Månad: september 2025

Digestive health isn’t just how well your gut processes food; your gut impacts your immune system, mental health, and overall well-being. The effects can be felt throughout the body when our gut isn’t functioning correctly. This blog explores why digestive health matters and how a non-invasive Hydrogen and Methane Breath Test (HMBT) can be used to investigate underlying gut issues.

Why Digestive Health Matters.

Your digestive system effectively breaks down food in the gut, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste. You can maintain a healthy digestive system through a balanced diet, lifestyle choices, and effective stress management. A healthy gut can positively impact your overall health and quality of life. Some ways to improve your gut health are¹:

When gut health isn’t at its best, you can experience various symptoms that suggest an imbalance. While occasional discomfort is normal, persistent symptoms indicate that your digestive system needs attention. Common symptoms of bad gut health are³:

• Bloating,
• Gas,
• Constipation,
• Diarrhoea.

Experiencing these symptoms can significantly impact everyday life and suggest an underlying issue such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

Common Causes of Digestive Imbalance.

Various factors can contribute to bad gut health, and understanding the root cause is vital to restoring balance and improving quality of life. These factors can include³:

• Poor diet,
• Stress,
• Antibiotics,
• Underlying medical conditions.

It is key to recognise that your digestive health isn’t where it is supposed to be and speak to a healthcare professional about your symptoms. If it is unclear what is causing your symptoms, you may be referred for further investigations.

What is HMBT?

HMBT with the Gastrolyzer®.

Taking a HMBT.

Before taking a HMBT, a strict patient preparation protocol must be adhered to, including a fasting period. The test begins with a baseline sample taken before the patient consumes a substrate, either lactulose or glucose, depending on the condition being assessed. Breath samples are then taken at intervals, typically over a period of 3 hours. The samples are then analysed for hydrogen and methane gases.

With the Gastrolyzer® GastroCH₄ECK®, it is possible to perform a remote HMBT. For some patients, undertaking the test at home is a more comfortable experience due to the symptoms they are experiencing. The same strict protocol must be adhered to; the test pack includes breath bags to collect the breath sample and step-by-step instructions on how to take the test.

Why HMBT is Valuable.

A HMBT offers many benefits⁵:

• Non-invasive,
• Easy to perform at home or in a clinic,
• Helps target treatment and avoids unnecessary guesswork,
• Can validate symptoms and provide a more precise diagnosis for conditions like SIBO.

By identifying the type of gas produced, healthcare professionals can more effectively tailor treatment plans, whether through diet, probiotics, or antibiotics.

A healthy gut is key to overall wellness, and when symptoms arise, it is essential not to ignore them or mask them with temporary fixes. HMBT tools like the Gastrolyzer® are changing how we identify the underlying cause of gut imbalances and set the stage for better long-term gut health.

For more information on the Gastrolyzer® range and HMBT, visit the new Educational portal here.

References

1. Hirsch A. The Importance of Digestive Health [Internet]. Austin Gastroenterology. 2020. Available from: https://www.austingastro.com/2020/02/07/the-importance-of-digestive-health/
2. British Nutrition Foundation. How Your Gut Affects Your Health [Internet]. British Nutrition Foundation. 2025. Available from: https://www.nutrition.org.uk/creating-a-healthy-diet/gut-health/
3. ‌Department of Health & Human Services. Gut health [Internet]. www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2023. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/gut-health
4. ‌Nagao-Kitamoto H, Kitamoto S, Kuffa P, Kamada N. Pathogenic role of the gut microbiota in gastrointestinal diseases. Intestinal Research. 2016;14(2):127.
5. Rezaie A, Buresi M, Lembo A, Lin H, McCallum R, Rao S, et al. Hydrogen and Methane-Based Breath Testing in Gastrointestinal Disorders: The North American Consensus. The American Journal of Gastroenterology [Internet]. 2017 May 1;112(5):775–84. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418558/

Bedfont® Scientific Limited highlights how using FeNO and CO monitoring can help to support healthier lungs.

World Lung Day is an annual global awareness day observed on the 25^th of September. The event was established by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and its partners in 2019, designed to provide a unified global platform for raising awareness about the burden of lung diseases and advocating for lung health. This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life,’ aims to highlight the importance of maintaining lung health for a healthy life.

