Over
sixty million Americans suffer from digestive disorders, making
gastrointestinal complaints the third leading cause of illness in the
U.S. There are approximately 44.9 million visits annually to ambulatory
care facilities due to diseases of the digestive system (1999).
The
“little Purple” pill is now the most prescribed prescription drug sold
in the U.S, used exclusively for digestive disorders. It is obvious we
may be ignoring our Gut feelings by covering them up!
Impaired
digestion is the beginning of a series of problems that ultimately lead
to chronic disease. It is estimated that more than half of all
Americans have at least one chronic disease. (Such as arthritis,
diabetes, cancer, lupus, chronic fatigue to name a few)
There
are many factors that can and do influence the process of digestive
disorders, including diet, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, environmental
toxins, genetics, and stress. Let’s take a closer look.
Stress
is one of the primary causes of poor digestion. Any type of stress can
have an adverse effect on the digestive process by lowering or
inhibiting important enzymes and acid production. The body is designed
to handle stress with an automatic preserve mode (through the autonomic
nervous system) by diverting energy, blood, enzymes and oxygen away from
the digestive organs. This is known as the Flight or fight response.
It’s a handy response system when you are running away from a hungry
lion in the jungle. However, most of us are just running late to work or
to the next appointment. If for example, you have just eaten breakfast,
and are late for work, the body will support the stressful trek through
traffic, and divert the essential enzymes and acids that are the key in
proper digestion. This results in the incomplete digestion of food,
hence beginning the series of problems that lead to ill health.
Physical, emotional and mental stress- including financial worries,
unhappy home life and unfulfilling career- are all a strain on the body
and adversely affect the digestive process.
In
our modem society we are virtually surrounded by environmental stress
in the form of pollution, drugs, and chemical additives. Almost 1.5
billion pounds of pesticides are sprayed on wheat and vegetable crops in
the U.S. each year. That is more than 5 pounds for every person! These
environmental stressors contaminate our bodies and overburden our
natural defense system for proper elimination. There are more than
80,000 toxic chemicals in use today, with 1,200 new ones added each
year.
Chemicals
also are found in the form of additives used to color, flavor,
preserve, and treat our foods. Many of these additives are laced with
excitotoxins such as aspartame. ( Excitotoxins are substances added to
foods and beverages that literally stimulate the neurons to death)
One of the causes of overweight is the body’s retention of water and fat to try to dilute pesticides and other poisons.
It’s
no wonder that every second person in the U.S. is chronically ill!
Excessive toxins (chemicals, pollution, and drugs) must be processed and
removed from the body. This detoxification process demands large
amounts of energy from the body, which leaves little energy for proper
digestive function. The body becomes overburdened, and can ultimately
lead to degenerative and chronic disease.
Refined
carbohydrates, which include all products made with white sugar and
flour, have been stripped of dozens of essential nutrients, including
trace mineral needed for carbohydrate combustion. A diet of refined
carbohydrates forces the body to rob itself of trace minerals (chromium,
manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, and magnesium) needed to digest the
carbohydrates. These partially digested foods FERMENT into simple sugars
and alcohol, creating fuel for bacteria, and yeasts. This leads to
indigestion, gas and bloating, which then increases the body’s toxic
load.
Increased
toxic load in the body creates a form of self poisoning called
autointoxication, which can lead to degenerative disease.
A
frequent habit of snacking results in an energy drain on the digestive
organs. Overeating and poor food selections also overburden and stress
the digestive process. This is in part the reason for a virtual epidemic
of obesity in America.
What
can you do to improve your digestion? The answer to this question is
not new: Begin with managing STRESS. Learn to relax, breath in and let
the guy get to the light before you. Use exercise to help you relax and
gain confidence in yourself. Take the time to eat clean food , chew
thoroughly, and choose healthy life sustaining foods. Enhance your
digestion through the use of digestive enzymes and nutrient
supplementation. Consume essential fatty acids and fiber. Utilize Colon
hydrotherapy as a way to assist in the detoxification of the digestive
system. Colon hydrotherapy is the therapeutic application of water into
the colon. It is known to be a safe effective method of removing waste
from the large intestine, naturally.
Rheumatologist
Arthur E, Brawer, MD lists the following conditions among those he has
found to respond well to colon hydrotherapy:
• Allergies
• Asthma
• ADD
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel
• Arthritis
• Acne
• Potbelly
• Skin rashes
• Fibromyalgia
• Toxic /environmental exposure
• Muscle/back pain
Remember
to check with your health care provider before beginning any new
program. You are in control of your body’s destiny, listen to your gut
feeling and get on with vibrant health.
