by Ela Gold | Jan 7, 2022 | HGA |
The liver is the all-rounder in the body. Its tasks are varied: detoxification, fat digestion, cholesterol regulation, vitamin storage and much more. Almost half of all people already suffer from fatty liver. The most important causes are quickly established: fat, sugar and lack of exercise. Fortunately, the liver can always regenerate itself well, even from severe damage. But although the liver is generally very undemanding, it immediately stops regeneration as soon as ‘sugar’ is eaten – even if an otherwise healthy diet is eaten.
Cause of fatty liver: the usual diet
Fatty liver is not only commonplace for alcohol lovers. The typical Western diet is known to be very fatty, high in sugar and high in carbohydrates – and is, therefore, the most important cause of a fatty liver.
It is the non-alcoholic fatty liver, which has become a widespread disease and affects up to 40 percent of adults, with overweight and diabetics as much as 60 percent who go through life with a fatty liver. Even among overweight children, the number of fatty liver affected is around 30 percent.
In fatty liver, the liver stores excessive amounts of fat. It enlarges and also takes on a yellow color due to the yellow color of the stored fat. Over the years, this can develop into cirrhosis of the liver with subsequent liver failure, liver inflammation or liver cancer.
Unfortunately, the fatty liver does not hurt, as otherwise, a large part of the population would suffer from chronic liver pain.
A traditional diet is bad for the liver
In a study by Oregon State University (OSU), which was published in the online magazine PLOS ONE in January 2016 ( 1 ), scientists were able to show that a low-fat diet can already relieve the liver. The reduced-fat diet leads to weight loss as well as improved metabolism and better overall health. However, if a lot of sugar is still eaten, the liver will never fully recover and the fatty liver will never regress – even if the rest of the diet is quite decent.
“Many people who eat according to the typical Western manner, sooner or later develop liver fibrosis, in which scarred connective tissue forms in the liver, which can lead to impaired liver function and cancer,”
explains Dr. Donald Jump , professor at OSU and co-author of the present study.
The liver may even recover from scarring
Up until now, it had always been believed that scarring of the liver was irreversible, i.e. that it could no longer be reversed. However, recent studies show that the liver has such a fantastic ability to regenerate that it can convert not only fatty liver but also already scarred tissue back into healthy tissue – but only if the diet is optimally designed and thus all the stimulants are avoided that cause damage to the liver.
Meat promotes fatty liver
Since a study published in spring 2017 ( 2 ) at the latest, it has been known that a high consumption of meat can also lead to fatty liver disease. It had been shown that those people who consumed particularly plentiful animal proteins were also more likely to have fatty liver. On the other hand, those who prefer to eat plant-based foods have a healthier liver.
Diet for the liver: low in fat, low in sugar and low in meat
“There is consequently a great deal of interest in finding ways of supporting and promoting the liver in the regeneration of tissue damage. Our study now shows that while a diet low in fat and cholesterol is very well suited to losing weight, it is not enough to lead to comprehensive liver regeneration. In addition, the consumption of sugar must be drastically reduced – possibly with further dietary changes. Attention must also be paid to physical activity. “
Beware of low-fat finished products!
PhD student Kelli Lytle (also OSU) warns:
“It is particularly problematic that many foods labelled as low-fat (ready-made products) are actually low in fat, but contain more sugar in order to improve their taste.”
And sugar slows down the recovery and regeneration of the liver quite significantly.
Fructose can cause a fatty liver
Recent studies have shown that fructose can increase the risk of fatty liver due to its metabolism in fatty acids that accumulate in liver tissue ( 3 ).
How to avoid the causes of fatty liver and promote liver regeneration
If you want to avoid the causes of your fatty liver and promote the regeneration of your liver, you should first implement the following three basic measures:
- a low-fat and low-sugar diet
- no alcohol
- Better to choose vegetable sources of protein instead of meat and other animal products
- Regular exercise – ideally 1 hour a day and if it’s just a brisk walk
In addition, you can take very simple other measures to relieve your liver, help it with regeneration and reduce your fatty liver. These include bitter substances, probiotics, curcumin, tea made from medicinal liver herbs, milk thistle and artichoke extract.
