Within the framework of World Microbiome Daywhich is celebrated today, specialists seek to make visible the importance of the billions of microorganisms, among bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, archaea and parasites, that live in the body and whose balanced coexistence means that the body maintains health, since it connects the intestine with the brain and protects against acute infections and chronic diseases.
The Ipsos Global Health Services Monitor conducted a digestive health study in Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. The survey showed, for the first of these countries, that among the main conclusions, in the last 12 months, 66% of Argentines had at least one digestive discomfort.
The study, which was carried out in the month of April with a representative methodology regarding the distribution of the population of Argentina in regions, mainly in AMBA (53%) and other cities (47%), of different socioeconomic level, age and sex , revealed that among the most common digestive conditions are firstly, discomfort due to flatulence (35%), discomfort due to stomach symptoms (24%); diarrhea (22%) and lack of energy due to digestive discomfort (19%).
The study also revealed that the 14% of the people who participated in the sample “very often” presented symptoms of imbalance in the intestinal microbiota during the last year. 35% suffer from it “often” while almost half of people (51%) rarely feel discomfort due to this type of imbalance in the intestinal flora or intestinal dysbiosis.
Meanwhile, the same work detected that, in Colombia, 84% of those surveyed said they suffered from digestive discomfort, due to the imbalance of the intestinal flora. Men and women, between 35 and 44 years old, are the ones who suffer the most from this type of ailment.
In that country, 72% of people said they had experienced at least one condition related to digestive health in the last 12 months, with an average of three conditions per person.
The most common digestive complaints include general discomfort due to digestive discomfort (42%), various digestive complaints such as constipation, vomiting and abdominal bloating (39%), and diarrhea (38%). Additionally, 27% of respondents reported lack of energy related to digestive problems.
In Ecuador, The study detected that 61% had at least one condition of digestive discomfort. 30% indicated that they suffered general discomfort due to digestive health; digestive discomfort (e.g., constipation, vomiting, abdominal distension) was present in 27%; diarrhea 22%; lack of energy due to digestive discomfort, 19%; intestinal flora imbalance 17%; disordered diet that affects my digestion by 15%; skin problems due to digestive discomfort 11%; lack of immunity due to digestive discomfort, 9%.
“It is necessary to raise awareness about the importance of self-care to avoid an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota that generates digestive discomfort, headaches and loss of energy.
To maintain a healthy balance in the intestinal flora there are two keys to self-care, the intake of foods rich in prebiotics such as: garlic, onion, leek, asparagus, banana, oats, etc. and the consumption of probiotics which is found in fermented foods such as yogurt, apple cider vinegar, pickles, cabbage, among others,” said the doctor. María Claudia Cruz, (MN:52869312) Digestive medical manager at Sanofi CHC
Alteration of the intestinal microbiota can occur for various reasons, including allergic intolerance to certain foods or intestinal infections.
Other factors, perhaps less known, that produce the disturbance may be the following:
- Excessive consumption of foods high in saturated fats
- Excess alcoholic beverages
- tobacco
- Stress
- lack of exercise
“The balance of the intestinal microbiota is essential for digestive health. Maintaining the correct level and diversity of microorganisms helps prevent the growth of bacteria harmful to the body. Effective treatments include probiotic supplements that contain Bacillus clausii, resistant to gastric acids and bile salts, which contribute to restoring the balance of the intestinal flora and, as a consequence, strengthening the intestinal barrier and improving immune function, reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. It is also effective for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics, by restoring the balance of the intestinal microbiota,” added Cruz.
In the Ipsos survey, 35% of Argentines said that when faced with intestinal discomfort, they resort to home remedies, while 24% look for any type of over-the-counter medication that helps them reduce the symptoms, only 14% use over-the-counter probiotic supplements.
This means that the intake of probiotics in food or as supplements could be one of the ways to improve the digestive health of Argentines.
Why do stress, lack of exercise, excessive consumption of foods high in saturated fats, excess alcoholic beverages and tobacco affect the balance of the intestinal microbiota? Infobae.
“Any change in routine has the potential to affect the balance of my intestinal flora. The intestinal flora of each individual it is unique and its balance is based on the routine we follow, whether or not we exercise, how we eat, whether we drink water, where we live, what diseases we have and what medications we take. This means that any change in this routine can affect the diversity and/or quantity of good microorganisms (or bacteria) that we have in the intestine. The imbalance and the corresponding symptoms occur when these changes exceed the adaptation capacity of my intestinal flora, That is, I cannot adapt to this change in routine and my intestinal flora becomes unbalanced,” Cruz explained.
And he remarked: “The first thing is to confirm some type of intestinal symptoms and in retrospect, see any risk factors mentioned, as associated with the appearance of these symptoms. In this case, it is very likely to determine that my intestinal flora is unbalanced and, to restore it, the recommendation is to use probiotics.”
