Due to the complex physiology of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, it really doesn't take much to push it out of balance. With food intolerances, frequent use of antibiotics (O'Conner KA et al.:2004), and the daily stresses of life; no wonder gut issues are on the increase. In addition to constipation, bloating and diarrhoea (Houghton et al.:2006), imbalances in the GI tract are now widely believed to be contributory factors in the development of many chronic diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (O'Hara and Shanahan:2006).
Houghton L, Lea R, Agrawal A, Reilly B, and Whorwell P. (2006) Relationship of abdominal bloating to distension in irritable bowel syndrome and effect of bowel habit" gastroenterology 131, 4, 1003-1010.
O'Connor KA, Kingston M, O'Donovan, Cryan B, Twomey C and O'Mahony D (2004). Antibiotic Prescribing Policy and C Difficile. QJM 97, 7, 423-429.
O Hara AM, Shanahan F. (2006). The gut flora as a forgotten organ. EMBO Reports 7, 7, 688-693.