Digestive Health Series Gut MicrofloraA Breakdown in Immune Health

There are almost 10 times the amount of microflora (bacteria, yeast, etc.) living in our digestive systems as there are human cells. We are actually more microflora than we are human cells...crazy! So, what do you think might happen when our microflora becomes infiltrated by harmful bacteria and yeast? Let's just say that it's not good! We end up witnessing a breakdown in our immune system as infections roll in, one after the other. Here are five things that destroy the balance of gut flora that keeps you sick.

Antibiotics
There are people who pop antibiotics like breath mints whenever they feel the slightest illness coming on. Granted, doctors are prescribing them freely as well, which isn't helping matters. Sure, antibiotics serve an important function, but it's generally known that they are overprescribed even in cases where they won't work such as the flu. (Just for the record, antibiotics fight bacterial infections, not viral infections like the flu or a head cold, aka the rhino virus.) What's important to know is that antibiotics are indiscriminant killers of bacteria, both good and bad. So, when you take antibiotics, you are literally wiping out all of the microflora in the gut, thus allowing for the bad bacteria and yeast to rush back in. People who have taken antibiotics a great deal during their life are prime candidates for chronic yeast infections. (1, 3)

Sugar
Though most of us may be puzzled as to what sugar is best for consumption, I'm just going to flat out tell you that it's generally all bad. We are a nation addicted to sugar. Though many might say they love sweet items, it's really sugar that you love or else carrots, squash and brown rice would be on your list of favorite sweet foods. That said, sugar is food (or maybe crack) for the bad bacteria and yeast gods in your gut. It's what they thrive on. So the more sugar provided to the bad bacteria and yeast, the more they grow and upend your entire digestive system, thus reducing your immunity to colds and viruses. (3)

Alcohol
Yes, alcohol. Granted, it's fermented (and I will delve further on the benefits of fermented products and gut health next month), but most people don't drink it in small quantities. It is typically consumed as a way to relax, have fun, and chill out especially when one finds him/herself in an awkward work or family function or perhaps when out with some friends at the bar. Whatever the reason may be, typical consumption is far beyond what is considered healthy for anyone, especially those already suffering with a digestive problem such as GERD (acid reflux), IBS or IBD. You may want to write these out – some may not be sure what they are. (2)

Immune System Depressors: Gluten and Casein (found in ALL dairy products)
Last, but certainly not least, we come to two proteins considered to be inflammatory to the human body. We've briefly spoken of gluten (the spongy protein found in barley, rye, contaminated oats, wheat and spelt) in the past, however I believe this is the first mention of the casein protein. It is the main protein component of all milk that creates cheese - not to be confused with lactose which is a milk sugar. (3)

That said, both gluten and casein are inflammatory proteins. The medical establishment is coming to believe that much illness and aging is the direct result of silent inflammation in the body from years of abuse. The inflammation caused may be greater in some than in others; however, it doesn't change the reality of how these two proteins react in the body. Over-consumption can cause the immune system to become overtaxed and begin attacking the body's own digestive system. There is strong evidence that most Americans would benefit from reducing their exposure to these two proteins.

Taking all this into account, one can clearly see why the coming holiday foods could spell doom for their digestive system. Perhaps it’s why so many people find themselves bloated, gaining weight, exhausted, depressed and getting sick. Though antacids and acid-blockers might seem like a good temporary fix, they will not mend the deep damage done by repeated assaults.

Yet, there is hope! Learning ways to reduce your exposure to inflammatory elements can help your immune system to become stronger. Remember, 60% of your immune system is in your gut. It's your choice to decide to respect and foster your gut health, or to hinder your best line of defense.

References:
1. http://www.brighthub.com/science/medical/articles/21640.aspx
2. http://www.international.inra.fr/press/intestinal_flora_and_alcohol_liver_toxicity
3. The Ultramind Solution:Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First, by Mark Hyman, MD.

