Probiotics 101 – part one

One of the biggest sellers on the supplement shelves are probiotics. You have probably heard about some of their benefits. Many people are aware that they can be useful after taking antibiotics. But their value for our health goes far beyond that.

By definition, probiotics are 'live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host' (WHO). Certain probiotics have been shown to prevent, relieve and speed up recovery from various types of diarrhoea, be it antibiotic-induced or traveller's diarrhoea. Probiotics produce vitamins K, biotin, B1, B2, B6 and B12. They also aid digestion and relieve malabsorption and constipation. They help to treat colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, food allergies and lactose intolerance. Not limited to effects on the digestive tract, they can improve immune function and prevent infections, help people with dermatitis or eczema, reduce the risk of kidney stones and certain cancers, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and have been found to be of great benefit to premature or acutely ill babies. There also seems to be a relationship between gut flora composition and body weight. Seem like a wonder drug to you?

Well, there are also some common misconceptions. Before we look at them, let's start with the basics. Each person has about 1.5 kilograms (!) of bacteria, yeasts and other microbes in their gut. To put it another way: you have around ten trillion cells in your body (that is a one with 13 zeros) – and about ten times as many microorganisms in your gut. Some of them are good, and these are the ones that you can take in a capsule or powder as a 'probiotic'. Some are bad, stealing your nutrients, potentially affecting your health or directly causing disease. And some are mostly neither here nor there but can go cranky on you under certain conditions. It is all a matter of the right balance, of who is getting to critical numbers. The most common thing to disrupt this balance is ...?

No, NOT antibiotic use, as a common myth suggests, but stress. Long term stress changes the environment in our guts in a way that doesn't much bother the bad and rather useless characters in our gut flora, but is not well tolerated by the good guys. Stressed, anyone? Ever seen your health go down during or after a stressful period? Got an infection as soon as you got a rest? Or a bout of thrush maybe? While there is a range of reasons why long-term stress isn't great for our health, your symptoms may have been a greeting from a couple of trillion 'friends' in your tummy.

Common myth number two: Antibiotics 'wipe out' your gut flora. Think about it: 1.5kg of microbes living there happily under normal circumstances. Have you ever lost that much weight from taking antibiotics? I'm sure some quack would have started to sell them as weight-loss drugs by now. Yes, antibiotics do affect gut flora. But it is again more a shift in the balance than a 'wipe out'. Humans could actually survive without any gut flora and all of us have sterile guts until birth. But once we pick up our first gut friends from our mother and the environment outside her belly, there is no way back. So for most people, a (hopefully well indicated) course of antibiotics will only make a short term dent in your bowel flora without noticeable health problems.

Yet to prevent any potential issues or if you already have digestive or immune problems – or stress –, it might still be a good idea to take probiotics during antibiotic treatment (as far apart as possible, i.e. if you take your anitibiotic in the morning, take your probiotic at night) and for about six to eight weeks after. Certainly, if you are getting diarrhoea from your antibiotics, probiotics are the way to go. In that case, you might want to see a naturopath to make sure you take the right stuff and that there isn't something else going on. A naturopath may also be able to help you pick a probiotic strain that is resistant to the specific antibiotic you take. It is important that you discuss any problems with your doctor but don't expect them to know as much about probiotics as a well trained naturopath.

Next time, I will talk a little bit about which probiotics to choose, whether to take capsules or powder, the right dose and so on. As always, please feel free to contact me via www.tonikahealth.com.au with comments, questions or requests of what you want me to address in future blogs. 

Probiotics 101 – part two

(Note: If you have not yet read part one of this series, scroll down below and read it first.)

Now that we know some basics about our gut bacteria, let's get into the detail of how to influence your internal balance in the right direction, in particular which strains you may look for in a supplement and the right dose.

All strains of probiotics have beneficial effects on digestive health and – as 80% of your immune system sits around the digestive tract – also help the immune system. But as discussed in the last part, the benefits are more far reaching. The following strains have shown good results in helping certain health conditions.

(L. = Lactobacillus, B. = Bifidobacterium, S. = Streptococcus)

Ok, you should now be able to better pick a probiotic supplement to suit your problem. But if you find this all too complicated, just pick one with a wide range of organisms. There are over 400 different microorganisms in the human digestive tract, so variety is good. Research suggests that multi-strain formulas get better results.

Kid's doses start at 1 billion CFU (colony forming units) per day, adults should take at least 5 billion and up to 100 billion daily. Research has so far not found negative effects from very high doses. I tend to prescribe between 20 and 100 billion CFUs daily.

If you are treating an acute condition, such as short term diarrhoea, or want to make up for a course of antibiotics, I recommend you take probiotics for 6-8 weeks. If you are dealing with a chronic condition, such as allergies or chronic digestive disease, you should be taking your supplement long term – and with that I mean up to one or even two years – to get a lasting effect. This is not to say that you won't see benefits much earlier than that. But long term problems require long term solutions.

Probiotics 101 – part three

Here is the final part of our series on probiotics: in which form to take them and at what time. Probiotics are expensive supplements, so you want to get this right.  If you haven't read part one and two below yet, you may want to scroll down and read those first.

