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by Elson Haas, M.D. copyright © 2007
The following topics deal with common intestinal
symptoms/dysfunctions. I also provide some simple
home remedies you can try on your own that may
correct these digestive problems. Fortunately, many
health concerns improve in time with your body's own
natural healing powers or with the use of natural
remedies. These are not intended to be long-term
remedies. If you don't see improvement within two or
three weeks, be sure to call your doctor. If your
problem worsens, call the doctor immediately, and be
seen and tested as appropriate.
Indigestion and Nausea
Causes. Overeating, the wrong food
choices or combinations, stress, or bad bugs.
Remedies. Chew your food thoroughly
and minimize sweets and sugars of all kinds. Avoid
combining any sweets or grains with protein foods.
(Food combining is discussed in most of my books.)
Try peppermint or chamomile tea, licorice root,
anise or fennel seeds, tumeric in capsules, or Aloe
Vera gel or juice with a touch of lemon. Some people
benefit from a supplement of hydrochloric acid or
bicarbonate at mealtime (see below). Be sure to
include healthy bacteria (probiotics) in capsule,
powder, or liquid form.
Assessment. If your condition
persists, ask your health care practitioner to test
you for abnormal bacteria, yeast, or parasites.
Heartburn
Causes. Stress, overeating, irritating
foods such as caffeine, alcohol, strong spices like
black pepper, or infection by Helicobacter pylori
bacteria (a major cause of gastritis and ulcers).
The goal is to soothe and heal the upper intestinal
membranes, reduce free stomach acid, and clear up
any infection that might be present.
Remedies. We all have stomach acid and
it is actually the way our body protects us against
bad bugs. However, in cases of heartburn, the
delicate tissue at the stomach's entrance is being
burned by the hydrochloric acid. Eating more
alkaline vegetables (especially steamed veggies) and
their juices and broths can help calm the stomach.
Even a bit of baking soda (1/2 - 1 tsp) directly
counters stomach acid. One of the best treatments
for heartburn or reflux is DGL (deglycyrrhizinated
licorice); chew a tablet or two once or twice daily
between meals or for heartburn. Chamomile tea can be
helpful, as well as calcium or calcium/magnesium
tablets or capsules, or over-the-counter antacids
(such as chewable calcium-based antacids), or
buffered vitamin C (calcium, magnesium, and/or
potassium ascorbates).
Assessment. For persistent heartburn
that doesn't respond to dietary changes and natural
remedies within a week or two, see your doctor for a
possible prescription, blood test for H. pylori, and
a blood or stool test for parasites. If these don't
reveal anything, you may need to see a
gastroenterologist for a gastroscope of your
stomach.
Constipation
Causes. Lack of fluids and fiber in
the diet, overeating, stress, low function of the
thyroid, excess alcohol or caffeine (which can cause
a laxative dependency), yeast overgrowth, and other
bad bugs. Constipation involves slowing of the
peristaltic activity of the intestines and/or loss
of tone in the abdominal muscles, resulting in
sluggish bowel function.
Remedies. Chew your food well. Drink 6
to 8 glasses of water (ideally between meals), lemon
water, or herbal tea. Get enough exercise. Eat more
salads, vegetables, and fruits. If you suspect yeast
or bad bugs, emphasize vegetables rather than fruit,
due to the natural sweetness of the fruit, which can
encourage yeast or bacterial overgrowth.
As supplements, you can add more fiber, such as
psyllium seed husks, as well as ground flax seeds
and flaxseed oil. A magnesium supplement and/or
increased levels of vitamin C can help loosen the
bowels. Probiotics may also help. On a temporary
basis, you can use laxative herbal teas or capsules
such as aloe vera, cascara sagrada, senna leaf,
fennel seeds, or other herbs. However, these
remedies are best started on a weekend when you can
stay at home. Natural laxatives, such as cascara
sagrada, can cause some cramping or an immediate
need for a bowel movement at some undefined point
after taking them. This can also occur with higher
intake of magnesium.
