Denician Angeleia

Archive for the ‘Digestive Health & Disorders’ Category

This article will show in details treatment ideas for digestive problems and mycoplasma of a friend of mine. She has digestive problems and mycoplasma and the doctor (as suggested on Dr. Crooks book) gave her some treatment ideas for this.

Here’s the whole deal he gave her. Of course, none of this can start until after she sends in the stool test, or it may give false results. Below is the details:

For the yeast:
Maintain the relaxed diet (which is the diet he recommends from day 1 of the yeast-kill), but no anti-fungals for now.

For the nasty mycoplasms:
Dioxychlor by American Biologics. This is chlorine with 2 oxygens attached.. It’s an anti-everything (fungus, bacteria, virus). Start with 5 drops in 2 oz of water twice a day. When you can tolerate that (without flu-like symptoms, which are really die-off), increase by 5 drops every 2 days until you are taking 20 drops in 2 oz. of water. Take 20 drops for 4 – 7 days. If you get flu-like symptoms after any increase, drop back to your previous tolerated dose. Be sure you are not taking your probiotics within 2 hours of this, as it will kill the good bacteria, too. Oxy5000 Forte (by American Biologics) 3 caps AM and PM for anti-oxidant, to help rid your body of toxins.

For the digestion (or, in my case, LACK thereof):
Taurine liquid by American Biologics. 1 dropper full twice a day. After she “prime the pump” with the liquid and finish that bottle, she will begin taurine caps 500-100 mg per day. That’s to help her liver rid itself of toxins and will in turn make less stress on her poor aching gallbladder.

This lack of taurine was determined by looking at her blood cells, so may not be applicable for others. Also by “blood-looking” and some sniff/taste testing they determined she was low in lots of minerals and vitamins, so she will be taking multi-vitamins and a B-complex.

A digestive problem is one of the most common health problems that people of every age group are facing these days. In fact, as per the recent survey conducted by an independent body, every year millions of people of the United States are diagnosed with digestive disorders, ranging from the occasional upset stomach to the more life-threatening colorectal cancer. They majorly encompass gastric disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the gallbladder and pancreas. These problems might appear simple, but are very complex, with subtle symptoms. Though, many times their causes remain unknown, but they may be developed due to various multiple factors like fatigue, stress, diet, or smoking. However, here are some of the major causes of digestive problems that have been observed after various studies:

Fecal Impaction: Fecal impaction can primarily be considered as one of the major causes of gastric disorders. It can be defined as the accumulation of hardened feces in the lower colon which the person cannot move. In other words, it is an immobile bulk of stool that generally develops in the rectum as a result of constipation and thus turns up the key reason of gas problems.

Gas: This is one of the major causes of gas problems. Every one of us has gas and removes it by passing it through the rectum. However, you can reduce this problem by having less food that causes gas.

Gastroparesis – It is yet another disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, and this in turn emerge as a cause of gas problem. It is the most often a complication of type 1 diabetes and caused by motor dysfunction of stomach muscles.

Gastritis – It is an inflammation of the lining of your stomach. The inflammation results from infection with same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Others including traumatic injury and regular use pain relievers also contribute to gastritis. It can lead to ulcers and an increase risk of stomach risk.

Indigestion – It can primarily be defined as the uneasiness in the upper abdomen. Basically, it is not a disease, but may result in having a burning feeling in your abdomen, nausea, and other gas disorders.

Pancreatitis- Pancreas is a big gland located behind the stomach and secrets insulin that is very essential for regulating the body glucose level. It also secrets digestive enzymes, which further help in digesting proteins and carbohydrates as well. However, in Pancreatitis condition these enzymes become active inside pancreas and begin to digest the pancreas, which in turn affects the digestive process and cause gas disorders.

These are some of the major reasons and causes of digestive problems. Digestive problems are not major health problems but at times it can be very painful to control. There are different methods of diagnosing and treating it, though a proper diagnosis requires a thorough medical history and at times good physical examination. You may even need to undergo more extensive diagnostic evaluations and endoscopic procedures. Finally, whatever be the reason or cause of gas disease, it can be totally curable. All you need is proper diagnosis methods and medical therapy.

