A new theory suggests that the most common gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), may be caused by gravity.
Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHSDirector of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and author of this hypothesis, explains that irritable bowel syndrome and many other symptoms can be caused by the body’s inability to control gravity. I am.
“As long as there has been life on Earth, from the earliest organisms to Homo sapiens,, “Gravity has inexorably shaped everything on Earth,” said Spiegel, who is also a professor of medicine. “Our bodies are affected by gravity from the moment we are born until we die. It is such a fundamental force that we find it constantly affecting our health. Very rarely.”
The hypothesis announced in American Journal of GastroenterologySo let’s talk about how the gut, spine, heart, nerves, and brain evolved to manage gravity.
“Our body systems are constantly being pulled downward,” Spiegel points out. “When these systems can’t cope with the drag of gravity, you can experience problems such as pain, cramps, light-headedness, sweating, increased heart rate, and back problems. All of these symptoms are seen in IBS. It can also contribute to bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, a problem also associated with irritable bowel syndrome.”
The underlying mechanisms of IBS have puzzled researchers since they were first described over a century ago. This disorder affects up to 10% of the world’s population, but experts still don’t know exactly how or why the disorder develops.
However, there are several contrasting theories that explain its clinical features. One is that IBS is a gut-brain interaction disorder. Evidence shows that neuromodulatory drugs and behavioral treatments are effective. Another theory is that IBS is caused by abnormalities in the gut microbiome and can be managed with antibiotics and a less fermentable diet.
Other theories suggest that abnormalities in motility, intestinal irritability, abnormal serotonin levels, or dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system cause IBS.
“There are so many different explanations that we wondered if they could all be true at the same time,” Spiegel said. “When we thought about each theory, from theories of motility to bacteria to the neuropsychology of irritable bowel syndrome, we realized that they all might point to gravity as a unifying factor. It seemed quite strange at first, but as I developed the idea and implemented it with my colleagues, it started to make sense.”
Gravity can put pressure on your spine, making it less flexible. It can also cause the organ to shift downward and out of its natural position. Spiegel explained that the contents of the abdomen are as heavy as a sack of potatoes, which we are destined to carry for the rest of our lives.
“The body has evolved to lift this load with a series of support structures. When these systems fail, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can occur along with musculoskeletal problems,” Spiegel said. Ta.
Some people have bodies that can withstand more stress than others. For example, some have an “elastic” suspension system that allows the intestines to hang down. Some people have problems with their spine, causing their diaphragm to droop or their abdomen to protrude and become compressed.
These factors can cause motility problems and bacterial overgrowth in the intestines. This may also help explain why physical therapy and exercise are effective for IBS, as they strengthen the support system.
But the gravity hypothesis also goes beyond the gut.
“Our nervous systems also evolved in a world of gravity, which may explain why many people feel like their abdomen is ‘flopping’ when they’re anxious,” Spiegel said. Ta. “It’s interesting that these ‘gut feelings’ also occur when we’re falling toward Earth, such as when falling on a roller coaster or in a turbulent airplane. Nerves in the gut help us avoid dangerous falls. It’s like an ancient gravitational acceleration detector that alerts you when you’re experiencing, or about to experience. This is just a hypothesis, but people with irritable bowel syndrome may experience the threat of gravitational acceleration that never happens. There may be a tendency to over-predict.”
Some people are more tolerant of gravitational acceleration than others. For example, one person may raise his hands and laugh while falling on a roller coaster, while another may grit his teeth and groan. The first is amused, the second feels threatened, revealing a spectrum of what Spiegel calls “G-Force alarm.”
Another factor that may play a role is serotonin, a neurotransmitter that may have evolved in part to manage gravity throughout the body’s systems. Serotonin is necessary for mood elevation, both figuratively and literally, Spiegel points out. Without it, a person would not be able to stand up, maintain balance, circulate blood, or pump intestinal contents against gravity.
“Serotonin dysregulation may be a form of gravity disorder,” Spiegel said. “When serotonin biology is abnormal, people can develop irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. These may be a form of gravity intolerance. There is a gender.”
Further research is needed to test this approach and possible treatments.
“This hypothesis is very provocative, but the best part is that it is testable.” Dr. Sherry Lu, President of the Women’s Guild of Gastroenterology and Director of the Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases at Cedars-Sinai University. “If proven correct, it would be a major paradigm shift in the way we think about IBS and possibly treatments.”
listen to AJG podcast Hear more from Spiegel about how gravity causes IBS.
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