Before you reach for any tablets (be it supplements or medication), check that you have also made some necessary changes to your lifestyle. You can't fix unhealthy living by popping a few pills. In this case, this might involve looking at your stress levels and making some necessary changes, either by stress reduction or stress management. You also want to have a good, honest look at your diet. The good bacteria in our guts are sensitive to fat and sugar (out go the chips, the ice cream and the lollies) and they like to get some fibre (in come the whole grains, the vegetables and the legumes). And they don't like too much alcohol.

And don't get me wrong when I said that antibiotics are not the main reason for gut bacteria imbalance. They certainly are not gentle on them either. They are designed to kill bacteria, and they don't distinguish friend from foe. So here is the bottom line: Antibiotics are amazing drugs that save lives. But they are overused at an alarming rate in Australia. Research is clear: There is NO benefit from antibiotics in the common cold or any other viral infection. There is NO benefit from antibiotics in middle ear infection. You have to give 15 people with sinus problems antibiotics before you see one getting better any faster.  There is NO need for antibiotics in mild, self-limiting infections, as inconvenient as you may find them. Please use antibiotics responsibly, i.e. ONLY when necessary and then finish any course exactly as prescribed. And if you are taking certain other drugs, such as antacids or gastric acid inhibitors to treat reflux or other problems, consider seeking naturopathic treatment instead. These drugs also affect your bowel flora negatively and don't address the underlying digestive imbalance.

Ok, off the soapbox now and back to probiotics. Firstly, what to use: powder or capsules? Powders are generally cheaper, you can more easily adjust the dose and some people swear they work better. Yet if you use good quality products, personally I have not found a great difference between powder and capsule. How to know a good quality product? Prefer brands that you trust, be aware that quality does have a price (cheapies usually cut corners somewhere) and, if possible, use brands that require a naturopathic prescription. These are available from your naturopath, of course – obviously my preferred way of you choosing any supplements –, but also from good heath food or vitamin shops that have a qualified naturopath on site to advise you.

Capsules on the other hand are more convenient. Some are also 'enterically coated' which means you can take them any time you like (or remember) as they will not be affected by stomach acid. Other probiotics including powders MUST be taken at the end of a full meal, when the acid in your stomach is the most diluted.

Probiotics are also now available in tablet form. Generally, I have not found them to be as effective as capsules or powder. That might be because the probiotics in them have been exposed to processing steps that reduce their viability.

In short: my recommendation is usually capsules for convenience and flexibility; powders if price, adjusting the dose or swallowing is an issue – for instance when treating kids.

Most probiotics contain freeze-dried bacteria that need to be kept cold until you revive them in an environment they can live in (like your tummy). You should buy probiotics only from a shop that has them in a fridge. You generally also want to keep them in your fridge at home but if that is not convenient because you are travelling etc, it is fine as long as you use them within two or three weeks and try to reduce heat exposure as much as possible. Bacteria numbers will start to decline, but you will still get a benefit.

I hope that you feel confident now about using probiotics. They are some of the best researched items on supplement shelves – and the researchers have often been very surprised by their powerful benefits for our health. As always: any questions, comments or feedback, contact me by clicking this link to the 'contact us' section at www.tonikahealth.com.au.

Allergies, adrenal exhaustion, fatigue and gut permeability; How it all fits together

Allergies have become one of the most prevalent problems of our modern age; most people seem to have some form of allergy.  What exactly is an allergy how is it manifest, what causes it and what can we do about it?

What is an allergy?

To most people allergy is hay fever, or some symptom experienced after eating some specific food. Allergies can be of two types, environmental such as hay fever, usually a reaction to pollen, or a food allergy, a reaction to a food item. Reactions can vary from itchy eyes, running nose to anaphaxtic shock which can involve the swelling of the airways which can be life threatening.

What cause an allergy or food sensitivity?

Gut Permeability.

The major source of toxic material is via the Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT).

The intestinal wall is covered with mucus which protects if from attack. If there is damage to the intestinal and/or food is not properly digested, incompletely digested food will enter the bloodstream. This condition is called Gut permeability, or leaky Gut syndrome. What amounts to microscopic "holes" develop in the GIT wall allowing incompletely digested particles into the bloodstream. All the blood from the GIT goes to the liver first where special immune cells called Kupper cells destroy the foreign material. When a person is eating more than 2 or 3 meals a day (snacking) the Kupper cells cannot cope and the liver is overloaded resulting in an overflow into the main blood stream. The immune system will identifies it as an enemy and the immunes system is called into action. This is seen in live Blood Analysis. This requires large amounts of energy resulting in tiredness and sleepiness after a meal. Over time the immune system becomes "allergic" to the substances and histamine is released producing the all too well know symptoms of an allergy.  Eventually the nervous system is affected resulting in depression and other nervous system symptoms. The Adrenals become exhausted and the brain is affected with symptoms like poor memory. The Hormones slowly become unbalanced. Women will often show some signs of hormone imbalance. Excess toxic material produced has to be neutralized by the liver requiring large amounts of vitamins, minerals and amino acids (from protein), and have to be eliminated via the skin, bowel, and kidneys. Nutritional deficiencies result and toxins accumulate causing joint and muscle conditions. So you can see every body system is affected.

The Digestive System is the key.

