Nutrition and Digestive Health

There has been a lot of interest and research into the bacteria which are found within different areas of the digestive tract. These have been defined as gut microbiota. These bacteria provide health benefits. For instance, protection against harmful bacteria, they enhance the body’s immune system and help to maintain adequate nutrients in the body. There are two types of food products which enable the gut microbiota to carry out these functions; these are known as prebiotics and probiotics. In the next few paragraphs, an explanation as to how the gut microbiota carries out these essential functions and how they are enhanced by prebiotics and probiotics.

Gut microbiota and Immunity

In order to ensure the immune system is regulated effectively, the small intestine is lined with many immune cells. These immune cells have been found to mature in the large intestine. When these cells have been placed in the lining of the small intestine, they have been found to initiate an inflammatory response. As well as protecting the small and large intestines from harmful bacteria, the gut microbiota plays an essential role in preventing excessive and harmful inflammatory reactions in the bloodstream. These problems can arise from the overgrowth and the underlying of existing microbiota.

Gut microbiota and its protective role

There are different factors that contribute to the protective function of gut microbiota. These include, the production of Antimicrobial Polypeptides (AMP), helping ‘the consumption of nutrients sources’, and ‘the physical presence of the gut microbiota’- which has been said to act as a ‘deterrent’ against foreign substances. Indeed, a lot of the activity of gut microbiota can be positively enhanced by the role of probiotics.

Probiotics

Probiotics can be defined as healthy bacteria that when ingested can promote a positive microbiota balance within the digestive tract.  Several authors have suggested that probiotics may improve both short and long term conditions, such as ‘lactose intolerance, diarrhoea, allergy, asthma and colorectal cancer’. As previously discussed, probiotics have been found to produce AMPs as well as strengthen the lining of the small intestine. There are two key groups of probiotics, these include Lactobacilli and Bifdobacteria. With respect to cancer, these Lactobacilli have been found ‘prevent tumour growth by 50%’ in colorectal cancers’. Moreover, Bifbobacteria has been found to reduce the histamine, which is a substance which stimulates many allergic symptoms, such as those seen in asthma sufferers.

Prebiotics

Alongside probiotics, prebiotics have also been found to exert health benefits when used solely or in unison with probiotics. Prebiotics are food ingredients which have been shown to increase the quantity and the action of gut microbiota. These are usually shorts chains of indigestible sugars, such as Fructose which is naturally found in food or could be added (fortified).Some examples to which include ‘chicory root, tomato, banana’, garlic, chive and leeks, raw asparagus and wheat bran. In a similar manner, prebiotics have been said to optimize the intestinal immune system and relieve constipation.

The effects of Nutrition

 It is important to note that the foods we eat don’t just benefit ourselves as individuals, but provide a source of energy and increase the quantity of pre-existing microbiota. For instance, several authors have reported that the production of short chain fatty acids, such as butyrate prevent the build – up of ‘toxic by – products’.  The gut microbiota has been found to facilitate the breakdown of complex sugars into simple sugars. Additionally, they have been found to prevent the build up of dietary fat in fat tissue. With this in mind, it could be suggested that the microbiota may play a role in body weight regulation.

Recommendations

It is evident from research that nutrition plays an important role in the activity, size and number of gut microbiota. Moreover, optimum nutrition may prevent certain digestive disorders and diseases such as lactose intolerance and colorectal cancers. Nutrition and lifestyle modifications have been listed below.

 

•     Limit your intake of red meats and other meats high in saturated fat.

•     Consume foods which contain both prebiotics and probiotics.
•   Probitic foods may include yoghurts produced by Danone:Activia and formulas containing Lactobacilli bacteria.

•       Try to eat dinner before 8pm.

•    Take part in regular exercise e.g. walking, jogging and running for 30 – 45 minutes.

 

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