While you work on improving your diet, having a few colonics can help fast track your success. We can also guide you in doing a liver flush.
by Ela Gold | Oct 29, 2021 | HGA |
People often think they can’t do much for chronic constipation. But your digestion can usually be stimulated again with a tailor-made treatment.
People with constipation often downplay their problem and even feel ashamed of it. But there can be no question of guilt. And the fact that you ‘just have to live healthier in order to get the problem under control is simply not true for many of those affected.
Do not be afraid of supplements if you are constipated
The view that chronic constipation is an independent clinical picture and not just a disorder is becoming more and more popular. It was not until 2013 that a group of experts developed recommendations for the treatment of chronic constipation. Those who cannot cope on their own should seek professional help.
Chronic constipation is one of the most common health disorders. Ten to twenty percent of Australians are affected, women more often than men.
Older people are more likely to have this problem. As we get older, the intestines become more sluggish. Sometimes diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson’s are to blame. And it is not uncommon for it to be a side effect of certain medications.
We have to ask many questions before we decide how to treat this. First of all, how long have you had this? Do you have any other complaints? If constipation came suddenly and at the same time as a severe stomach ache, you should see a doctor. Even if constipation comes with blood in the stool, fever and unintentional weight loss in the past few weeks, we recommend going to a doctor for clarification.
Fruit, exercise, water
However, there are a few general tips: keep moving, eat a lot of vegetables and fruit and whole-grain (no gluten). Drink two and a half liters a day unless you have heart and kidney problems (in which case consult your doctor). Even if adopting the lifestyle alone does not solve the problem, it makes sense as a supportive measure. However, we also know today that most people with chronic constipation actually do everything right. Targeted therapy is all the more important.
Careful diagnosis
What many do not know: There are several forms of chronic constipation, which also have to be treated differently.
It can be as simple as ‘lifestyle’ constipation or not enough liquid and in the worst-case scenario a tumour blocking the passage of stool.
There could be also a passage disruption caused by a sluggish bowel, or an emptying disorder, for example as a result of a malfunction of the sphincter.
How often do you go to the bathroom?
Until recently, doctors only measured the disease by the answer to this question. Less than every third day was considered pathological. However, many patients torment themselves regardless of the frequency of bowel movements. Ideally, you want to go at least once a day. But if you have lumpy, hard stools, have to press or help with your finger, or do not feel empty afterwards you are also considered to have constipation.
Some drugs have a constipating effect
The search for clues also includes the question of medication. Pain patients who take opiates are often given a prescription for a laxative. Some antidepressants also have a constipating effect, here a change to another drug can be the solution. With blood pressure medication you can switch to a different group of active substances.
A sluggish bowel can be helped with fiber or magnesium oxide. In the case of soiling disorder, pelvic floor training against a malfunction of the sphincter or toilet training against pressing can also help. Suppositories made out of coconut oil can also help to soften the stool.
Psyllium husks is excellent for all forms of constipation. The soluble fiber makes the stool soft. We often hear “I’ve already tried it, but it didn’t work,”. “You have to start with just 1/2 teaspoon and increase very slowly to give your body a chance to get used to it and incorporate psyllium husks firmly into your diet, 2x per day and drink enough with it to achieve an effect.”
Laxatives: It depends …..
If that is not enough, laxatives in the narrower sense are used according to the treatment scheme. Small amounts of cascara or senna for short periods (2 days) are ok as to not make your bowels dependent.
Buckthorn bark, rhubarb root, senna leaves and fruits are considered medicinal plants, but the active ingredient content of the finished tea can be so high that it causes diarrhea. Even so these are natural ingredients, they can be very harsh on your system.
When using a laxative you should ensure that your stool is soft but well-formed. It shows that the dose is correct.
Better is OXY Powder, which is magnesium oxide-based, doesn’t make your bowels dependent and is designed to retrain your bowels.
Patients also need to understand that only a full bowel can empty. You can’t eat for 10 cents and expect to poop for a dollar.
A laxative can empty your bowel particularly thoroughly. Therefore, it can take longer until you “have to go” again.
Treatment takes time
The right product, the right dose, at the right time. Finding what works for you is often a lengthy process. Once the cause has been clarified, treatment is possible in the long term.