Many people do not realize that about 70% of the immune system actually exists in the GIT. Poor digestion causes incomplete breakdown of food. Just like on a production line, you need to have the material from one stage properly processed before it goes to the next stage. If digestion has not started in the mouth by proper chewing, the stomach has a hard time dealing with the food. If the stomach has not done it's job properly because we have been stressed while eating, the Intestines have poorly digested food come in and so it goes. The mucus lining may be removed or thinned because of low calcium (a component of mucus). So nutrition comes into it. Chemicals in our food will damage the lining, so can the wrong bacteria. Good bacteria protect the lining. Antibiotics will kill them, and these drugs are mycotoxin, meaning toxins produced by fungi. Not all the fungi can be removed during the processing of the drug resulting in a fungal infection developing.

Allergies in Children

Acidophilus bacteria consumed by the infant from the birth canal during the natural birth process sets up residence in the immature intestines, and Bifidus Bacteria from the mother's breast milk in the colon, protecting the lining. Caesarean birth, formula feeding, and chemical ingestion means these essential organisms are not as prevalent as they should be. 

Detecting GIT damage

GIT Inflammation and Gut Permeability that results from it can be seen in both live and dried blood (HLB), as can other effects of histamine such as increased immune activity. Liver stress is evident. Fungal infections are also common, causing damage to the GIT and overloading the liver and immune system.

What can we do about it?

It is common to use herbs to suppress the immune system so that less histamine is produced. This can help the symptoms, but is only a band aid treatment. The naturopathic way is to identify and remove the cause. Every system of the body is stressed and needs relief, repair and rebuilding.

As we have discussed, allergies are caused by gut permeability which affects every system of the body. A program must be implemented which will kill off any infections such as fungal infections, and rebuild the damage to the body, especially the digestion and elimination channels.  This requires a properly qualified health professional who understands the above issues.

There are things you can do:

1. Improve your digestion.
• Eat slower, chew more and eat in a relaxed environment.
• Do not eat while stressed.
• Do not drink with, just after, and before meals (1/4 glass of water to take supplements is OK). To prevent dilution of digestive juices.
• Do not do heavy exercise just after a meal. A relaxing walk is very beneficial for digestion.
• Use herbs called bitters to stimulate digestive secretions
• Take acidophilus and Bifidus, friendly bacteria to increase the good guys.
• Use vegetable based digestive enzymes Achieve and maintain good elimination to Reduce toxic load
2. • Make sure that bowels are working well to prevent taking toxins back into the bloodstream. Proper elimination consists of a good easy bowel movement after every meal.
   • The quickest way to stop a reaction is to take an enema to reduce the toxic load.
   • Drink at least 2litre of purified water per day.
3. Reduce the load by finding out what you are allergic to and avoiding them.

Ian Ridgeway ND

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Gluten Sensitivity - Nutrition & Environmental Medicine Fact File

About the Author

Dr Greg Emerson is the Founder and Medical Director of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre which opened in October 2005. He is a consultant in Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He is also a senior specialist in Emergency Medicine and in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. For 18 years he practiced in several large public hospitals including a period of time as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at a major trauma hospital in Canada and as the Director of a leading Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. He is a lecturer, examiner and current board member for the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and a past-examiner for the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. A long personal battle with illness led him on a profound exploration of healing processes and the prevention of illness. He reappraised both his medical focus and the way he approached health care delivery.

He believes in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal itself if the underlying cause of the illness is addressed. His practice revolves around three core principles, in the belief that almost all non-traumatic illnesses will respond to these principles:

• Elimination of food and chemical sensitivities
• Alkalinisation and detoxification
• Balancing of hormones

Dr Emerson regularly lectures both within Australia and internationally on Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He also runs his own successful international medical conference. His mission is to provide people with the knowledge, tools and motivation to live a life of extraordinary health, vitality and longevity.

Indigestion - It May be More Than a Pain in the Stomach

By Anne Wolski 

Most of us never even notice the internal workings of our digestive system. Occasionally, we may have a bit of a tummy rumble or belch but nothing more.

Indigestion is a common disorder and is characterized by pain and a nauseous and full feeling in the stomach. It often occurs after we have eaten or overeaten the wrong types of food. Severe or persistent indigestion may need treatment as it may be a symptom of a medical complaint.

Types of indigestion

It is extremely common to get a bout of indigestion after eating rich or spicy food or after eating a heavy meal and most adults have suffered this form of mild indigestion from time to time. If the indigestion is more severe and persists even after using an antacid, it may be indicative of a medical condition that can be treated. Medical conditions with indigestion as a symptom include migraine headache, peptic ulcer, and hiatus hernia. This type of indigestion is known as chronic indigestion.

Causes of Indigestion

Indigestion usually occurs as a result of eating food that is unsuitable or it can occur as a result of the way that food is eaten. However, it can be a symptom of illness. Foods such as pickled onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, curries, spicy foods, and foods rich in butter or cream are common culprits for causing indigestion in some people.

There are also some foods and other substances that the stomach deals with more slowly and these can also be the cause of indigestion. Such things include unripe fruit, raw meat, excess alcohol, excess tea or coffee, and tobacco. Because the stomach does not process these substances as quickly, the acid lies in the stomach for a long time before being passed into the duodenum. Heartburn is then caused by the acid being poured out of the stomach.

