Contrary to what you may think. Gut disorders are far more common than most diseases. As many as 40% of the UK population suffer from some digestive disorder. Moreover, these disorders become more prevalent with age. However, these problems go beyond the compounds of the digestive tract, with the gut-brain axis resulting in mental problems caused by digestive ones. 

Below, we discuss some new-era gut disorders affecting the population today. Furthermore, we discuss how these disorders lead to depression, anxiety, and other nervous disorders. We will also discuss the possibility of treatment using supplements to restore gut health and how the gut microbiome can help. Continue reading to find out. 

New Era Gut Disorders 

While these disorders were seldom seen in the past, the changes in daily lives have resulted in new disorders affecting the population. Some of the significant new-era gut disorders are mentioned below. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 

IBD refers to chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that several reasons can cause. The disease can affect any part of the tract, from the anus to the mouth, but is most common in the gut. This leads to symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexpected weight loss. 

The immune response is triggered due to varial or bacterial infections, which cause inflammation in the tract. However, there could also be a genetic component that causes ver sensitivity of the immune system. 

One of the common ways to treat IBD is through nourishing the gut flora, which produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that can regulate and prevent an excessive immune response. 

Crohn’s Disease 

Crohn's disease is a type of IBD that causes swelling in the tissues lining the digestive tract, leading to pain, diarrhoea caused by a leaky gut, fatigue, and dehydration. Moreover, the risk of developing Crohn’s disease is increased with age, with people over 30 being most at risk. 

In severe cases, Crohn's disease can lead to ulcers, fistula formation, and colon cancer. Moreover, certain medicines used for treating Crohn's disease can lead to developing cancers such as lymphoma. 

Therefore, doctors recommend using supplements to restore gut health since the gut microbiome can naturally combat the immune system's overreaction and decrease inflammation without increasing cancer risk. 

Diverticulitis 

While rare in the 20th century, diverticulitis has become an alarmingly common health problem in the new era. Diverticulitis refers to a group of diseases that affect the digestive tract. The conditions result in severe symptoms if not treated, including severe pain, bloating, diarrhoea, fever, nausea, and more. Moreover, there is no known cause of diverticulitis, but researchers suggest several risk factors, including genetics, diet, and changes in the gut microbiome. 

Therefore, finding the best probiotic for digestive problems is imperative for treating diverticulitis before it becomes severe. 

The Gut-Skin Axis

The body contains a vast population of skin and gut microbiomes that help improve health. However, there might be a connection between the two floras. According to a recent study, the state of the gut microbiome often affects skin conditions such as eczema. 

The microbiome regulates several immune system functions and maintains homeostasis and skin health by aiding communication between cells. These microbes contain bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that are detrimental to human health. 

Changes in the gut flora can directly influence changes in the skin microbiome, resulting in the following:

  • Excessive bad microbes
  • Deficiency of good microbes
  • Insufficient diversity of microbes

The gut microbiome influences three common ways: 

  1. Dysbiosis 

Dysbiosis is the imbalance of the microbiota in the body. Studies show that an imbalance of specific bacterial species in the gut microbiome causes significant skin conditions. The most common imbalance is either high levels of unwanted bacteria (such as Staphylococcus, Faecalibacterium, Clostridium, and Escherichia) or low levels of helpful bacteria (such as Bacteroidetes, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium. 

  1. Excessive Immune Response

The immune system activates inflammation whenever it encounters a foreign substance. Researchers believe that the immune system may cause inflammation in the gut or skin if they detect harmful microbiomes in the gut, leading to intestinal or skin issues. 

  1. Leaky Gut 

A leaky gut refers to the increased permeability of the intestinal walls, which allows substances to pass through more than they should. Studies show a direct link between leaky gut and eczema. Moreover, doctors often recommend supplements to restore gut health, as some beneficial bacteria produce chemicals that promote intestinal walls' proper functioning and permeability. 

The Gut-Brain Axis

The gut condition can have a direct effect on how you feel. The gut is connected to the brain through more than 500 million neurons, with the vagus nerve being the primary connection. Research shows that stress-induced gastrointestinal problems usually occur because the signals sent through the nerve get blocked. This was also found to be the case with IBD and Crohn's disease. 

According to Harvard Medical School, the state of the stomach or intestine can cause anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health concerns. Given the link between the gut and the brain, patients suffering from gut disorders tend to feel more pain than those that do not since they are more responsive to pain signals from the gut. 

Moreover, gut health can promote stress in the body that may lead to other mental health disorders. The pain and nausea associated with DI disorders can often take a toll on mental health and result in depression. 

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Gut Health

Recent research suggests that probiotic and prebiotic supplements to restore gut health can reduce the stress hormone that blocks the vagus nerve, resulting in improved digestive conditions.

Probiotics that help the brain are referred to as psychobiotics and can improve levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies show that mental health concerns caused by irritable bowel syndrome could be treated and improved using probiotics. 

However, not every probiotic is the same. While most are used to improve certain microbiome species in gut health, the best probiotics for digestive problems can improve the gut flora's overall health, such as Gut Eze by “The Good Vitamin Company”. 

The probiotic created after intense research by scientists at Harvard Medical School acts as the ideal supplement to restore gut health, improve lipid metabolism, regulate appetite & boost immune integrity.