What’s Behind the Rising Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Older Adults?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 07:00:06 +0000

News Staff via NaturalHealth365 – Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a painful condition. A new study done by Dr. Adam Faye of the New York University Langone School of Medicine found that people over 60 with a history of antibiotic use may be at increased risk of developing the condition. During the recently held Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego, Dr. Faye shared these findings, shining a light on the concerning trend. Millions of Americans Suffer From This Painful Disease According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. The painful condition characterized by an inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) is also an umbrella term for other GI diseases, like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In Dr. Faye’s findings, he was adamant about the fact that “there is clearly something in the environment that is driving this new onset of older adult IBD.” His findings indicated that antibiotics were the culprit and common denominator in all cases. Here is some of what Dr. Faye found: Antibiotics use was associated with a 64% increase in the risk of developing IBD among older adults Five or more antibiotic prescriptions received over the previous 5 years increased the risk of IBD by 236% Of all the antibiotic classes, fluoroquinolones had the strongest association with increased IBD risk Antibiotics have also been linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer, heart attack, and stroke Other Ways That Antibiotics Can Harm the Body Of course, antibiotics can help treat and prevent certain types of bacterial infections. However, antibiotic overuse can lead to other problems in the body, such as the development of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is particularly troubling because it can lead to the emergence of “superbugs.” That’s why it’s so important to weigh the risks and benefits with your doctor to make sure that taking a certain antibiotic is absolutely necessary. Many mild bacterial infections clear up on their own and don’t need antibiotics each time. Natural Remedies to Help Relieve Digestive Discomfort Some of the symptoms of IBD include constipation alternating with diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, rectal bleeding, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s daily life. This is why looking at some natural remedies to relieve the discomfort of IBD is important. One of the easiest ways to boost the good bacteria in the digestive tract is by increasing the intake of probiotic-rich foods in your diet. You can also take probiotics in a supplement form. Try adding ginger, turmeric, and omega-3 fats to your diet. All three of these have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Making dietary changes may also help alleviate some of the symptoms. For example, eat an abundance of organic fruits and vegetables, and drink enough clean water each day. Having smaller, healthy meals throughout the day can also go a long way. Before making any dietary changes or adding new supplements to your routine, consult with a knowledgeable integrative healthcare provider. Sources for this article include: CDC.gov NHS.uk ClevelandClinic.org CrohnsAndColitis.com MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here.

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Study Shows “Ultra-Processed” Foods Are Linked to Much Higher Rates of IBD

AHA Publisher — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 07:00:48 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Over 3 million Americans have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a potentially debilitating gastrointestinal condition that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. More prevalent in developed nations, IBD is becoming more common in countries where it was previously rare, and scientists think they know why. The increase in IBD parallels the growing adoption of the Western diet (also known as the Standard American Diet, or SAD). The SAD – which relies heavily on processed foods – is high in calories, trans fats, saturated fats, added sugars, and salt while low in fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Yet, little research examining the link between SAD and IBD existed – until now. An extensive international study newly published in BMJ examines the effect of “ultra-processed” foods on rates of IBD – with alarming implications. Let’s take a closer look at the revealing research. Large Amounts of Ultra-Processed Foods May Cause IBD Risk to Skyrocket To conduct the study, an international team of researchers gathered detailed information from over 116,000 adults in 21 different countries (including Bangladesh, Sweden, Turkey, Brazil, and the United States) for 13 years. First, participants were questioned about their daily diets, including their consumption of “ultra-processed” foods – such as heavily processed, packaged baked goods, sugar-laden cereals, carbonated sugary drinks and reconstituted meat and fish products. They were then followed for nine years, with new diagnoses of IBD being recorded. To say that the study supported a link between “ultra-processed” foods and higher levels of IBD is an understatement. The team found that participants who consumed five or more servings a day of ultra-processed foods had a stunning 82 percent greater risk of being affected by IBD than those who ate less than one serving a day! For those who consumed one to four servings of ultra-processed food a day, the increased risk was 67 percent. While the study did not show that the foods caused IBD, it certainly suggested a powerful association. In any case, the researchers called for more studies to identify and explore contributory factors among processed foods that might be responsible for the increased risk. Ingredients in Ultra-Processed Foods Disturb the Balance of the All-Important Gut Microbiome The researchers commented that IBD is believed to stem from dysbiosis (imbalances in the microbiome, or community of gut bacteria) in susceptible people. Studies have shown that the bacterial balance of the microbiome can be changed through diet, and this can, in turn, alter the intestinal immune response in the digestive tract, leading to inflammation. While it is too early to say for sure, scientists suspect certain additives – such as added sugars, stabilizers, preservatives, and artificial flavors – of being the culprits. For example, an emulsifier known as carboxymethylcellulose has been shown to increase the ability of bacteria to adhere to the epithelial lining of the intestines. Other suspects are refined sugars and potentially inflammatory omega-6 acids in processed foods. Best Foods to Eat to Help With IBD Some foods appeared to be “off the hook” when it comes to a connection with IBD. For example, consumption of unprocessed white meat, unprocessed red meat, dairy products, starch, fruits, vegetables, and legumes was not associated with an increased risk in the study. In fact, high consumption of fruits and vegetables has been linked in studies with a decreased risk of a form of IBD known as ulcerative colitis. For people undergoing episodes and “flares” of IBD, experts recommend well-cooked vegetables such as green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus tips, and pureed squash. Some also advise peeled apples, ripe bananas, melon, and canned fruit to calm a troubled gastrointestinal tract. (While natural health experts ordinarily endorse eating the antioxidant- and fiber-rich peels of apples and the skins of potatoes, a flare-up calls for temporarily lowering fiber intake). Well-cooked, tender, unprocessed meats, scrambled eggs, and tofu are also on the “OK” list. In addition, it’s important to get adequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and probiotic and prebiotic foods. So, naturally, you will want to “put the kibosh” on all ultra-processed foods. And, for maximum benefit, opt for organic foods whenever possible. Here Are Some Tips to Support Your Gut Health Naturally Other natural interventions exist for IBD. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends a low-FODMAP diet – a short-term intervention that involves the restriction of fermentable carbohydrates. If you have IBD, your integrative physician may recommend this strategy. In addition, stress management techniques such as acupuncture, mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga have been shown to benefit IBD. Not only is IBD a frustrating, painful, and potentially serious disease, but it appears to be linked to other chronic conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that people with IBD are more likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and ulcers. Therefore, banishing ultra-processed foods from your diet is a practical, common-sense step you can take to optimize your health and steer clear of troublesome IBD. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com UHHospitals.org CDC.gov To read the original article click here.

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What’s Behind the Rising Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Older Adults?

Study Shows “Ultra-Processed” Foods Are Linked to Much Higher Rates of IBD