The gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), extending from your mouth, through you esaphogus through your stomach, small intestine, past the appendix and through the large intestine and out through your rectum is a hugely diverse and important system. Some claim that you are what you eat; others claim that your health depends on what you eliminate.

For more information contact Dr. Holly at holly [at] choicesunlimited [dot] ca

Each apsect of the GIT has a different pH; has different types and levels of pre and probiotics; and different functions. It is considered to be your second brain as it has its own central nervous system and more neurotransmitters than the brain. Consequently, it is important to understand how to keep your GIT healthy.

Digestive problems can provoke a lot of problems throughout the entire body -- leading to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, rashes, acne, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, autism, dementia, cancer, and more.

Your gut health is central to your entire health. Intestinal health includes digestion, absorption and assimilation of your food, ie., all your nutrients. These nutrients need to pass through the intestinal wall into the portal blood system and move into the liver for further metabolic processing; storing; and transportation throughout the body.

Consequently, your gut is connected to everything that happens in your body. The health of your gut determines what nutrients are absorbed and what toxins, allergens, and microbes are eliminated. In addition, the natural metabolic processes of the gut produce its own toxins which need to be eliminated.

Your small intestine has over 350 different species and your large intestine has over 400 species of bacteria which create a large, diverse, interdependent chemical factory. These bacteria contribute to the food digestion, create vitamins, help regulate hormones, and excrete toxins.

If the ecosystem is out of balance; if bad bacteria, parasites, yeast and toxins are out of control or if there is insufficient levels of good bacteria; then your health is seriously comprimised.

A very delicate layer of cells protect the entire gut surface. If this barrier is damaged, your immune system gets overactive and produces inflammation throughout the body.

When brain-gut messages are altered for any reason in any direction -- from the brain to the gut or the gut to the brain -- your health will suffer.

Consequently, the gut and liver can be considered the basis of much of the disease and dysfunction in the body.

Issues that contribute to an unhealthy gut and liver:

• Our diet of low-fiber, high-sugar, high-calorie, nutrient-poor, processed food, which makes all the wrong bacteria and yeast grow in the gut, leading to a damaged ecosystem
• Overuse of medications that damage the gut or block normal digestive function, things like anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, acid-blocking drugs, and steroids
• Chronic low-grade infections or gut imbalances with bacterial or yeast overgrowth, parasites, or even more serious gut infections
• Toxins that damage the gut, such as mercury and mold toxins
• Lack of adequate digestive enzyme function, which can be caused by acid-blocking medications or zinc deficiency
• Stress, which can alter the gut's nervous system, causing a leaky gut and changing the normal bacteria in the gut

These issues can cause so many other seemingly unrelated diseases, from eczema to psoriasis to arthritis to neurological issues..

Alternatively, we can engage in other behaviors:

1. Eat whole, unprocessed foods that contain plenty of fiber, like vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
2. If you think you have food sensitivities, try an elimination diet. Cut out gluten, dairy, yeast, corn, soy, and eggs for a week or two and see how your gut feels and what happens to your other symptoms.
3. Treat any infections or overgrowth of bugs like parasites, small bowel bacteria, or yeasts.
4. Take digestive enzymes with your food.
5. Take probiotic supplements, which contain healthy bacteria for your ecosystem.
6. Take supplements of omega-3 fats, which help cool inflammation in the gut.
7. Take nutrient that increase the natural synthesis of glutathione

References

Macdonald TT, Monteleone G. Immunity, inflammation, and allergy in the gut. Science. 2005 Mar 25;307(5717):1920-5. Review. Kalliomaki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P, Isolauri E. Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2001 Apr 7;357(9262):1076-9.

1. Backhed F, Ley RE, Sonnenburg JL, Peterson DA, Gordon JI. Host-bacterial mutualism in the human intestine. Science. 2005 Mar 25;307(5717):1915-20. Review
2. Sicherer SH.Food allergy. Lancet. 2002 Aug 31;360(9334):701-10. Review.
3. Isolauri E, Rautava S, Kalliomaki M. Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome: new facts and old fallacies Gut. 2004 Oct;53(10):1391-3.
4. Atkinson W, Sheldon TA, Shaath N, Whorwell PJ. Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Gut. 2004 Oct;53(10):1459-64.
5. Farrell R. J., Kelly C. P. Farrell R. J., Kelly C. P. Current Concepts: Celiac Sprue. N Engl J Med 2002; 346:180-188, Jan 17, 2002.
6. Bourlioux P, Koletzko B, Guarner F, Braesco V.The intestine and its microflora are partners for the protection of the host: report on the Danone Symposium "The Intelligent Intestine," held in Paris, June 14, 2002. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Oct;78(4):675-83
7. Gershon, Michael, The Second Brain, Perennial Currents, 1999
8. Duggan C, Gannon J, Walker WA. Protective nutrients and functional foods for the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 May;75(5):789-808.
9. Kalliomaki, M. Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2001;357:1076-79
10. Lin HC. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a framework for understanding irritable bowel syndrome. JAMA. 2004 Aug 18;292(7):852-8.