Mood-enhancing therapies slow intestinal inflammation
The psyche has a strong influence on the body, especially the intestines. Medicine has long known about the so-called gut-brain axis, which forms a direct communication wire made of nerve fibres from the digestive tract to the brain and back again. We also know that the mental state influences the immune system.
This suggests that mental processes can have an impact on the course of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This is exactly what research results from King’s College London show.
The researchers led by Natasha Seaton evaluated a total of around 1,700 studies that examined the influence of various psychological measures on the inflammation levels of people with chronic intestinal inflammation.
Inflammatory values from blood and stool
The biomarkers used here were faecal calprotectin, which is detected in stool, and C-reactive protein, which can provide an indication of inflammation in the blood. “They are used in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease as an indicator of inflammation and are considered extremely relevant for predicting the course of the disease,” explains Seaton when asked by NetDoktor.
Inflammation levels drop by 18%
The measures examined to improve mood included various psychological approaches, taking antidepressants and physical exercise. These approaches can reduce emotional well-being in depression, anxiety and stress. The result: Mood-improving measures reduced inflammation levels by an average of around 18 percent.
Measures that had a greater positive effect on mood reduced inflammatory biomarkers even more significantly. This suggests that it is actually the improved mood that has the positive effect, write the authors.
Which measures work best?
The positive effects were strongest for psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy. But therapeutic approaches that specifically target disease acceptance were also helpful.
The so-called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) also proved to be very effective. This is a program for targeted stress reduction based on mindfulness exercises. However, antidepressants and exercise worked less well.
However, the studies do not show to what extent the measures were able to improve specific symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhoea. “We focused on objectively measurable biomarkers because self-assessments are often an unreliable reflection of disease activity,” says Seaton.
Are the symptoms improving?
Previous studies based on self-observations of patients had not shown that psychological measures improved the symptoms.
The researchers’ possible explanation: It could take some time before reduced inflammatory reactions translate into a noticeable improvement in symptoms. Previous studies may therefore have found no effect because disease activity was determined too soon after the end of psychological therapy.
Further research is therefore necessary to find out how mood, objective inflammation levels and self-reported symptoms change over time.
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are very stressful. Current anti-inflammatory medications are expensive and can have side effects.
Seaton says: “Our study showed that mental health interventions reduce levels of inflammation in the body. This suggests that mood interventions may be a valuable tool to help people with inflammatory bowel disease.”
In the UAE
In the UAE’s bustling landscape, where busy schedules are the norm, prioritizing well-being is paramount. Recent studies showcase the efficacy of mood-enhancing therapies in alleviating intestinal inflammation, offering a beacon of hope for individuals navigating fast-paced lifestyles, particularly in vibrant cities like Dubai. By embracing these innovative approaches, we not only nurture our mental and physical health but also pave the way for a brighter, more resilient future. Let’s champion these transformative interventions, fostering a culture of holistic wellness across the UAE and beyond.