The Gut Health Glossary
Welcome to TDC’s gut health glossary!
We’re defining terms that that can be tricky to digest when it comes to understanding gut health.
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Bacteria are very small organisms (microbes) that can be found all over your body including in your mouth, on your skin and in your gut.
Our gut microbes are very busy keeping you healthy. They help to optimise digestion and your immune system. -
Bile is a liquid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Bile helps to break down fats so we can absorb fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. -
This snazzy little chart helps people to communicate their stool shape and type effectively to health professionals and preferably not to friends at a dinner party.
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A surgical procedure that removes the gall bladder.
Your doctor may recommend a cholecystectomy if you have repeated gallstone attacks. -
Chyme is a cocktail of stomach acid, digestive enzymes, partially digested food and water. We don’t recommend you order this at the pub.
Chyme increases the surface area of food, which allows for further digestion by enzymes. -
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body responds adversely to eating gluten.
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The removal of part or all of the colon (the large intestine).
This type of surgery is commonly used for people with cancer, inflammatory disease, or diverticulitis. -
Colitis is the inflammation of the colon.
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The colon might also referred to as the large intestine or large bowel. On one end, the colon is attached to the small intestine and on the other end it’s attached to the anus.
The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. -
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to look for changes to your colon and rectum. A colonoscopy might identify inflammation, polyps or cancer.
During a colonoscopy, a tiny camera is inserted into the rectum which allows your doctor to view the inside of your colon.
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A colostomy is a type of surgery that brings part of the colon (the large intestine) to the surface of the body to form a stoma. The stoma is an artificial opening on the outside of the abdomen that allows waste to exit the body and be collected using a small bag called a stoma pouch.
This type of surgery is usually required when the colon is not working properly, or a disease is affecting a part of the colon and it needs to be removed.
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Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s causes inflammation in any part of the digestive tract from your mouth to anus.
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Diarrhoea is considered as the frequent passing of loose or watery stools. Acute diarrhea goes away in a few weeks, and becomes chronic when it lasts longer than 4 weeks.
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An imbalance between “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria in the gut.
Dysbiosis may negatively affect different aspects of your health, including your immune system, physical and mental health. -
Gut dysmotility is a condition where the muscles of the digestive system become impaired causing changes in the speed, strength or coordination of the digestive organs.
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Digestive enzymes help to break down food so we can digest and absorb fats, proteins, carbohydrates and micronutrients.
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Poo. This is a just a fancy word for poo. Faeces are made up of water, bacteria, protein byproducts and undigested plant matter, including fibre which helps bulk out your stool!
The purpose of having a poo is to rid your body of waste.
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Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that comes from plants. Unlike some carbohydrates, fibre cannot be digested in the small intestine, so it passes through to the large intestine where the magic/fermentation happens.
Fibre bulks out and softens your poop by retaining water, which helps to keep things moving along and prevent constipatio.
A diet high in fibre can reduce the risk of developing high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and bowel cancer later in life. -
This acronym stands for “Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.” These are types of carbohydrates found in certain foods that may cause digestive symptoms for people with irritable bowel syndrome. These certainly shouldn’t be avoided, unless you’re undergoing the low FODMAP process with an accredited practising dietitian.
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Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
You can prevent gastroenteritis by washing your hands with soap and water, cleaning kitchen tops, storing and cooking food appropriately and cleaning the bathroom regularly.
If you or anyone in your household is ill, you should stay home for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped to ensure you are clear of infection. -
A doctor who specialises in the treatment of diseases and conditions related to the digestive system and intestines.
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The field of medicine concerned with the function of the gut and conditions of the digestive system.
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Otherwise known as the GI tract, this is the muscular tube/pathway leading from mouth to anus.
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When we talk about the gut, we mean mainly your small and large intestine.
Your small intestine has an average length of 3–6 metres! Your large intestine (where the majority of your gut bugs live) is around 1.5 metres long.
Your gut is supported by your stomach, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.Your gut has many (many!) functions including digesting food and absorbing nutrients, supporting immune function and hormonal regulation and production to name a few!
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The gut microbiome describes the microbes, their functions and genes (including bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites) and their genetic material living within your gut.
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The types of organisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites) present in your gut. You might also hear the terms ‘microbiota’ or ‘microflora’ used interchangeably.
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The gut mucosa plays an important part in our immune system. It allows dietary substances to cross into your bloodstream, but will scream “YOU SHALL NOT PASS” at pathogens and will stop them from entering.
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The long, tube-like organ that starts at the lower part of your stomach and continues to your anus.
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A functional bowel disorder of the gut-brain axis. Common symptoms include pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or both.
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Polyphenols are protective compounds found in plants, especially in brightly coloured vegetables.
Polyphenols have antioxidant properties to help your microbes be their best selves and support overall health.
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Prebiotics can be described as the “food that feeds our gut bacteria.” Prebiotics can also stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Food sources of prebiotics include onions, garlic, leeks, green bananas, asparagus, artichokes, olives, plums, apples, plus wholegrains like oats, bran and nuts such as almonds. -
A live microorganism that, when administered in adequate amounts, confers a health benefit on the host.
Probiotics can be in food or supplement form, but not all probiotics are created equal – different strains have different effects, and some might have no effect at all. It all depends on the individual.
Examples of food probiotics include yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, miso and kombucha.
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Short chain fatty acids are produced by your gut bacteria when fibre is fermented in the colon. They have been linked to positive health outcomes such as reduced inflammation.
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Despite what the name suggests, this is actually the longest segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Food travels down the small intestine where it is broken down further and nutrients are absorbed.
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You may have heard of “SIBO” before. This is a disorder of excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine.
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A form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum.
