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.

For information regarding this article or colon hydrotherapy, contact Charlene at A Gentle Cleanse Colonic Health Center, at 407-2510 in Henderson, of course!