I decided to reverse the order I was going to do new blogs and put my summary about intestinal health from an integrative medicine perspective up today because I just read an article in the August 17th Time magazine last night about influenza (those that know me know to tease me about my choice of bedtime reading). Last week I was kind of sidetracked with all the hoopla over President Obama coming to Grand Junction and wasn't keeping up with the other news and hadn't realized there is quite a lot of concern about the pattern in the past of influenza not really sweeping until school returns (and I wonder if it is somewhat seasonal). I still will write about why it is Grand Junction was chosen -- it's quite an interesting story. But perhaps really important to get people thinking about, and acting upon, their immune systems ASAP.
Per Christopher Lepisto, ND in his great co-presentation with Audrey Barrett, MSAOM LAc (acupuncture and Oriental medicine) of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado, there is quite a lot of lymph system within the gut, something called 'secretory IgA' which has super immune effects. It activates the immune system. There is a normal 'flora' in the intestines, which stays in balance. That would be bacteria, yeast, etc. This naturally stays in check, but with modern life -- chemicals, foods we eat, and particularly antibiotics -- this balance can get out of whack. A lot of what we can be doing to keep our immune system up to par is to be eating and drinking as best we can and supplementing the benefical bacteria, such as probiotic products. I really liked his analogy about wolves and rabbits in nature: if you kill the wolves, the rabbits overpopulate. Which is what happens if 'antibiotics' (against bacteria) are taken -- the 'critters' like candida yeast can overpopulate. Populations which have good balance of digestive flora due to their diet, can have virtually no cancer and overall less disease!
The intestines do a lot for us. They protect our bodies from chemicals, toxins, undigested food, immune complexes such as food allergies, and virus/bacteria. Interestingly, Dr. Oz has said that the tissue of the intestine is very similar to the tissue of the brain and you can see quite a parallel between what is going on in the gut and in brain function.
One of the most common intestinal problems is irritable bowel syndrome, or 'IBS'. The typical age of onset is in the 20s. IBS is a common complaint with people who have fibromyalgia, which many of Lumigrate's readers have. It can be brought on by low fiber, food allergies, alcohol, drugs (properly prescribed or illegal), hormones such as birth control pills or other non-biologically idental hormones), personality, stress and childhood trauma. Diverticulitis is another intestinal condition where the intestine material pouches out and gets inflamed. The risk factors for diverticulitis are: consuming saturated and oxydated fats, and chronic constipation. Inflammatory bowel disease are autoimmune conditions which causes actual holes to form in the intestines. Interestingly the risk factors for this are tobacco and caffeine, sugar and high fructose corn syrup (because ingesting sugar depresses the immune system for up to 8 hours) AND .... childhood second hand and third hand smoke! (Third hand is what accumulates on the walls. My mother was a smoker and it amazed me that years after she died there was still residue when you cleaned objects in the house.). Different intestinal conditions respond differently to forms of fiber, so it is always recommended you start slowly when adding a fiber supplement such as psyllium. Looking at labels of these products can sometimes indicate there are artifical colorings which might lead you to shift to another brand to get 'closer to nature'.
As always, I like to give the highlights and then send you on to resources while we develop these materials into something available to you here in more detail. The guidelines Dr. Lepisto provided for health nutrition are:
I'll come back another time and talk about the five element theory Audrey brought to the picture about digestive problems -- it is very interesting. You might want to look it up in the mean time if you're interested.
More about Audrey and Dr. Lepisto can be found at the website for the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado: www.imcwc.com [1].
Please look at the Time magazine article or other reliable news sources about influenza as it is very important that we not lose sight of it.
And if you're wondering about some guidance regarding products, remember Lumigrate.com's website has a 'Products' area which can rapidly at least guide people to see what our experts suggest related to the seminars that are on video on Lumigrate.com. That will always be growing and changing as well, and we hope it helps you know better what brands to select and purchase in your local area or elsewhere online. There are many good brands and lots of good places to obtain them, but do take some time to do homework and make a good choice about your products and vendors.
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [2] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Links:
[1] http://www.imcwc.com
[2] http://twitter.com/lumigrate
[3] http://www.lumigrate.com/blog/intestinal-health-and-your-immune-system-boost-it-fall-and-flu-season#comment-52
[4] http://www.lumigrate.com/blog/intestinal-health-and-your-immune-system-boost-it-fall-and-flu-season#top
[5] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/login?destination=node/132%23comment-form
[6] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/register?destination=node/132%23comment-form
Comments
Under health promoting fats, Wouldn't that include Avocado ? As long as you aren't eating TOO MANY ?
Great Article by the way~ I've shared it on my FB page !
I need to start making the time to read alot more of your blogs~ Great Information, alot I already know, but good to keep ourselves reminded~ Especially those of us with Fibro- Fog !!
Thanks Mardy!!