Gut health refers to the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and the diversity, composition, and function of the gut microbiome.
What is gut health?
There is no consensus definition of gut health, but the term generally refers to the health or disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; the diversity, composition, and function of the gut microbiome; and the ways in which these factors may influence nutrient absorption, GI distress, and other diseases or disorders.
How could diet affect gut health?
Long-term dietary patterns shape the gut microbiome. Gut microbes produce energy by fermenting microbe-accessible carbohydrates, which are found in most fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. Diets rich in these types of foods are associated with high levels of gut microbiome diversity and a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Short-term dietary changes can also change the composition of the gut microbiome, and in some cases, elimination diets are used to reduce the symptoms of certain digestive disorders.
Which supplements are of most interest for gut health?
Probiotics are some of the most widely studied supplements for gut health. They reduce some of the digestive symptoms associated with antibiotics, food borne illness, IBS, and IBD. Peppermint oil has also been shown to reduce IBS-associated abdominal pain in a number of studies. The evidence for other supplements, including digestive enzymes, collagen, and glutamine, is less compelling.
Examine Database: Gut Health
Research FeedRead all studies
The effect of a wild-food only diet on the microbiomeNew
In this case study, a man ate entirely wild foods for 4 weeks. The diet resulted in weight loss and large changes to his gut microbiome.
Oats vs. rice for gastrointestinal and cardiometabolic healthNew
Can a low-FODMAP diet improve gastrointestinal symptoms in endometriosis?
Can psyllium improve laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms?
Does N-acetylcysteine reduce diarrhea from a rotavirus infection?
Does resistance exercise reduce intestinal permeability?
Probiotics reduced diarrhea from chemotherapy
Amino acid supplements may improve quality of life for cystic fibrosis
Can supplements reduce exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms?
The restore diet: An attempt to alter the gut microbiome to improve health
Can tart cherry juice help with ulcerative colitis?
Low-FODMAP diets and intestinal microbiota
Saccharomyces boulardii improves H. pylori eradication rate
Vitamin E’s effect on LDL cholesterol and gut microbiota composition
What factors increase the risk of having irritable bowel syndrome?
Frequently asked questions
What is gut health?
There is no consensus definition of gut health, but the term generally refers to the health or disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; the diversity, composition, and function of the gut microbiome; and the ways in which these factors may influence nutrient absorption, GI distress, and other diseases or disorders.
Why is gut health important?
Quick answer:
Gut health is important because the digestive tract plays a key role in nutrient absorption and immunity, and the gut microbiome influences overall health and disease.
The digestive tract plays essential roles in both nutrient absorption and immunity, and the gut microbiome may influence many other aspects of health and disease. Changes in gut health can influence the body’s ability to fight off infections and obtain nutrients from the diet, and can also affect quality of life.
Can gut health change over time?
Quick answer:
Gut health can change over time because reduced stomach acid and enzyme production, microbiome shifts, and conditions like inflammatory bowel disease can cause fluctuations in gut function and stability.
The production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes can decline in older adults, while the risk of colorectal cancer rises with age. The diversity and stability of the gut microbiome also changes over time as a result of age and lifestyle changes, though this hasn’t been directly linked to health or disease. Some gastrointestinal diseases, like IBD, will go through stages of flare and remission throughout life.
Which physician specialties are involved in treating gut health?
Quick answer:
Gastroenterologists treat digestive diseases, whereas dietitians offer nutrition therapy for related dietary restrictions.
Gastroenterologists treat diseases of the digestive system. Registered dietitians can provide medical nutrition therapy for people with food restrictions due to certain digestive diseases.
What does gut health encompass?
Quick answer:
Gut health encompasses the function of the digestive tract as well as the composition and function of the gut microbiome.
Gut health encompasses the function of the digestive tract, which can be affected by organic diseases that damage the tissue (like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)) or functional diseases that only disrupt the action of the gut (like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)). Gut health also includes the composition and function of the gut microbiome, which is the collection of microbes and their genetic material in the intestinal environment. A number of lifestyle factors affect the structure and function of both the digestive tract and the gut microbiome.
How could diet affect gut health?
Plant-based diets are associated with gut microbiome diversity and a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Short-term dietary changes can also shift the microbiome composition, and elimination diets help to ease symptoms of certain digestive disorders.
Long-term dietary patterns shape the gut microbiome. Gut microbes produce energy by fermenting microbe-accessible carbohydrates, which are found in most fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. Diets rich in these types of foods are associated with high levels of gut microbiome diversity and a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Short-term dietary changes can also change the composition of the gut microbiome, and in some cases, elimination diets are used to reduce the symptoms of certain digestive disorders.
Which supplements are of most interest for gut health?
Strong evidence suggests that probiotics can alleviate digestive symptoms from antibiotics, foodborne illnesses, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease. Peppermint oil can also reduce abdominal pain in IBS.
Probiotics are some of the most widely studied supplements for gut health. They reduce some of the digestive symptoms associated with antibiotics, food borne illness, IBS, and IBD. Peppermint oil has also been shown to reduce IBS-associated abdominal pain in a number of studies. The evidence for other supplements, including digestive enzymes, collagen, and glutamine, is less compelling.