Failing to chew food efficiently or eating too fast may bring on a case of indigestion for some people. Poor dental hygiene can also be to blame. This is because blood or pus from bad or septic teeth may leak, tainting food and causing chronic indigestion.

The vagus nerve is responsible for acid production and rate of discharge of food from the stomach. Because this part of the nervous system is also affected by depression and anxiety, it can create a psychological reason for indigestion. This is due to excess acid production and slowness in emptying the stomach which can cause indigestion and ulcers.

Symptoms of Indigestion

The symptoms of indigestion can range from mild pain and flatulence to severe pain and regurgitation of acidic food and can affect individuals in different ways.

The cause of the indigestion may also determine the symptoms or the combination of symptoms in each individual. Regardless of this, it is usual to experience either colicky or constant pain in the stomach or the upper chest. Often, you may feel nauseous and feel very full and bloated. Vomiting will relieve the indigestion immediately.

Another symptom of indigestion is heartburn. This is characterized by the regurgitation of acid that comes up into the mouth and produces a burning sensation in the chest. There is also another symptom called waterbrash where saliva flows into the mouth and is usually accompanied by wind or hiccups.

When a person has chronic indigestion, the tongue may feel dry and furry and the breath is very stale.

Dangerous Side Effects

An occasional bout of indigestion isn't normally dangerous and can happen to anyone following a night of drinking alcohol or following a heavy meal. It is only when the indigestion is chronic, or when the pain remains or becomes worse, that it is important to seek medical advice as it may be a symptom of a more serious condition rather than simple indigestion.

Similar symptoms to indigestion can be found in inflammation of the gallbladder, appendicitis, and even a heart attack though in this case the pain remains fixed or becomes worse despite taking an antacid.

Where an undiagnosed peptic ulcer causes the chronic indigestion, the ulcer may bleed or become perforated. Sometimes persistent indigestion may also be an early indication of stomach cancer. Ignoring the possibility of any of these conditions and putting it all down to indigestion can be dangerous and even fatal. If you suffer from persistent indigestion, it is vital that you see your doctor.

Treatment for Indigestion

A medical examination will establish whether the cause of the indigestion is something such as hiatus hernia, stomach cancer, or peptic ulcer. These examinations may include x-rays or an endoscopy.

If the indigestion is caused by a stressful way of life or poor dietary habits, then lifestyle changes are all that is needed. Isolated bouts of indigestion will usually react favorably to an antacid. This will relieve the symptoms quickly and effectively.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/34/Anne-Wolski

Do you suffer from Candidiasis?

How to Cure Constipation and Hemorrhoids

By constipation hard stool assembles in the lower colon or rectum without coming out in due time. This causes the stomach region to engorge, causes diffuse discomfort and sometimes sharp pain. When the hard stool eventually pass out it can overstretch the tissue in the anal region and tear up the mucosa and skin in this area.

Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the anal area. They often get infected and inflamed, making them even more engorged and causing itching and other uncomfortable feelings. Inflamed hemorrhoids often rupture and cause bleeding and sharp burning sensations.

Prolonged or frequent constipation often causes hemorrhoids by increasing the pressure in the anal region. To treat hemorrhoids effectively, the constipation must be treated simultaneously. Here are some measures to cure constipation and hemorrhoids:

Your diet must contain fiber in each meal, since fiber stimulate the bowel to work better and empty itself in due time. Food sources containing fiber are full corn cereals, full corn bread, vegetables and fruit.

Your diet must contain the right amount of fat. Too little fat makes the stool hard, too much can irritate the digestion. Vary between these natural fat sources: Fat fish, almonds, olive oil, rape oil, canola oil and flax oil. The fat type in these oils alleviates inflammations in the digestive system. In addition you should consume some, but not too much of these fat sources: Nuts, sunflower seeds, avocados, eggs, spawn, sunflower oil, corn oil and soy oil.

Drink enough water, since water makes the stool softer.

Eat regular meals each day. Do not overfill your stomach at each meal. It can be better to eat four or five smaller meals that three larger.

Go to the toilet every time you feel the urge to pass stool. Relax at the toilet and let it all get the time to pass out. Try to avoid straining to pass the stool out. To ease the passing of stool you can smear the anal opening with vaseline or with special ointments made for this purpose.

Two tablespoons of linen seeds each day for some time can loosen the stomach content and help to alleviate constipation and hemorrhoids. Let the seeds lie in water one hour before swallowing both the seeds and the water with the dissolved mucus from the seeds.

By hard constipation, it can be useful to take a small or middle sized enema a couple of times each week. You can buy enema ampoules that are easy to use for this purpose. The content of these ampoules not only loosens the stool, but also stimulates the bowel to empty itself. A very great enema can however increase the intestinal pressure and worsen the hemorrhoids.

Two or three cups of coffee or tea each day stimulate the intestines to work better and counteract constipation. Too much, however, can irritate the stomach, can cause bloating, and thereby worsen constipation and hemorrhoids.

Use strong spices in your food like cayenne, chili or ginger. These spices stimulate the tissue in the digestive system to heal. Too much of these spices can however irritate your digestive system.

Regular exercise will stimulate your intestines to work more effectively and this way counteract constipation and hemorrhoids.

