Introduction

The gut system is where food is being consumed and digested in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and excreted out of the body. The acids and gastric juices from the gut turn the food into particles where the nutrients and vitamins are being transferred throughout the entire body while ensuring that each of the central systems is working correctly. From the immune system, central nervous system, the endocrine system to the muscle tissues and the cellular structure needs the gut as it helps regulate the functions that the body goes through. When disruptors start to attack the stomach, it can cause inflammatory symptoms like IBD, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis to cause havoc to the intestinal permeability causing the individual to be in constant pain. In this 2 part series, we will be looking at how IBD affects the other organs and what kind of treatments can dampen IBD symptoms. Part 1 looked at the pathophysiology of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and how its symptoms affect the gut system. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

 

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

How IBD Affects The Other Organs

 

Part 1 showed the pathophysiology of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease and how it affects the gut system. IBD is a progressive chronic inflammatory disease that can spread all over the small and large intestines. Studies have found that IBD results from the interaction between both genetic and environmental factors that can influence the body’s immune response. IBD does split off into two chronic diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, even though they have the same symptoms like causing digestive disorders and inflammation in the intestines. When inflammation is in its chronic state, it can cause anybody to be in constant pain in the body. This is due to various factors that have entered the body and attached themselves to the gut permeability, causing the immune system to attack the permeability wall causing toxins and bacteria to leak out, and causing more problems to the body. Other research studies have found that IBD can affect the other organs in the body as IBD is frequently associated with the development of extraintestinal manifestations. Extraintestinal manifestations are common in IBD that involve almost all the organ systems in the body, causing them to contribute to morbidity in many individuals with IBD.

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An Overview Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD or inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the digestive system’s gut and intestines. The signs and symptoms of an individual with IBD will vary on how severe it is. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can spread out all over the small and large intestines causing chronic inflammation to affect the intestinal walls and causing individual pain either gradually or suddenly, depending on the severity of the symptoms. There are treatments for IBD to dampen the chronic inflammatory effects in the intestines and provide relief to those who have IBD.

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Treatments For IBD

Research studies have found that the goal to treat IBD is to reduce inflammation that triggers the IBD signs and symptoms in the body. By incorporating anti-inflammatory treatments into the body, anybody dealing with IBD will have relief from the inflammatory symptoms, have a long-term remission, and have a reduced risk of complications from popping up in the future. Other research studies have shown that even though there is no cure for IBD at the moment, reducing the symptoms, achieving and maintaining remission, and preventing complications can lower inflammation from IBD and even provide relief to other chronic issues that are causing the body pain. Some of the treatments to decrease IBD inflammation can include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Anti-inflammatory diet
• Reducing stress
• Avoid smoking
• Exercise
• Meditation

 

Curcumin & IBD

Curcumin is a yellow-colored root that is the primary substance in turmeric that has exceptional anti-inflammatory properties that can dampen the effects of IBD inflammation. Research studies have shown that even though IBD is a chronic relapsing-remitting condition, it is driven by inflammatory cytokines. When individuals take curcumin, its antioxidant effects can dampen it. Since inflammatory cytokines are driving IBD, the NF-kappaB receptor is a critical factor in upregulating these cytokines, which causes a high profile in inflammatory diseases. Other research studies have shown that certain natural products like curcumin provide anti-inflammatory properties that can help lower the inflammation involved with intestinal inflammatory diseases. Curcumin can help the digestive system by improving the intestinal barrier function from IBD. Its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties can potentially alter the intestinal microbiome back to its original function.

 

Omega-3s & IBD

 

Research studies have found that incorporating omega-3 in a diet can help lower the inflammatory effects of IBD in the body. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can resolve the inflammation process of IBD by reducing oxidative stress, decreasing the expression of adhesion molecules, and can work as a chemopreventive agent in the body. Other research studies have shown that when individuals suffering from IBD or ulcerative colitis take omega-3s daily as part of their diet, it will reduce intestinal inflammation and induce and maintain clinical remission. Omega-3s have beneficial effects when lowering inflammation in the body since they can also reduce proinflammatory cytokines that trigger IBD symptoms. Many individuals taking omega-3s daily will be able to prevent and treat IBD symptoms from coming back again.

 

Conclusion

All in all, IBD is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes inflammatory symptoms to the gut and the intestines to be in pain. Since the gut system provides nutrients and minerals from digested food, the body and other organ systems need these nutrients to ensure that the body is functioning correctly. When chronic diseases like IBD affect the gut and the intestines, the individual will begin to feel the pain coming from their gut, and if it is not treated right away, it can become life-threatening. Utilizing anti-inflammatory treatments like incorporating curcumin and omega-3s into their diet can help lower inflammation in the gut. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, exercising, and changing lifestyle habits can benefit many individuals on their wellness journey and become pain-free without worrying about chronic inflammation.

 

References

Barbalho, Sandra Maria, et al. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Really Help?” Annals of Gastroenterology, Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700845/.

Burge, Kathryn, et al. “Curcumin and Intestinal Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms of Protection.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 18 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514688/.

Chams, Sana, et al. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Looking beyond the Tract.” International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, SAGE Publications, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6685113/.

Hanai, Hiroyuki, and Ken Sugimoto. “Curcumin Has Bright Prospects for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Current Pharmaceutical Design, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2009, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19519446/.

Leonard, Jayne. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 13 Apr. 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316395.

Marton, Ledyane Taynara, et al. “Omega Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: An Overview.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 30 Sept. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6801729/.

Seyedian, Seyed Saeid, et al. “A Review of the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment Methods of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Journal of Medicine and Life, Carol Davila University Press, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6685307/.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353320.

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