Assessment. Constipation may seem
routine to many, but it is a concern that can lead
to major health problems. When the body doesn't
clear its waste materials on a regular basis, toxins
can build up in the system. This common problem can
often be corrected with diet, lifestyle changes, and
natural remedies. However, if constipation
continues, see your physician or a natural medicine
practitioner to evaluate and treat the underlying
cause(s).
Diarrhea
Causes. Spoiled food, toxins, or water
contaminated with unfamiliar or harmful germs
(bacteria, viruses, or parasites), food
allergies/sensitivities, or internalized stress. Any
of these factors can that stimulate increased
peristaltic activity. When food moves through the
digestive tract too rapidly, there is less ability
to digest and assimilate what you eat. This can also
be the digestive tract's attempt to rid the body of
toxins or microbes, so in some cases, diarrhea is
the body's intelligence at work. Exposure to bad
bugs tends to be more frequent than most of us
realize, for example from food when you eat out or
from drinking water containing microscopic germs,
such as Cryptosporidium.
Remedies. Medicines that slow down
intestinal activity are commonly used for acute and
chronic diarrhea; just be sure that you are not
suppressing an infection your body is trying to
clear. Probiotics often help calm diarrhea because
the healthy bacteria counters infections. Other
natural remedies that can help clear problem
microbes include grapefruit seed extract, garlic,
ginger, plant tannins, and oil of oregano (in caps).
Assessment. If diarrhea persists, get
checked out for parasites and pathogenic bacteria.
If the problem is ongoing/chronic, consider asking
for antibody testing. This approach is currently the
state-of-the-art in testing for GI problems, using a
simple blood test. Antibodies are tiny proteins in
the blood that show if your body has "fought off" a
particular germ. For example, antibody testing is
widely used to indicate if someone has had the
measles or had an infection with H. pylori bacteria.
Your doctor can request any of a number of antibody
tests that include:
Microflora competence – checks for yeast and several
different types of bacteria
IgA testing for parasites – checks for twelve
different kinds of parasites, including giardia and
amoebas
Gas and Bloating
Causes. These uncomfortable symptoms
can result from eating too fast, poor food
combinations, allergies, intestinal yeast overgrowth
(and their fermentation of food) or other bad bugs.
Poorly digested food can ferment in the digestive
tract, which can lead to nausea, indigestion, gas,
and bloating. The toxins that are produced get
absorbed into the blood and affect energy levels,
moods, and brain function.
Remedies. Short term solutions
include: Watch your eating habits. Chew thoroughly
and relax while you eat. Avoid drinking liquids at
meals unless you are on a weight-loss diet, since
liquid dilutes your digestive acids and enzymes. If
symptoms persist over weeks, get tested to analyze
the quality of your digestion (see information on
the CDSA below) or have an experienced lab look for
bad bugs. Helpful natural treatments could include
probiotics, grapefruit seed extract, peppermint tea,
tumeric powder in capsules, and fennel or anise
seeds.
Many people attempt to reduce their existing yeast
or parasites with garlic, oregano oil, caprylic
acid, and plant tannins. However, this may not be
sufficient. I encourage you to seek more thorough
treatment with your medical practitioner as I have
found from years of treating these maladies may
require prescription medicines to fully rid these
organisms from the body. (See resources below for
helpful books on this topic.)
Assessment. If this problem persists,
get evaluated for yeast, parasites, and other bad
bugs. Lab tests show candida and other yeast
overgrowth, and clearing these food-fermenting
organisms is often helpful at relieving this
bloating problem.
Food Reactions
Causes. Food sensitivities can cause
poor digestion or allergy-like digestive reactions.
Any of the above problems such as heartburn, as well
as problems like headaches, congested sinuses, achy
joints, or fatigue. Pay attention to what you are
eating and how you feel. If food sensitivity is a
major issue, keep a food diary to track how you
interact with foods. You may want to try eating only
one food at a meal or even one food a day to
determine what is triggering your response. The most
typical causes of food reactions are the sensitive
seven: cow's milk, wheat, sugar, corn, eggs,
peanuts, and soy.