Take also some time each day to stress down and relax. A nervous system in a stressed mood sends fewer signals to the digestive system to work, and the digestive system slows down its function. Meditation is a very effective way of stressing down that also stimulates the digestive organs to work better.

You can alleviate acute hemorrhoids by applying topical ointments in the anal region. These products will do several simultaneous actions: Lubricating the anus to pass stool more easily, alleviating inflammation, killing bacteria infecting the hemorrhoids, stimulating tissue healing and alleviating pain.

You can also use oral drugs to treat hemorrhoids. The actions of these are: Stool softening, stimulation of intestinal movements, stimulation of tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory action and pain relief.

Some of these oral or topical products are pharmacological drugs. Others are based on natural plant fibers, herbs, natural oils, vitamins and minerals. Some of them combine natural agents with synthetic chemicals.

Knut Holt is an internet consultant and marketer focusing on health items. To find natural drugs to treat constipation, hemorrhoids and stomach problems, please visit: http://www.abicana.com/shop2b.htm To see a menu of other products and advices to treat diseases and improve general health, please visit: http://www.abicana.com

Candida And Probiotics

Probiotics are a popular dietary supplement that includes microorganisms that are beneficial to the human body. They have shown to be important to sufferers of Candida by helping to repopulate the “good” bacteria in the intestines that help to keep Candida under control. They help the body make many vitamins, such as bioten, vitamin B-6, folic acid and niacin. They aid the body in digestion and help to combat vaginal yeast infections in women.

Probiotics also have been shown to help tip the acid balance by secreting lactic acid and acetic acid in the intestines and vagina, helping to deprive harmful bacteria of the nutrients they need to flourish. The ‘good’ bacteria in the body make enzymes that are key to fighting an overgrowth of Candida in the body. Probiotics should be taken with a meal.

The bacteria that lives in the colon serves a vital function for the human body. Not only are they the bodies scavengers, helping to absorb any last nutrients that the intestines left behind, they also help to attack any evil bacteria lurking in the body and looking to make us sick. The main use of Probiotics is to help put the body back on an even keel, due to an outbreak of Candida, or other reasons, such as a poor, nutrient-lacking diet or even an overuse of antibiotics.

Probiotic treatment has been linked to a decrease in the likelihood of colon cancer since the micro organisms release compounds that are known to kill some yeasts, viruses and bacteria.

Probiotic treatment is even prescribed for sufferers of urinary tract infections and vaginitis. The possible benefits of probiotic treatment is only now being researched fully and more should become known over the coming years.

Live yogurt is the best known probiotic therapy. Women have known for years that the best way to stave off yeast infections after taking antibiotics is to enjoy a cup of yogurt, but the health benefits of this snack favourite may be wider than previously thought. Yogurt is cultured with the same sort of bacteria that live in your stomach and intestines and helps protect against the growth of Candida. Adding yogurt to your diet or to the diet of a child has shown to lessen intestinal and vaginal problems, diarrhea and Candida yeast growth. It is also thought that it helps with immune system health.

For Candida sufferers who are starting out with Probiotic treatment, be prepared for a few days of gastronomical problems. Increased abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence are common as the body gets itself back on an even keel.

This is still a very controversial treatment, since the connection between Candida and antibiotics killing off too much beneficial bacteria in the intestine hasn’t been proven. Do not begin any supplement program without first consulting a doctor. Probiotic treatment for Candida has many ardent followers, but the sneaky thing about Candida is that one treatment that works for one person will not necessarily work for all. Keeping a diary of your symptoms is an excellent way to see what treatment is working for your own Candida symptoms and what isn’t.

About the author
Jane Symms has an interest in Candida. For further information on Candida please visit http://www.eliminating-candida.com/candida.html or http://www.eliminating-candida.com/blog/2006/10/10/candida-and-probiotics/ .  

Enzymes And Probiotics Are Keys To Health And Digestion

The gastrointestinal system, a complex network of organs and glands which extracts nutrients and water from the food that we eat so that they can be used by the body, processes the food in six phases. First, it mentally prepares the stomach for the meal that we are about to eat. Then, it takes food into the body, followed by moving that food through the GI tract. Next, it breaks down the food with both mechanical and chemical processes and then absorbs the digestive food into the vascular and lymphatic systems for distribution to the cells. Finally, the indigestible substances and waste products are eliminated from the body. Digestion itself is divided into two categories, those being mechanical and chemical. Mechanical digestion is the physical movement that assists chemical digestion. After the initial breakdown by chewing, food is churned by the smooth muscles of the stomach and small intestine, allowing it to mix with the enzymes that start the chemical reactions. Chemical digestion, on the other hand, is a series of chemical reactions that break down large carbohydrate, lipid, and protein molecules into smaller molecules that can enter blood vessels. In order for optimal digestion to occur, all of these processes must work together. If any part of the system under or over-performs, physical problems will most likely occur.

Enzymes are extremely important to digestion because without them digestion could not take place and the food we eat could not be absorbed into our bodies to be utilized. Enzymes, which are complex proteins that are produced by living cells and can be found in digestive juices, start chemical reactions in the body. They act on food by breaking it down into simpler components that can be used by the body for energy. If digestive enzymes don’t work adequately, inadequate digestion will result which is thought to be a significant cause of food allergies. When food is not digested completely it can initiate allergic reactions in the body, causing inflammation and immune sensitivity and lead to chronic inflammatory conditions and certain types of arthritis.

