Chronic disease takes an enormous toll on individuals, families and societies as a whole. Chronic diseases, also known as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), are the leading cause of mortality in the world killing 41 million people per year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. (World Health Organization/Noncommunicable diseases.) In the last 20 years, the prevalence of chronic disease in the United States has grown by a steady 7 to 8 million people every 5 years.
Today, chronic disease affects 50% of the U.S. population, and its clinical care consumes more than 85% of health care costs. It is estimated 133 million Americans have at least one form of chronic disease – 15 million higher than just a decade ago and is expected to reach 170 million by year 2030.
~ World Health Organization/Noncommunicable diseases – American Hospital Association
The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has nearly doubled in younger adults since the early 1990s. Notably, the U.S. has seen a rapid rise in CRC cases among individuals aged 20 to 49 years.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasing in younger populations. Approximately 1 in 20 adults at age 20 years and older are affected by CAD.
~ ACS Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Colorectal Statistics 2020 – Vol70 Issue30, May/June2020
~ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Heart Disease in the United States
When the body is injured due to a cut or an infection – the body will trigger an acute inflammatory response which is a protective mechanism. Acute inflammation is short-term and limited. Acute inflammation is an important part of the body’s normal healing process.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is not a normal state for the body and can be harmful. Chronic inflammation is a continued inflammatory process lasting several months or even years until the root cause is addressed.
If the inflammatory drivers are not addressed, the inflammation can become systemic spreading throughout the body causing damage to our cells, tissues, and various organs.
Chronic inflammation is often ‘silent’ without known symptoms or can be masked by vague symptoms such as bloating, gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, skin rashes, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and even depression.
There is substantial evidence supporting the role of diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors in the development of chronic disease. Additionally, research has shown that prolonged dysbiosis and leaky gut can increase the risk of chronic disease.
Dysbiosis is a clinical condition in which the balance of microorganisms within the gut—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes—becomes disrupted. It can be disrupted by a number of factors such as poor diet, medications, sedentary lifestyle, overuse of antibiotics, stress, and environmental toxins.
Dysbiosis is characterized by a reduction in microbial diversity, an imbalance between commensal (beneficial) and pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms, as well as alterations in microbial metabolic activity.
The ‘harmful’ microorganisms can produce toxic byproducts (metabolites) that damage the cellular lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The gut lining can become inflamed and irritated. Over time, this inflammatory process can increase intestinal permeability and lead to what is commonly referred to as “leaky gut.”
“Leaky gut” occurs when the tight junctions in between the cells of the gastrointestinal lining start to widen. This widening allows the harmful microbial toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering the immune system to react and “fight off” these unwanted substances. This creates a cascade of inflammatory reactions and can cause inflammation to become systemic throughout the body.
Prolonged dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability, can heighten the risk of developing chronic disease conditions. These conditions can include a range from digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to even autoimmune and metabolic disease.
“The incidence rate of chronic inflammatory disorders is on the rise in the pediatric population.
Crucial role in the interactions between an altered intestinal microbiome and the immune system in the development of several chronic inflammatory disorders in children — such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and celiac disease.”
~ Frontiers In Immunology
“Continued dysbiosis has been associated with multiple chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, dementia, and others.”
~ Frontiers In Microbiology
“Unhealthy gut microbes generate metabolites that drive the progression of several cardiovascular pathologies like atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, and type 2 diabetes.
The gut microbiome functions like an endocrine organ generating bioactive metabolites that directly or indirectly affect host physiology,”
~ W.H.W. Tang, M.D.
Cleveland Clinic. Nat Rev Cardiology.
“Gut Microbiome: Next Frontier of Precision Medicine.”
“The loss of protective bacteria means the immune system can’t regulate inflammation. Inflammatory chemicals escape from gut tissue to other parts of the body.
If the microbial community continues to be disrupted, these inflammatory cells can attack joints and set the stage for inflammation to affect internal organs.”
~ Dr. Jose Scher, MD.
Director Microbiome Center for Rheumatology and Autoimmunity,
NYU Langone Health