The prevalence of digestive health issues has been steadily increasing. Practitioner advice, supplements and lifestyle habits offer solutions.
Some of the most common ailments faced by patients today involve issues with their digestive health. Almost everyone is familiar with the discomfort caused by constipation, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting or acid reflux, etc., all of which can have numerous possible causes. Whether from chemicals in foods and beverages, a particular meal that doesn’t agree with one’s stomach, alcohol intake, stress, infection or a short-term virus, most people will experience some sort of digestion-related distress at some point. However, for many around the world, digestive issues are chronic and cause repeated pain or discomfort.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases. The authors of an article provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, titled “Burden of Gastrointestinal (GI) Symptoms in the United States: Results of a Nationally Representative Survey of Over 71,000 Americans,” conducted a study and found that “71,812 individuals completed the survey, of which 61 percent reported having had ≥1 GI symptom in the past week. The most commonly reported symptoms were heartburn/reflux (30.9 percent), abdominal pain (24.8 percent), bloating (20.6 percent), diarrhea (20.2 percent), and constipation (19.7 percent). Less common symptoms were nausea/vomiting (9.5 percent), dysphagia (5.8 percent), and bowel incontinence (4.8 percent). Females, non-Hispanic whites and individuals who were younger, highly educated, and had medical comorbidities were more likely to have symptoms (all adjusted p<.05).”
Joe Brunner, president of Endurance Products Company located in Sherwood, OR, noted that “According to a recent survey published in the January 2019 issue of Gastroenterology, U.S. consumers spend over $135 billion annually for health care related to digestive health.” Furthermore, a multinational study of 73,000 people performed by Magnus Simrén, MD, PhD, professor of gastroenerology of Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, found that more than 40 percent of people worldwide suffer from a functional gastrointestinal disorder.
Clearly, the prevalence of digestive issues is staggering, and the number is steadily increasing with time. Sara LeBrun-Blashka, MS, director of education at Standard Process, Inc. located in Palmyra, WI, offered insight that further depicts the magnitude of digestive health issues in the U.S. and the world: “Functional gastrointestinal disorders are defined by Rome criteria and breakdown into the following areas:
1. Esophageal disorders, like GERD
2. Gastroduodenal disorders (mid/upper GI): Gas/bloating/vomiting disorders
3. Bowel disorders/abdominal pain (mid/lower GI): IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)/constipation/diarrhea
4. Centrally mediated disorders
5. Gallbladder and sphincter of oddi disorders
6. Anorectal disorders
GI conditions [such as] inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased in diagnosis by more than 1 million in 2015 from 1999. Globally, the increase has been 3.7 million.” Furthermore, she added that the prevalence of GERD in the U.S. is between 18.1 percent to 27.8 percent of adults and has recently increased, particularly for those within the age range of 30-39. IBS is found in 10 to 15 percent of the population, tends to affect more people under 50, and women have a higher incidence than men (by approximately 5 percent).
Ben Johnson, MD and CEO of Osmosis Beauty located in Evergreen, CO, noted that “the numbers continue to rise globally for the past decade because of environmental toxins that directly affect our food.” He elaborated, “digestive issues mainly result from pesticides and preservative toxins in meat, dairy and water. Candida overgrowth is quite common and results from mucus excess caused by fried food and dairy in many cases. In addition, excess sugar, antibiotics and hormones are big contributors. Damage to the microbiome is another big cause and is the result of chlorine in our water and antibiotic use and exposure, along with probiotics, which are actually clinically proven to slow gut repair.”
Ryan Sensenbrenner, director of marketing at Enzyme Science located in Venice, FL, added that “Digestively, the most common issue is that a specific component of food is not getting broken down into smaller particles. This could be something like fat or protein, or a food-specific ingredient like lactose. When undigested food makes it into the colon, bacteria begin to consume it, creating a fermentation reaction that creates gas and other discomfort.”
Hannah Braye, registered nutritionist and head of technical advice at ADM Protexin located in Doral, FL, stated that “a major factor in digestive health is the approximately 100 trillion micro-organisms (most of them bacteria, but also viruses, fungi and protozoa) which reside in the human gastrointestinal tract…Each of us will have a completely different mix of these microbes—like our gut fingerprint. Dysbiosis (either a qualitative or quantitative change in the gut microbial community) is commonly observed in many gut-related conditions.” She went on to note that there are several aspects of modern life that negatively impact our microbiomes and cause massive reductions in bacterial diversity in the human gut, such as broad-spectrum antibiotics, Western diets high in processed foods, environmental pollutants such as pesticides, chemicals, pollution, food additives and heavy metals and chlorinated tap water, overly hygienic environments and lack of outdoor exposure, stress, poor sleep patterns and age.