There are many enzymes that are part of the digestion process. However, there are three main enzymes that are involved in digestion. These are amylase, protease, and lipase. Other enzymes, including sucrase, lactase, and maltase are very important for secondary function in digestion. Amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates, can be found in saliva and pancreatic secretions. It initiates digestion of dietary starches and breaks down starch into several simpler molecules. Disaccharides including lactose, maltose, and sucrose, are broken down into simple sugars by lactase, maltase, and sucrase. These simple sugars can be absorbed through the small intestine to help with energy production. Proteases, which break down protein, cause protein digestion to begin in the stomach. The stomach’s acidic environment activates the protease pepsin, which is deactivated in the alkaline environment of the intestine. Proteins are further broken down by pancreatic enzymes into amino acids in the intestine. Lipases break down fat into essential fatty acids. Fat digestion speeds up in the second part of the small intestine with the help of the pancreatic lipases. These lipase enzymes are responsible for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Animal enzymes, especially those that are derived from pig enzymes are very similar to human digestive enzymes. Animal enzymes are much more sensitive to pH extremes; therefore many animal enzyme formulas sold as dietary supplements contain bicarbonates to protect the enzymes from stomach acid. Plant derived enzymes, on the other hand; come from fungal and botanical sources. They are able to survive a broad range of pH differences and provide a larger range of activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Plant enzymes are often preferred by those who wish to avoid animal-derived products.

Along with these, there are many other dietary supplements that are effective in supporting digestive health, specifically probiotic supplements, which offer numerous health benefits. Probiotics are non-toxic, live bacteria that are necessary for life and do not cause disease. The most commonly studied probiotics are those from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium group. Because these two probiotic groups have the ability to break down lactose, they are known as lactic acid bacteria. These probiotics can be found in many foods and dietary supplements. In our intestines we have colonies of bacteria called microflora, which is associated with good health when they are normal. However, changes in intestinal health are often associated with a weakened immune function and an imbalance in the natural microflora is often linked with various diseases such as yeast infections and colon cancer. By orally ingesting probiotic bacteria, we help to support the composition and metabolic activities of the microflora found in the large intestine. These microflora help the digestive process through fermentation, protection against disease-causing bacteria, and stimulation of certain immune system components. Probiotic bacteria have also demonstrated anti-cancer properties in many studies. Results have shown that people taking L. acidophilus fermented milk have a much larger number of intestinal Lactobacilli, which in turn decreases the risk factors associated with colon cancer.

Lactose is an important sugar that is converted to lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria. Many people have lactose intolerance as a result of genetics, gastrointestinal disease, or a decline in the amount of intestinal lactase levels that are associated with aging. Lactose intolerance is caused by an inability to digest lactose because of a failure of small intestine cells to produce lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose). Those who are deficient in lactase accumulate non-absorbed lactose in the GI tract, drawing water and electrolytes into the gut. This leads to bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and malabsorption of nutrients. Lactic acid bacteria support the breakdown of lactose by enhancing the activity of lactase, therefore improving digestion and tolerance. Although probiotic bacteria usually survive passage through the stomach, they do not permanently colonize in the body. Therefore, to ensure optimal support of the digestive system, these probiotic bacteria need to be replenished. To do so, they should be ingested regularly in order for their health-promoting effects to continue. Digestive enzymes and probiotics can be found at your friendly online vitamin store.

By: Darrell Miller

Please visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/ VitaNet sells digestive enzymes to boost health.

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Peptic Ulcers

What is Peptic Ulcer? 

Have you ever seen or had an ulcer on you skin? If you have you will notice it is very red, i.e. inflamed, the skin is broken and it looks like a hole being eaten into the flesh. The area is literally being eaten away. This is basically what a Peptic Ulcer is, but it is on the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). If it is in the stomach, it is referred to as a Gastric Ulcer, if in the Duodenum (the next section of the GIT after the stomach). It is called a Duodenal Ulcer.

 What are the symptoms of Peptic Ulcers? 

The classic symptoms are pain or gnawing in the abdominal area 1 to 3 hours after eating. If untreated it usually starts bleeding, if there is sufficient blood loss, dark stools may be seen. Occult (hidden) blood can be found in a laboratory examination of the stools. This can result in anaemia, weakness, and general degradation of health due to blood loss and nutritional deficiencies resulting from poor digestion and extra demand as the body tries to heal and repair. If the condition exists for long enough, it can eat all the way through and result I perforation causing the medical emergency, peritonitis.

What causes Peptic ulcers? 

Peptic Ulcers can occur anywhere that this lining is exposed to pepsin, the enzyme that digests protein because the lining of the GIT is not present for some reason. Hence the lining is being digested because the GIT is basically a tube of muscle. Muscle is protein, as is other body tissue.  