Chinese medicine is based on the concept of balance and harmony between “yin” and “yang.” Chinese medicine has a different approach to digestive health.

In Chinese medicine, the liver stores the blood, that is, it regulates the amount of blood in circulation. Hence, the health of the liver is dependent on the sufficiency of blood for nourishment.

Additionally, the spleen, in contrast to Western medicine, also plays a pivotal part in the circulation of “qi” and blood. “Qi” is the internal life energy that courses through the body through the meridians to different organs and parts of the body, thereby instrumental in bringing oxygen and nutrients for nourishment and maintenance of digestive health. Blood is responsible for the circulation of body fluids within the body.

Because Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is about movement and transportation of food and drink in the digestive system, the spleen therefore has a critical role in the digestive health with respect to digestion and digestive disorders.

In addition, sufficient spleen produces constructive spleen for nourishing the muscles and flesh, especially in the four limbs, and therefore conducive to mobility and body movement, which facilitate digestion.

In Chinese medicine, pensiveness or over thinking affects the general health of the spleen, resulting in loss of appetite, abdominal bloating after meals, and indigestion in general.

In Chinese medicine, “dampness” (both internal and external) may damage the spleen and weaken its functions. For example, foods, such as sugars and dairy products, create internal “dampness” in the spleen.

According to Chinese medical theory, the spleen’s main function in the digestive system is to separate the pure from the impure part of the food and drink. Specifically. on the one hand, it transports the pure part of the food and drink upwards to both the lungs as “qi” and to the heart as blood; on the other hand, it also transports the impure part of the food and drink downwards to the stomach and the small intestine for elimination to optimize digestive health.

When the spleen and the stomach are healthy, the spleen “qi” moves upwards, while the stomach “qi” moves downwards in a balanced and coordinated manner. Chinese medicine places much emphasis on the importance of balance — the balance of “yin” and “yang,” which is the basis of Chinese medicine.

However, if there is imbalance in the upward movement, belching, constipation, epigastric distention, and nausea may result. Concurrently, the imbalance may also affect the downward movement, leading to abdominal distention and diarrhea.

The liver may play an indirect but, nonetheless, critical role in digestive health. The liver is affected by our emotions. In life, we cannot do everything we want to do and when we want to do. Delaying gratification is tantamount to emotional distress: when we cannot have what we want to have, our liver becomes unduly stressed. An obvious sign of dysfunctional liver is anger or irritability.

Overwork and improper diet, too much thinking or worrying, inadequate physical activity (sedentary work) may weaken the spleen.

According to Chinese medicine, the root cause of IBS is disharmony between the liver and the spleen. Accordingly, the liver controls the spleen because the efficient functioning of the body’s “qi” mechanism is dependent on the free flow of liver “qi.” Therefore, if the liver becomes depressed, the spleen is adversely affected; conversely, if the spleen is weakened, it may cause the liver to become depressed too. In other words, they are inter-dependent in terms of digestive health and overall wellness. In conclusion, it is important to optimize the health of the liver and the spleen to maintain good digestive health.

Cooking is predigestion of food outside the body. In Chinese medicine, the majority of all food should be cooked. This is the reason why you do not find salad bars in Chinese restaurants. Although cooking may destroy some vital nutrients, cooking facilitates the absorption of the rest of the nutrients. Frozen foods and drinks impair the health of the spleen, and hence detrimental to digestive health.

Sugars and sweets directly damage the spleen, because “dampness” is damaging to the spleen, and sugars are dampening agents. They do harm to digestive health.

Flour products, such as bread, noodles and pasta, are dampening, because wheat (as opposed to brown rice) is dampening by nature.

All oils and fats are also dampening by nature, and hence spleen-damaging. By the same token, all milk products are dampening. They do not benefit digestive health.

