 10 percent) and hydrogen (about 10 percent to 50 percent). Methane and hydrogen are actually both flammable gases — which explains why you might have seen some cartoon characters light their farts with a flame when you were a kid. The combination of gases described above usually causes a smell because some contain sulfur, the same smelly compound found in foods like eggs or cruciferous vegetables. Why is there such a range in the percentages of gases within a fart and the level of smelliness, depending on the specific person? This has to do with how much air is swallowed by someone in a typical day, the types of foods within someone’s diet, and also the internal chemical reactions taking place within the microbiome or intestines during digestion. The severity of smells associated with flatulence mostly has to do with the percentage of different gases present in the body at any given time. Surprisingly, most of the gas within a fart is odorless, and only a very small percent (around 1 percent) causes the signature foul smell of farts. The reason for stinkiness in general comes down to how much sulfurous gasses form within the intestines. Within a fart, several sulfur-related compounds develop that contribute to the intensity of the fart’s smell. These include: Hydrogen sulphide: This is the component of a fart that usually smells like rotten eggs. Not only does it smell unpleasant, but it’s also flammable and can be toxic when consumed in large amounts. The human body makes some of its own hydrogen sulphide, but interestingly, it’s also produced within the environment in things like swamps, sewage systems and certain types of explosive volcanic rock. Methanethiol: This is found naturally within the human body, mostly within the blood and brain. Ever open up your refrigerator and get a strong whiff of leftover veggies? Methanethiol has a strong smell similar to cruciferous veggies, including broccoli or cabbage. This same compound also contributes to other types of body odors, including bad breath. Dimethyl sulphide: Here’s another chemical compound that contributes to the smelliness of veggies. This is responsible for the smell produced when you cook things like Brussels sprouts. It’s present in foods along with methanethiol and created from the formation of certain bacteria. Causes You’re probably wondering what causes your gas accumulation, right? Excessive gas and gas pains can be attributed to all sorts of health problems, normal variations in hormonal levels that affect digestion (such as your menstrual cycle) or specific foods. While the triggers are somewhat different from person to person, the way that gas forms in the body is mostly the same. Within the body, gas travels down the same pathway in your digestive system as poop does. Eventually, accumulated gas makes its way to through your intestines and out of your colon, just like feces. Along the way, certain things can stop or interfere with the normal release of built-up gas, causing gas pains, bloating and indigestion. This unpleasant feeling is a sign that you’re having a hard time ridding your body of excess gas — possibly because certain foods in your diet are irritating your gut or digestive organs, causing side effects like bacteria growth or fermentation along the way. Bloating and gas usually go hand in hand because when a certain amount of gas is retained within the gut, people develop abdominal distension (a puffy belly) and various gassy symptoms. Just like farting, abdominal distension is related to the volume of gas within the gut and depends both on intestinal motor activity (gas is better tolerated when the gut and digestive muscles are relaxed) and the inner distribution of gas. Some of the reasons gas gets trapped inside the body abnormally include: Swallowing air (aerophagia): This involves inadvertently swallowing air that accumulates in the stomach and is then released by belching or farting. This process is triggered by changes in the muscles that control the intake of air, followed by repetitive and ineffective attempts of belching that causes air to be introduced into the stomach. One reason you might be swallowing air and farting as a consequence? You could be eating too fast and therefore not chewing your food properly. Gaseous odor accumulation: Smelly farts are usually the cause of gas produced by colonic bacteria during fermentation of unabsorbed food residues arriving into the colon. Changes in the microflora: Gas also depends on the composition of the colonic flora — in other words the type of bacteria living within the digestive system. We know that each person is different in terms of microbiome composition, which means inter-individual variations exist that might contribute to, or protect us from, excessive gas production and evacuation. Constipation: Impaired anal evacuation produces gas retention. Constipation also prolongs the fermentation