It is generally believed that the GIT damage is caused by a spiral shaped bacteria called Campylobacter. However researchers are beginning to reconsider. Researchers in Finders Medical Centre South Australia have found this organism in only 56% of gastric ulcers. They also found it in people with healthy stomach linings. It would appear that it is an opportunistic organism; it takes advantage of you when you are down in health. Kicks you when you're down! It is interesting to find that these researchers found that Candida was also associated with the ulcers in a number of cases. Candida and fungal organism are recognised as opportunistic organisms. As often is the case we can get confused between the chicken and the egg. The real cause is not the "bug" that we find, it is the environment, or conditions present that cause the problem.  

Calcium is a major component of mucus. In fact researchers have found that calcium is needed for cells to secrete mucus, which they do when they are injured, and to repair the damage by putting patch over it. The GIT lining, the mucus membrane is known to be continually replaced as it is damaged by normal digestive function. Remember that we are continually consuming poisons, microbes etc and there is abrasive action as the food moves through the GIT. The mucus protects as well as heals.  

So we can work out what is happening:- 

Digestion is poor and/or diet deficient, especially in Calcium. Leading to à Malnutrition, especially Calcium deficiency à the protective lining is reduced or non-existent. à Pepsin comes in contact with the GIT tissues à these tissues are destroyed causing damage, inflammation and pain. à Opportunistic organisms such as Campylobacter and Candida and possibly other fungal organisms (fungus requires similar conditions to yeasts). It is a case of reasoning from cause to effect. So what is the cause? Poor digestion, poor diet, and a greater demand for vitamins, minerals, proteins etc caused by poisons in entering our bodies.  

What causes poor digestion? Stress has always been associated with Peptic Ulcers. Stress causes the digestive system to stop working, or at least function very poorly and inefficiently. Drugs, notably long term Steroid use, the most commonly used for Asthma and Rheumatoid Arthritis, cause ulcers, especially the bleeding type. Again we get back to digestion. 

Not only is the average Australian diet deficient as far as wise food choices are concerned, it is deficient in minerals due to the imbalances in the soil our food is grown in and refining. 80% of the nutrition from wheat has been removed from white bread, about 50% from so called "wholemeal" bread. Minerals are beginning to be recognised as the single most important factor in our health, and their deficiency the single most important factor in our sickness.

What can we do about it? 

Having determined the cause we now can deal intelligently with the problem.  

1. Deal with stress. Learn how to deal with those things that stress us. Learn how to let go and let God. Balance our lives.
2. Follow the rules of digestion. Don't eat between meals. Don't eat when stressed or hurried, etc.
3. Increase the Calcium intake in your diet. Vegetable protein is best, such as in whole grains and Chinese greens. Walter Veith PhD states that Dairy Calcium is more difficult to absorb than whole wheat bread Calcium. He sites an investigation into the effects of various proteins diets and Calcium retention which found that much of the Dairy Calcium is lost in the urine. The evidence is that countries that consume the most dairy also have the most osteoporosis.
4. Use a good quality Calcium supplement. Calcium Citrate is the one to use as it is the best absorbed, with Calcium Carbonate being absorbed lest. The supplement must be balance with Magnesium at a ratio of 3 Calcium to 1 of Magnesium.
5. Cabbage juice from the white cabbage contains high levels Glutamine, an amino acid known to repair the GIT, and has been found to have a healing effect on peptic ulcers. Amounts as high as I litre of raw cabbage juice does not aggravate the symptoms of Peptic Ulcers.
6. Raw potato has been used effectively for Peptic Ulcers, partially when spasmodic pain is present. It is does not have quite the same healing properties as cabbage juice, but it is close. It contains solanine in small quantities, as does tomatoes. If overdosed, it can produce pupil enlargement and dry throat. My mother used to find raw potato and apple was very helpful when she had stomach problems. Potato is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic (relieves spasms).
7. Other good herbs are Aloe Vera, marshmallow, Liquorice, slippery elm, Marigold, Meadowsweet, and Lemon Balm. Guava, and paw paw are also helpful.
8. Soothing foods that are predigest, i.e. cultured are useful. These include soy yogurt, Keifi, tofu, and Tempeh, and sauerkraut. If the latter is too coarse to be tolerated, use the juice off the sauerkraut.
9. Extra virgin cold pressed olive oil, and coconut oil of good quality can be used with food to coat food soothing and reducing irritation to the Ulcer. These two oils are the only fats or oils that should be consumed by anyone.
10. Avoid refined and processed food like leprosy! 
11. Detoxification, elimination of parasites and latent infections also need to be addressed.

Peptic Ulcers should be dealt with by a natural health professional working closely with the sufferer.

By Ian Ridgeway. Vist  our online clinic at:  www.alnaturalhealth.com.au   

Soothing an Unsettled Stomach

Your body naturally produces enzymes that begin the process of breaking down the food you eat into smaller molecules so it can be absorbed through the digestive tract and bloodstream. This process begins in your mouth with saliva. A combination of ageing and other factors, such as stress and poor diet, can reduce the quality and quantity of digestive enzymes you produce, and can even alter the acidity and pH of your digestive juices. This can lead to tell-tale symptoms, including gas, bloating, belching, muscle pain, skin disorders, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea and heartburn.

