Digestion and Inflammation
The gut is our most intimate interface with the world. so if digestion goes awry, few dysfunctions are harder to bear.
Which means the modern prevalence of digestive distress is true cause for alarm. An estimated 60 to 70 million Americans, roughly one in five, are affected by all gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, resulting in over 48 million ambulatory care visits annually.(2)
The etiology of GI dysfunction can be complex, but inappropriate levels of inflammatory cytokines have been associated with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions.(3)
A Simpler Answer
Digestive hygiene is a broad, somewhat controversial subject; for example, adherents of paleo and vegan diets may have very different ideas about how to restore and support digestive health. So let me offer something simpler. These natural compounds – compatible with virtually any dietary regime – have long been favored by traditional healers, and contemporary scientific investigation is now confirming their benefit for digestive health:
- Arabinogalactan: These polysaccharides are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom, being abundant in carrots, radishes, pears, corn, tomatoes and coconuts amongst others. Arabinogalactan is often extracted from the larch tree (Larix occidentalis) for use in dietary supplements as they appear to modulate immune function.(4)
- Aloe Vera Gel: This gel extract from the popular desert succulent was shown to significantly decrease both Simple Clinical Colitis Activity and histological scores in a clinical trial for ulcerative colitis and “appeared to be safe.”(5) It was also shown to ease heartburn and related symptoms such as flatulence, belching and nausea in a pilot study of 79 people with gastroesophageal reflux diagnosed by endoscopy.(6)
- Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) Root: This traditional digestive remedy was associated with protection against pyloric-induced peptic ulcer in animal models.(7) It is still widely used in Europe where it is recognized as a traditional herbal medicinal product by the European Union for use as a “demulcent preparation for the symptomatic relief of mild gastrointestinal discomfort.”(8)
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Root Extract: Turmeric has long been used for improving the health of the GI tract. Curcumin, one of turmeric’s most bioactive constituents, has been shown to be an especially powerful anti-inflammatory, outstripping both aspirin and ibuprofen in the ability to suppress transcription factor NF-kappaB.(7)
For my patients who experience a wide range of GI discomforts, I often recommend a blend of these herbs. I believe it’s a rare GI disorder that does not have inappropriate inflammation as one of its component, and using different substances simultaneously can address that inflammation via multiple pathways.