Have you recently suffered from any gastrointestinal complaints such as poor digestion, halitosis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or frequent diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence or the poor absorption of nutrients? You might have an intestinal dysbiosis, or rather a qualitative and quantitative imbalance of the intestinal microbiota which could be caused by stress, poor diet or even by a prolonged course of antibiotics.
In physiological conditions, the intestinal microbiota, or rather all those bacteria that live in our gut, is in balance and guarantees us a good state of general health and a good immune system. These diminish with the onset of dysbiosis, which can therefore lead to many disturbances (also outside the intestine) such as morning tiredness, sleep disturbances, difficulty losing weight and hair loss. But also infections, like tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, candidiasis, vaginitis and cystitis, skin problems, urinary tract infections, food intolerances or allergies, even dysmetabolism (high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and sugars in the blood).
Dysbiosis also has effects on the central nervous system because the intestine and the brain are connected by a multitude of communication channels used by transmitters and bacterial metabolites. It is not surprising then that depression, anxiety, nervousness, mood swings and even autism have been linked to this condition.
One of the nutritional causes of dysbiosis is a poorly balanced diet, whether in terms of quality (the excessive consumption of saturated fats, simple sugars, sugary drinks and red meats, and a lack of fruit and vegetables) or the distribution of meals throughout the day and methods of eating. It is increasingly common to eat meals fast, chewing little if at all and eating too much in the evening, which puts our digestive system under real stress. Improper eating is often linked to an irregular lifestyle, little exercise and altered sleep patterns which have inevitable negative repercussions on intestinal function.
It also appears that heavy metals (aluminium, mercury and lead), hormones present in intensively bred animal products, pesticides, food colourings and additives such as nitrites all play an important role, which shouldn’t be overlooked. These substances can reach the intestine through the food chain, damaging those useful bacteria and thus encouraging the growth of these pathogens. To combat dysbiosis, rule number one is to reassess our lifestyle, exercising and remembering to drink enough water so as to remain properly hydrated. Rule number two is to base our diet around foods rich in fibre, so seasonal fruits and vegetables, while also being careful not to introduce contaminants that could be toxic for the intestine. It is therefore best to opt for fresh, organic products or, when it comes to pre-packaged foods, to choose those with no colourings or additives.
In addition, in some cases it might be useful to take prebiotics, but be sure to talk to a nutritionist for guidance.
