Low-grade inflammation

white blood cells in circulation — ^{White blood cells}

Inflammation is a necessary function of our immune system as it fights pathogens and helps with healing wounds etc. When inflammation becomes chronic, it can have many negative health consequences. For example, arthritis, asthma, type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease can develop at least partly because of chronic inflammation.

Inflammation helps us heal wounds and injuries. It’s one of the body’s ways to fight infection. Inflammation in the gut can cause IBS symptoms. It is connected with the gut microbiota, stress, hypersensitivity and greater gut permeability.

Infections trigger inflammation in the body as it is needed to fight the infection. About 10% of those who have gone through a gut infection develop post-infectious IBS, which suggests that inflammation may have a role in IBS also. Gut infection also causes negative changes in the gut microbiota, which in turn can further promote inflammation. (23) What’s interesting, is that stress increases inflammatory substances in the gut also, and can cause prolonged low-grade inflammation there (6). Also, studies have shown that people with autoimmune disorders, like IBD seem to have a higher risk of IBS (24).

Mast cells (a type of white blood cell) are part of our immune system and fight infection and outside invaders, as well as participate in allergic reactions. They do this by secreting various molecules that cause inflammation. People with IBS seem to have higher numbers of mast cells in their intestinal walls. (26) A study (25) showed that people with IBS with a prior food allergy had a greater number of mast cells in their intestine and more severe IBS symptoms. Mast cells may also be what is increasing gut permeability in response to stress. They may also play a role in visceral hypersensitivity and they can make the muscle cells in the intestine more sensitive to stimuli, which increases contractions of these muscles and which can lead to diarrhea. (26)

What’s more, gut immune functions and the gut microbiota affect each other, which can also be connected with many neurological, psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases (6). It seems that inflammation and the stress system are connected also, linking to visceral hypersensitivity and changes in gut motility. This all is to say that while each of the above mechanisms are linked to IBS, they are also connected to each other and one can affect the others and the other way around.

To reduce gut inflammation, a gut-healthy diet will help nurture your gut microbiota – this is also an anti-inflammatory diet. Also, take up the habit of engaging in relaxation and stress release practices.

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