INSIDE THE ISSUE
Digestif Spring 2018 - Issue 3
The Digestif is the newsletter of The Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology. We welcome comments on the content as well as ideas for contributions to future issues. Letters for publication and suggestions for editorial contributions should be emailed to editor@pcsg.org.uk Main sponsor and advertising contact: Pauline Kent, of Satellite PR. Email: pauline@satellitepr.com Guidelines for writers are available on request. Editor (for Satellite PR): Jerry Budden Designer (for Satellite PR): Leah Watson Publisher: The Primary Care Society for Care Gastroenterology PCSG Secretariat, c/o Satellite PR 154-158 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6HU Tel: +44 (0) 20 3872 4903 Printer: Hollinger Print (Norwich)
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Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a microbiome disease? Speakers’ Corner - IBD, a GP perspective
INTRODUCTION Rarely a day goes by without the microbiome hitting the headlines and for GPs faced with curious patients it’s hard to know how to handle the questions. The gut microbiota is a fascinating subject and the race is on to discover more. With around 100 trillion microbes in our guts (most being found in our colon) which outnumber our cells - discounting non-replicating red blood cells - by 10 to one, there’s a whole universe for us to get our heads around.
and many constituents of the Mediterranean diet are prebiotic - either with high levels of inulin like onions and garlic, or containing polyphenols like olive oil, nuts or red wine. I started taking Bimuno two months ago and I have to admit it’s doing something. I am sleeping better and generally feel well. In 2017, Michael Mosely reported similar findings in his ground-breaking BBC documentary The Truth About Sleep. At the start of his five-day experiment, Mosley spent 21% of his time in bed awake – by the end that had shrunk to 8%. Of all the strategies Mosley tested to treat his insomnia, he found prebiotics to be the most effective.
In this issue of the Digestif we’re looking at IBS and the microbiome with a fascinating article by Julie Thompson, who touches on the use of probiotic and prebiotic supplements and discusses the role of a FODMAP diet.
Placebo or reality? I am not sure. I am sure that our knowledge of the human microbiota is expanding rapidly and it may be possible to change the way we feel by doing something as simple as taking a prebiotic supplement. If I’ve whetted your appetite, then read on….
This newsletter is sponsored by Bimuno, a product I hadn’t heard of until recently. Bimuno is a prebiotic that feeds and increases the good bacteria in your gut. For the uninitiated, prebiotics act as fertilisers for gut microbes
DR MARION SLOAN
CONTRIBUTORS post bariatric surgery and gastrointestinal surgery diets. Julie’s clinic, Calm Gut, is based in Lancashire.
2. KEVIN BARRETT
1 Cover illustrator: Beverley Gene Coraldean, a UK-based freelance Illustrator. Untitled, is inspired by a futurist greenhouse and a flourishing microbiome.
This edition of the Digestif® has been sponsored by Bimuno. The editorial content has been developed by the PCSG, editors of The Digest and the contributors. Illustration: SantaLiza/Shutterstock.com
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1. JULIE THOMPSON Julie Thompson is a state registered specialist gastroenterology dietitian working in private practice and the NHS. She is also diet advisor to The IBS Network, the UK charity for people with irritable bowel syndrome. Julie’s specialty is dietary treatment of gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease, lactose & fructose malabsorption and complex food intolerances. She is also experienced in
Dr Kevin Barrett is Chair of the PCSG, a General Practitioner in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire and Clinical Lead for Gastroenterology at the Hertfordshire Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG). His first house job was in gastroenterology, which piqued his interest in this area and it has continued to be an interest since he became a GP in 2002. Kevin has been involved in commissioning since 2008 and has been the clinical lead for gastroenterology for HVCCG for the last eighteen months and has worked closely with the local gastroenterologists to develop & distribute pathways for faecal calprotectin testing and the diagnosis and management of IBD. In addition he is the RCGP and Crohn’s and Colitis UK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Champion.
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