Causes of digestive upsets

Your digestive system can become unsettled for a number of reasons, and may result from any of the following:

Insufficient stomach acid

Hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach begins the process of protein digestion; It kills bacteria, effectively sterilising food before it passes through to the small intestine. As you age, your stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid diminishes, leading to poor digestion of protein. In effect, foods putrefy in the stomach, which results in gas, bloating, indigestion, bad breath and discomfort – not to mention foul-smelling stools! This lack of hydrochloric acid creates a chain reaction of malfunctioning in the lower digestive tract. Digestion and assimilation of food is hindered and constipation may occur.

Low enzyme production

The body obtains enzymes in two ways: by manufacturing them or by consuming foods that contain them (enzymes are lacking in processed foods). The number of enzymes your body produces is finite and you cannot force the production of more when you run out. The symptoms of low enzyme production are similar to those of low hydrochloric acid production – feeling heavy after a meal, especially one high in protein.

Poor digestion lowers immunity

You may think that poor digestion is bad enough but, as a consequence, your immune system will also become weaker. Only around half of your body’s total enzyme production is used for digestion, so when your diet is lacking in food-sourced enzymes, your body takes enzymes from your immune system to attend to the digestive process. The body can become weakened to the point that it can no longer protect against outside invaders.

Natural solutions

If you suffer from insufficient stomach acid, low enzyme production or general poor digestion, it’s not all doom and gloom! There are some very good natural treatments that can help to rectify the problem.

Digestive enzymes – natural antacid

The stomach manufactures pepsin, an enzyme that digests protein and breaks it down into its components, peptides and amino acids, for easy absorption through the intestinal lining. Pepsin acts not only as an assistant to the digestive process, but also stimulates renewed functional energy. An acidic environment is necessary to facilitate the function of pepsin. Betaine hydrochloride is often taken in conjunction with pepsin to provide a weak form of hydrochloric acid to supplement the body’s normal secretions. Enzyme supplements help to balance body chemistry and help to alleviate the stress placed on your digestive and immune systems. Taken 15 minutes before a high-protein meal, pepsin and betaine hydrochloride will relieve the symptoms of feeling bloated and heavy after a meal.

Papaya – protein digestion aid

This fruit contains an active constituent called papain. Papain is a mixture of food digesting enzymes that digest proteins from long chains of amino acids into shorter chains and even into individual amino acids while in the digestive tract. Eating the fruit can be useful for relieving indigestion and associated symptoms, such as flatulence and bloating. The protein-digesting properties of papain have been known for a long time, and it is usefully employed in most commercially produced meat tenderisers. The Caribbean Indians noticed this effect when their meat became tender after it was wrapped in papaya leaf. As the fruit has become more readily available, the uses of papaya have become more known and include assisting digestion and easing stomach upsets. Chewing papaya mints when required are a safe alternative to aluminium-containing antacids for relief of heartburn and indigestion.

Meadowsweet – herbal antacid

This herb has been used traditionally for hundreds of years to relieve disturbances of the digestive tract, such as flatulence, indigestion and gastric reflux. Due to the presence of salicin in Meadowsweet it may also help in relieving mild pain. English herbalist Frank Roberts claimed Meadowsweet was a ‘true normaliser of a badly functioning stomach,’ having the ability to address both over-active and under-active stomach acid production.

Slippery Elm – stomach soother

Due to its ability to swell and form a smooth coating for inflamed or irritated mucous membranes, Slippery Elm has traditionally been used to soothe conditions of inflammation in the digestive system. It has also been known to help counteract the abrasive effect of anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of digestive ailments such as ulcers. The quality of Slippery Elm can vary, and many people prefer capsules, since the loose powder can become gluggy and hard to swallow due to its natural ability to swell. When taking Slippery Elm capsules, remember to drink at least two litres of water throughout the day, as Slippery Elm’s ability to absorb liquid can lead to constipation if inadequate water is consumed.

Diet and lifestyle advice for a healthy gut

Supplements will only partially improve your digestive problems but if you combine them with an improved diet and sensible lifestyle changes, you will vastly improve the health of your digestive system. According to the Mayo Clinic in the US, good lifestyle habits can go a long way in keeping a gut healthy.

Start by following these tips:

Eat plenty of natural fibre found in fruits, vegetables and wholegrains such as brown rice and pasta. The more over-processed foods you consume, the greater the load on your digestive system.

Drink plenty of water to keep food lubricated as it travels through the digestive tract. Caffeine containing drinks and alcohol are not beneficial because they act as diuretics, increasing urination and fluid loss.

Eat moderate proportions. Your body is able to produce only a certain volume of digestive juices. Large amounts of food also increase food waste and discomfort.

Eat at regular times because your digestive organs operate best when they have a regular schedule, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Relax while you eat. When you’re relaxed, you tend to chew your food more completely, gastric and intestinal juices flow more freely, and digestive muscles contract and relax normally.

Maintain a healthy weight. Heartburn, bloating and constipation tend to be more common in people who are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight can often help prevent or reduce these symptoms.

Regular exercise is also a key factor to maintaining a healthy weight and enjoying healthy digestion.

Lying down shortly after a meal can make symptoms of indigestion worse. It is best to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after each meal. Raising the head of your bed by at least 15 cm will also help to reduce the chances of reflux occurring.

This story has been published with the permission of Herbs & Health Lifestyle Magazine - www.herbsandhealth.com.au