The Gut

4/10/2012

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Total Renewal by Frank Lipman, M.D.

The majority of the maladies that we experience can be traced to an unhealthy gut.  Not only does the gut digest food, but it also plays a major role in our immune and nervous systems.  Have you ever been stressed and felt the stress in your gut - upset stomach, loss of appetite, diarrhea?  Keeping the gut healthy can go a long way in maintaining overall health.  The gut is also important for detoxification.  We are exposed to more and more toxins each day, and this puts a lot of stress on our gut.  Dr. Lipman uses a program developed by Jeffrey Bland to promote intestinal health - the plan is as follows:
  • Remove:  Toxins in food, gastric irritants (such as caffeine, alcohol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), food allergens and sensitivities, and chronic low-grade infections in the gut (yeast and parasites)
  • Replace:  Stomach acid and digestive enzymes
  • Reinoculate:  Restore beneficial bacteria to reestablish a healthy balance of microflora in the gut (this can be done by taking a probiotic (friendly bacteria)).
  • Regenerate:  Provide nutrients to heal the gut wall or lining (glutamine) and support the immune functioning of the gut. 
Once the gut is working efficiently, food is absorbed better, fatigue is diminished, and there are other benefits such as less illness and mental health concerns.  Have a great day - Shanna



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Candida

1/17/2012

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Happy Winter!  The actual winter cold may be beneficial for some people this year.  Many people's allergy symptoms have lasted longer this year due to the freezing and thawing.  There are definitely more molds and fungus in our environment.  One bothersome microbial that many people have an abundance of in their systems is candida.  Candida comes in many different varieties and we all have candida in our guts.  The concern is when our systems are out of balance, and we get an overabundance of candida in our systems.  Candida can be associated with almost any symptom or ailment - from fatigue to diarrhea to headaches.  Candida also lives on sugar, so if you are having symptoms or ailments and sugar cravings, candida may be a concern for you.  For many people, it is necessary to replenish the systems friendly bacteria, avoid all sugars and sugar producing foods, and to use supplements to alleviate the candida in the system.  If you are feeling not up to your optimal level, it is worth looking into how candida could be affecting you.  Have a great day - Shanna
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September 27, 2011

9/27/2011

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This is my first blog in this new format.  Please let me know if you have input on how to make it better - thanks - Shanna

The Truth About Food by Jill Fullerton-Smith

The author's first chapter of her book is called, How to Be Healthy.  Many people that I see will begin taking a probiotic (friendly bacteria) to help balance their guts.  The author gives us a little background information on why friendly bacteria is so important for our systems:
  • There are about 100 million million bacteria in your gut, adding just over 2.2 pounds to your body mass.
  • A few hundred differentt species are present, however, only around forty species account for the majority of the bacteria in your gut flora, and most of them are beneficial.
  • The good bacteria survive by fermenting dietary fiber, found in foods of plant origin.  
  • If you are ill stressed, very tired, or taking antibiotics, your gut flora suffers.
  • To maintain the positive efffects on your gut flora, you need to take probiotics and prebiotics regularly.
It becomes very important for our overall health to keep a good balance of friendly bacteria (85%) to bad bacteria (15%).   This can help our systems fight off disease, parasites, and candida fungus.  It will also provide optimum digestion.  A great benefit at this time of year, is that a healthy gut can also be beneficial to our immune system.  Have a great day - Shanna

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