Remedies. Avoiding any problematic
foods, obviously, is important. Since food reactions
are also associated with intestinal bugs or
incomplete digestion, finding the basic cause of
your sensitivity may take some systematic work with
your health care practitioner. Supplements that can
help to reduce food reactions include vitamin C,
quercitin, glutamine, bicarbonate, hydrochloric
acid, charcoal capsules, and aloe vera juice (with
lemon).
Assessment. There are a variety of
food allergy tests, also referred to as food
sensitivity testing (both food antibody assessment
and cell reaction tests). A variety of labs offer
these tests, but not all doctors use them. See The
False Fat Diet book for a list of laboratory
references. Calling one of them can help you find an
appropriate practitioner in your area as well.
How to Take Digestive Supplements
- Taking Hydrochloric Acid. We all need
the natural hydrochloric acid produced in our
stomach to help digest proteins and fats. Due to
chronic stress and poor diets, many people
actually don't have quite enough stomach acid, and
this is even more common in the elderly.
If you feel that you are not digesting
efficiently, try a product called betaine
hydrochloride with pepsin (a time-released protein
digestant), available at health food stores. These
capsule(s) are taken after you begin eating, so
the supplement mixes in with your food, which is
especially helpful for digesting meals rich in
protein or fats. Try one capsule for the first
couple of meals; if that feels ok, you can try two
and gradually increase to three or four capsules.
If you have any sensation of burning or acid
indigestion, stop the supplement. You can try
cutting back to a more comfortable level again in
a day or two. Monitor your digestion to see if it
has improved. Some people who have allergies, food
reactions, or even eczema benefit from taking
additional hydrochloric acid. In addition, take
time to eat, chew your food well, and avoid
stress; these are the basics to promote good
digestion.
- Taking Digestive Enzymes. Lack of
sufficient pancreatic enzymes is another common
cause of incomplete digestion, resulting from
chronic stress, overeating, poor food choices, or
possibly infection. Of particular value are
specially coated enzymes that survive the
stomach's acid environment (called "enteric
coated"). Digestive enzymes come in bottles of
powdered capsules and chewable tablets. There are
different qualities and combinations; some are
even vegetarian formulas. I recommend taking one
to two or three capsules after you eat to add
enzymes to the food once it has begun to be
digested. Chewing well and taking time to eat your
food is the best way to get your digestive tract
to work the way it should. Making the right food
choices for your body is also helpful.
- Taking Bicarbonate. This
over-the-counter remedy is useful when the goal is
to minimize excess stomach acid or to control
acid/allergic type reactions. However, my
observation is that most people with poor
digestion need more stomach acid, rather than
less. During detox programs, when your body is
clearing acid wastes, bicarbonate can be useful.
This can be used as regular baking soda, buffered
vitamin C formulas with calcium and other alkaline
minerals, or the many typical antacids available
in the stores. Take as directed or use one-half to
one teaspoon of baking soda after or between meals
if you have any burning sensation in your belly.
Supplementing Healthy Flora
Good intestinal bacteria, termed probiotics, not
only help us digest our food, they are important in
our ability to resist illness. Here are a few key
points about probiotics and some of the latest
research.
- Taking Probiotics. Use when
indicated, with digestive upset (Aloe Vera juice
or gel may also help), following antibiotics, or
when traveling to protect against bad bugs.
[Note that when you're traveling, you still want
to be sure to take every precaution against bad
bugs--probiotics are not an automatic
protection.] Take them after antibiotics, which
can alter GI flora, using probiotics in
concentrated powder or liquid form. Beneficial
bacteria include Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and
Sacchromyces boulardii. I usually recommend
taking your probiotics a little before or after
your meals or first thing in the morning and
right before bed. One or two capsules or between
a quarter and half-teaspoon is typical or follow
the directions on the bottle.
