Re: daughter - crohn's (long article)

[Guest guest]

I'm sure you've heard these statements from folk medicine

practitioners - " Stomach problems are the cause of all ills " or " Death

begins in the colon. " They are absolutely right. Today, through the

efforts of many scientists and medical doctors, we have hundreds of

clinical studies and pieces of scientific research that confirm what

these folk medicine practitioners have been saying for many generations.

, M.D., wrote an article titled " How Problems with

Digestion Can Cause Illness Anywhere " , and in this article he explains

why you should address the health of the gastrointestinal tract first,

no matter what the name of the degenerative disease. He explains that

new information on the dynamics of the body make it clear that

conditions in the digestive tract affect the all systems. The

degradation of the gastrointestinal environment is one of the primary

points at which health is lost. What we now know is that the same

toxins associated with GI dysfunction are frequently absorbed and

distributed to other parts of the body. First they place a burden on

the liver and the immune system. If liver overload occurs, there will

be spill over, and some of the toxins will be passed on to other

organs or tissues.

Often, it's a weak link in the system that will be hit by the damage -

an organ that can be anywhere in the body that is most likely to be

vulnerable. The vulnerability may be inherited, caused by physical

injury, toxic exposure, or poor diet. For example, if the sensitive

system is the lungs, toxins that originate in the gut and circulate in

the bloodstream may manifest as asthma or allergies.

Len Saputo, M.D., in his article, " Harmful Flora " , also believes that

if the gastrointestinal tract goes out of balance and the liver

detoxification system breaks down, our entire immune system can

malfunction in three ways. First, it can be weakened and the result

called an immune suppression disease, such as cancer and AIDS.

Second, it can overreact and become hyperresponsive to normal stimuli;

this occurs in asthma, migraine, and food allergies. Third, a

malfunctioning immune system can cause auto immune reactions, where

antibodies target our own tissues, as in rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Dr. Saputo explains that the gastrointestinal tract is the largest

immune organ in our body. Eighty percent of all our protective immune

globulins are produced in the digestive tract. It doesn't take a

rocket scientist to see that when this large, strategically placed

immune system member isn't working well, our defenses are lowered and

once our barriers are down, it can become much more difficult to

defend against invaders.

Therefore, this article becomes the most important article that I've

written to help you understand that in practicing prevention, keeping

your digestive system in the best possible shape is the most important

preventative step you can do on a daily basis. The Introduction piece

comes from an article that I've kept in my files for many years

because I loved the analogy that the author used between the earth

atmosphere and its role in protecting our environment and the

intestine's role in protecting our overall health. Unfortunately I

don't know who the author of this article is. Please read this

article carefully and read it more than once. I hope that you find

many of the nutritional tips that I list for you to be helpful in

regaining the health of your digestive system or as Henry G. Bieler,

M.D., said: " Your first line of defense against disease. "

INTESTINAL HEALTH

The gastrointestinal tract is routinely defined as " a tube

approximately 15 feet long, running through the body from mouth to

anus. " The World Book Dictionary adds that the intestine is " the lower

part of the alimentary canal... food from the stomach passes into the

intestine for further digestion and for absorption. " This boringly

simplistic concept of intestinal function, combined with its

indisputable lack of glamour, is reason enough for most people to

never give the importance of intestinal health a second thought. This

is unfortunate, possibly even dangerous, and needs to change. The

reality is that healthy intestinal function is critically important to

overall health. This realization makes it incumbent upon all those

desiring good health to understand the importance of optimal

intestinal health and adjust their habits into alignment with that

knowledge.

The Intestine as a Protective Barrier

Consider as an analogy the atmosphere surrounding the earth and its

role in protecting our environment. It parallels the function of the

intestine and its role in protecting our overall health. The earth's

atmosphere provides a protective barrier to support and sustain the

abundant variety of life found here. But it is important to note that

balance is the key! The atmosphere is composed of a critical balance

of different gases that enable it to provide the earth with important

filter-like protection, selectively screening out anything that could

be damaging to, or allowing the penetration of anything that would be

necessary for the life of its 30 million different species of inhabitants.

In principal, the intestine provides a very similar protective

barrier. The healthy intestinal wall is coated with hundreds of

different species of microorganisms, both healthful and unhealthful

bacteria numbering in the billions. This rich, protective coating of

microorganisms acts in concert with the physical barrier provided by

the cells lining the intestinal tract and other factors, to provide

the body with important filter-like protection. Damaging substances

like unhealthy bacteria, toxins, chemicals and wastes are filtered out

and eliminated. Simultaneously, the critical factors needed for life,

such as nutrients and water, are absorbed into circulation and made

available to the billions of cells in the body that need them.