process of foods in the digestive system, increasing internal gas production. Here’s the million-dollar question: Why do some farts make a noticeable sound, while others are “silent but deadly”? This has to do with the alignment of muscles within your colon or rectum. Certain muscles help control how quickly gas is released, either tightly keeping gases inside or allowing them to be released more quickly, which can cause a sound. Know someone who can “fart on demand”? That’s likely because that person’s sphincter muscles, the ones that control the gateway of gas and waste out of the body, are easily relaxed, which lets them release internal gases whenever they want to. Of course, diet has an effect on flatulence as well, and underlying conditions can contribute to gas and farting. Are Farts Bad for You (or Beneficial)? Farting is considered a normal reaction within the human body and something we all deal with at one time or another. Because it’s the act of releasing internal gas from the body, just like a burp or even breathing, it’s usually harmless and in fact needed for normal metabolic functions. Most of the time your farts are just inconvenient but not something to necessarily get riled up about. In fact, they might even be protective in some instances! That’s right — your farts might be a clue that your “gut bugs” are well-fed and working hard and that your diet is a mostly healthy one. Diets high in fiber-rich foods after all tend to cause gas, but they also feed good bacteria that make up your immune system and help protect you from various diseases, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Aside from being a sign that you’re eating plenty of fiber, gases within your farts might even be beneficial. Farts contain hydrogen sulphide, a gas produced by certain natural bodily processes and needed as part of cellular functions. While I wouldn’t necessarily go smelling yours, or anyone else’s, farts just yet, it’s possible that inhaling hydrogen sulphide (yes, from your very own farts!) in small doses might help protect cells’ mitochondria and stop cellular damage at some level. On the other hand, excessive farting can be a sign that digestive processes are going amuck and that an underlying issue might be blame. Some underlying reasons for excessive gas accumulation can include: food sensitives or intolerances (see the list of common culprits below) fermentation of bacteria within the gut from eating FODMAP foods leaky gut syndrome or digestive disorders, including Crohn’s, celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome constipation SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth)/excessive bacteria in the small intestine. Normally food intermingles with digestive juices in the intestines and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream while waste is sent to the colon, but with SIBO, malabsorption occurs, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins and iron, leading to abnormal bacteria growth and gas. How do you know if your gas is something to actually be worried about? Check if you experience other warning signs at the same time as being very gassy. When you’re up against a lot of flatulence, look for other abnormal symptoms including: weakness or fatigue skin rashes, acne or hives signs of allergies, like watery eyes and itchy throat constipation or diarrhea blood in your stool or urine pain around your lymph nodes, including in your groin, throat or armpits changes in your body temperature, weight, sleep and menstrual cycle Natural Remedies If you find yourself repeatedly dealing with bad gas, the first thing to do is address your diet. You might be having trouble breaking down certain foods or experiencing an accumulation of sulfur, bacteria or yeast. The tendency for foods to cause excessive gas varies from person to person considerably, so it usually takes some trial and error to figure out what your biggest triggers are. That being said, there are some “common culprits” in the world of farting that are likely involved in your struggle. Some of the Worst Foods for Gas Beans: Perhaps more than any other food, beans are notorious for causing gas. That’s because they contain a type of carbohydrate called polysaccharides, which easily ferment once they enter the gut. The bacteria living in your gut thrive off of these carbohydrates, which causes fermentation and an increase in gas. Luckily you don’t have to avoid beans and legumes all together — soaking them overnight prior to cooking helps make them more digestible (the same applies to nuts, which are similar in terms of their carb content), which is good news considering they can provide plenty of nutrients and fiber. Dairy: Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem worldwide, although many people might be unaware that they cannot properly digest foods containing milk, cheese, yogurt or traces of...

