Gut health covers a broad spectrum ranging from common functional problems (irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic constipation) to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and… Read more.
33 factors with evidence, ordered from highest to lowest effectiveness. Information, not medical advice.
⏱ 2 min read
Gut health covers a broad spectrum ranging from common functional problems (irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic constipation) to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and other structural pathologies (celiac disease, diverticular disease, digestive cancers); the gut is also home to 70-80% of the body's lymphoid tissue (GALT) and harbors the microbiota, whose functions go far beyond digestion.
A functional disorder with abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or mixed) without a detectable organic lesion. It affects 10-15% of the population. Interventions with support:
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases that require specialized medical treatment (mesalazine, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics). Nutrition is an important adjunct but does NOT replace medical treatment.
Nutritional interventions with support: - Omega-3 EPA/DHA: modest adjunctive anti-inflammatory effect. - Vitamin D: deficiency is very common in IBD; correcting it helps. - Curcumin: with support in ulcerative colitis. - Boswellia serrata: modest support. - Specific probiotics (E. coli Nissle 1917, VSL#3): support for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. - Anti-inflammatory diet that avoids ultra-processed foods, emulsifiers, and carrageenans. - Specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) or modified Mediterranean diet: with growing support.
Intestinal barrier integrity depends on tight junctions between epithelial cells; when these are disrupted, the passage of molecules increases (including bacterial endotoxins such as LPS), which can contribute to chronic systemic inflammation. Factors that disrupt it: Western diet, alcohol, chronic stress, drugs (NSAIDs), dysbiosis. Interventions that improve it:
Blood in the stool, unintentional weight loss, unexplained anemia, severe or persistent abdominal pain, a significant and sustained change in bowel habits, and a family history of colorectal cancer or IBD are signs that require prompt medical evaluation.
Gut health is built on a diverse diet rich in plants and fiber, fermented foods, stress management, exercise, and sleep; functional disorders (IBS, constipation) respond to specific interventions (FODMAPs, enteric peppermint, selected probiotics); IBD requires specialized medical treatment, where nutrition is a valuable complement but not a substitute.
⏱ 2 min read
Gut health covers a broad spectrum ranging from common functional problems (irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic constipation) to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and other structural pathologies (celiac disease, diverticular disease, digestive cancers); the gut is also home to 70-80% of the body's lymphoid tissue (GALT) and harbors the microbiota, whose functions go far beyond digestion.
A functional disorder with abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or mixed) without a detectable organic lesion. It affects 10-15% of the population. Interventions with support:
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases that require specialized medical treatment (mesalazine, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics). Nutrition is an important adjunct but does NOT replace medical treatment.
Nutritional interventions with support: - Omega-3 EPA/DHA: modest adjunctive anti-inflammatory effect. - Vitamin D: deficiency is very common in IBD; correcting it helps. - Curcumin: with support in ulcerative colitis. - Boswellia serrata: modest support. - Specific probiotics (E. coli Nissle 1917, VSL#3): support for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. - Anti-inflammatory diet that avoids ultra-processed foods, emulsifiers, and carrageenans. - Specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) or modified Mediterranean diet: with growing support.
Intestinal barrier integrity depends on tight junctions between epithelial cells; when these are disrupted, the passage of molecules increases (including bacterial endotoxins such as LPS), which can contribute to chronic systemic inflammation. Factors that disrupt it: Western diet, alcohol, chronic stress, drugs (NSAIDs), dysbiosis. Interventions that improve it:
Blood in the stool, unintentional weight loss, unexplained anemia, severe or persistent abdominal pain, a significant and sustained change in bowel habits, and a family history of colorectal cancer or IBD are signs that require prompt medical evaluation.
Gut health is built on a diverse diet rich in plants and fiber, fermented foods, stress management, exercise, and sleep; functional disorders (IBS, constipation) respond to specific interventions (FODMAPs, enteric peppermint, selected probiotics); IBD requires specialized medical treatment, where nutrition is a valuable complement but not a substitute.