If you often have back pain and do not know what the cause is, the origin of the discomfort could be in an altered gut microbiota. Disorders of the gut microbiota promote inflammation and can increase sensitivity to pain.
Back pain affects almost everyone at one time or another and is one of the most important causes of sick leave. There are many causes for back pain, from emotional tension to poor posture or sedentary lifestyle. Another possible much less known cause that contributes to pain may be the alteration of the intestinal microbiota.
When the intestinal microbiota is altered, inflammatory processes can develop that emerge in the form of back pain. Dysfunctional gut microbiota (dysbiosis) can also lead to back pain through other mechanisms.
BACK PAIN AND DYSBIOSIS
An Australian study looked at the composition of the gut microbiota in a group of overweight people. Half of the participants suffered no discomfort, but the other had complained of back pain in the previous month. Eating habits and physical activity levels were similar for all participants.
A higher number of intestinal bacterial strains of the Adlercreutzia, Roseburia and Christensen Ella families were found in participants with back pain, compared to participants without back pain. Adlercreutzia bacteria in particular were found much more frequently in patients with pain than in the pain-free group. In addition, it was observed that the higher the body mass index of those affected, the more frequently Adlercreutzia occurred.
GUT BACTERIA: WHEN THEY CAUSE PAIN AND WHEN THEY ARE HEALTHY
Of course, Adlercreutzia bacteria are not bad, as it is found in most people. Only an excessive population seems to produce an unfavorable, pro-inflammatory and pain-intensifying effect. However, in normal amounts, bacteria can have a very positive effect, such as the breakdown of isoflavones from soy products.
When Adlercreutzia bacteria multiply too much, the levels of some amino acids in the blood drop, such as proline and alanine. Both are important for bone health. This may be one of the reasons for the increased tendency to back pain among study participants.
A very high Adlercreutzia count is also associated with above-average levels of adipsin and leptin. Both hormones, which are produced in adipose tissue, can promote back pain.
INTESTINAL FLORA INFLUENCES PAIN INTENSITY
Previous studies have already shown that the intestinal flora, depending on its composition, can contribute to pain and inflammatory processes. This can be explained by the existence of the so-called gut-brain axis. Both organs are permanently connected to each other by different processes.
According to animal studies, the microbiota can modify the functioning and structure of brain regions related to pain perception, which could help to understand the relationship between microbiota and pain. People with altered microbiota may be more susceptible to chronic pain.
LEAKY GUT SYNDROME PROMOTES PAIN
On the other hand, a microbiota disorder can also attack the intestinal mucosal barrier, which impairs its functionality and can lead to a more or less pronounced leaky gut syndrome, which is related to chronic inflammatory processes and possibly also to the development of pain.
These mechanisms from a seemingly harmless disorder of the intestinal flora can cause chronic inflammatory diseases, such as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease or colon cancer. They can also be related to diseases that are not located directly in the intestine, such as rheumatism (arthritis), other autoimmune diseases or back pain.
TREATMENT OF BACK PAIN THROUGH MICROBIOTA CARE
If the gut microbiota disorder is corrected, inflammatory processes can be slowed down and back pain is probably relieved.
The microbiota is a very complex system that can only be modified to a certain extent. It develops from the moment of birth depending on food and other environmental factors. But steps can be taken to support your health. The main one is to reduce the consumption of refined foods, excess fats and proteins of animal origin, and increase the consumption of vegetable fiber, especially inulin (asparagus, garlic, onions, leeks, bananas, etc.). In addition, you can take probiotic foods (yogurt, sauerkraut and unpasteurized kimchi, kombucha, etc.) and do physical exercise.