The longer you have the problem, the longer it will take to rectify it.
Colonics are an excellent way to support you on your journey to a regular bowel.
by Ela Gold | Oct 22, 2021 | HGA |
Those who do not tolerate fructose well will find that it can be found in quite a few foods. Find out what triggers the discomfort and what helps.
Fructose intolerance – briefly explained
- The common fructose intolerance is correctly fructose malabsorption. This means that the body can only take up (absorb) a limited amount at one time in the intestine.
- The fructose intolerance typically leads to gas/bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea if you have consumed too much of this sugar.
- The doctor can determine the intolerance using a breath test.
- Anyone who is sensitive to fructose must find the individual threshold from which they can consume fruit, juice and sweets without problems. A completely fructose-free diet is not recommended.
- Hereditary fructose intolerance occurs very rarely, in which affected people can absorb fructose through the intestine, but cannot break it down, they are intolerant to fructose and have to avoid it completely. The disease is serious and mostly affects babies.
This post is primarily concerned with the common fructose malabsorption.
Intolerance, malabsorption, maldigestion, intolerance, allergy: what the terms mean
Food intolerance is a term used to express that, for example, you do not tolerate fructose well if you consume it.
If you are intolerant to food, the body cannot break down a certain substance properly because it lacks the necessary enzyme. The substance accumulates in the organism. Example: hereditary fructose intolerance.
The much more common fructose intolerance, in which people can only absorb limited amounts of fructose in the intestine at one time, is malabsorption. The fructose is metabolized normally.
Maldigestion means: food components cannot or only insufficiently be broken down and absorbed by the body. Here too, an enzyme deficiency, for example in the pancreas, often plays a role.
A food allergy is an immune system reaction to certain ingredients in food.
What is fructose intolerance / malabsorption?
Fruit sugar, also known as fructose, is a simple sugar that is found in many foods and gives them their sweetness. Especially in: fruit, fruit juices, jams, honey, some syrups and in numerous finished products. Fructose is also found in table sugar (sucrose), bound to glucose, i.e. grape sugar. Even longer-chain sugar molecules sometimes consist of many fructose molecules, for example, inulin and oligofructose.
In the mucous membrane of the small intestine, there are small transport proteins that carry nutrients from the inside of the intestine into the blood. Some of them – in addition to grape sugar – also transport fructose into the body. The amount of fructose that can be transported by the transport proteins at one time is naturally limited. This means that everyone can only tolerate a certain amount of fructose. The amount at which the transport proteins reach their capacity limit and a person reacts with complaints varies greatly from person to person.
If the fructose in the small intestine is insufficiently channelled into the blood via the transporter, the fructose reaches the large intestine. The bacteria naturally resident there use them as energy suppliers and quickly break down the sugar. The resulting gases and fatty acids can trigger the typical symptoms. Some of the gases are absorbed into the blood and exhaled through the lungs. The so-called breath test can be used to measure the increase in the concentration of the gas in the breath and thus make a diagnosis.
It is estimated that up to 50 percent of the population will experience symptoms such as flatulence and diarrhea if they consume 25 grams or more of fructose at once. As studies suggest, people with irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to respond to fructose with symptoms than healthy ones.
Doctors and scientists disagree as to whether fructose intolerance is a disease or whether it is a normal process in the body that simply depends on the amount of fructose.
Hereditary fructose intolerance
Hereditary fructose intolerance occurs only very rarely and is a congenital metabolic disease. Here the body lacks a special enzyme – fructose-1-phosphate aldolase – which is why it cannot break down fructose. The sugar accumulates in the intestinal wall of the small intestine, in the kidneys and in the liver. If left untreated, this intolerance can lead to severe liver and kidney dysfunction.
The disease usually manifests itself in babies. If you consume fructose for the first time, you will react quickly after ingestion with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and hypoglycaemia, which can be expressed by sweating, dizziness and cramps, among other things. The doctor can determine the intolerance through a special blood test.
Babies and toddlers who suffer from hereditary fructose intolerance must strictly forego fructose in the first years of life, as well as sorbitol and table sugar. This poses a major task for parents. As the child grows older, it may be possible, to add very small amounts of fructose as a test.
