More and more people are suffering from diabetes
In Germany, approximately 11 million people currently suffer from diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus. According to estimates, there is an additional 2 million undiagnosed cases (1).
In addition, approximately 20 out of 100 adults in Germany are said to be affected by prediabetes. These individuals' blood values are already altered, but are still below the thresholds for diagnosing diabetes (2).
Most people with diabetes, approximately 93%, suffer from type 2 diabetes, or "adult-onset diabetes," a chronic metabolic disease that usually occurs after the age of 40. What is worrying is not only that the number of people affected worldwide continues to rise, but also that more and more children and adolescents are developing type 2 diabetes.
Less common is type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that usually begins in childhood and is associated with damage to the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This article focuses primarily on the "common disease" type 2 diabetes.
How does diabetes develop?
An important mechanism in the development of the disease is increasing insulin resistance, which ultimately leads to impaired blood sugar regulation. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that allows the body's cells to absorb glucose (blood sugar) from the blood.
With insulin resistance, cells no longer respond well to insulin. This results in less glucose being absorbed into the cells, and blood sugar levels remain elevated for a long time. Furthermore, insulin levels rise as the pancreas releases increasing amounts of insulin to counteract the elevated blood sugar levels.
The permanently elevated blood sugar and insulin levels can lead to serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and damage to the retina of the eyes.
The development of type 2 diabetes is a complex process influenced by numerous factors. The most well-known risk factors include obesity, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet rich in sugar, white flour, and unhealthy fats. Learn more about the influence of diet in our article " Stable blood sugar levels thanks to a healthy diet ."
In recent years, however, scientists have focused on another risk factor: a disturbed intestinal flora. Studies show that changes in the composition of intestinal microbes can play a crucial role in the development of diabetes. We explain the most important connections below.
How the intestinal flora influences our health
The intestinal flora, also known as the intestinal microbiome , encompasses all microorganisms that inhabit our intestines. This community consists of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and various single-celled organisms (protozoa, archaea) that live in complex interactions. The intestinal flora weighs approximately 1.5 kg in an adult and is located primarily in the large intestine.
Food that we cannot digest and absorb in the small intestine thus reaches our intestinal flora in the large intestine, where it is metabolized by microorganisms. The intestinal flora converts the food components into various substances such as amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, and numerous other substances.
The metabolites produced by beneficial microorganisms have many important functions for our health. For example, they serve to nourish the cells of the intestinal mucosa and regulate the immune system, which, as we know, is largely located in the intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, when absorbed into the body, they influence many metabolic processes, the nervous system, and the hormonal system. The interrelationships are very complex, and research in this area is still in its infancy.
Consequences of a disturbed intestinal flora
Which microbial metabolic products are formed and to what extent depends primarily on the food consumed and the frequency of the various types of microorganisms.
When the intestinal flora is disturbed (dysbiosis), the number of potentially pathogenic germs is increased, while the number of beneficial microorganisms is reduced. This results in, on the one hand, no longer sufficient production of health-promoting metabolic products, and, on the other hand, increased production of harmful substances in the intestine.
Altered intestinal flora in diabetes
Studies have identified various changes in the intestinal flora in patients with diabetes and linked these to the development of the disease.
Reduced bacterial diversity
According to various studies, patients with type 2 diabetes have a lower diversity of microorganisms in their gut compared to healthy individuals (3). Microbial diversity is an important criterion for gut health and is also linked to overall body health.
Reduced amount of short-chain fatty acids
Patients with type 2 diabetes also have fewer beneficial bacteria that can produce short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, butyrate, and propionate (3). These substances are produced when certain intestinal bacteria ferment fiber.
Short-chain fatty acids have many metabolic functions. For example, they counteract the development of insulin resistance, have anti-inflammatory effects, and increase the feeling of satiety after eating (4). They also protect the intestinal mucosa.
Leaky gut syndrome
An intact intestinal barrier is crucial for our health. It prevents harmful substances or pathogens from entering the body from the intestines, is important for immune function, and is crucial for the numerous metabolic processes that occur in the intestinal mucosa. When the intestines become permeable to unwanted substances, this is referred to as leaky gut syndrome.
Diabetics have increased bacterial species in the intestines that can break down the protective mucus layer, ultimately damaging the intestinal mucosa. Along with the reduced production of short-chain fatty acids, this is an important factor contributing to the development of leaky gut syndrome in diabetes (3).
The pollutants that enter the bloodstream lead to inflammatory processes in the body and can disrupt blood sugar regulation, which ultimately promotes the development of insulin resistance (3).
The connections between diabetes and the gut microbiome are very complex. In addition to the connections presented above, there are many other connections.
How can you strengthen your intestinal flora?
Now that you know what changes occur in the intestines, the question naturally arises as to what can be done about them. The following tips provide basic guidance on promoting intestinal health. However, they are not a substitute for individualized diagnosis and treatment by an experienced physician or therapist.
You can strengthen your intestines with these measures:
- Eat plenty of fiber, such as those found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, or soaked chia seeds. This will feed and encourage beneficial gut bacteria to multiply.
- Incorporate fermented foods such as sauerkraut, pickles, kefir, kimchi, and tempeh into your diet. These foods promote a healthy gut pH and contain beneficial bacteria.
- Above all, choose unprocessed, organic foods. This minimizes the intake of harmful substances and additives that can harm the intestinal flora.
- Reduce your intake of sugar and easily digestible carbohydrates (e.g. pasta, white bread, sweets), as these foods can promote the proliferation of unfavorable microorganisms.
- Also, avoid excessive fat intake, especially unhealthy fats like refined oils or fried foods. These can also harm your gut flora. While healthy fats are an important part of your diet, you shouldn't overdo it with nuts, avocados, olive oil, etc.
- Chew thoroughly and avoid overeating. This will reduce the amount of food that should have been absorbed in the small intestine but instead end up in the large intestine, where it promotes the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and getting daily exercise in the fresh air also have an important impact on intestinal health.
Nutritional supplements for a healthy gut
We offer you a selection of products in our range that specifically strengthen the intestinal flora:
ProBio 14 contains a combination of 14 natural bacterial cultures, including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. It also contains inulin and fructooligosaccharides as prebiotics. This product therefore provides beneficial bacterial species while also providing the bacteria with healthy fiber to help them thrive.
Our Enzyme Complex contains high-quality enzymes from natural sources. This product provides targeted support for your digestion, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal health.
The Gut-Brain Complex is also suitable for strengthening intestinal health. This product contains, among other ingredients, the amino acid L-glutamine and the short-chain fatty acid propionic acid. Both substances are important nutrients for the intestinal mucosa.
In chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and leaky gut syndrome, the body generally has an increased need for micronutrients. Our nutrient complexes Multivitamin Basic and Multivitamin Booster are ideal for meeting these needs.
We also recommend supplementing with the essential omega-3 fatty acids DHA plus EPA , as these are an important building block of cell membranes and have a variety of functions in the body.
Sources
- Diabetes in Numbers. German Diabetes Aid [Internet]. [Accessed on: August 19, 2024].
- Diabetes in Germany – Facts and Figures. Diabinfo [Internet]. [Accessed on: August 15, 2024].
- Hu R, Yuan Y, Liu C, Zhou J, Ji L, Jiang G. New insights into the links between anti-diabetes drugs and gut microbiota. Endocrin Connect. 2021;10(1):R36-R42. doi:10.1530/EC-20-0431
- Anachad O, Taouil A, Taha W, Bennis F, Chegdani F. The Implication of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Obesity and Diabetes. Microbiol Insights. 2023;16:11786361231162720. Published 2023 Mar 25. doi:10.1177/11786361231162720