Craig Zalvan, MD, FACS, ENT at Allergy Associates, LLP (Voice and Swallow Division) located in Sleepy Hollow, NY, specializes in reflux disorders. He noted that, like the other digestive disorders and diseases mentioned, “The overall prevalence of reflux disease has been increasing over the past few decades. Increasing obesity, worsening diet, increased fast food use, and increased sugary carbonated beverages are all contributing factors.” He continued that “The high portion of animal-based protein, coupled with sugary carbonated beverages, is the primary cause of reflux disease. It is a diet-based disease, period.” Indeed, today’s average American diet is filled with unhealthy and overly processed foods capable of causing a number of health-related issues, including reflux and digestive diseases.
How Practitioners Can Help Patients With Digestive Issues
There are many ways in which practitioners can give the best care possible to their patients with digestive issues. Johnson advised that “All disease comes from pathogens, toxins and/or emotions. Asses each patient giving consideration to these categories and you will find the source in most of your patients.” Celine Torres-Moon, science writer at Protocol for Life Balance (Bloomingdale, IL) also made an important note for practitioners to keep in mind: “Because not every patient will mention their digestive issues, it is important that practitioners systematically assess for digestive issues when seeing their patient in a consultation. Asking specific questions is important to be sure not to miss anything.”
Likewise, Sensenbrenner recommended that “when working with a patient, a practitioner first try to identify the root cause of the discomfort, and focus on providing protocols for this core challenge, rather than just addressing the symptoms.” Since Enzyme Science’s focus is on digestive enzyme formulas to help with issues of the digestive system, he also noted that “numerous factors are increasing the need for digestive enzyme supplementation—from increased stress wreaking havoc on our bodies to dietary challenges—the time for enzymes is today. While probiotics have been recommended for years, enzymes continue to come to the forefront.”
Brunner specifically suggested that patients visit a naturopathic doctor for issues related to digestive health because their “holistic approach addresses the wide range of factors that can disrupt digestive health.” He also emphasized the importance of a trusted doctor-patient relationship. “Working with a practitioner gives a patient access to a comprehensive plan that can be personalized. This includes diet therapy and supplement recommendations. A naturopath’s holistic approach goes beyond simply managing symptoms to targeting and resolving underlying issues.” He added, “By taking a holistic approach to wellness, a naturopath tends to rely on a wide range of therapeutic options such as a healthy diet and exercise plan, good sleep hygiene and stress management, to name a few.”
Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo, DCN, RD, Logan University located in Chesterfield, MO, also believes that naturopathic doctors are the preferred option for patients suffering from digestive issues. “Naturopaths are specifically trained to provide natural therapies such as massage, yoga and nutrition. When these services are provided by other practitioners, it is considered adjunctive therapy to what the practitioner is trained to provide.” She continued that “Individualized therapy should be provided to each client and patient…They should also be aware of the vast array of alternative therapies available that can assist with recovery, including meditation, sleep therapy, massage, yoga therapy and diet therapy.”
Echoing Brunner and Dr. DeLorenzo, Braye noted that “the conventional approach to treating digestive issues is to mask symptoms. A more natural approach is to investigate the underlying root causes of symptoms, and seek to address these, reducing reliance on medication. The naturopathic approach is gaining favor as patients become disillusioned with the side-effects and limited long-term results seen with many medications; there is a growing awareness of how diet and lifestyle impact our health, and a movement toward reconnecting with our food and where it has come from.” As far as specific advice for practitioners, she stated that they should stick to what they know. “It’s important as professionals that they don’t stray outside of their remit and stick to giving advice on the modalities in which they are adequately trained and insured. Building a strong network of diverse practitioners to refer clients out to when needed is likely to be beneficial.”
On reflux disease, Dr. Zalvan stated that he uses a holistic approach. After becoming frustrated by the lack of patient improvement after prescribing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and the process of “treating medical problems with drugs, and if one drug does not work try another, then another,” he “researched the chronic disease literature finding a substantial body of evidence suggesting that a more plant-based diet—Mediterranean style—prevents many of the chronic diseases in our society including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, autoimmune disease and even cancer.” He then found that after adopting this method, his results were “as good, if not better in improving reflux symptoms.”
