The evidence for the existence of a connection between the brain and the gut It is growing. Today it is known that these two organs are connected by a complex network of bidirectional systems known as the gut-brain axis.
The link between mind and body has revealed that imbalances in the intestinal microbiota can have significant consequences on mental and physical health
Frequent discomforts
The most common complaints of SIBO are abdominal distension, abdominal swelling (or perception of heaviness), feeling of heavy digestion, increased gas, heartburn, diarrhea and constipation. However, other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome or dyspepsia also present very similar symptoms, which is causing many people to make an erroneous self-diagnosis of SIBO.
Although the medical treatment of SIBO includes the use of antibioticschanges in diet and adequate food supplementation, the psychological aspect of treatment is also crucial.
The Dr. Daniela Silva, Cigna Healthcare E-Health Manager explains that “many times patients with SIBO can experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, both due to the persistence of its symptoms and the effect of SIBO on brain chemistry. Additionally, stress and anxiety can exacerbate the symptoms of SIBO, turning the situation into a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.
The patient’s lifestyle will be an essential part of the treatment
For this reason, the doctor must make an effort to explain to the patient what their pathology consists of and manage their expectations for improvement, since the treatment includes medium and long-term interventions. «It is common for the patient to notice a significant improvement after the first phase of treatment; However, so that the symptoms do not recur, there must be a major change in diet and you must be adherent to the prescribed treatment. In the end, the patient’s lifestyle will be an essential part of the treatment. This includes being aware of your diet, incorporating a regular exercise routine to improve intestinal motility and reduce stress, as well as ensuring that good sleep habits are maintained,” he explains.
Maintain a healthy microbiota
For this reason, experts from Cigna Healthcare They wanted to focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiota to have good physical and mental health through the following aspects:
- Nutrition and optimization of digestive processes. One of the most common nutritional recommendations in the treatment of SIBO is a low FODMAP diet (Fermentable oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols). Many times patients notice a great improvement after implementing this nutritional style. Even so, this type of diet should not be implemented chronically, so it is usually accompanied by other therapeutic actions. On the other hand, encouraging a Mediterranean diet can improve certain parameters of intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, the process of chew well and slowly It has proven to be key to digesting sugars and facilitating the action of gastric juices on food.
- Reduce stress and practice the mindful eating. Both stress and anxiety are factors that can exacerbate digestive problems. Keeping stress levels at bay, as well as receiving support through different therapies, helps patients restructure negative thoughts and develop coping strategies, reducing the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and improving digestive function. Likewise, the relaxation and mindfulness Mealtime can be a perfect time to listen to bodily sensations, pay attention to hunger cues, and learn to distinguish physiological from emotional hunger.
- Disease prevention. Intestinal dysbiosis, or alteration of the microbiota, can lead to several diseases and long-term complications. One of the consequences of intestinal dysbiosis is the impact on the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. And it is that, an altered immune system It is closely associated with an increase in chronic low-grade inflammation, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. Prevention, through good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, is essential to ensure a correct balance of the microbiota.
- Consumption of probiotics and prebiotics. While the probiotics are live microorganisms which, in adequate quantities, provide numerous health benefits, prebiotics They are non-digestible substrates that stimulate the growth or activity of native microorganisms. Foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt and kefir, together with prebiotics, present in bananas, apples or asparagus, helps to facilitate digestion, improve the function of the intestinal barrier or stimulate the activity of “good bacteria.” This point is essential for prevention. In cases of SIBO, an increase in the consumption of these foods can worsen the symptoms, so the patient must seek medical treatment and subsequently incorporate the nutritional changes indicated for each case.
- The “happiness diet.” Neurons in the nervous system communicate with each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters (NT) and messenger proteins called hormones. There are NT and hormones that are associated with a better mood, such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin. It must be taken into account that 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in intestinal cells, which highlights the importance of this organ in mood. Those foods rich in tryptophan, such as eggs, dairy products, nuts or legumes, facilitate the increase in serotonin and have a direct positive impact on mood. On the contrary, the habitual consumption of refined sugars and trans fats cause the opposite effect on the brain, causing discomfort, negativity and bad mood. For its part, a diet rich in magnesium and tyrosine (with foods such as chicken, avocado, bananas, sesame and pumpkin seeds or spinach) contributes to the production of dopamine and daily physical activity increases the levels of oxytocin and endorphins. .