Which symptoms are typical?
Flatulence and diarrhea are the most common complaints. In addition, there are abdominal pain, bloating, belching and nausea. The symptoms are expressed differently in each person. This depends, among other things, on the amount of fructose consumed and how sensitive the intestine reacts to the sugar.
How can fructose intolerance be diagnosed?
The symptoms caused by fructose consumption are very unspecific and are similar to other conditions. For example, there may be an intolerance to lactose, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel diseases. Sometimes diet is simply to blame e.g. onions, cabbage, legumes and an excess of whole-grain products have a flatulence effect.
Anyone who has the feeling that flatulence and diarrhea could be due to an intolerance to fructose should consult a gastroenterologist. First, this can rule out other potential causes. Second, the doctor can do a breath test.
To do this, you have to drink a certain amount of fructose solution – on an empty stomach – and then blow into a special device at certain intervals. It measures the hydrogen content in the air we breathe. Because: If bacteria break down the fruit sweetness in the large intestine, hydrogen is produced, among other things. The more fructose accumulates in the large intestine because it was only absorbed to a limited extent through the mucous membrane of the small intestine, the more hydrogen is formed and exhaled. If this exceeds a specified value and you feel your typical symptoms, then this speaks for a fructose intolerance.
However, there is also criticism of these tests. Many people with stomach problems react to a large amount of fructose because only a limited amount can be introduced into the body. However, this does not necessarily mean that they have fructose malabsorption. In addition, the result of the test depends on the concentration of the fructose solution used.
Another way is to keep a detailed food diary. Write down how many grams you eat/drink of everything and how it makes you feel. Over time you will see a pattern emerge and can simply remove those foods or try smaller amounts.
Important: A breath test with fructose should not be done in the case of hereditary fructose intolerance. This can lead to life-threatening hypoglycaemia.
Which foods contain a lot of fructose?
Foods that are high in fructose include:
- Fruit: apples, pears, mangoes, grapes, all dried fruits, persimmons, cherries, canned fruit, fruit compote
- Drinks: fruit juices, lemonades, ready-made iced tea, other soft drinks
- Confectionery / sweeteners: honey, pear syrup, apple syrup, agave syrup, jam, jelly, ice cream, invert sugar, table sugar
- Others: Muesli, muesli/energy bars, fruit yoghurt
What to do?
Those who do not tolerate fructose well should not do without fruit completely. Many health-promoting ingredients that the body needs can be found in fruits. In addition, the functionality of the transport proteins decreases if you avoid fructose too radically. This means that the already reduced intake of fructose via the intestine worsens even further. An exception is hereditary fructose intolerance, in which a complete waiver is necessary.
If you have fructose malabsorption, your doctor will advise you to change your diet. Most of the time, you will have to avoid fructose as much as possible for around two to four weeks. In a nutrition and symptoms diary, write down what you have eaten and what symptoms are occurring. These should decrease significantly due to the fructose left out.
The test phase then begins. You are slowly starting to eat foods that contain fructose again – initially those that contain little of them. For example apricot, raspberries, citrus fruits, kiwi. Over the next few weeks, try other foods that contain fructose. With the help of the food and symptoms diary, you can find out which foods you can tolerate well and which ones less well. Likewise, from what amount the intestine becomes restless.
If renouncing the fruit sweetness does not help, and you still have stomach problems, you should consult a doctor again. Other ingredients in food can also cause problems, for example, lactose (milk sugar), histamine, gluten and so-called FODMAPs. FODMAP means: Fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides as well as polyols. E.g. sugar, which consists of chains of different lengths, and sugar alcohols. All of them are broken down by bacteria in the colon, which can cause gas, diarrhea, and other symptoms. FODMAPs include fructose and longer-chain fructose molecules such as fructans. Keep in mind that there are many food allergies that can trigger gastrointestinal problems.
If you suffer from Fructose intolerance or any other food intolerance, changing your diet is paramount. Ideally, you support this process with holistic colon hydrotherapy sessions to remove any trace of the intolerant foods from the system. We will also support you on your journey and cheer you on – as we know that changing your diet can be a very difficult process.
by Ela Gold | Oct 15, 2021 | HGA |
Flatulence, diarrhea or abdominal pain can all be part of intolerances to certain foods. For example, some people tolerate fructose poorly, others lactose or gluten.
