4.4 The Nurse’s Role in the Promotion of Gut Health
3 min read•june 18, 2024
is crucial for overall well-being, affecting everything from to . The balance of our digestive system and gut plays a key role in maintaining proper bodily functions and preventing chronic diseases.
Nurses need to understand how diet, , and various conditions impact gut health. By recognizing these factors, they can better support patients in maintaining a healthy gut and addressing related health issues.
Gut Health and the Role of Nurses
Concept of gut health homeostasis
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Top images from around the web for Concept of gut health homeostasis
Interaction between drugs and the gut microbiome | Gut View original
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4.2 Gut Microbiome and the Brain – Neuroscience: Canadian 1st Edition Open Textbook View original
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Balance and stability of the digestive system and gut microbiome maintains proper digestion, absorption, and elimination of nutrients while supporting a healthy gut barrier function
Gut health is crucial for overall well-being as it significantly influences immune system function, with 70-80% of immune cells residing in the gut and the gut microbiome helping train and regulate immune responses
Proper gut health affects nutrient absorption and utilization, ensuring the body receives essential nutrients for optimal functioning
Gut health impacts mental health through the , where the gut microbiome communicates with the central nervous system, and imbalances have been linked to mood disorders, anxiety, and depression
Maintaining gut health homeostasis contributes to chronic disease prevention, including , type 2 , cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers
The plays a crucial role in regulating gut function and communicating with the central nervous system
Dietary influences on gut microbiome
, non-digestible plant fibers found in foods like garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, and bananas, feed beneficial gut bacteria and promote their growth and activity
, live microorganisms found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, help restore and maintain a healthy gut microbiome balance when consumed
Consuming a diverse range of nutrient-dense foods supports a diverse and resilient gut microbiome while providing essential nutrients for optimal digestive function
Processed and high-sugar foods can disrupt the gut microbiome balance, promoting the growth of harmful bacteria and , and have been linked to increased ()
A diet rich in diverse plant-based foods promotes , which is associated with better overall health outcomes
Medication effects on gut health
can disrupt the gut microbiome balance by killing beneficial bacteria, potentially leading to and infections, but may help restore the gut microbiome after antibiotic use
(PPIs) reduce stomach acid production, altering digestive processes, and long-term use may lead to nutrient malabsorption (vitamin B12, magnesium) and increased risk of enteric infections and C. difficile
can cause gastrointestinal irritation, increase intestinal permeability, and may lead to ulcers, bleeding, and inflammation in the digestive tract, with risks increasing with higher doses and prolonged use
can slow down and cause , potentially leading to intestinal blockages and bacterial overgrowth, and chronic use can result in
Gut health vs pathological conditions
(IBD), including and , is characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract and associated with gut microbiome imbalances (), and may benefit from dietary modifications and probiotic supplementation
(IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting bowel habits and causing abdominal pain, is linked to gut microbiome alterations and increased intestinal permeability, and may improve with a low- and stress management techniques
, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption, leads to damage of the small intestine lining and nutrient malabsorption, requiring strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for management
Metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, are associated with gut microbiome imbalances that may contribute to low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance, and prebiotic and probiotic interventions may help improve metabolic health
Factors affecting gut health
influences the growth of different bacterial species and affects nutrient absorption
is essential for protecting the gut lining from harmful substances and
Stress can impact gut motility and alter the balance of gut bacteria, potentially leading to digestive issues