All in all, there are a number of ways in which practitioners can help their patients to achieve better digestive health naturally with a focus on diet changes and supplementation.
Supplements That Can Improve Digestive Health
Probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes are the main players that come to mind when considering digestive health supplements. There are several products on the market from a number of companies that can aid in ameliorating digestive issues, many of which contain these three ingredients and more.
Protocol for Life Balance, according to Torres-Moon, has more than 20 different products in their digestive category. “Our newest introduction is GI Guard…an excellent product to support gastric health and comfort. It features clinically validated ingredient PepZin GI, a proprietary form of zinc complexed with carnosine.” She explained that PepZin G promotes normal mucous secretion in the stomach, combats free radicals and helps to maintain the integrity of the stomach lining and its proper immune response to the typically harsh gastric environment. As far as prebiotics and probiotics, “we focused on ingredients with published clinical studies confirming their efficacy such as our Prebiotic Powder XOS featuring PreticX, a clinically validated blend of xylooligosaccharides and our Bifido Digest probiotic featuring clinically validated B. lactis HN019 to support a healthy intestinal flora.” The company also offers a digestive enzyme product called BioCore enzymes, which “can retain their enzymatic activity at a wide pH range as found throughout the digestive system and are not degraded by stomach acid.”
Osmosis Beauty, according to Johnson, also has a number of products that support healthy digestion. The company’s Digestive Support Fast-Acting Enzymes were developed with key ingredients to promote gut health, increased energy and appetite control. It contains trypsin, an enzyme created by the pancreas that aids in the breakdown of protein and digestion, fungal pepsin, a mold involved in the extensive production of citric acid, and several enzymes such as amylases, pectinases and proteases, along with several other ingredients. Furthermore, the company’s Recovery Prebiotic, Omega and Fat Pad Renewal Elixir “functions as a prebiotic to protect healthy probiotic bacteria in the digestive system…and supports the functions of the immune system, skin and liver.” The main ingredients are sea buckthorne fruit oil and macadamia nut oil, which are abundant sources of omega-7 nutrients in the form of palmitoleic acid. Osmosis Beauty’s Immune Activator Skin and Body Elixir is designed with their patented ingredient, Trioxolane, a stabilized oxygen molecule that empowers the immune system to fight off infections in the digestive tract and activate repair. Immune Defense kills 85 percent of parasitic infections that can be related to digestive issues. Lastly, Osmosis Wellness Digestive Relief Elixir, containing 24-karat edible gold, fulvic and humic minerals, can heal acid reflux, bloating and constipation.
Standard Process “has believed that supporting the GI tract is important to overall wellbeing; we started our support of the GI tract with Zypan, Standard Process’s flagship digestive health product, which was launched in 1958. It continues with our newest GI product, GI Stability,” said LeBrun-Blashka. Standard Process offers several products that assist in different areas of digestive health: their enzymes Zypan, Multizyme, Enzycore and DiGest Forte; fat digestion products A-F Betafood and Cholacol; Lower GI prebiotics GI Stability, Whole Food Fiber and Epimune Complex; and SP Detox Balance for detoxification.
Sensenbrunner said that “Enzymes are the energy of life. They are the catalysts that help power every chemical reaction in the human body. When it comes to digestion, they are the keys that break down various building blocks of foods, like fat, fiber, protein and carbohydrates.” Enzyme Science offers a comprehensive portfolio of products for digestive issues. Its Complete and Critical Digestion formulas “include all the enzymes necessary to help break down the building blocks of a meal.” The company also offers Intolerance Complex, which is one of the only products available that can help with all major food intolerances in a single capsule, according to Sensenbrunner.
Endurance Products also offers a plethora of digestive health products. Brunner shared that the company’s PepzinGI Zine-Carnosine chewable tablets can help patients with gastric ulcers due to its ability to remain in stomach juice without rapid dissociation and adhere to ulcerous lesions where it releases L-carnosine and zinc to help heal the ulcer. For those who suffer from constipation or dysbiosis, Endurance Products offers Prebiotic Plus chewable tablets, which contain Actazin kiwifruit powder to support intestinal regularity and relief of occasional constipation, and PreticX xylose oligosaccharides (XOS) to help selectively stimulate beneficial gut bacteria associated with health and wellness.
