Why is obesity defined as a disease - and when does it really endanger us?
(Walla system)
The relationship between mental stress and the digestive system at first glance seems confusing.
Apparently, there shouldn't be a connection between the two, but it is very likely that in particularly stressful situations you will experience sensations in your stomach and intestines.
The disruption of the digestive activity is intended to direct resources to what is currently most important to your body - to deal with the stressful event in front of you in the best way possible.
As mentioned, this change can lead to heartburn, diarrhea and constipation, but not only that.
It also affects the narrowing and expanding of the intestine, actions that are considered extremely essential for absorbing the nutrients from the food you put into your body.
The stress also causes you to produce less gastric juices, which also affects the absorption of substances from the food.
This is especially true for the consumption of proteins, which require a more significant breakdown in the stomach.
And if that's not enough, stomach juices also help protect you from bacteria and viruses, which means that a low amount of them in your stomach can increase your chances of getting sick.
Here are the five main signs that you're stressed, and that's what your gut is saying:
A quarter of the population suffers from heartburn once a month.
A woman with heartburn (Photo: ShutterStock)
heartburn
Recurring or unexpected heartburn can be an indicator that you're stressed, but can also cause more anxiety in the long run.
"Heartburn has been linked to stress," Claire Barnes, a nutritionist at Bio-Kult, told the British Mirror.
"Evidence indicates that 25 percent of the general population suffers from heartburn at least once a month."
Heartburn was thought in many cases to be related to excessive stomach acid, but new theories suggest the opposite, that low stomach acid could actually be to blame.
Stomach acid protects against "pathogenic bacteria entering the intestines", so if you have low stomach acid, it allows these bacteria to enter and can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
This in turn can stop the body from absorbing nutrients such as vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, calcium and zinc.
"A lack of these nutrients may lead to changes in the pattern of chemical neurotransmitter production in the brain, which may increase stress and anxiety,"
Abdominal swelling
Almost a third of us are affected by abdominal bloating, but many people also report that they experience bloating not only from food but also when they feel stressed or anxious.
"This is not surprising since when the nervous system is activated in times of stress, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive system. This can cause more food to not be digested in the intestines and to pass through the intestine more slowly, which can cause inflammation and become a food source for our less desirable gut bacteria, which can create more gas." , Claire said.
"Make sure you feel calm before eating and take time away from all distractions so you can concentrate on the meal in front of you and make sure you chew well," Claire added.
The stomach is swollen and not because of the food. A woman holds her stomach (Photo: ShutterStock)
Intestinal motility
"It is known that psychological stress causes bowel dysfunction," said the nutritionist, who admits that there can be many factors that affect bowel motility, which is actually an expression of how quickly the body gets rid of waste.
"The evidence suggests that stress can lead to a change in the gut microbiota (the bacteria in the gut) resulting in increased inflammation."
Eventually this can lead to bowel dysfunction, such as chronic diarrhea or constipation.
Constipation can be triggered by an overgrowth of "bad bacteria" in the gut, which slows down stool clearance - or bad gut bacteria can have the opposite effect and cause diarrhea due to high levels of serotonin.
weight gain
"In recent years, more and more evidence is mounting that stress and an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol, play a role in obesity," Claire said.
This means that your efforts to lose weight or just maintain your current weight may be hampered by stress.
"Cortisol is known to redistribute fat cells to the abdominal area while increasing appetite, especially with cravings for 'comfort foods.' So when you're stressed you may eat more, especially comfort foods that are often less healthy, but your body will also target more fat cells in the belly Yours," Claire said.
"Stress can also affect sleep patterns, often leading to poor sleep. Lack of sleep can further contribute to weight gain as studies show that people who report fewer total hours of sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese."
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To the full article
IBS
IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome is a complex disease that is not easy to diagnose, because its symptoms vary from person to person.
However, researchers believe that stress can be a potential cause of the condition or at least be a major trigger for triggering symptoms.
"Evidence suggests that IBS may have developed as a result of a disruption in the gut microbiota, suggesting that the condition may actually start in the gut," Claire said.
"The symptoms of IBS vary with each person; two of the most commonly reported symptoms are bloating and abdominal pain or cramping, which are often relieved with a bowel movement."
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