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Urgent: 25% of Pregnant Women Risk Omega-3 Deficiency

The AHA! Team — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:02:57 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Omega-3 fatty acids are vital to a healthy diet and provide many benefits, including brain and heart health. However, a recent study says pregnant women may not get enough omega-3 from their diet or supplements. Getting enough omega-3 during pregnancy can help prevent preterm birth and promote neurodevelopment and overall health of the baby. This gives babies a good, healthy start in life, but almost a quarter of the study participants reported that they did not eat any fish or take any omega-3 supplements during their pregnancy. Research reveals omega-3 deficiency common among expectant mothers A recent study, led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and published on February 27, 2024, sheds light on omega-3 deficiency in pregnant women. Drawing data from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, the study examined the dietary habits of 10,800 pregnant women regarding fish consumption and supplement intake from 12,646 expectant mothers. After carefully examining the data, the study reveals a concerning reality: many pregnant women are at significant risk of omega-3 deficiency. 25% of pregnant women lack omega-3-rich fish consumption The study’s findings showed that almost a quarter (25%) of the participants reported not consuming any fish or consuming fish less than once a month during their pregnancy. It also showed that just 16% of the women reported taking omega-3 supplements. The findings also showed that women who consumed less fish were also less likely to use omega-3 supplements. This put that group at an even greater risk of not getting sufficient omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. Potential risks of omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy There are several risks that an omega-3 deficiency can cause in infants and fetuses. Omega-3 is vital not only for a child’s neurodevelopment after birth but also for fetal brain development. Omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy has been linked to lower behavior and developmental scores. There are also benefits for the pregnant mother. Omega-3 intake during pregnancy has also been linked to regulating inflammation, preventing heart disease, and preventing mood disorders. It can also be beneficial for many medical conditions, such as IBS, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. In short, omega-3 intake during pregnancy can benefit both mother and baby. How to make sure you get enough omega-3 While there isn’t a set daily recommended intake for omega-3, guidelines for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, offer insight into suggested amounts: Pregnant women: 1.4 g Breastfeeding women: 1.3 g Children: Birth to 12 months: 0.5 g 1-3 years: 0.7 g 4-8 years: 0.9 g Boys 9-13 years: 1.2 g Girls 9-13 years: 1.0 g Teens: Boys 14-18 years: 1.6 g Girls 14-18 years: 1.1 g Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet can be achieved through supplements or by consuming foods rich in omega-3s daily, such as: Cold water, fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, herring, and sardines Nuts and seeds such as chia seeds, flaxseed, and walnuts Plant oils like, flaxseed oil Whole foods like organic milk, pasture raised eggs and raw yogurt Bottom line: prioritizing good prenatal care alongside a wholesome diet can benefit both the baby’s and the mother’s health. Fortunately, incorporating enough omega-3 into your diet is relatively straightforward. Take action now – your baby is counting on you. Sources for this article include: Cambridge.org Sciencedaily.com NIH.gov Americanpregnancy.org NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Seeking a Treatment for IBS Pain in Tarantula Venom

AHA Publisher — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 07:00:34 +0000

American Chemical Society via EurekAlert – For patients who have inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), the condition is literally a pain in the gut. Chronic — or long-term — abdominal pain is common, and there are currently no effective treatment options for this debilitating symptom. In a new study in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, researchers identify a new potential source of relief: a molecule derived from spider venom. In experiments with mice, they found that one dose could stop symptoms associated with IBS pain. The sensation of pain originates in electrical signals carried from the body to the brain by cells called neurons. Tiny channels in the surfaces of neurons help them transmit these signals by allowing positively charged sodium ions to pass into the cell. There are numerous types of sodium channels, and some pain-killing drugs work by blocking them. However, existing treatments interfere with channels indiscriminately and can only be used briefly — not for chronic pain. Stuart Brierley, Glenn King and colleagues wanted to find a way to selectively target the channels activated during chronic IBS pain. The researchers focused on a particular sodium channel they suspected was responsible for chronic IBS pain. Then, to block it, they turned to the richest known source of molecules that alter the activity of sodium channels: spider venom. In the venom of a Peruvian tarantula, they discovered a molecule that they named Tsp1a, which had promising blocking activity. To test its potential as a treatment, the researchers used mice that had an IBS-related condition, and they monitored the mice during the experiment to detect a reflex associated with pain. A single Tsp1a treatment delivered into the mice’s colons significantly reduced the occurrence of this reflex, indicating pain relief. What’s more, Tsp1a appeared highly selective and did not interfere with other body functions, suggesting it could be used safely in humans. While Tsp1a shows promise as a potential treatment for chronic IBS pain, thorough studies of its activity in the body and the immune system’s reaction to it will be critical, the researchers write. To read the original article click here.

