Dietitians Tackle Misinformation About Digestive Health

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How to keep your digestive system healthy is such a hot topic these days -- with questions about probiotics, gluten-free diets and other matters -- that registered dietitians and nutritionists have a lot of information to keep up on.

Part of their task is to help clients move past any misconceptions they might have about food intake and the body’s reaction, as an article in the April 2011 issue of Today’s Dietitian pointed out.

Titled “Cracking Myths -- Experts Bust Digestive Health’s Top Misconceptions,” the article noted that Americans seem to be “a little preoccupied with their gut.” The good news is that many people are taking more care with their food choices and listening to doctors’ advice on digestive matters. The not-so-good news is the public’s tendency to fall for products touting better digestive health, even when those products don’t have solid scientific data in their favor.

Dietitian Sharon Palmer interviewed a number of experts for their take on various myths. Here are just a few of those misconceptions and the evidence to dispel them:

“Spicy foods cause ulcers.” In reality, said Kate Scarlata, RD, LDN, the more likely causes are either Helicobacter pylori bacteria or overuse of pain medications -- like aspirin and ibuprofen -- which irritate the stomach lining. “Spicy foods may aggravate an ulcer but not cause it,” said Scarlata, who wrote The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Well With IBS.

“You must detox to clean your gut.” This myth has prompted many people to try “detox” and “cleanse” diets, fasts, supplements and enemas. But the fad is a source of confusion, said one expert, and the human body does just fine with its own detoxification system, starting with the lungs and lymphatic system and moving through to the kidneys, colon and liver. The idea that a change in diet can release toxins stored in organs and fatty tissues is not supported by science, the article stated.

“A gluten allergy is the cause of all my troubles.” If only it were that easy to pinpoint the cause of not just digestive distress, but also general aches, pains and fatigue. Supermarkets and restaurants would come to our rescue with even more kinds of gluten-free foods. Those diagnosed with celiac disease should, of course, go on gluten-free diets, said Jeannie Gazzaniga-Moloo, PhD, RD, national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, adding that non-celiac gluten sensitivity and a wheat allergy might also be reasons to avoid gluten in foods. “But people are increasingly eliminating gluten without a proper diagnosis for one of these conditions. Thus, they may be unnecessarily missing out on an opportunity to eat healthful, tasty whole grains,” the article noted.

Palmer’s article also tries to sort fact from fiction regarding fiber supplements and probiotics. The colorectal benefits of fiber have been proven, but most studies have involved fiber found in whole foods, not isolated fibers. Thus, it’s not guaranteed that fiber supplements are better for you than whole-food sources. As for probiotics, the article gives three useful tips: make sure the bacteria in the probiotic is alive when consumed, look for a product with a documented health benefit, and take the probiotic at levels that will achieve the desired effects for you.

For more discussion on digestive health myths, see the full article at http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/040511p24.shtml

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.