They eat raisins and get a bloated belly. They drink a glass of milk and need to go to the toilet quickly. They eat bread and get depressed. What’s behind it? You may not tolerate certain foods.
Allergy or intolerance?
Experts distinguish between an allergy and an intolerance to food. In the case of an allergy, the body’s immune system recognizes certain components in food as an “enemy” and reacts to them with an allergic reaction. This can manifest itself with rash, itching, runny nose, but also with gastrointestinal complaints.
An intolerance, is usually based on the limited ability of the intestine to properly digest or break down some food components.
Fructose intolerance (fructose intolerance)
Fructose occurs naturally in fruit and gives it its sweetness. From the intestine, the sugar is smuggled into the blood via a transport protein. The amount that the transporter can transport at once is limited – that’s why every person can tolerate fructose only in moderation. Presumably, however, the fructose lock only works to a limited extent in about a third of westerners, which is why they react with complaints even to smaller amounts of fruit sweetness.
Due to the simultaneous intake of sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, which are found, for example, in diet, light and “sugar-free” products such as sweets and chewing gum, the tolerance of fructose is further worsened, so that the symptoms can intensify.
Typical symptoms are bloating and flatulence, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Whether fructose intolerance is present, the doctor can determine with a breath test.
Lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance)
About 15 percent of Westerners tolerate only small amounts of lactose. The reason: an enzyme deficiency. In order for the lactose to be utilized, it must be broken down in the intestine. This is done by the enzyme lactase. If too little of it is formed or if it does not work sufficiently, less lactose can be broken down. The sugar enters the large intestine and is broken down there by intestinal bacteria. Among other things, the resulting gas formation can lead to flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
A lactose intolerance can be determined with a breath test. In this case you have to test individually which dairy products you can tolerate and in what quantity. A lot of lactose is found, for example, in milk, cottage cheese, cream, cream cheese and partly in chocolate. Hard cheeses are practically free of lactose. Meanwhile, there are numerous lactose-free products in supermarkets. Alternatively, those affected can also take the enzyme lactase with food to help digest the lactose that is present in it.
Celiac disease is a special case. It is neither an allergy nor a classic intolerance, even if it is called so. Anyone who has celiac disease, whose intestinal mucosa is inflamed by the presence of the adhesive protein gluten. Because the body’s own defence system sees gluten as an enemy and triggers an immune reaction in the intestinal mucosa, which is accompanied by inflammation. As a result, celiac disease often leads to a lack of certain nutrients, as these are only absorbed to a limited extent.
The disease typically leads to fatty stools, diarrhea, weight loss and water retention, called protein deficiency edema. It can also trigger a vitamin deficiency, anemia, osteoporosis, depression as well as joint and skin complaints, but sometimes also cause hardly any discomfort. Once the diagnosis has been made, the patient must consistently dispense with gluten. It is found in cereals such as wheat, spelt and rye and in many processed foods.
Non-celiac disease-Non-wheat allergy-Wheat sensitivity
New research has shown that some people respond to wheat with discomfort. But they do not have celiac disease. In recent years, the focus here has shifted to the so-called amylase trypsin inhibitors, or ATI for short. These are proteins found in cereals containing gluten, such as wheat, spelt and rye. ATIs are thought to dock at certain points in the intestinal mucosa, which activates the immune system and causes problems in some people. They are similar to the symptoms of gluten intolerance and can, for example, affect the digestive tract, but also completely different organs. A low-gluten diet has a positive effect according to the current state of knowledge, and a low-FODMAP diet (see below) can sometimes help.
This clinical picture could also be an intolerance to fructans. These are longer-chain carbohydrates that are found in wheat, among other things. Fructans are FODMAPs. This intolerance cannot yet be proven with current diagnostic methods.
Histamine intolerance (Histamine intolerance)
On the one hand, histamine is an endogenous messenger substance that occurs mainly in the skin, lungs, nerve cells and digestive tract. On the other hand, it is found in some foods. Presumably, some people can degrade histamine from food more slowly or only incompletely. One or more enzymes probably play a role in this. It is undisputed that complaints that arise after ingestion of certain foods can be traced back to high amounts of histamine – keyword fish poisoning. However, it has not yet been scientifically proven that there is an intolerance due to reduced histamine degradation in “normal nutrition”.