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Powerful Antioxidant Combats Gut Inflammation

AHA Publisher — Tue, 26 May 2020 07:00:45 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – Although researchers believe that many different factors contribute to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammation continues to get more recognition as a potential cause of the condition. Many patients who have IBS deal with low-grade inflammation and scientists continue to try to understand why. One substance, glutathione shows great promise in helping people with IBS. Research hasn’t completely uncovered the answer to this question. However, since we know there’s a link between inflammation and IBS, then it’s a good idea to explore the use of antioxidants that combat inflammation. Emerging evidence shows the benefits of glutathione – known as the most important intracellular antioxidant – for reducing inflammation and relieving IB symptoms. Powerful Antioxidant Glutathione Combats Inflammation Associated with IBS Although multiple factors may contribute to IBS, inflammation is becoming more recognized as a possible cause. Even though inflammation levels are generally low-grade, it still can result in intestinal damage that results in dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Glutathione is an essential antioxidant that plays a critical role within the body. Researchers have become more interested in the use of glutathione as an IBS treatment because research shows how effective it is at reducing inflammation. It’s helped reduce symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and it may be just as useful for individuals who have IBS. One study showed that in patients who had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal glutathione synthesis was impaired. This led researchers to believe that therapeutic intervention with glutathione may help. Another study that involved the treatment of IBD with another well-known antioxidant called N-acetylcysteine resulted in an increase in glutathione, which was believed to have contributed to the positive effects of this therapy. Since glutathione happens to be the most abundant antioxidant within your body, it will likely have similar effects on inflammation as other antioxidants like quercetin and curcumin. This “Master Antioxidant” Looks Like a Promising Way to Help Heal the Body Many patients who deal with IBS are susceptible to side effects that come with conventional (pharmaceuticals) “remedies.” However, the use of glutathione in humans has an excellent safety history. Truthfully, there have been very few side effects (if any) experienced, and side effects that have been reported are usually extremely mild. So, for anyone concerned about trying a new supplement, glutathione is certainly a wise choice offering a great deal of benefits. While there’s still not a significant amount of specific research surrounding the use of glutathione for IBS, a good look at the literature about this antioxidant indicates it’s a worthwhile, natural option for patients suffering with inflammatory issues. Early research has shown it plays a crucial role in reducing inflammation and it is being looked at as a potential therapy for IBD patients. Ultimately, more scientific research is always welcome, but the evidence is clear that with the right nutrition – you can naturally heal the body. Take action today: Work with a good integrative healthcare provider that can help guide you. Foods to avoid include, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, fried or processed foods, gluten, GMOs and conventional dairy products. In terms of smart food choices: Eat small amounts of lean (grass fed) meats, eggs (pasture-raised), cooked greens like, kale and collard greens, sprouted walnuts and chia seeds. The main message here is to eat (only) real food – organic, as much as possible. Drink clean (purified) water and take nutritional supplements (as needed) to help you in the healing process. To read the original article click here.