Avoid dampening foods that damage the spleen. The best diet for the spleen is a clear, bland diet of unrefined grains, such as brown rice and beans, and low-fat meat, with lightly cooked vegetables. Good digestive health is optimum overall health.

Copyright (c) 2009 Stephen Lau

Digestive health is necessary for one’s overall general health and is a concern for all age groups, including infants, children, baby boomers and the elderly. In particular, demand for digestive health aids has shown a significant increase amongst teens and young adults for enhancing weight loss.

Factors Driving Growth of Nutritional Digestive Aids

Rise in digestive health concerns – Unhealthy lifestyles have negatively impacted digestive health in a number of ways. Poor dietary habits and stress lead to the loss of good bacteria, which often results in chronic digestive problems.

Rise in obesity – Increased emphasis on the importance of diets and weight loss regimens to fight obesity has led consumers to seek digestive aids that optimize healthy digestion and weight loss.

Rise in digestive health research – Scientific advances in understanding how optimal digestive health can impact other aspects of health and well being are driving sales of digestive aids. The use of enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics separately or in combination is becoming more widespread.

Growing consumer awareness – Today, more Americans are familiar with herbal or natural ingredients for supporting digestive health. As a result, they are more open to trying new products based on scientific research that help:

Boost immune health – About 70 percent of the immune system is located in the digestive tract. A variety of friendly bacteria in the intestines can help reduce the chances of infection and illness. Optimize digestive health – Proliferation of healthy bacteria assists in the synthesis of Vitamins such as K, B12 and other B complex vitamins. This also leads to the better absorption of nutrients and expulsion of unhealthy fats.

Consumers are finding nutritional supplements to be a better choice – Unlike pharmaceutical digestive drugs or aids that do not address the causes of poor dietary health, nutritional supplements for digestive and colonic health offer a more comprehensive approach and help people better meet their health needs.

Consumers prefer self-help – Herbal colon cleanse products and enzymes offer the best relief with minimal side effects. As a result, herbal colon supplements have experienced remarkable growth in the recent years.

Top Digestive Aids

Fructans
According to Global Industry Analysts, the world’s largest market research company, fructans such inulin and FOS represent the biggest segment in the U.S. probiotics market with mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) predicted to be the fastest growing product. Fructans are used to help prevent chronic inflammatory disorders such as Crohn’s disease.

Probiotics
Different bacteria strains play specific roles in digestive health. The most popular are Lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and acidophilus. These live bacteria provide the host with multiple health benefits.

The Consumer’s Guide to Probiotics states about two million visits to the doctor are related to constipation and about $725 million are spent on laxatives each year. Research shows that probiotics helps to optimize digestive health and promotes immune health in infants and children. Probiotics are also useful after treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics deplete the healthy growth of bacteria in the intestines and a dose of probiotics can help to restore a healthy microflora.

Fiber (Prebiotics)
Fiber includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is known to help control blood sugar and healthy cholesterol levels. Non-soluble fiber is used to treat constipation and help regulate normal bowel functions.

Digestive Enzymes
Lack of digestive enzymes can lead to common digestive ailments such as indigestion, bloating, flatulence, and heartburn. It can also lead to food cravings. Most consumers prefer a blend of essential multi-enzymes to address their needs since these ensure proper absorption of all nutrients. The more popular enzymes are papain, bromelain, lipase and others.

Digestive Supplements: A Guide for Supplement Companies
Innovative blends that contain a broad spectrum of nutrients and herbs that approach digestive and colonic health comprehensively have more consumer appeal. Educating the public about digestive health ingredients, how they work and providing supportive scientific research related to the ingredients can help generate consumer awareness, confidence and trust. Specific strains of bacteria with their potency and shelf life viability are important information consumers are looking for on the label. Consumers continue to desire delivery forms that are simple to understand and convenient to use. Consider manufacturing products that are travel-friendly and address unique digestive health needs of on-the-go travelers. Age-specific formulas or condition-specific health formulas appeal to those with specific digestive health needs.