The possible symptoms of histamine intolerance vary, as do the suspected causes. Those affected report headaches and migraines, asthma, drop in blood pressure and dizziness, but also gastrointestinal problems, tachycardia, itching or redness of the skin.
This potential intolerance is currently difficult to prove. Experts advise to consult an allergist and a nutritionist if suspected. A nutrition specialist can find out with the person concerned which foods are causing problems. Histamine, for example, can be found in matured cheeses such as Emmentaler or Parmesan, in red wine, sausages and offal, processed fish dishes, but also in vinegar and cocoa.
Avoiding various carbohydrates (low-FODMAP diet)
Many patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome may benefit from a reduced intake of certain carbohydrates. These are so-called FODMAPs: Fermentable (F) oligo- (O), di- (D), monosaccharides (M) and (A) polyols (P). These sugars include, for example, fructose, lactose, sorbitol, raffinose and stachyose. They are found in numerous foods.
The positive effect of the diet is probably related to a changed composition of the intestinal flora, as well as to a strengthened protective function in the intestinal mucosa.
So far, there is no suitable test to prove whether one actually reacts to all these carbohydrates with bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements. Only fructose, lactose, sorbitol and xylitol can be tested by the doctor.
In general, there can be numerous causes behind gastrointestinal complaints – including harmless and serious ones. Food intolerances are not always to blame. Anyone who has strong, persistent or recurrent complaints should therefore be examined by the doctor!
If you suffer from Gluten intolerance or any other food intolerance, changing your diet is paramount. Ideally, you support this process with holistic colon hydrotherapy sessions to remove any trace of the intolerant foods from the system. We will also support you on your journey and cheer you on – as we know that changing your diet can be a very difficult process.
by Ela Gold | Sep 24, 2021 | HGA |
People with irritable bowel syndrome torment themselves with digestive problems. Experts see therapy with probiotics as an opportunity to restore balance in the intestine.
For medicine IBS is like a puzzle that still lacks important pieces. Irritable bowel syndrome continues to puzzle health professionals and an estimated four to ten percent of the population struggle with recurrent diarrhea, convulsions, constipation and flatulence. Often the symptoms are so bad that your own digestion dictates the daily routine.
What role do gut bacteria play in irritable bowel syndrome?
So far we only know a part of what triggers IBS – such as genetic predisposition, stress, psychological stress, infections or the use of antibiotics. This variety of causes makes therapy difficult and often results in a treatment marathon for patients. Because what helps one often has no effect on another.
A lot of research will be needed before we have a complete picture of this disease. For some time now, this research has been focusing on what is perhaps the largest living community in the world: our microbiome.
This is understood to be the 100 trillion bacteria that live on and in an adult. They cavort, for example, on our skin and mucous membranes, in the mouth, stomach and intestines. Bacteria feel particularly at home in the large intestine, up to 1400 different species colonize its mucous membranes.
If the intestinal flora is out of balance, health suffers
It is quite possible that the tiny organisms actually represent an important piece of the puzzle or a newly opened door for irritable bowel researchers. Because contrary to what has long been thought, the bacteria are by no means only responsible for our digestion. New findings show that they have a variety of tasks in the body and play a role in countless processes. Apparently, they not only influence our psychological well-being, body weight and immune system, but also the development of certain diseases. For example, a connection with depression, rheumatism, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
In any case, it seems clear that if the microbiome is out of balance, health suffers. Science is only just beginning to discover how far the connections actually go.
Many doctors are convinced that the microbiome plays an important role for irritable bowel patients. The number of studies on this topic has multiplied in recent years, and new findings are constantly being added. It is stated that the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can in many cases be influenced by the intestinal flora.
Intestinal flora changed in irritable bowel patients
It has meanwhile been proven that the stool and intestinal flora of irritable bowel patients differ significantly from those of healthy people. For example, so-called Proteo and Firmicutes bacteria occur more frequently, while the number of Acinetobacter, Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria is reduced.
