Regulating intestinal inflammation is crucial for maintaining gut health 1). Multiple factors contribute to gut inflammation, including diet, lifestyle habits, microbial balance, and the presence of toxins.
A 2016 study on pigs fed oregano essential oil revealed a reduction in inflammation throughout the small intestine and colon. The study concluded that “Oregano oil supplementation can be a promising approach for protecting the intestinal barrier." 1)
Gut microbiota, consisting of trillions of microbial cells, play a key role in influencing physiology, metabolism, nutrition, and immune function. Disruption of these microbial cells has been linked to gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.2)
The reduction of inflammation in pigs fed oregano oil helped preserve the integrity of the intestinal barrier (epithelium), increased overall nutrient absorption, and significantly decreased endotoxins. Specifically, the endotoxin Escherichia coli, a potent inducer of intestinal inflammation, was found to be significantly lower in pigs fed oregano oil compared to those in the control group.1)
The intestinal barrier is a thin mucosal cell wall lining the gut, controlling the passage of substances from the gut into the bloodstream. When permeability increases due to inflammation, gaps in the barrier allow undigested food and toxins to enter the bloodstream. This increased permeability is a potential factor in gastrointestinal dysfunctions and conditions such as Crohn's disease, multiple organ dysfunction, bacterial translocation, food allergies, and acute pancreatitis.1)
Gut inflammation also profoundly affects nutrient absorption through the intestinal mucosa and villi. The body uses villi, which are microscopic hairs in the intestine, to transport nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream. Inflammation flattens these villi, reducing the surface area for nutrient absorption and contributing to cell death. Chronic inflammation can lead to deficiencies in iron and vitamin B12, ultimately resulting in anemia.
Intestinal villi line the small intestine to absorb nutrients from digested foodstuff. Inflammation "flattens" villi, decreasing the absorptive surface area for nutrients. Chronic inflammation can lead to deficiencies in iron and vitamin B12, and subsequent anemia.
The results of this study "indicate that supplementation with oregano oil can be a promising approach for protecting the intestinal barrier in pigs. These results show oregano’s ability to reduce inflammation throughout the small intestine and colon, promoting the integrity of the intestinal barrier, likely due to its effects on intestinal bacteria and immune status.” 1)
