Gastroenterology
Gastro-intestinal health is critical to overall health and well-being
The gastro-intestinal (GI) system is the largest organ in the body and far more complex than just a tube which processes and absorbs our food. Over the past two decades there has been growing evidence that GI-health is far more important to our overall well-being than was previously understood.
GI health is essential to the optimal functioning of every other system in our body. Besides absorbing nutrients and fluids it also impacts on our immune system, energy regulation and even our cardio-vascular and mental health.
GI system processes
The complexity of the GI tract becomes clear when one considers that a healthy balance must be maintained in each of the following functions:
- Releasing enzymes, at the correct levels, to ensure proper digestion of different types of food.
- Moving the food along at the correct speed.
- Maintaining the lining : it serves as a gateway which allows the nutrients and liquids we need to pass through while keeping out potentially damaging substances, including harmful microbes.
- Producing enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters which contribute to the biochemical processes throughout the body. Significantly, 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which regulates our mood and emotions, is produced in the gut.
- Housing the gut microbiome, mainly in the large intestine. These beneficial bacteria have a significant role in maintaining our health and an ever-increasing body of research is linking imbalances in the gut microbiome to various conditions including weight gain, metabolic disorders, sleep disturbances, allergies, auto-immune diseases, and even mental disorders.
You might have heard that the gut is now often referred to as the second brain. The reason is that, besides receiving messages from the brain, the GI system itself constantly communicates with the brain via millions of neurons.
Improving your GI health
Clearly maintaining the best possible gastro-intestinal health will contribute to your overall health and wellness. You can do this through lifestyle changes, including the following.
- Adopting a healthy diet is the most important step you can take for your future health. Eat real foods which are high in essential nutrients and fibre – proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables.
As emphasised by cardiologist Dr Aseem Maholtra in an address to the European Parliament the current Western diet consists largely of refined and processed food which contain excessive amounts of sugar and starches. This has been linked to digestive disorders, including damaging the gut microbiome. It also causes insulin resistance which is the precursor to obesity, diabetes, and most other chronic conditions.
- Drink enough fluids, mainly water. Proper hydration is important to all body processes including the digestive system. For example, dehydration can cause constipation and the GI discomfort that accompanies this condition.
- Exercise regularly. The increased blood flow to the GI system keeps it moving and speeds up digestion.
- Manage your stress levels by scheduling time for relaxation in your daily activities. When stressed, our body releases fight-and-flight hormones which divert energy away from the digestive system. Continuous stress is linked to a number of digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome.
Most people experience symptoms of a GI tract disorder from time to time – nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, gas and bloating, or pain. Usually these symptoms are temporary and pass within a day or two.
However, if you experience any of these symptoms regularly you might consider making some of the lifestyle changes mentioned above. A good idea would also be to consult a health care practitioner for a full investigation and diagnosis of the underlying problem. This could include a food intolerance, allergy, imbalance of the gut microbiome, or even a more serious GI disease.