All of this indicates a disorder in the gut microbiome. However, it is not yet known whether this is a cause or a consequence of the suffering. In any case, it is an important adjustment screw for the disease.
Probiotics show positive effects
The best way to turn this screw is with probiotics. This is the name given to living bacteria and yeasts found in lactic acid products such as yogurt, kefir or buttermilk. They belong to the health-promoting microbes and help to strengthen the intestinal barrier and keep pathogens that cause illness at bay. So are the good old lactic acid bacteria the solution for those with irritable bowel syndrome?
Probiotics have a variety of effects in the body. For example, they inhibit the growth of harmful germs and their adhesion to the intestinal mucosa, relieve inflammation, strengthen the immune system and improve intestinal movement.
What does this mean for patients? In any case, eating more yogurt or consuming specially fortified drinks is not enough. With the few million bacteria it contains, the intestinal flora can hardly be impressed. For therapeutic purposes, higher doses are needed so that enough living bacteria can get into the intestines.
The choice of the bacterial strain is also decisive. According to the guidelines, Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus casei Shirota help against flatulence, while E. coli Nissle has proven itself in constipation and lactobacteria in diarrhea. You might have to try out what helps, one after the other.
In general, this therapy requires patience. It usually takes several weeks for the effects to occur. This only lasts as long as you ingest the bacteria. And no one can predict whether a probiotic treatment will really work. Probiotics have enormous potential. But for some patients, they are still completely ineffective.
Is a stool transplant an option?
With fecal microbiome transfer, better known as stool transplantation, stool from a healthy donor is introduced into the recipient’s intestine in order to create a healthy bacterial environment there. Sounds a bit gross, but it’s effective – at least with a certain infection.
So far, however, it does not look as if this method will catch on with irritable bowel patients as there has not been enough research done. But it is definitely an option for individual cases where nothing else works.
For everyone else, a serious attempt with probiotics is worthwhile – i.e. with the right strain, over a longer period of time and in sufficient dosage. There are no side effects worth mentioning, it is easy to take, and the therapy can be combined with other measures if necessary.
by Ela Gold | Sep 17, 2021 | HGA |
Chronic pain in several parts of the body, sleep disorders, exhaustion: such symptoms can indicate fibromyalgia. What you should know about it.
Fibromyalgia – briefly explained
- Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic pain syndrome.
- Persistent pain occurs in various parts of the body, accompanied by other symptoms such as exhaustion and sleep disorders.
- It often takes a long time to make the correct diagnosis because there are currently no specific methods of detection, such as a blood test.
- The therapy depends on the severity of the disease and consists of various components.
What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?
Fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS for short, is a chronic pain syndrome that can significantly reduce the quality of life. It is characterized by extensive and persistent pain in various parts of the body, often on the chest, back, arms and legs. In addition to the pain, there are other complaints, including sleep problems and exhaustion.
Fibromyalgia as the word “fibre muscle pain” describes. Doctors speak of a syndrome because there is a typical complex of various symptoms that cannot be explained by a specific trigger.
Scientists disagree about what causes it and what promotes the syndrome. It is not a mental illness, it is not soft-tissue rheumatism or any other inflammatory rheumatic disease. As far as we know, there are no underlying disorders in the muscles or joints. FMS is often associated with a depression or anxiety disorder, which presumably develops as a result of many years of suffering and doctor odysseys. Other diseases also occur more frequently in connection with FMS.
Significantly more women develop FMS than men, mostly between the ages of 30 and 50. In Australia, around two to three percent of the population is affected. Fibromyalgia syndrome can also occur in children and adolescents.
What causes could trigger fibromyalgia syndrome?
The medical guideline classifies fibromyalgia as a “functional somatic syndrome”. This means: There is a typical complex of physical symptoms (syndrome) that lasts for a certain period of time and cannot be explained by a (verifiable) physical cause (somatic).
