What’s Up With Your Gut?
Sorry to all of you looking forward to my blog updates. I have been really busy taking care of ill patients. That is a great thing in that there are much happier people in the world now!
This entry I’m going to be talking about your gut and why it is so important to take care of it. Almost no one ever hears that we should take care of our gut but in reality we should be really looking to keep our gut as healthy as possible.
When I speak to patients regarding their gut the first thing that comes to their mind is “I don’t have a digestion problem”. After asking a few questions, if they have any issues of gas, stomach pain, rumbling, bloating, belching, nausea or a burning sensation the reply is well yes I have those. I also ask questions if they have any allergies to substances that they never had before or they just don’t do well with eating certain foods? Another one is if you get sick more frequently than you used to there is a problem with your gut. If you answered yes to any of those questions then you most likely have gut issues that need attending to.
The gut is unique in that it does not just process the food we ingest but it also assimilates and eliminates as well. What most people do not realize is that many of our hormones are manufactured in the gut and most of our immune fighting capabilities also come from the gut. If our gut isn’t functioning properly we don’t either.
So what makes our gut get worse as we get older?
Consumption of sugar, alcohol, coffee, greasy, spicy, refined foods, junk foods and legumes for as start. Other factors are antibiotics, chemotherapy, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, chlorinated water, heavy metal overloads, poor diet and underlying illnesses can be contributing factors.
The lining of our intestine is meant to not only to absorb food, but also act as a barrier to keep out invading pathogens. When things like aspirin, bacteria, or even pesticides sprayed on our food batter this lining, the lining loses its integrity. WHen the lining loses its integrity then bad bacteria, viruses, parasites and other microorganisms and undigested proteins make their way through the gut lining and permeate into the blood stream causing allergies and insensitivities to occur.
How can we prevent and improve the health of our gut?
The best way is to avoid those things listed above that cause destruction of the lining. Other ways are to take proper nutritional supplements to help the gut lining repair itself. In order to do that you need to build up the good bacteria in the gut and that is by taking Probiotics, taking enzymes with your meals to help digest the intake of your foods and taking Glutamine for restorative tissue repair.
Probiotics are necessary to rebuild the friendly bacteria in the gut. A healthy balance supports immune function and decreases colony populations of harmful bacteria. Billions of these beneficial micro-organisms are there to keep the intestines clean by feeding on the putrefaction, waste, fungus, yeast and other harmful bacteria. These beneficial micro-organisms also aid the body by producing the essential elements such as hormones, vitamins and proteins that are needed to run our body.
Enzymes are needed for every chemical reaction and reaction that takes place in the body. The american diet is pretty much devoid of the enzymes that we so critically need. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber are non functional without enzymes. metabolic enzymes are needed to mobilize our organs, tissues and cells. Hormones are also dependent to work properly. Enzymes have a specific function in the body from digesting food to repairing muscle and bone. Assimilation as well as detoxification are dependent of enzymes. Cooking, microwaving, etc. destroys many of the food enzymes. LIFE IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT ENZYMES!
All raw foods naturally contain the proper types and proportions of enzymes necessary to digest itself, whether in human consumption or in the eventual decomposition in the natural world. Supplementation of food enzymes is necessary to today’s society due to the prevalence of cooked and/or processed foods. Food enzymes are essentially destroyed at 188 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing the full digestive burden on the body, the digestive process becomes over-stressed and vital nutrients are not released from food for assimilation. Digestive enzymes begin in the mouth with the salivary enzymes, however their activity level is limited to a pH of 5.0 or higher. Several studies conducted at major universities have shown that enzymes in the saliva continue their digestive activity in the upper stomach and can digest up to 30% of the ingested proteins, 60% of ingested starch and 10% of the ingested at during the 30 to 60 minutes after consumption.
Exogenous plant enzymes are active in the pH range of 3.0 to 9.0 and can facilitate the utilization of a much larger amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat before HCL is secreted in sufficient amounts to neutralize their activity. Taking high-potency plant-digestive enzymes when you have a meal will greatly enhance your digestion and optimize the breakdown of food. Complete breakdown of food eliminates multiple allergen sources, and provides support for allergy-related conditions.
Glutamine is a major fuel of the intestines and contributes to the metabolic processes that are necessary for restorative tissue repair. A healthy intestinal lining maximizes nutrient absorption, while acting as a barrier to foreign invaders. Glutamine reinforces the immune system and has been proven to stimulate intestinal cell growth while reducing cell injury and infection. It also stimulates mucosal cells, which are highly protective against the damage seen in ulcers.
Healing the gut lining is applicable in patients with: asthma, arthritis, food allergies, ulcers, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, autoimmune diseases, alcoholism, chronic fatigue, joint pain, migraines, diarrhea, parasitic infections, dysbiosis, candidiasis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, T-cell lymphomas and generally as a preventative measure, since we all have permeability to some degree.
So the point I am trying to make is this. If you are experiencing any type of dis-ease process it can most likely be related in some way shape or form of gut related issues. Improving the health of the gut will in nearly all cases make an improvement of one’s life. Knowing what to take and how much can only be determined by your doctor.
If you suspect that you may have an issue with your gut make an appointment to have a consultation to discuss how giving your gut the proper nutrition can help save your life.
Please pass this information on as well as letting others know about my blog and if you or someone you know that could use some assistance please call my office for a free consultation.
Sunrise Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center
39210 State Street, Suite 120
Fremont, CA 94538
510–796-7000
www.sunrisechiropractic.org
