A big welcome to the October 2024 edition of CMG Topic Series, where we look at digestive health. A healthy and well-functioning digestive system is essential for digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, secretion of water and enzymes, and excretion of waste products.
Digestive Health
By Dr Brad McEwen PhD, MHSc (Hum Nutr), MPH, BHSc
CMG Head of Products and Innovation
The gastrointestinal system comprises the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs. The gastrointestinal tract consists of the oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The accessory organs include the teeth, tongue, and glandular organs such as salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Each of these organs plays a specific role in the digestive system. The main functions of the gastrointestinal system include ingestion and digestion of food, nutrient absorption, secretion of water and enzymes, and excretion of waste products.
The processes of digestion and nutrient absorption are characterised by their spatiotemporal dynamics and involve intricate enzymatic and transport mechanisms. These processes are essential for the survival of living organisms and have developed into a highly specialised function of the gastrointestinal system. In essence, digestion encompasses multiple stages, including oral and gastric digestion, enzymatic action in the intestine facilitated by pancreatic enzymes, hydrolysis at the brush border, and ultimately, the absorption of nutrients and their subsequent metabolism within enterocytes.
Gastrointestinal disorders can impact various regions of the digestive tract, extending from the oral cavity to the anal canal, and may arise from a multitude of factors. Notable conditions within the digestive system include oesophageal dysmotility, oesophagitis, gastritis, Gilbert syndrome, gastroenteritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, generalised bloating, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, among others.
A variety of herbal medicines and nutrients contribute to the improvement of the digestive system through both direct and indirect mechanisms. The following examples illustrate various herbal medicines and nutrients that can be incorporated into your products. Contact CMG to discuss NPD opportunities for digestive health and other products.
Digexin®
Digexin® is a blend of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root and Hibiscus esculentus (Okra) fruit. Digexin® offers unique digestive support addressing the symptoms of gut health issues from the digestive system to the brain. Gastrointestinal health is a complex interplay between physical symptoms and emotional wellbeing.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to establish a proof-of concept evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of digexin® in relieving constipation and improving quality of life in adults. At the end of the 2-week study, digexin® subjects showed:
- Reduction in diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, reflux discomfort
- Improved complete spontaneous bowel movement and bowel performance
- Reduction in stress level
- Improvement in physical function and energy
- Improved sleep quality (awakening from sleep, behaviour following wakefulness, getting to sleep)
- Significant increases in serum serotonin, gastrin, and interleukin-10
- Decrease in interleukin-6 and cortisol levels
- Reduced physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, dissatisfaction, and worries and concerns
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to re-evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of digexin® in alleviating gastrointestinal distress and associated gastrointestinal factors in a larger number of subjects with functional constipation supplemented over an extended period.
This study evaluated gastrointestinal transit time, assessed depression and anxiety levels, and measured serum inflammatory modulators and neuroendocrine factors that modulate gastrointestinal functions to investigate further the effect on psychological and neuroendocrinological factors integral to gastrointestinal dysfunction aetiology and progression.
At the end of the 2-month study, people in the digexin® group showed:
- Reduction in abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, and reflux
- Reduced gastrointestinal transit time
- Improved complete spontaneous bowel movement and bowel performance
- Improved intestinal integrity (reduced serum zonulin)
- Improved sleep quality (awakening from sleep, behaviour following wakefulness, getting to sleep)
- Improved inflammatory modulation (reduced serum IL-6 and increased IL-10)
- Increased gastrin and serotonin serum levels
- Decreased serum cortisol
- Reduced depression and anxiety scores
- Reduced physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, dissatisfaction, and worries and concerns
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a widely utilised herb known for its various beneficial properties. It is particularly recognized for its nootropic effects, which enhance memory, cognitive function, concentration, attention, and overall mood. As an adaptogen, Ashwagandha aids the body in managing stress, thereby alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, while also promoting better sleep quality. Stress disrupts the digestive process and may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Additionally, it can play a role in the onset of irritable bowel syndrome and various other digestive disorders. An excessive amount of stress hinders the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Ashwagandha has tonic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties. Research has shown that Ashwagandha can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, fatigue, and recovery.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a multipurpose versatile herb recognised for its various applications in cognitive and mental health. Lemon Balm has beneficial properties for digestion and exhibits antispasmodic and carminative properties. Furthermore, it is known to enhance memory, cognitive function and performance, mood, and improves stress and anxiety.
An open-label study found that after 15 days, Lemon Balm reduced insomnia, time taken to get to sleep, delayed insomnia (e.g. early awakening at dawn), anxiety, agitation, tension, and feelings of guilt, along with an improvement of fatigue.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a therapeutic herb with a 2,000-year history of use. It is native of the Mediterranean and North African regions. Milk thistle contains a mixture of flavonolignans (silybin, silydianin, and silychristin) collectively known as silymarin. Silybin is a component with the greatest degree of biological activity and makes up 50% to 70% of silymarin. Silymarin is found in the entire plant, but it is concentrated in the fruit and seeds.