Digestive Health Series Gut Health:Leaving Yourself Open to Dis-ease

I often use myself as a guinea pig, trying out different approaches and ideas to diets and self-care. An elimination diet from gluten, dairy and eggs that started over 2 years ago has helped me to clearly understand how eating something that doesn't agree with your body can make you sick. Yet with time, one can forget or become lazy about it. I admit to going through periods of eating things on the "avoid list" more often than my own nutritionist would like. So, on a weekend trip away with my fiancé, Nick, I decided to throw some level of caution to the wind and relax my own rigid eating patterns. What occurred was a great reminder of why our health and well-being always trumps the momentary pleasure we may derive from food and drink.

What started off the weekend was wine. It is important to know that I rarely drink alcohol because most wine is clarified with food components that I cannot tolerate anyway. The meal that I made was allergen-friendly, but that one glass of wine sent me reeling. By the end of dinner, I was completely drunk. Yes, laughing hysterically and falling over drunk who passed out at 9:45 pm. However, I awoke at 2 am totally sick to my stomach as the meal I'd eaten had not properly broken down. Needless to say, I didn't feel well the next morning with all sorts of digestive woes. My morning breakfast was simple and seemed to sit well, so I again figured it was okay to tempt fate at lunch. Being in Ocean City, NJ, there weren't many good choices on the boardwalk. We eventually found a diner-type place that could make a gluten-free meal, so we ate there. I had a hamburger (without the bun) with battered crispy french fries (the batter is wheat, so that's where the gluten came into play). The dull headache I normally get when I eat gluten came on and I started to feel very sluggish. By the time we'd gotten to the car, I was exhausted. I dozed on and off until we reach the house where we were staying and then crashed on the couch for the next 2 1/2 hours. I felt like I was drugged. An hour after I woke up, the fog in my head cleared enough for me to get up from the couch and drive home. The weekend away was completely overshadowed by my lack of compliance to treating my body respectfully. Wine and french fries did me in...well, I did me in, but I think you know what I mean.

Many people suffer with some sort of compromised digestive system from years of abuse. Whether it's diarrhea, gas, constipation, or acid reflux/heart burn, we punish ourselves daily with food that simply doesn't nourish us for reasons that range from enjoyment to wanting to fit in. Eventually the gut becomes 'leaky', meaning that the gut is no longer processing food properly and is allowing partially digested nutrients and bacteria to pass through the gut wall into the body. This naturally causes an immune response which is different from the immediate allergic reaction with which most of us are familiar. My experiment reminded me how alcohol makes my gut more permeable to things such as gluten, thus causing a heightened reaction. My headaches, fatigue, and digestive unrest are worsened depending on how much and how many allergen(s) are thrown into my system.

It is important to know that the health of your gut is critical not only for food digestion, but also to maintain a strong barrier against infection. Sixty percent of your immune system is found in your gut. We worry so much about sanitizing against microbes and viruses on our hands and counter tops, but rarely concern ourselves with fortifying our main front, namely the gut. I compare the situation to an army prepared for the oncoming attack with all the best shields and weapon placed at the front lines; however, the rear and the sides are left unprotected. That weakness is why the army will fail, and that's why leaving our guts mistreated, abused, and ignored is our greatest mistake. Especially when we consider how many people we know who have gotten the flu, pneumonia, or some very bad cold during the summer and continue to experience them now.

Please take a moment to consider what your relationship is like with your gut. I may be the first to ask you to do so as it is such an important area of your health that is rarely spoken about. The Standard American Diet (or the ironic acronym, SAD) doesn't foster a healthy gut and neither does eating "normal". If you happen to fall under the SAD or "I eat normal" umbrella, chances are you could use a tune-up in gut health. If you have the other digestive ailments mentioned above, then you really need to weigh the long-term health consequences of gut abuse. There are ways to mend and correct the damage done. Ultimately, there are bridges in life that many of us put off dealing with until we have to cross them. Like many other health 'bridges', don't wait until you are faced with the digestive diseases, syndromes and issues mentioned above. Most people will tell you, myself included, that they are bridges that you don't ever want to face, let alone cross.