ADM Protexin offers its Bio-Kult range to aid patients with digestive issues. The company’s Bio-Kult Advanced, according to Braye, “was recently used in a study at The University of Oxford on low mood. The results showed a “20 percent improvement in mood for those in the placebo group versus a 50 percent improvement in mood in those taking Bio-Kult. The probiotic group also reported a 50 percent improvement in their concentration. While there were no effects on cortisol levels in the placebo group, the Bio-Kult group saw a decrease in cortisol levels in their saliva, which suggested lower stress levels.” Bio-Kult’s range includes Bio-Kult Advanced, Boosted and S. Boulardii targeting the digestive and immune systems, Bio-Kult Candéa targeting the gut and intimate flora, Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan targeting the urinary tract, Bio-Kult Infantis targeting the digestive and immune systems in infants, toddlers and young children, and Bio-Kult Migréa targeting the digestive tract and head.
As for expert opinions from practitioners, Dr. DeLorenzo stated that she recommends vitamin D supplements, as well as fish oil supplements for those who do not want to increase the amount of fish in their diet. She also recommends taking a probiotic to help improve the beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. “Decreasing inflammation improves the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. When there is inflammation, there are gap junctions leading to translocation of allergens and bacteria to the organs, which can contribute to pain and increased inflammation,” she said. “When inflammation is decreased and the beneficial bacteria are increased, the inflammation, pain and symptoms subside.”
Although Dr. Zalvan takes a holistic and diet-based approach to treating his patients, there are some supplements that he believes can aid in reflux diseases. “Reflux Gourmet and Gaviscon Advance are compounds that can be purchased online, which are made out of an alginate that can coat the throat and esophagus to bind to acid, preventing acid exposure to tissue. These are safe to use and are an excellent adjunct for treatment of reflux disease in the setting of diet-based changes.” He also recommended alkaline water with a pH greater than 8.0, which can neutralize acid in the throat, “therefore decreasing acid exposure to the sensitive throat tissues and helping to decrease throat-related symptoms of LPR.”
Best Lifestyle Habits For Digestive Health
One of the most important parts of achieving optimal digestive health is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Torres-Moon described various ways in which patients can achieve healthier lifestyles—particularly those consuming a Western diet, which is often far from ideal and leads to digestive issues. “Ideally, we would completely eliminate highly processed foods from our diet. We would follow a moderate-calorie diet, rich in fibers, ideally from organic vegetables and some fruits. We would consume little to no red meat and if possible, increase our protein intake from plants such as lentils, quinoa, chickpeas and beans. We would prioritize our fat intake from fatty fish, olive oil, avocado, seeds and nuts, as well as, in moderation, high quality butter and dairy. Incorporating fermented food such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, artisanal cheeses, etc., is a good way to support our digestive microflora, which is absolutely necessary for a healthy digestive system. As a complement to a varied diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising daily are important for maintaining healthy digestive function.”
Braye echoed Torres-Moon, saying that “The starting point with any digestive condition is always to improve the overall quality of the diet. Processed foods contain many hidden sugars, additives and emulsifiers thought to have a negative impact on the balance of bacteria in our gut, and a pro-inflammatory effect.” She continued, “The foundational pillars of good health are a healthy diet, regular exercise, restorative sleep and stress resilience…Many symptoms disappear once you get clients eating, moving, sleeping and relaxing well.”
Dr. DeLorenzo added that “natural approaches to digestive issues include reducing stress and anxiety through approaches like meditation and yoga. Adequate sleep is helpful and inadequate sleep is the cause. A diet high in probiotics, high fiber foods and anti-inflammatory foods is helpful…as is reducing alcohol and drug intake.” Likewise, Brunner said that “Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise, keeping a regular routine and sensible supplementation can go a long way to help relieve constipation and promote regularity.”
Overall, a combination of awareness, trusting patient-doctor relationships, quality supplementation and positive lifestyle maintenance and changes is key to maintaining optimal digestive health. All of these natural remedies can aid in preventing new digestive health issues from arising and existing digestive disorders and diseases from worsening.
Healthy Take Aways
• According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases.
• A multinational study of 73,000 people performed by Magnus Simrén, MD, PhD, professor of gastroenerology of Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, found that more than 40 percent of people worldwide suffer from a functional gastrointestinal disorder.
• The prevalence of GERD in the U.S. is between 18.1 percent to 27.8 percent of adults and has recently increased, particularly for those within the age range of 30-39.
For More Information:
ADM Protexin, www.bio-kult.com
Endurance Products Company, www.endur.com
Enzyme Science, www.enzymescience.com
Protocol for Life Balance, www.protocolforlife.com
Osmosis Beauty, www.osmosisbeauty.com
Standard Process, www.standardprocess.com