Milk thistle is known as a hepatoprotective herb. Silymarin acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production and lipid peroxidation, has anti-inflammatory activity, has antifibrotic activity, and may act as a toxin blockade agent by inhibiting binding of toxins to the hepatocyte cell membrane receptors. The antifibrotic activity could be due to inducing the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells or inducing degradation of collagen deposits.
Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, memory enhancing, anti-depressant and wound healing properties. Turmeric is used for inflammation, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal disorders, Crohn’s disease, liver conditions, cardiovascular disease, cardiometabolic disease, hyperlipidaemia, depression, osteoarthritis, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and pain.
Active Folate
Active Folate (5-MTHF) is emphasised in this discussion due to its multiple functions within the human body, where it may play an indirect role in improving issues related to digestive issues. Active Folate (5-MTHF) is essential for normal healthy growth and development and plays a critical role in cell growth and division. Active Folate is involved in one-carbon metabolism, methylation processes, neurotransmitter synthesis, metabolism of homocysteine, and endothelial cell function.
The classical symptom of folate deficiency is megaloblastic anaemia. A deficiency of folate disrupts DNA synthesis and methylation and results in reduced DNA synthesis and altered cell division, altered synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, peripheral neuropathy, anaemia, cardiovascular diseases, hyperhomocysteinaemia, depression, and cognitive dysfunction and decline.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) plays a significant role in various aspects of health, including coagulation, vascular health, bone health, brain health, and brain signalling. Vitamin K2 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Vitamin K2 has shown beneficial effects in reducing arterial stiffness and vascular calcification.
Menaquinone-7 has numerous clinical applications, some of these include osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, arterial stiffness, coronary and vascular calcification, type 2 diabetes, and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Chromium
Chromium plays a significant role in the metabolic processes of carbohydrates, glucose, lipids, proteins, and insulin. Additionally, it enhances the efficiency of insulin in the body and can potentiate insulin action. Chromium associates with an oligopeptide to create chromodulin, a low-molecular-weight substance that binds to chromium. This compound subsequently binds to and activates the insulin receptor, thereby enhancing insulin action.
Magnesium
Magnesium ranks among the most well-known and favourite minerals, playing a crucial role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of ATP, DNA, and RNA, mitochondrial health, metabolic functions, energy metabolism, metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fats, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation. Magnesium is involved in nerve function, neurotransmission, neurotransmitters, nitric oxide metabolism, regulation of intracellular calcium levels, and transmembrane electrolyte flux.
In the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, magnesium is involved in the relaxation of smooth muscle, normal muscle function, muscle contraction, muscle relaxation, bone strength, bone metabolism, bone mineralisation, bone mineral density, and bone integrity. Magnesium is involved in the maintenance of normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, and the immune system.
A deficiency of magnesium has been associated with muscle spasms, nervousness, depression, fatigue, anxiety, apathy, agitation, and irritability.
Zinc
Zinc is highlighted in this context because of its various roles within the human body, where it may indirectly improve digestive problems. Zinc is involved in for catalytic, structural, and regulatory functions. This essential mineral is a constituent of approximately 300 enzymes and plays a critical role in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, regulation of gene expression, maintenance of cell structure, facilitation of neurotransmission, neuromodulator in synaptic vesicles, and supports brain function. It is involved in the enhancement of immune system health, promotion of cardiovascular wellbeing, and exhibits both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Zinc is absorbed throughout the whole small intestine and its uptake and absorption in the small intestine serves as a primary mechanism for maintaining the systemic balance and homeostasis of this essential trace mineral.
Probiotics
Probiotics have a beneficial role in improving physical and mental health. Probiotics are involved in the modulation of microbiota within the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Probiotics are clinically indicated for their application in several areas, including digestive health, overall mental health, depression, anxiety, mood, stress, post-partum depression and anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognitive function and memory, sleep quality, fatigue, anger, aggression, system inflammation and oxidative stress. Probiotics mediate their anti-inflammatory effects via the modulation of proinflammatory cytokines and restoration of gut permeability.
Conclusion
A healthy digestive system is essential for maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. A healthy and well-functioning digestive system is essential for digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, secretion of water and enzymes, and excretion of waste products. A variety of herbal medicines and nutrients facilitate the improvement of digestive health through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Notable examples of these include digexin®, Ashwagandha, Lemon Balm, Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Active Folate, Vitamin K2, Chromium, Magnesium, Zinc, and probiotics. Contact CMG to discuss NPD opportunities for your brand.
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For information purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. If symptoms persist, talk to a health professional.