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Dysbiosis
/ Leaky
Gut Syndrome and Malabsorption
Bowel
Health is Essential to the Health of the Whole Body
“Probiotic” (protective flora) is a Greek word that
means “for life.”
Probiotics refers to the beneficial intestinal bacteria that support
our digestion, absorption of nutrients, vitamin production,
and most importantly, our
immune system. This last attribute of probiotics is most
important for maintenance of wellness and for longevity.
Since the intestine is the site of production of at least 60
to
70% of our antibodies (the defending “guns” of the
immune system), any imbalance or illness affecting the
intestine reflects on the entire body.
Recently,
much has been written about the relationship between the
immune system of the intestines and the thymus, the “five
star general” of the whole defensive system. This is one
reason why, at our Center, we place a great deal of importance
on the evaluation and treatment of bowel problems. Bowel
health is essential to the health of the whole body. Probiotics
are a vital component of the whole bowel
health program.
Most of our patients present with symptoms that can be
traced back to
an
intestinal imbalance between probiotics and pathogens (illness
producing bacteria). This imbalance goes under the name of
DYSBIOSIS. Gas,
bloating after meals, headaches, disturbance in bowel
function, joint pain, yeast infections, fatigue, skin
disorders and diarrhea are all symptoms suggestive of low
levels of intestinal probiotics.
Difficulty
in losing weight, cravings for sweets, insatiable hunger and
allergies are also common in people who have intestinal
imbalances between the “protective flora” and the illness
producing microorganisms. (Dysbiosis)
Candida albicans is
a
common intestinal yeast and a
pathogenic microorganism..
Its presence disturbs digestion and
absorption of nutrients. This condition is known as
MALABSORPTION
Candida
albicans and other pathogenic yeasts, produce also many toxins
that further damage the intestinal lining and lead to LEAKY
GUT SYNDROME.
In
the leaky gut syndrome, the intestinal lining is inflamed and
looses its ability to screen unwanted toxins and pathogens. As
a result they find their way into the blood stream and the
entire body. This,
in turn, will further damage the intestinal lining, creating a
very unhealthy vicious cycle.
The
situation is far worse when one indulges in nutrient depleted
foods ,
such as fast foods or foods that come from crops grown in nutrient
depleted soil.
While
one needs larger amounts of nutrients to defend one self, in
these circumstances one ends up with less.
This
process ultimately leads to
malabsorption,
a condition that is much more prevalent in subclinical forms
than we imagine.
Obvious
forms of malabsorption such as seen in terminal
cancer, AIDS, severe tropical diarrhea and in gluten
entheropaties are commonly accepted. Subtle forms such as
the ones previously described, are much more frequent .
in ultimate
analysis, they are responsible for many other
diseases in which the nutritional state of the patient plays a
major role. Anytime the nutritional status of the body is
defective, the immune system suffers.
Why
is Leaky Gut Syndrome
on the Increase?
/
The
increased incidence of leaky gut syndrome can be traced back to diets high in refined
sugar, usage of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, steroids and
no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
Another
important fact, that most people are unaware of, is
the role of
stress as a major cause for Dysbiosis. Stress inhibits the overall
immun-system and promotes a state of imbalance.
This imbalance favors Dysbiosis with all the consequences we
have previously examined.
Since the intestine has emerged as the major
site of immune regulation, it is at this site that
our treatments begin.
In cases of antibiotic usage we often encourage an intake of
as much as 1 to 2 tablespoons a day of probiotics, to avoid
over-growth of Candida Albicans ( yeast infection.)
Click here
for a detailed description of my Probiotic product.
The
bowel scrubbing program and Probiotics
are very helpful when one consumes unhealthy
foods that lead to Dysbiosis or when under stress.
In this
case, one
needs much more
than the maintenance dosage to reverse the damage
This
recommendation has worked well for many of
our patients over the many years we have been in practice..
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