Harmless is not Harmless
Health. We've been sold some bologna.
I typed “bologna” into the photo search, expecting to get Oscar Meyer or a fried bologna sandwich picture and what I got was Bologna, Italy. It’s the little things that crack me up. Of course, then I had to check the spelling. I knew it was correct, thanks to Oscar Meyer but hey…… where is my bologna sandwich? Bologna, Italy is prettier.
We were at a dinner and while the guys were busy discussing steak, the women were discussing health challenges. The discussion turned into a discussion about how the OTC everyday remedies that we’ve relied on for decades that may not be so harmless. For example, heartburn remedies. This post is going to focus on one specific situation but there are all kind of examples. The hope and purpose of this article is that the specific example can be used to extrapolate answers to other health puzzles.
This stage is set with a migraine sufferer, maybe in Bologna, Italy, who has been taking Aleve (naproxen) prophylactically for years to combat migraines. There are many things that are done to avoid migraines, caffeine, vitamin B2, propranolol, gabapentin, botox, the list goes on. This is a fairly common way to try to avoid migraines.
Our main character though, a happy, healthy mature adult, suddenly starts experiencing life altering gastrointestinal issues. Use your imagination but life altering. Life has to accommodate these issues to the point where daily activity revolves around a bathroom.
What the heck? Colon cancer? A parasite? A new terrible disease?
No, the daily low dose Aleve has destroyed the mucus lining of the intestine and everything else gut biome related.
Well, obviously the treatment is stop the NSAID (Aleve) use. But then what? Well the medical community recommends stopping the Aleve but then increase fiber and use Imodium (loperamide). Ok.
Eat a banana with a shot of Imodium. Can do.
Except Imodium also destroys the gut biome.
Research indicates that loperamide can induce dysbiosis, altering the composition and diversity of gut bacteria, potentially through direct inhibition of certain bacterial strains, not just by slowing transit time. This disruption may reduce beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are important for gut health. While IMODIUM® helps manage acute diarrhea symptoms by allowing the gut to reabsorb fluids and nutrients , the changes it causes in the microbiome are a noted consideration.
There’s much information on this Substack about gut health. It influences everything, immunity, brain function, moods, energy, sleep…….everything. So the gut biome in our story is destroyed by long term use of Aleve then the answer is fiber (a good thing, necessary to feed the bacteria that keep us humming) and another over the counter remedy that destroys the bacteria.
Hm. I’m going to guess that is not going to work. There may be prescription drugs to treat this problem, but the answer without drugs is repairing the gut biome. If that is not done, it doesn’t matter what else is done, the gut will continue to operate in a manner that is life changing in a bad way.
Notably, one bacteria strain that is destroyed in all of this is a strain responsible for maintaining the mucus lining. One of many to be sure but this particular one can not be supplemented, there is no pill. It is inherent to our systems probably coming to us as very young children. Once destroyed the only way to get it back is rebuilding the gut biome in a way that involves diet. Adding food that nourishes not destroys.
Fiber? Yes but the fiber’s purpose is to feed the bacteria in the gut to keep it alive and active in order to keep us alive and active (and not on the toilet). Fermented foods that add the probiotics and then no bad stuff. What is bad stuff? Sugar, alcohol, processed foods, seed oils, the fun stuff that makes our bodies unwelcoming for the gut processes.
Easier said than done and a slow process.
We choose to believe, in my opinion, that modern medicine has the answers and can not harm. When suffering with some conditions (migraines, pain, allergies,) the over the counter remedies make sense to ease conditions that can be debilitating but in the long run may cause other conditions.
Good news, no colon cancer. Bad news, a new challenge.
Fortunately one that is fixable.
Very timely once again! Heartburn isn't ever "cured"... IMHO.. it's definitely a gut biome thing that needs to be maintained... valuable information here! Thank you!