1. About gastrointestinal motility
The esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine coordinate and work in collaboration to support digestion and motility. Hypo or hypercontractions of these cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms that badly affect the quality of one’s life.
Common symptoms of dysmotility disorders are:
- Postprandial fullness
- early satiation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in abdomen
- bloating,
- Dysphagia
- heartburn
2. About MMC
Migrating motor complexes or MMC are located in the stomach and the small bowel. It is a four-part complex. Every phase has varying degrees of contraction. Phase III is the most active. Motilin and 5-hydroxytryptamine control MMC. Any disturbance in serotonin signalling causes gastrointestinal discomfort.
The length of this cycle varies between 113 to 230 minutes and depends on the phase III origin. For example, the MMC cycle length is longer when phase III originates in the antrum compared. An acidic pH also increases the length of MMC.
Phase I of MMC
The antral region will be in phase I constituting 50% of the entire MMC cycle length. In phase I, there are no contractions.
Phase II of MMC
The distal in the small intestine phase II constitutes approximately 80% of the MMC. the contractions are present but there are irregular intervals between consecutive contractions.
Phase III of MMC
This phase can begin either in the stomach or small intestine. In healthy individuals, it begins in the stomach.
There is an increase in the frequency of high-pressure, peristaltic contractions over time until it reaches 2–3 contractions per minute in the stomach and 11–12 contractions per minute in the small intestine. The contractions propagate slowly as a band of high-amplitude peristaltic contractions down the entire length of the small intestine at a rate of ∼6–10 cm/min.
At the end of phase III, the phase I cycle begins again and continues until the next meal is consumed.
3. How can you benefit from using ginger and artichoke extract supplements?
- Healthy digestion: Ginger(Zingiber Officinale) and artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) have been used traditionally and are known to promote healthy digestive function.
- Promote gastrointestinal restoration: This combination maintains a healthy balance between gut bacteria.
- Improve gastric function: Studies have measured the effects of the combination of Cynara cardunculus and Zingiber officinale extracts on gastric function. The combination improves symptoms like nausea, fullness, satiety, bloating and stomach discomfort.
- Supports gastrointestinal motility: Integrative therapeutics motility activator is a prokinetic agent that improves gastric motility and relieves digestive symptoms.
- Support MMC function: MMC or Migrating motor complex is a cyclic, recurring motility pattern in GIT and occurs in the stomach and small bowel. MMC is a mechanical and chemical cleansing of the empty stomach in preparation for the next meal. It is a four-part complex with varying contractions within each phase. Phase 3 is considered to be the most active phase. Ginger increases antral motility during phase III of the MMC during fasting and after meals.
- Improve constipation: Constipation is when bowel movements are less frequent and stools become difficult to pass. There are many causes of constipation, like inadequate fibre intake, diet changes, etc. Integrative therapeutics motility activator relieves symptoms of constipation.
- Liver function: Artichoke leaf extracts contain cynarian, which exerts a choleretic effect and supports bile production and flow.
- Relieve nausea, bloating and other symptoms: Research studies highlight that Artichoke completes the effects of ginger. Artichoke acts on the small intestine, and ginger is active in the stomach. This combination improves symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, bloating and epigastric fullness.
