Gut Health - Nutrients promote regularity, reduce chances of disease

Pre- and probiotics improve regularity in cerebral palsy

Those with cerebral palsy (CP) have weakened muscles and impaired movement. Chronic constipation manifests in three out of four. In this study, 37 children with CP and chronic constipation took a placebo, 100 million colony-forming units of lactobacillus reuteri alone, 4 grams of inulin alone, or these pro- and prebiotics together.

After 28 days, with no change for placebo, both pre- and probiotic groups had better regularity, less painful bowel movements, and less fecal mass in the rectum. Stool consistency improved for prebiotics, and probiotics increased stool acidity—a lower pH level—due to probiotic antimicrobial effects, which inhibited pathogens from adhering to intestinal linings.

Reference: Nutrients; 2020, Vol. 12, No. 10, 2971

Nutrients may reduce colorectal cancer

A healthy diet can reduce chances for colorectal cancer (CRC). This master analysis covered 80 systemic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials, excluding those at high risk for CRC, and observational studies of diet and medicinal factors, worldwide between 1980 and 2019.

Medicinal factors included acetaminophen, aspirin, NSAIDs, and statins; and dietary factors included alcohol, coffee, dairy, fiber, fish, fruits, meat, supplements, tea, vegetables, and vitamins.

Overall findings: magnesium of at least 255 mg per day reduced chances for CRC by 23 percent compared to low magnesium levels; folic acid lowered chances up to 15 percent; dairy up to 19 percent compared to no dairy; and soy up to 15 percent compared to no soy. Red and processed meats raised CRC chances up to 14 percent, and high alcohol use also raised chances.

Doctors said the findings are preliminary due to differences in study design.

Reference: BMJ Gut; 2020, Vol. 69, No. 12, 2244