Improving Digestive Health Through Evidence-Based Holistic Interventions
Scholarship Artifacts
Scholarship Artifact #1
Optimizing the Gut Microbiome in Digestive Conditions
EXSC 9150, Fall 2022
Abstract
The gut microbiome plays a role in digestive conditions, especially irritable bowel syndrome. Dietary changes, probiotics and prebiotic fibers, and reducing stressors impact microbial composition and diversity. Different diet patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, influence the types of bacteria found in the microbiome due to the higher fiber plant content. While the microbiome can respond quickly to dietary changes, research suggests that long-term diet patterns define a person's gut microbiome and overall health better. New strategies using diet, therapeutic probiotics, and prebiotics could provide clinicians with a natural approach to managing conditions such as irritable syndrome by improving gut bacteria.
Keywords: probiotic, irritable bowel syndrome, gut microbiome, prebiotic
Scholarship Artifact #2
Optimizing the Gut Microbiome to Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life in Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review
EXSC 9250, Spring 2023
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive health condition affecting around 11% of the worldwide population. The underlying causes of IBS are complex and often multifactorial, making it challenging to manage the condition. Clinicians and patients may be looking for alternatives to medications for better holistic management of IBS. This narrative review aims to examine the current evidence on diet, probiotics, and prebiotic fibers changing the gut microbiome to help improve symptoms and quality of life for adults with IBS. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost databases from 2017 to 2023. There is a consensus in the literature that diet is the most crucial factor in influencing the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome. The Mediterranean diet and other plant-rich dietary patterns that include complex carbohydrates, fibers, and reduced amounts of saturated fats and sugar are ideal for improving the microbiome. Prebiotic fibers in the form of supplemental powder or foods have the most considerable impact on the bacteria Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Probiotics can be an effective and safe approach for reducing overall symptoms of IBS and improving quality of life. There needs to be more consistency in the literature regarding whether using a single-strain or multistrain probiotic is best for symptom management, improving quality of life in patients with IBS, and the most effective treatment period.
Keywords: irritable bowel syndrome, microbiome, diet, prebiotics, probiotics
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Scholarship Artifact #3
Targeting the Microbiome in Athletes with Digestive Conditions
EXSC 9500, Summer 2023
Abstract
Athletes often experience gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS), and for some, this might be due to an underlying chronic digestive condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or celiac disease. GIS can affect up to 50% of athletes and is often increased with higher-intensity exercise or during periods of inadequate hydration (1). Digestive symptoms can impact performance and often interrupt an athlete's ability to participate in an activity (4). In the search for options other than medications to manage these symptoms and conditions, improving the gut microbiome can be an effective newer strategy (5). There is a good understanding of how specific dietary approaches, probiotic strains, and prebiotic fibers can help improve the balance of the gut bacteria and increase diversity that people can use to improve their digestive health. This article aims to share the current evidence on how diet modifications, probiotics, and prebiotic fibers can shift the gut microbiome, which may help improve symptoms and quality of life for athletes with chronic digestive conditions. Health and fitness professionals can use this information to increase awareness of the prevalence of digestive disorders and suggest natural approaches to clients for better management of digestive symptoms.
Keywords: irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac, microbiome, athletes