The atmosphere acts as a selective barrier making sunlight available

for life-sustaining photosynthesis, while simultaneously preventing

the sun's disease-causing ultraviolet light from penetrating. It is

screened out by a protective portion called the ozone layer. The

selective barrier function of the intestine is equally profound. In

the healthy state, the absorption of small sugars, fats and proteins

proceed through the intestinal wall and circulate throughout the body.

They are required for a myriad of essential reactions. Simultaneously,

damaging substances from unhealthful bacteria, incompletely digested

food, toxins, or chemicals, are largely prevented from being absorbed

and transported throughout the body. We are continually and

unknowingly protected from the ill effects of these damaging substances.

Bad Habits That Negatively Impact Intestinal Health

Unfortunately human beings have developed bad habits that promote

imbalance in both the atmosphere and the intestinal tract. For

example, pollutants such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFO) have punctured

holes in our ozone shield. The ozone hole has widened and deepened

every year since scientists began measuring ozone levels in 1985.

Scientists feel that the continual depletion of the ozone layer will

cause greater amounts of ultraviolet radiation to reach earth,

resulting in greater cancer risk, as well as other health problems.

In a remarkable parallel, other bad habits in our society in general

have contributed to an imbalance of intestinal protective factors in

an alarming percentage of the population. These bad habits include

wide spread consumption of a diet high in refined, simple sugars and

deficient in nutritious, whole, unprocessed foods and fiber. The type

of diet could potentially tip the intestinal balance toward overgrowth

of unhealthful bacteria and the proliferation of yeast fungal

organisms. It is also associated with less frequent bowel movements

and a number of forms of chronic intestinal dysfunction.

Other bad habits include the excess consumption of alcohol and use of

antacids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. These may

contribute to a breakdown or deterioration in the physical integrity

of the intestinal wall, much like CFC's have punctured the ozone

layer, creating holes for ultraviolet radiation to enter the

atmosphere. Scientists describe this state of intestinal breakdown as

" leaky gut syndrome " and feel it may contribute to intestinal

dysfunction. A stressful lifestyle combined with a bad diet, deficient

in important nutrients such as L-glutamine, pantothenic acid, zinc,

folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A and others, may impair the healing

of the intestine and lead to it's deterioration. Another bad habit is

the over use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Researchers have

acknowledged that virtually every antibiotic taken orally causes

alterations in the balance of the bacteria in the intestine. Even as

little as one course of antibiotics can deteriorate that rich,

protective coating of micro-organisms and upset the balance between

healthful and unhealthful bacteria, reducing resistance to intestinal

and systemic ill health.

Helpful Suggestions for Achieving Optimal Intestinal Health

Short term relief:

• Drink a glass of water flavored with fresh organic lemon juice

one half-hour before meals. Fresh lemon juice is a traditional tonic

for stimulating the appetite and increasing salivary and gastric

secretions for better digestion of foods.

• Use peppermint oil to bring relief from pain caused by gas.

Most pharmacies sell peppermint oil. Put a few drops of the oil in

water and drink for instant relief. Peppermint oil is known to relax

the muscle at the top of the stomach, letting stomach acid leak.

• Stock up on ginger root, anise, fennel and caraway seeds. Buy

fresh organic ginger and put a few thinly sliced pieces in water mixed

with a tablespoon of fennel, anise and caraway. Boil for five minutes

and drink this healing tea. Ginger contains a carminative that

protects the stomach. Ginger increases circulation so it helps effect

a systemic cleansing through the bowels. Fennel treats indigestion,

gas and spasms of the digestive tract and increases peristalsis.

Caraway and anise are stimulants that reduce spasms in the

gastrointestinal tract.

• Take some activated charcoal. Charcoal will absorb gas and

toxins and remove them quickly from your system. Activated charcoal

can be bought from any health food store. However, activated charcoal

is indiscriminate in what it absorbs. Therefore, it should not be

taken with food or medicines as it would absorb them, too, and it

should not be taken over long periods of time. It is, however, good

for instant relief of gas and toxins. Keep activated charcoal in your

medicine cabinet for emergencies.

Long term remedies:

• Maintain a healthy population of microorganisms in your

intestinal tract. It is important to be aware that your intestinal

tract may be harboring excessive populations of unfriendly

microorganisms such as candida albicans, bacteria, viruses and

parasites. Therefore, you should take large amounts of friendly

bacteria supplements daily as listed below:

1. Lactobacillus acidophilus - http://tinyurl.com/24ajq - helps

the body remove the food that is stuck to the sides of your intestinal

walls. It is the small intestine's cleaning crew, taking away the

breeding ground of bad bacteria and parasites. When the acidophilus

has been fully reestablished in the small intestine, it will prevent

toxic waste from sticking to the sides of the walls so that the food

can be absorbed.