Breathing issues are responsible for 1 in 8 (13%) emergency admissions in England, higher than heart disease, musculoskeletal conditions and cancer¹. In 2017, a study revealed that nearly 545 million people across the globe were living with a chronic respiratory condition, contributing to premature morbidity and mortality². Conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and lung cancer contribute significantly to these startling statistics.

Asthma^3,4.

Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and narrowed, making breathing difficult. Symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath

It is estimated that the underdiagnosis of asthma varies widely from 19 to 73%. In 2019, 262 million people worldwide had asthma, causing 455,000 deaths, with most asthma-related deaths occurring in low and lower-middle-income countries, where underdiagnosis and under-treatment are a challenge. Unfortunately, asthma cannot be cured, but with the proper care and treatment, people with asthma can enjoy a normal and active life, reducing unnecessary emergencies.

Smoking^5,6,7.

In 2020, approximately 5.2 trillion cigarettes were consumed worldwide, with China consuming over double the number of cigarettes as Europe did. Smoking kills over 8 million people a year and is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. This includes an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Smoking has a profound impact on people’s health, affecting nearly every organ of the body and leading to a variety of diseases. Smoking can lead to various health complications, such as:

• Cancer,
• Breathing and chronic respiratory conditions,
• Heart disease, stroke and blood circulation problems,
• Diabetes,
• And many more serious illnesses.

Globally, Tobacco smoking accounts for over 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, tobacco smoking accounts for 30–40% of COPD cases, and household air pollution is a significant risk factor⁸.  Whilst quitting smoking is notoriously tricky, it is achievable with the proper support and encouragement, and ultimately will reduce these startling statistics.

Healthy lungs.

There are many ways to care for our lungs, including proper asthma management and support to quit smoking. Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing plays a vital role in asthma management, and carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring offers motivational support to those quitting smoking.

What is FeNO testing?

A FeNO test measures the level of nitric oxide in exhaled breath. Elevated levels are a sign of airway inflammation, a key feature of asthma. The test is quick, completely non-invasive, and simple to perform. FeNO devices, such as the NObreath® are valuable tools to aid an asthma diagnosis as well as monitoring over time. By guiding treatment decisions, they help ensure patients receive the right medication and reduce the risk of flare-ups.

What is CO monitoring?

CO is a harmful gas produced when tobacco is smoked. A simple, non-invasive test using a CO device such as the Smokerlyzer® can detect the presence of CO in exhaled breath. The device provides real-time readings, offering a clear picture of exposure. Watching CO levels fall after quitting can be a powerful motivator, reinforcing progress and supporting long-term success.

It is clear that lung health is a global issue, and more needs to be done to prevent poor lung health. Awareness events, such as World Lung Day, are vital in raising awareness of the issues faced worldwide, as well as what can be done to support healthy lungs for a healthy life.

To find out about how the NObreath® and Smokerlyzer® range are supporting better lung health, visit www.bedfont.com to learn more.

References

1. NHS. Hospital admitted patient care activity, 2023-24. [Internet]. NHS. 2024. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-admitted-patient-care-activity/2023-24
2. Soriano JB, Kendrick PJ, Paulson KR, Gupta V, Abrams EM, Adedoyin RA, et al. Prevalence and attributable health burden of chronic respiratory diseases, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine [Internet]. 2020 Jun 1;8(6):585–96. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7284317/
3. World Health Organization. Asthma [Internet]. World Health Organization. World Health Organization; 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
4. Kavanagh J, Jackson DJ, Kent BD. Over-and under-diagnosis in asthma. Breathe. 2019 Apr 17;15(1):e20-7. DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0362-2018.
5. World Health Organization. Tobacco [Internet]. World Health Organization. World Health Organization; 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
6. Department of Health and Aged Care. Effects of Smoking and Tobacco [Internet]. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. 2024. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/smoking-vaping-and-tobacco/about-smoking/effects
7. Statista. Global consumption of cigarettes 1880-2020. [Internet]. Statista. 2017. Available from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/279577/global-consumption-of-cigarettes-since-1880/