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Good news for IBS Sufferers as Researchers Identify “Gut Itch”

AHA Publisher — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 08:00:18 +0000

By Sally Robertson, B.Sc. via New Medical-Net – Flinders University researchers at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute have made an important discovery about the pain experienced in cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They have identified receptors in the nervous system that causes chronic pain, a finding that could lead to new ways of treating its underlying cause, says study author Stuart Brierley. “Patients with IBS suffer from chronic abdominal pain and experience rewiring of their nervous system so they feel pain when they shouldn’t – we decided to ask important questions about how nerves in the gut are activated to cause pain in order to seek out potential solutions.” Stuart Brierley IBS Affects Up to 15% of the World’s Population IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by pain and discomfort in the abdomen and changes in bowel habits, which may be recurrent diarrhea, constipation or both. IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal common disorders in the world, affecting between 25 and 45 million people in the United States and an estimated 10-15% of the population worldwide. In the United States alone, there are between 2.4 and 3.5 million physician visits for IBS every year. The condition can develop at any age, but usually, symptoms first start to emerge between the ages of 20 and 30 and it is unusual for people to first experience them after the age of 50. The impact of IBS may range from mildly inconvenient to severely debilitating since it can influence many aspects of a person’s social, professional and emotional life. The Brain-Gut Connection Research into IBS has shown that IBS is caused by underlying mechanisms within both the brain and the bowel. Certain physical factors such as increased sensitivity to pain in the bowel are linked to the central nervous system. Psychological and social aspects such as anxiety can also contribute to whether a person develops systems and how long they have them. Anxiety and stress do not cause IBS, but this gut-brain connection means these feelings can induce or worsen symptoms. Receptors in Skin Also Exist in the Human Gut Now Flinders University researchers have made the interesting discovery that the same receptors in the skin that cause it to itch also exist in the human intestine, where they activate neurons. This results in patients with IBS feeling chronic gut pain or what could be referred to as a “gut itch.” “We found receptors which bring about an itchy feeling on skin also do the same in the gut, so these patients are essentially suffering from a ‘gut itch’.” Stuart Brierley It seems that these “itch” receptors are more common in people with IBS than in people without the condition. The more of these receptors present, the more neurons are activated and the more pain is felt. Study author Stuart Brierley says the itch receptor in the gut could provide a new way of targeting the underlying cause of gut pain, rather than using conventional pain relief drugs such as opiates, which do not actually resolve the problem. He adds that the team has now translated the findings to human tissue tests and that they now hope to help develop a treatment that people with IBS could take as an oral medication.” The Study in More Detail Itch and pain are detected by neurons called primary sensory dorsal root ganglions (DRGs). These neurons project from peripheral tissues into the spinal cord, where they release neurotransmitters that excite spinal neurons. Several itch mechanisms in the skin have been described and one of them involves the Mas-gene-related G protein-coupled receptor proteins MrgprA3 and MrgprC11. Another mechanism involves the bile acid receptor Tgr5. MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 are expressed by subsets of sensory DRG neurons innervating the skin and Tgr5 is also expressed by a sub-population of peptidergic DRG neurons. However, it remains unclear whether Tgr5 and Mrgpr mechanisms co-exist within the same DRG neuronal populations or whether they exist in and recruit different types of DRG neurons. As reported in the journal JCI insight, Brierley and colleagues showed that Tgr5 and the two Mrgpr receptors are all expressed by colon-innervating DRG neurons, in both distinct and overlapping subsets of sensory DRG neurons. Their activation caused fundamental signaling changes within colonic afferent pathways in both healthy and disease states. The team says the findings support the existence of an irritant-sensing system in the colon that is a visceral representation of the itch pathways found in skin, thereby contributing to the sensory disturbances accompanying common intestinal disorders. The “Wasabi Receptor” Brierley says the pain that people with IBS experience occurs when the itch receptors are coupled with what is known of as the ‘wasabi receptor’ in the nervous system, which is responsible for the reaction that is usually seen when people consume the Japanese condiment. “If you think about what happens when you eat wasabi, it activates a receptor on the nerves and sends a pain signal – that’s exactly what’s happening within in their gut as they experience an itchy effect or wasabi effect in the gut.” Having shown that these mechanisms contribute to chronic gut pain, he continues, the team can now try to find out how to block the receptors and stop the “gut itch” signal traveling from the gut to the brain. “This will be a far better solution than the problems currently presented by opioid treatments.” Stuart Brierley To read the original article click here.

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