Bloating and in general digestive problems are rather common and most of them are related to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). 6IBS affects between 15% and 20% of the population in western countries. Women in particular are subject to IBS-related disorders.
Another disorder affecting the digestive tract is the gastro-esophageal reflux. This is also very common nowadays and its main symptom is heartburn. 7In Europe gastro-esophageal reflux affects between 9 and 26% of the population. In terms of prevalence Europe ranks second immediately after North America.
8Unfortunately, gastro-esophageal reflux is one of the major health risk factors immediately after hereditary factors and obesity.
It is not surprising that the incidence of such disorders - strongly related to our lifestyle - is particularly high in Western countries. For many of us, life has become so hectic that it is virtually impossible for us to pay attention to what we eat, when and how!
9Not to mention the influence of psychogenic factors such as excessive anxiety and stress that hinder the correct digestive process. As a consequence, abdominal cramps, heartburn, bloating, nausea and diarrhea often arise.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of IBS often go underestimated and even ignored or considered as simple and temporary stomach aches. Yet, a simple stomach ache that goes on for weeks or months, cannot be considered as "normal".
10Here follows a list of the main IBS-related symptoms:
- chronic abdominal pain and cramps,
- alternating diarrhoea and constipation,
- pain relief after evacuation,
- increased pain after meals,
- change in the volume and appearance of stools,
- abdominal swelling (especially in women),
- stress,
- anxiety and / or depression.
Prevention is a key factor to avoid that initially sporadic disorders become chronic. For your intestines health it is important that you follow a balanced diet, take high quality food supplements when necessary, try to limit sources of stress and do some physical activity in a constant and adequate way.
Experimental Phytotherapy
Enhanced Colonsan Formulation formulation includes: Fennel, Dandelion, Ginger, Mallow and Lemon Balm.
Here follows a number of scientific studies on the active ingredients above.
Fennel
- Eliasvandi P, Khodaie L, Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M. Effect of an herbal capsule on chronic constipation among menopausal women: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2019 Nov-Dec; 9 (6): 517-529. doi: 10.22038 / AJP.2019.13109. PMID: 31763211; PMCID: PMC6823525.
The 2019 study relates the effects of herbal formulations (including fennel extracts) on menopausal women with constipation problems. Compared to the placebo group, the group being treated with the herbal supplement recorded a significant improvement in constipation-related symptoms.
- Alexandrovich I, Rakovitskaya O, Kolmo E, Sidorova T, Shushunov S. The effect of fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) seed oil emulsion in infantile colic: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Jul-Aug; 9 (4): 58-61. PMID: 12868253.
Fennel active principles have also proved to be effective in case of colitis in infants. According to a study published in 2003, remarkable improvements were recorded in a group of infants suffering from colic and treated with Fennel essential oil compared to the group treated with placebo.
Dandelion
- Martinez M, Poirrier P, Chamy R, Prüfer D, Schulze-Gronover C, Jorquera L, Ruiz G. Taraxacum officinale and related species. An ethnopharmacological review and its potential as a commercial medicinal plant. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Jul 1; 169: 244-62. doi: 10.1016 / j.jep.2015.03.067. Epub 2015 Apr 6. PMID: 25858507.
Dandelion (literally "Lion's tooth" from the French Dents-de-Lion) is a wild plant used for centuries in traditional medicine to provide relief from various disorders. In fact, Dandelion contains esquiterpenes, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and complex sugars.
The review analyses a collection of studies on the properties of Dandelion.
Ginger
- Semwal RB, Semwal DK, Combrinck S, Viljoen AM. Gingerols and shogaols: Important nutraceutical principles from ginger. 2015 Sep; 117: 554-568. doi: 10.1016 / j.phytochem.2015.07.012. Epub 2015 Jul 27. PMID: 26228533.
The medicinal properties of ginger - in particular against nausea, arthritis and pain in general - are due to gingerols. The analogues of gingerol are thermally labile and subject to dehydration reactions to form the corresponding shogaoli which give dried Ginger the typical pungent flavor. Both gingerols and shogaols possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties as well as an important biological activity on the central nervous system.
The inclusion of ginger or ginger extracts in nutraceutical formulations could provide valuable protection against diabetes, heart and liver disorders.
