tion with parasites.
Reinoculate: We may not like to think about it
much, but we have a whopping four pounds of bacteria that live in our large intestine! The gut flora are crucial for diges- tive health and well being. They provide a variety of functions including nutrient absorption and assimilation, vitamin pro- duction, digestion of sugars and proteins, hormonal signaling, prevent colds, flus, and yeast infections, decrease inflamma- tion, help protect against food poisoning, help protect against and modulate autoim- mune conditions, break down and rebuild hormones and bile acids, help with opti- mal body composition – even improve heart health. These guys are the unsung heroes of our GI tract and they can be used to help with virtually every GI complaint under the sun. The arch nemesis of healthy gut bacteria is antibiotic use. Whenever you take antibiotics, make sure you take probiotics alongside to replenish your good guys. In the supplemental form, probiotics help allay a variety of GI distress and are a cornerstone of an excellent gut restoration program.
Replete: Next, we want to rekindle digestive
fire and replace nutrients or compounds that may be missing. Supplementation with a broad-spectrum enzyme for the duration of your restoration program will help in- crease digestive strength. Nutrients like the B vitamins, fish oil and selenium may be indicated. In those with inflammatory bowel disease, supplementation with IgA in the form of RAW cow milk or encapsu- lated colostrum is crucial.
Repair: This aspect of gut restoration is one of the most importan, and unfortunately the one most overlooked by all but the most savvy practitioners. The lining of the GI tract takes a beating in all GI disorders and associated symptoms. Even though the lining regenerates itself every 3 days, if there is chronic, low-grade inflammation in the gut (present in virtually all bowel disease) it will keep the lining compro- mised until the cycle of inflammation is broken. We begin to break the cycle of inflammation with the above-mentioned steps, and by healing the lining of the gut we close the deal. Using nutrients like glutamine, mucin, pectin and anti-inflam- matory and slippery herbs like boswellia,
Natural Triad Magazine
okra, cat’s claw, slippery elm and licorice we begin to build up the lining of the in- testine and break the cycle of inflammation for good.
Retrain: There are more nerve cells in between
the lower esophagus and the anus than there are in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves combined. There are more receptors for serotonin in the gastro- intestinal system than there are in the brain. The term “neurotransmitter” is a misnomer because more of these com- pounds act on the gut than the nervous system! This nervous tissue in the gastro- intestinal tract is called the enteric nervous system, and is often referred to as the “second brain” of the body. It even func- tions independently of the brain! As such, in issues of nervous stomach, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, it is imperative to begin to retrain the nervous system of the gut to be calm and to move correctly. Utilizing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga and medita- tion can be very beneficial here. Using self-realization techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy can also help. Exercise on a regular basis is one of the best tricks for regulating the bowel. Lastly, precursors to serotonin and dopamine – 5-HTP and tyrosine – along with serotonin and dopa- mine sensitizing agents like St. John’s wort and fish oil, can also be beneficial. This type of approach requires that all of these steps to be initiated simultane- ously. I recommend at least 30 days of intensive gut restoration as outlined above. Any program can be tailored specifically to your needs as you discover more about yourself, your body and your own unique sensitivities and preferences. The gastrointestinal system is a highly textured and multilayered web, with con- nections and interactions in all body sys- tems. Due to the vary nature of the GI system, a more comprehensive approach is warranted.
Dr. Jillian Teta, ND is a medically trained naturopathic physician having graduated from Bastyr. Her practice is at the Natu- ropathic Health Clinic of NC, located on Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem.
For
more info, visit
www.nhcnc.com or call 336-724-4452 for an appointment. Her digestion website is
www.fixyourdigestion. com. See ad on page 38.
JUNE 2013 31
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