By Dr. Andrea Del Seppia, Nutritionist
Colitis
Frequent in the modern population, related to nutritional factors, is irritable bowel syndrome, better known as colitis; a functional problem with a chronic course, characterized by abdominal pain / discomfort and swelling, in association with intestinal irregularity. Often we seek remedies that help to calm the symptoms by relying on people who do not have the necessary professionalism or tests without scientific validation, without contacting health professionals to evaluate their causes and remedies, including nutritional, often resolutive. These are some recurring causes.
Lactose intolerance
Due to the lack of the enzyme beta galactosidase which does not allow to assimilate this sugar present in dairy products, which fermented by the intestinal bacterial flora induces production of gas (hydrogen and methane) with consequent abdominal swellings. We recommend a diet with foods with a low concentration of lactose, but not total exclusion, which would not stimulate the production of beta galactosidase by the intestine.
Milk protein allergy
The allergy to cow’s milk, on the other hand, is a very common disorder in children, since they possess a greater intestinal permeability than adults.
The symptoms of this allergy mainly present: diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, an element that makes it possible to differentiate the diagnosis from lactose intolerance.
What most frequently generates the adverse reaction is the protein called beta-lactoglobulin follows the alpha-lactalbulmin and finally the casein.
The only way to make the consumption of milk harmless to individuals who show this type of allergy, is the 110 ° heat treatment, which determines the complete denaturation of the immunogenic molecules, thus preventing any allergic manifestation.
In this case it is indicated to definitively exclude from the diet all types of dairy products including those without lactose.
Gluten
Lipoprotein substance used in high concentrations in flours. It is often implicated in cases of intolerance such as celiac disease, with consequences of intestinal malabsorption, meteorism, irregularity of the vein, weight loss, dermatitis. The framework should be evaluated with specific laboratory and endoscopic examinations and treated with an aglutinated diet.
In non-celiac patients, but with irritable bowel, a low-gluten diet may have improved effects.
Cereals refinement
Using cereals with a reduced refining process such as spelled and kamut (bread, pasta …) are more assimilable and digestible. Many people experience digestive difficulties and related gastrointestinal swelling with large-scale durum wheat flour.
Disbiosys
A non-balanced intestinal bacterial population is often a factor, underestimated, a cause of intestinal irregularity and meteorism. This problem of dysbiosis “SIBO” should be evaluated with a breath test called Breath Test. An integration with specific probiotic milk enzymes can help restore the correct intestinal balance under evaluation by the specialist gastroenterologist, who can decide whether to associate a suitable antibiotic therapy.
