Do you suffer from indigestion, bloating, flatulence, constipation or diarrhoea? If so, you are not alone. Digestive issues are on the rise and now considered common in today’s society. This is due in part to the lifestyle we lead, the food we eat and the toxins, medication and drugs we are exposed to.
The gut microbiome is an area of great interest to researchers. The link between the bugs that live in our gut, our gut health and general health is now clearly evident. our ancestors had somewhere between 20,000-30,000 strains of bacteria in their guts, some say the number was far greater, compared to our current numbers which are about a quarter less in healthy individuals.
So what causes symptoms such as indigestion and bloating? Once the diversity and health of the gut microbiome declines, the function of digestion is greatly affected. The breakdown of food is dependant on digestive enzymes that were previously thought to have been produced by the cells lining the stomach, small intestine and other digestive organs. However recent research is shedding light on the role of bacteria in producing enzymes to help breakdown food for absorption. If dysbiosis (and imbalance of good to bad gut flora) is present in the gut, then naturally there will be less enzymes which result in poor digestion. Food putrefies in the gut and produces gas (acidic) which due to its acidic nature can cause problems of its own and also the feeling of bloating and indigestion.
Longer term damage to the gut flora will lead to constipation and diarrhoea and eventually damage to the gut lining. Leaky gut is a term used to describe a gut whose membrane allows undigested food particles into the bloodstream. These particles are detected by the immune system as foreign and an attack is launched. Whichever area they reside in will become inflamed and autoimmunity ensues.
What causes dysbiosis and leaky gut? Dysbiosis can be caused by a number of factors-antibiotics, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and poor food choices full of additives and chemicals and a stressful lifestyle that does not support regeneration and healing.
The cure for all digestive issues and inflammation in the body is to create a hospital environment in order for gut flora to thrive by removing toxins from the body (a heavy metal detox is important), nourishing and healing the gut lining by eating food that encourages this (bone broth) and if need be gut health supplements and digestive enzymes.