The Digestive Health Market Continues to Expand

Digestive ailments affect 60 to 70 million Americans, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). These include occasional bouts of indigestion, constipation to more serious digestive problems.

According to a report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the U.S. market for prebiotics is projected to reach nearly $225 million by the year 2015. In the past 3 years, consumer demand for combination digestive enzymes has risen.

Consumer demand for scientifically-based digestive aids is expected to rise as the digestive health market expands. Contact a quality supplement manufacturer who can offer you a well-formulated private label formula or customize your own formula to meet the digestive health needs of your target audience.

Acid reflux is a most common digestive problem caused by the reflux of digestive liquid containing pepsin from stomach to esophagus and it is also known as heartburn and GERD. Pepsin is responsible for damaging the esophagus and stomach. The common symptoms of this problem include burning sensation in the esophagus and difficulty in breathing and if allowed for a longer period acid reflux can cause ulcer. Although antacids and anti histamines are available as over the counter (OTC) medicines, however these medicines only reduce the symptoms and don’t treat the root cause of this problem.

The medicines used for its treatment provide benefits for a short duration and these if taken over a long period can severely damage the whole digestive system. So, to avoid the irreparable loss to our digestive systems, we must find an alternate to the allopathic medicines and natural remedies are one of the best options for acid reflux treatment. A few natural remedies are being discussed below.

* Aloe Vera Juice for acid reflux treatment: Aloe Vera is of many medicinal uses and it is being used worldwide for acid reflux treatment also. You need to take half cup of Aloe Vera juice just before half an hour of your meal and you can reduce your problem substantially.

* Ginger for treatment: Ginger is also useful in acid reflux treatment. It helps in improving the gastrointestinal walls by allowing quick relief from the digestive problem.

I hope you will get benefit from the above mentioned Acid Reflux Treatment Methods.

Infuse a tablespoon of herbs of wormwood tops with a glass of boiling water. Leave the tincture to infuse for 15 minutes and decant it. Take 30 milliliters of the decoction 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meal. Infuse a tablespoon of barberries with a glass of boiling water. Leave the berries to brew for 10-15 minutes. Drink half of a glass of the tincture before meal. Infuse 10 grams of hops with a glass of water. Boil the tincture for 10 minutes. Take a tablespoon of the tincture 3 times a day. Infuse a tablespoon of common yarrow blossoms with a glass of water. Boil the tincture for 15 minutes and leave the decoction to brew for an hour. Take a tablespoon of the tincture 3-4 times a day after meal. Infuse 3 tablespoons of granulated dandelion roots with 2 glasses of boiling water. Continue to boil the tincture for 15 minutes. Take a tablespoon of the decoction twice a day half an hour before meal. Infuse 2 teaspoons of marjoram tops with a glass of boiling water. Cover up and leave for 15 minutes to brew. Decant the decoction and drink half of a glass of it 3-4 times a day before meal. Infuse 2 teaspoons of granulated chicory roots with 2 glasses of boiling water. Boil the decoction in the water bath for 30 minutes and decant it. Take one third of a glass of the tincture 3 times a day 20-30 minutes before meal. Chicory reduces the blood sugar concentration as well. Mix 100 grams of bilberry leaves with 25 grams of wormwood tops. At the evening infuse 2 tablespoons of the mix with 2 glasses of boiling water. Cover up and leave to brew. You can fill a thermos bottle with the mix as well. At the morning decant the decoction. Drink 100 milliliters of the tincture 4 times a day 30 minutes before meal. Infuse 2 tablespoons of basil with 2 glasses of boiling water. Cover up or fill a thermos bottle with the decoction and leave to brew. At the morning decant the tincture. Drink 100 milliliters of the decoction 4 times a day 30 minutes before meal. Mix equal quantities of common yarrow tops, chamomile blossoms and sweet flag rootstock. Infuse 2 tablespoons of the mix with 2 glasses of boiling water. Cover up or fill a thermos bottle with the decoction and leave to brew. At the morning decant the tincture. Drink 100 milliliters of the decoction 4 times a day an hour before meal.