|
|
Healing That Gut Feeling
New research reveals that about
2 million Americans have some form of
gastrointestinal (GI)
or gut problem. This translates to about 1 in every 133 people.
Researchers at the University of Maryland reported on the diverse illness
that includes thousands suffering from various, seemingly unrelated conditions
such as: anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic
fatigue.
“Epidemiological
studies in Europe over the past two decades have found a prevalence of about 1
in 300 in Western Europe, with some populations having a rate of 1 in 150… The
new estimate "is basically in the same ballpark as Europe," said
Stephen P. James, head of digestive diseases research at the National Institutes
of Health.”
Other
gut problems can be related to dairy allergies, other food and environmental
allergies, vaccine reactions, and physiologic imbalances of the immune and
endocrine systems.
The digestive tract is a system
with many parts. In healing, the
understanding of this system removes some of the mystery.
The system begins in the mouth, where the pH of saliva is 5.7 – 7.0.
In the esophagus the pH is 7.0. The
stomach pH is 1.5 – 3.0. In the
Duodenum (upper part of the small intestine) pH is 4.0 – 5.0, and in the lower
part of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum), pH 6.5 – 7.5.
In the Colon, pH is 5.6 – 6.9.
The pH scale is:
-
7 = neutral
-
0 – 6.9 = acid
-
7.1 – 14 alkaline
Although many practitioners of
natural health promote alkalinizing, Dr. Hazel Parcells states that the body
will stay in health if the overall pH is slightly acid.
David Webster, author of Achieve Maximum Health, states that health is very dependent on the colon pH being 5.6. He advises the use of dairy whey (goat whey being the best choice) and healthy probiotic cultures found in yoghurt and kefir to create a healing environment in the gut to block C. albicans overgrowth, and to encourage the production of B12 and vitamin K.
The presence of such important
factors like pancreatic enzymes, adequate Hydrochloric acid, bile, and healthy
intestinal flora all contribute to health.
The connection between the brain and the gut, through the Vagus nerve,
also contributes to intestinal health. It
is the Vagus nerve that gives direct feedback from the gut to the brain
(this may be a reason why acupuncture can be helpful in these cases).
The “gut brain” phenomenon
is of interest to me because of the discounting of GI systems as purely
psychosomatic. Emotional factors related to GI problems have been found to be
very real.
Considering the spiritual side of health should be of consideration. Louise Hay writes about GI problems as –
Insecurity; Fear of
letting go; Layered deposits of old, confused thoughts clogging channels of
elimination; Fear and worry; Not feeling good enough.
While
each person dealing with this type of uncomfortable and unpredictable health
problem needs to find the remedies and treatments most beneficial to their
healing, natural approaches offer much help.
Remedies to Consider –
-
Freshly ground Flax seed meal and freshly pressed Flax oil (not flax oil capsules)
-
If no ulcers are present - use Betaine Hydrochloride to help with protein digestion. Enzymes also may provide benefit.
-
Eat small frequent meals, eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
-
Avoid refined carbohydrates
-
Avoid citrus juice
-
Kniepp wet packs or Cayce Palma Christi packs help with gas
-
Dairy Whey with each meal mixed in yoghurt, kefir, or soured milk
-
Vitamin K rich foods – alfalfa, egg yolk -
-
(see women for more foods with vit. K
-
Sprouted seeds and grains
-
Use calcium in the lactate form
-
Natural B complex vitamins with additional B6
-
Cod liver oil
-
Kelp
-
Papaya, sauerkraut or raw cabbage juice
-
Avoid ice water and cold foods
-
Herbs – aloe vera, comfrey, cinnamon, chamomile, caraway, peppermint
-
Dried blueberry-cinnamon-carob blend for chronic diarrhea
-
Millet Cereal with Banana
HEALTH MATTERS© is written by Gayle Eversole, DHom, PhD, MH, NP, ND. Gayle has been studying and using herbs and natural healing for more than 50 years. She is a homeopath, professional medical herbalist, traditional naturopath and has more than thirty years experience as a nursing practitioner. Thank you for your interest in our work. CHI©2003, updated 16 October 2008.