Is Your Gut Giving You Joint Pain?
Are you feeling joint pain but can’t seem to pinpoint its cause or find relief? Well, the mystery behind conditions like arthritis, which is characterized by inflammation and discomfort in the joints, may have a surprising connection to your gut health. Recent research has found interesting links between the gut microbiome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research has found that certain components of bacteria can be found in the tissues of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, potentially causing inflammation in the joints characterized by leaky gut syndrome. Furthermore, studies have shown that people with RA often have changes in the types of bacteria in their gut, which can affect how their immune system works.[1]
What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky gut syndrome is characterized by increased intestinal permeability, meaning that the junctions between the endothelial cells that line the intestines become weaker and looser. Increased gaps in these junctions causes the bacteria from inside the intestine to escape outside of it, entering the bloodstream, and vice versa. Due to an increase of these foreign pathogens, the immune system will often trigger an inflammatory response as it attempts to fend off potential threats. As a consequence, leaky gut syndrome causes chronic inflammation throughout the body and can contribute to various health issues.
Research has shown that in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, they see bacteria present in their joint tissue as the increased circulation of bacteria in the bloodstream can worsen the autoimmune processes involved in RA as it can trigger pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to joint pain, inflammation, and tissue damage.[2]
The Role of Microbiome Diversity
Having a diverse amount of bacterial strains is important for your gut microbiome as well has making sure you have good bacteria. Research studies done on RA patients have shown certain strains to be present in their microbiomes and certain strains that are not present. “We identified the presence of Prevotella copri as strongly correlated with disease in new-onset untreated rheumatoid arthritis (NORA) patients. Increases in Prevotella abundance correlated with a reduction in Bacteroides and a loss of reportedly beneficial microbes in NORA subjects.” [3] This study comparing early onset, untreated RA patients to treated RA patients’ gut microbiota revealed there was an increase in Prevotella strains which are pro-inflammatory and a decrease in beneficial microbes like Bacteroides which help alleviate autoimmune disorders. For example strains like Bacteroides fragilis were not as prevalent in RA patients but are helpful for reducing inflammation and enhanced activity of regulatory T cells.[1]
Microbiome diversity is crucial for preventing leaky gut syndrome as many beneficial strains of bacteria like the Bacteroides help to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which help protect the junctions between the cells lining the intestines by fermenting fibers. SCFAs are also important for
What Causes Unhealthy Gut Microbiomes:
Several factors can contribute to an unhealthy gut microbiome and leaky gut syndrome. Diets high in fat and processed food can disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria and promote the growth of harmful microbes. Chronic stress and inadequate sleep also play a role in disrupting immune function and can lead to gut dysbiosis. Environmental factors like antibiotics can further disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota. Furthermore, research has shown genetic factors also influence the prevalence of certain strains and microbiome issues as well. [3]
How To Increase the Health of Your Gut Microbiome
- Aim to eat around 25 different types of plants/ingredients per week to increase microbiome diversity
- Eat more fiber to increase the production of Short Chain Fatty Acids!
- Aim to have less stress and prioritize sleep
- Incorporate prebiotics, probiotics, and fermented foods in your diet
- Consult your doctor for more individualized treatment options for your gut and RA
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9499173/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816614/
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