2. Bifidus - http://tinyurl.com/26rur - helps to clean the sides

of the walls of your large intestine. It draws fluid into the waste

material to enable the movement of waste out of your body. It is your

large intestine's cleaning crew.

3. L. Bulgaricus, L. salivarius and other friendly bacteria taken

in supplemental form every day can help fight and overpower bad

bacteria in the large and small intestines. One of the best friendly

bacteria products in the market today is a wide-spectrum friendly

bacteria supplement micro-blended with fructo-oligosaccharides -

http://tinyurl.com/6gzqa. Following are its ingredients:

Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium bifidum,

Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus

plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus faecium,

Streptococcus thermophilus, Acerola and Rose Hips blend, wild blue

green algae, Jerusalem artichoke, Lipase, Amylase, Protease, and

Cellulase.

• There may not be sufficient hydrochloric acid. Friendly

bacteria will help balance stomach acid. Also, a useful technique to

increase stomach acidity during a meal is to sip a little bit of water

mixed with 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar and the juice

of half a lemon. Some people find that this practice improves their

digestion and reduces gas and abdominal bloating.

• It is important to take digestive enzymes with any cooked meal.

Lack of enzymes due to cooking (heating) our foods make it impossible

to fully breakdown proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The pancreas

becomes stressed in the process of taking over the burden of producing

extra digestive enzymes for all cooked meals. Taking plant based

enzymes as a digestive aid helps break down any cooked meal without

stressing your pancreas. Enzyme supplements can make a huge

improvement to your digestive system. Do not purchase any digestive

enzymes that are not microblended with whole foods. Enzymes need

minerals to work and whole foods like the mineral rich blue green

algae will make enzymes work better in the intestinal tract -

http://tinyurl.com/mkwo.

• Fiber is essential for digestive system health. High quality

fiber is important in the fight against candida. Research has shown

the health benefits of a diet high in fiber. They include regularity,

lower cholesterol, protection against certain forms of cancer, and

stabilized blood sugar levels.

To maintain intestinal hygiene, you need about 35 to 40 grams of

different fiber sources everyday (e.g., bran, cellulose, lignin,

pectin, etc.), all found in different organically grown, ripe seasonal

fruit, whole grains, and colorful vegetables. Eating these foods

provides the added fiber that will bulk up in your intestines, gently

sweeping the colon clean of extra estrogen, hormones, toxins, waste

debris of cellular metabolism and soak up excess cholesterol. Do not

try to " mega-dose " on one type of fiber, like oat bran, as you need

each (all) of the different basic fibers for proper bowel cleansing.

The following foods are particularly known to add to the healthy

condition of your intestine, specifically because of their fiber

content: Flax seed, also known for its anti- harmful bacteria

properties, prunes, apples and mangoes.

How do you eat your flax seeds? Eat two tablespoons of brown or even

better yet, gold flax seeds. Grind the seeds with a coffee grinder

and sprinkle on foods, salads, or juices. Do not store any ground

seeds as they will go rancid quickly.

It's very important to grind the seeds before eating them. If you

swallow flax seeds whole, your body will not get the nutrients they

contain, because they are protected by a tough seed coat. Believe it

or not, after the seeds go through you, you could plant them and they

would still grow! To break the seed coating and make the nutrients

available for digestion, grind whole flax seeds in a small grinder or

blender cup. In this way, you get the freshest, best-tasting, least

spoiled oil possible, plus all of the other nutrients and fiber

contained in flax.

• Avoid coffee, which can cause symptoms of indigestion. Both

regular and decaffeinated coffee should be eliminated.

• If you suspect that you may have intestinal yeasts, bacteria and

parasites, raw garlic is the best natural antibiotic substance. Slice

one to 2 cloves and swallow at night with a glass of water (not

chewing helps to avoid the odor). Garlic is able to kill bacteria,

parasites and yeasts. If you suspect you have a large overgrowth,

even higher doses of garlic may be required. However, do not continue

to use raw garlic long term. Use raw garlic for short periods of

times, 2-4 weeks at most.

• Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates as this is fuel for

harmful microorganisms especially yeasts.

• Use turmeric daily (can be taken with garlic at night) which is

known as an aid for digestion and a liver tonic.

• Drink spring water between your meals. Drinking spring water

between your meals helps to soften the food in your intestinal tract

and helps the friendly bacteria clean the intestinal walls.

All the former instructions should bring encouraging results but you

have to be patient because cleansing must come first, then and only

then, the rebuilding of healthy new tissue takes place leading to a

healthy digestive system.

References:

The Healthy Liver & Bowel Book. Cabot, M.D.

Optimal Digestion. Trent Nichols, M.D.

Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management. Bernard Jensen, D.C.