- Yogurt appears to provide a source of
healthy flora. We know that in societies where
people (the Eastern Europeans for example)
regularly eat yogurt, people have a history of
living exceptionally long and healthy lives. So
consider yogurt as a possible source of flora,
especially fresh, homemade yogurt or a reliable
brand. Check the label for the type and quantity
of organisms. Certain brands may agree with you
better. Some people for example find excellent
results with brands that are also high in
Bifidobacteria. Be sure to read labels and track
your responses. Remember that food tolerances
are always very individual.
Beware of food sensitivities. The first
consideration with yogurt is to be sure you
don't have a dairy allergy or sensitivity. Some
people with dairy allergies can still tolerate
yogurt every few days. People who can't handle
cow's milk yogurt may want to try goat's milk
yogurt, or even soy yogurt.
Research on Probiotics – Acidophilus and Other
Flora
•Lactobacillus acidophilus the culture found
in most yogurts. When ulcerative colitis was treated
with eight different strains of acidophilus and
Bifidobacteria, twelve of fifteen patients
experienced long-term remission in a small study by
the University of Bologna.
• Lactobacillus DDS: One of the more studied
acidophilus strains is the DDS strain, which is
available nationwide in health food stores. It has
been documented in the research to survive storage
in dry form in the capsule on the shelf, to produce
viable cultures in the gastrointestinal tract, and
to boost GI immunity. (Look for products that say
DDS strain, such as Megadophilus.)
• Lactobacillus Plantarum: In a study of
children with recurrent abdominal pain, they were
given a form of Lactobacilli plantarum. Of these,
60% experienced a decrease in pain over the
four-week period, in a study by the University of
Nebraska. Irritable bowel syndrome treated with L.
plantarum found rates of improvement of 67% to 90%,
in a study conducted in a Polish hospital. Patients
who used drug therapy improved by 30% and those who
took the placebo (with no medication or flora)
showed no improvement.
• Sacchromyces Boulardii is another
frequently recommended supplement, which is a
naturally occurring yeast and a close relative of
baker's yeast. It stimulates the production of
secretory IgA (protective antibodies in the lining
of the digestive tract). There have been a number of
studies indicating that this yeast in supplement
form can improve the course of GI illness.
Traveler's diarrhea was effective treated with S.
boulardiiin a group of 95 German patients. Of these,
67% had failed to respond to previous anti-diarrheal
or antibiotic drugs. Colitis associated with
Clostridium difficile responded well to the use of
S. boulardii, which was used in conjunction with the
antibiotics vancomycin and metronidazole in a study
by the University of West Virginia. S. boulardii was
found to prevent diarrhea in critically ill tube-fed
patients in a French study.
• HSO (Homeostatic Soil Organisms):
Soil-based bacteria are gaining attention as viable
GI flora. HSOs are an addition to the usual
probiotic agents such as lactobacillus and
Bifidobacteria. Like other forms of flora, they are
exceptionally helpful to some patients and
moderately helpful to others. The theory is when
most people lived on farms, they took in these
natural substances as part of their food. (Available
as Prime Defense and other products.)
Testing Your Flora
Flora levels can be measured directly with a test
such as the CDSA – Comprehensive Diagnostic Stool
Analysis (Genova Diagnostic Lab, Asheville, NC)
ordered through health care providers.
An overgrowth of yeast (candida) and bacteria can be
checked through the CDSA, and presence of these
organisms (and parasites) can also be discovered by
antibody testing (from a blood sample) by
Immunosciences Lab in Beverly Hills, CA, again
available through practitioners.
In Review. Many patients comment that the
choice of treatments and remedies is overwhelming.
What to do? How do you know if you need more acid or
less? Which vitamins? Which herbs? Everything you do
requires some careful experimentation. Solutions
develop out of your experience and your observation
of the results. Your awareness is the key.
Try some of these simple remedies first. If they
haven't worked in a few weeks, your doctor or
natural medicine practitioner can also perform some
simple testing to focus in on the cause of the
problem. Food, fulfillment, nourishment, and
replenishment are good themes for harvest time.
Nourish yourselves wisely and lightly and listen to
your body as it adapts to the Autumn.
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