It is unclear which disease mechanism could be behind this. There are currently different explanations:
Disturbed pain processing in the central nervous system
Acute pain occurs when, for example, we touch the hot stove or fall while exercising. Then nerve fibres from the affected region – for example, the hand or knee – send electrical signals via the spinal cord to the central nervous system (CNS). There the signals are processed and pain is perceived. All of this happens very quickly and ebbs away again. Chronic pain occurs, among other things, when the nerve fibres from the periphery constantly send signals to the CNS. It “remembers” the stimuli, is sensitized and over time reacts to the incoming stimuli earlier and earlier. A so-called central sensitization arises.
Some researchers suggest that this could also happen with fibromyalgia syndrome. Persistent pain signals could lead to the central nervous system becoming overactive and, among other things, not processing pain normally. It could react with an increased sense of pain. For example, those affected perceive external influences as painful that should normally not hurt, such as a massage. Doctors call this allodynia.
Numerous messenger substances are involved in the processing of pain. These so-called neurotransmitters include, for example, serotonin, glutamate and dopamine. In subgroups of fibromyalgia patients, the concentrations of these messenger substances can be changed, as some studies indicate.
How does pain arise?
- If we take hold of the hot pot lid, the first thing we notice is special sensory cells that are distributed in the skin and organs. The sensory nerve endings are also called nociceptors. In a fraction of a second, they react to heat, cold or pressure and send this information as electrical signals via sensory nerve fibres into the spinal cord.
- The sensory nerve fibres conduct the “hot” signal to the spinal cord. There is a switching point here that decides whether and which reflex should be triggered. The sensory signal is switched to a motor nerve, which is then responsible for the reaction. That’s why we pull our fingers away from the hot pot at lightning speed – without thinking too much about it. In order for the reflex to be triggered and for us to pull our hand away from the hot pot, the impulse does not have to be passed on to the brain. This ensures that we can react quickly to the pain.
- Only shortly after the reflex has been triggered is the message “pain” transmitted to the brain via the spinal cord. We then become aware of the pain.
Malfunction of the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system (involuntary functions) is one part of our entire nervous system, the other is the somatic nervous system (arbitrary, i.e. controllable functions). Both are in turn part of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The CNS is formed by the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system runs through the various organs and regions of the body. The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic (“flight or attack”) and the parasympathetic (“rest and digestion”). Some studies indicate that subgroups of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome could also be caused by a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system (dysautonomia). In some patients, the sympathetic nervous system is too active, in other patients the parasympathetic nervous system.
Disturbances in the area of the peripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system includes large and small nerve fibres that run through the body and transmit signals to the CNS. Recent studies suggest that a disorder in the area of small nerve fibres, especially so-called small fibres, could also contribute to FMS pain in some of those affected. The small fibres end in the skin, where they are responsible, among other things, for the perception of pain, temperature sensation, itching and the perception of pleasant touch. A review article showed that an average of 49 percent of the FMS patients examined had abnormalities in the area of small fibres. However, it is not yet clear how these nerve fibres are impaired in the patient and how this damage can possibly contribute to the pain.
Since the nervous system, immune system, endocrine system and psyche are closely linked and influence numerous body functions, fibromyalgia syndrome has a variety of effects.
Which factors can favour an FMS?
- Genetic predisposition: Some people with FMS break down the brain messenger serotonin too quickly. This could help to perceive pain as such earlier and interfere with pain processing.
- Whether certain infections promote FMS is controversial, but patients repeatedly cite it as a potential trigger.
- A lack of vitamin D is often discussed as an influencing factor. However, many people have low vitamin D levels, so this factor is very unspecific.
- An excess of negatively perceived psychological and/or physical stress is a common risk factor for fibromyalgia syndrome.
- People with certain character traits and behaviours seem to develop fibromyalgia more often, which is why some doctors see psychological factors as triggers. It typically affects people who, among other things, are very conscientious, help others, are self-critical and suppress emotions.
- Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise are cited as additional triggers
- Emotional or physical trauma, such as sexual abuse or an accident
Due to the possible influencing factors, some scientists try to explain the fibromyalgia syndrome with the so-called biopsychosocial model: Certain physical and psychological factors trigger the disease with a corresponding predisposition. However, this does not mean that it is a mental illness, just that several unfavourable living conditions come together and upset the body.
With any form of ‘syndrome’, it is important to keep your immune system strong to support healing. By cleaning your colon regularly you support a good microbiome and a good immune system.
