Can changes in the diet, along with dietary supplements, help improve gut health?

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In general, the human gastrointestinal system is highly sensitive to spicy foods, greasy foods, and foods cooked with animal fats. Additionally, dairy or lactose intolerance, wheat intolerance, and gluten intolerance play a fundamental role in human digestion. The gut bacteria have a large repertoire of enzymes that break down complex sugars into simple sugars through fermentation. Gut microbiota refers to the population of microorganisms living in our intestine, which consists of tens of trillions of microorganisms. These bacteria aid in digesting and absorbing foods. For instance, Lactobacillus, in particular, helps ferment indigestible carbohydrates and supports the breakdown of sugars as a byproduct of its fermentation process, producing lactic acid and gases.

The proper digestion of food relies on the coordination of nerves, muscles, enzymes, and neurotransmitters in the gut. While enzymes mainly break down our food, the nerves, muscles, and neurotransmitters physically move the food through our digestive tract from the stomach to the small intestine and colon. In a healthy gut, bacteria get passed through the digestive tract along with the food to their final destination in the colon. However, any problem with these processes can lead to overall digestion issues. Damage to the nerves or muscles in the gut can result in leftover bacteria in the small intestine, increasing the risk for SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). Probiotics are live microorganisms similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut, often referred to as "friendly bacteria." They are available mainly in the form of dietary supplements and foods, and taking them daily can be beneficial.

Tests suggested for evaluating gut health include:

1. Comprehensive stool analysis test: This test helps diagnose the gut microbiota, including any parasites or harmful bacteria. It also analyzes the levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria found in natural, organic yogurt, which are essential for intestinal health.

2. Breath test: The gold standard for diagnosing certain gut conditions, individuals must fast for 12 hours, breathe into a small balloon, ingest a precise amount of sugar, and repeat breath samples every 15 minutes for three or more hours. Abnormal breath tests can also indicate digestive enzyme insufficiency, which may be responsible for mixed stool formation.

3. Organix dysbiosis test: This functional test evaluates urine for by-products of yeast or bacteria in the small intestine. If there is yeast or bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, byproducts will appear in the urine, indicating their presence.

4. Secretin stimulation test: Secretin is a hormone produced by the small intestine that stimulates the pancreas to release a fluid that neutralizes stomach acid and aids in digestion. This test measures the pancreas's ability to produce these digestive enzymes.

5. Fecal elastase test: Another test of pancreas function, it measures the levels of elastase, an enzyme found in fluids produced by the pancreas that digests proteins.

A complete evaluation of the gut should be done to rule out the cause of the problem. Enzyme supplements and medication could be started accordingly based on the test results.

Thank you.