- Lakhan SE, Ford CT, Tepper D. Zingiberaceae extracts for pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr J. 2015 May 14; 14: 50. doi: 10.1186 / s12937-015-0038-8. PMID: 25972154; PMCID: PMC4436156.
The review takes into account several studies carried out on the analgesic properties of Zingiberacee extracts (Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamom and others). The conclusions showed that Zingiberaceae extracts are clinically effective hypoalgesic agents (i.e. have significant efficacy in reducing subjective systemic pain). Available data also show a better safety profile compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Mallow
- Gasparetto JC, Martins CA, Hayashi SS, Otuky MF, Pontarolo R. Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L .: a millennial herbal medicine. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012 Feb; 64 (2): 172-89. doi: 10.1111 / j.2042-7158.2011.01383.x. Epub 2011 Nov 4. PMID: 22221093.
Malva sylvestris L., known as common mallow, is a plant native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. In the Mediterranean area, Mallow has been used for ages not only as food, but also for its therapeutic properties. Mallow leaves are reported to have a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. They are also beneficial to the integrity of skin tissue. Recent studies confirm that Mallow also has an anti-ulcerogenic effect. Besides, its aqueous extract is more effective than cimetidine - a powerful medicine used to treat stomach ulcers. Several studies have been carried out on Mallow, given its wide use and functional importance.
Lemon Balm
- Dolatabadi F, Abdolghaffari AH, Farzaei MH, et al. The Protective Effect of Melissa officinalis in Visceral Hypersensitivity in Rat Using 2 Models of Acid-induced Colitis and Stress-induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Possible Role of Nitric Oxide Pathway. J Neurogastroenterol Motil . 2018;24(3):490-501. doi: 10.5056 / jnm17035
The purpose of this study published in 2018 is to evaluate the effects of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on visceral hypersensitivity, defecation pattern and biochemical factors in 2 experimental models of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the possible role of nitric oxide.
Results show that Melissa officinalis may improve IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) by modulating visceral hypersensitivity and defecation. Lemon Balm antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties appear to play a major role in its biological activity.
1 Badgujar SB, Patel VV, Bandivdekar AH. Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:842674. doi:10.1155/2014/842674
2 Martinez M, Poirrier P, Chamy R, Prüfer D, Schulze-Gronover C, Jorquera L, Ruiz G. Taraxacum officinale and related species-An ethnopharmacological review and its potential as a commercial medicinal plant. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Jul 1;169:244-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.067. Epub 2015 Apr 6. PMID: 25858507.
3 Noguchi-Shinohara M, Ono K, Hamaguchi T, et al. Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Melissa officinalis Extract which Contained Rosmarinic Acid in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0126422. Published 2015 May 15. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0126422
4 Gasparetto JC, Martins CA, Hayashi SS, Otuky MF, Pontarolo R. Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L.: a millennial herbal medicine. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012 Feb;64(2):172-89. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01383.x. Epub 2011 Nov 4. PMID: 22221093.
5 Semwal RB, Semwal DK, Combrinck S, Viljoen AM. Gingerols and shogaols: Important nutraceutical principles from ginger. Phytochemistry. 2015 Sep;117:554-568. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.07.012. Epub 2015 Jul 27. PMID: 26228533.
6 Lanng C, Mortensen D, Friis M, Wallin L, Kay L, Boesby S, Jørgensen T. Gastrointestinal dysfunction in a community sample of subjects with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Digestion. 2003;67(1-2):14-9. doi: 10.1159/000069699. PMID: 12743435.
7 El-Serag HB, Sweet S, Winchester CC, Dent J. Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut. 2014 Jun;63(6):871-80. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269. Epub 2013 Jul 13. PMID: 23853213; PMCID: PMC4046948.
8 Chang P, Friedenberg F. Obesity and GERD. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;43(1):161-73. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2013.11.009. Epub 2013 Dec 27. PMID: 24503366; PMCID: PMC3920303.
9 Istituto A.T. Beck - Sindrome del colon irritabile (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - Istitutobeck.com
10 M.I.Cro Onlus - La diagnosi per la Sindrome da Intestino Irritabile - Microibd.it
I nostri testi hanno scopo divulgativo, non vanno intesi come indicazione di diagnosi e cura di stati patologici e non vogliono sostituirsi in alcun modo al parere del Medico.