Jun 26

Men’s Gut Health-What Every Man Should Know

Men’s Gut Health -What Every Man Should Know – Learn How to Fix Your Top Digestive Conditions

Celebrating men’s health is something we do each year to remind men of one simple truth. Your health matters! And this includes your gut health. It’s well known that men tend to rely on women for health information and screening reminders, however, there now appears to be a shift as more men take charge of their health.

Thanks to a recent post-pandemic study, 66 percent of men surveyed indicated more concern when it comes to their health, reported in a 2023 Healthgrades.com survey. This includes activities like online research of health conditions, at 44 percent of men surveyed; and searching for self-treatment options, at 40 percent.

Let’s continue with the positive trend — in case any of you men want to keep that momentum going. Here we will drive the conversation about men’s gut health with one of our providers, Kevin Lee, PA-C, who treats patients from our GI clinic in Broomfield, Gastroenterology of the Rockies.

Your brain knows your gut health better than you think

Have you ever noticed certain gut issues show up the minute you feel stressed? Maybe it’s loose stools, a sudden loss of appetite, or perhaps it feels like a lump in your throat when you try to swallow.

The truth is, symptoms like this are not in your head. For many people, they are real and it’s your body trying to get your attention.

We asked Kevin Lee, PA-C about this interesting relationship where different parts of our anatomy communicate with us. When asked, could my gut issues be related to stress or anxiety? Here’s what he said.

“Yes. Absolutely. The gut and the brain are closely connected and any dysfunction in one can affect the other. We commonly refer to these conditions as Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI),” Lee said.

• In a 2024 study published in Nature, researchers found a positive correlation between adults with higher anxiety levels and elevated incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD. Researchers also discovered similar results when they compared depression incidence and GERD. The researchers analyzed data from 24-h pH monitoring and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores they obtained from study participants.

What are FODMAPs?

• FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates or sugars; and they’re found in a

  

• variety of foods.
• Fructose: In fruits like apples, pears, mangoes-and sweeteners like honey and high-fructose corn syrup
• Galactans: In legumes, beans, lentils, peas; and veggies, like garlic, onions, asparagus
• Lactose: In dairy products like milk, cheese and whey protein powder
• Polyols: In fruits like cherries and plums, and artificial sweeteners
• Oligosaccharides: In wheat, rye and artichokes

FODMAPs – the acronym
Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols

Question:  What’s the deal with a low FODMAPs diet — should I try it?

Answer: “These particular sugars are sometimes poorly absorbed by the gut and can ferment in the colon. This may lead to excess production of gas and therefore patients can experience pain, bloating, and alteration in bowel habits,” Lee said. “If you have these symptoms, a low FODMAP diet can be very helpful for these symptoms as well as for IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.”

Click here to learn more about IBS

When you restrict FODMAP foods, it can interrupt the irritation which helps the gut lining rest and heal. Source: Mayo Clinic

Some people use it as an elimination diet and keep a food diary. Once you slowly add specific foods back into your diet, you may notice which ones cause digestive symptoms—as mentioned above. Also notice if certain foods cause diarrhea, constipation or stomach distention. Charting symptoms with specific foods is a useful tool to discover food sensitivities.

How do I know if I have a food intolerance vs. a food allergy?

When it comes to food intolerance, some people can occasionally tolerate small amounts of the otherwise offending foods without any symptoms. Even though food intolerances may cause some uncomfortable symptoms, they’re not considered life-threatening, unlike food allergies, which may send the body into shock.

 “However, food allergies can cause an actual immune system response and typically systemic symptoms occur– such as hives, or shortness of breath,” Lee said.  “Whereas food sensitivities, like lactose intolerance, do not cause these severe reactions.  Symptoms such as bloating, gas and diarrhea are more common,” he added.

Is beer really that bad for your gut?

Whether you choose to drink beer, diet soda or a gallon of sweet tea, it’s a personal choice. As a longstanding tradition, humans have consumed beer for at least 13,000 years, according to historians.  And it’s probably not going away.

The supposed health benefits of beer and wine have come and gone over the years. From beneficial B vitamins in beer to trace amounts of polyphenol resveratrol in red wine.

 However, more research has emerged about the pros and cons of alcohol consumption – from its effect on brain health to  liver disease — and the body as a whole. Most doctors will say that if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s probably better to avoid it.

Because alcohol contains excess calories, it may lead to unintended calorie consumption.  For men who care about their gut health, these extra calories, whether from beer or a late night run to Taco Bell, may result in weight gain or visible belly fat.

Research is still unclear about the exact role alcohol plays in belly fat accumulation. However, we do know that the liver will prioritize metabolizing alcohol before it metabolizes excess fat. In addition, research is clear that extra calories and lack of exercise or daily activity tend to show up on the waistline—AKA belly fat.

• A waist circumference greater than 37 inches for men is considered a health risk for disease, according to the American Heart Association. For women, it’s 35 inches or more.

Research indicates that being overweight or obese is a risk factor for diseases like type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, liver diseases, and some cancers. Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.

What are the warning signs that I should see a GI specialist?

Regular check-ups are important to maintain your gut health. Noticing early signs and symptoms is one of the best ways to prevent GI diseases and some cancers.

“If you notice things like blood in the stool, foods getting stuck while swallowing, and unintended weight loss, this may indicate something concerning and should be taken seriously,” Lee said.

If you have questions about men’s gut health, or are experiencing symptoms,  book a consultation with one of our doctors or physician assistants.

Produced by Elise Oberliesen, digital marketing specialist—medical review provided by Emily Marshall-PA-C, with Gatroenterology of the Rockies.