Gastrointestinal Health—It’s in the Pipeline

Is your internal “plumbing” causing you discomfort or embarrassment? If so, you’re not alone. Every day, millions of people experience minor digestive concerns, such as

• Bloating
• Occasional diarrhea
• Occasional constipation
• Gas
• Occasional heartburn
• Stomach upset

Our gastrointestinal (GI) system is vital for our overall health, yet few people ever consult their healthcare practitioner, instead relying on over-the-counter medications for relief of their symptoms. In the United States, nearly $2 billion is spent each year on over-the-counter medications to treat diarrhea, heartburn, and constipation alone.¹

If you’re experiencing chronic symptoms, visit your healthcare practitioner to rule out the possibility of a serious condition. Note: Don’t judge only by the severity of your symptoms. As an example, mild, but chronic heartburn could be a sign of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), a potentially serious disease. Barring acute disease, digestive discomforts may be a sign of poor GI health.

Intestinal health – what you don’t know

Most of us are familiar with the role of the GI tract in digestion: the breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. Without proper digestion, our bodies can’t break down the food we eat into the nutrients we need to stay healthy. But did you know your GI tract also plays a prominent role in your immune health? Or that it serves as an important barrier against toxins?

Our intestinal tract is a major source of two valuable weapons in your body’s arsenal against disease: lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a large role in defending the body against disease, and mast cells, which release histamines and other chemicals as part of an allergic response. Additionally, it is coated with billions of microorganisms and cells that work in concert to provide your body with important filter-like protection. Through this filter essential nutrients and water are absorbed, while unhealthy bacteria, toxins, chemicals, and wastes are filtered out and eliminated.

When your GI tract isn’t functioning properly important nutrients can’t be absorbed and unhealthy factors can’t be eliminated, affecting every system in your body. Your energy levels, moods, weight, skin, joints, mental acuity, and respiratory function may be affected. And you may become prone to more serious conditions. A weakened or compromised GI lining has been shown to play a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers, and various forms of hepatitis.²

Keeping your GI tract healthy

Environmental, dietary, and medicinal factors all have a direct impact on your GI health. Fortunately, by avoiding “offending” substances and incorporating beneficial ones, you can get your GI tract back to optimal working condition.

Things to avoid:

• Refined, sugar-rich, fiber-poor foods. A diet high in fat and refined simple sugars and deficient in nutritious, whole, unprocessed foods and fiber may promote the overgrowth of unhealthy organisms such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. It is also associated with less frequent bowel movements and a number of forms of chronic intestinal dysfunction.
• Alcohol, antacids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These can lead to a deterioration of the physical integrity of your intestinal wall or even cause intestinal bleeding. Antacids only mask the problem and interfere with natural digestion.
• Broad spectrum antibiotics whenever possible. Broad spectrum antibiotics destroy both harmful and friendly bacteria (required for health GI function), and should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Things to include:

• A diet rich in whole, unprocessed, nutritious foods and fiber.
• Drink plenty of water.

“Friendly” bacteria, or probiotics . Probiotics such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria to support a healthful and balanced population of intestinal bacteria. Probiotics are available in supplement form as well as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and soy beverages.

FirstLine Therapy^®—Better health now and for a lifetime

FirstLine Therapy (FLT) is a therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) program developed to help you address the underlying causes of disease and lead a healthier, more vibrant life. The basic principles of FLT—healthy eating, regular exercise, nutritional supplementation, and stress management—are the foundation upon which you and your healthcare practitioner can build a program tailored to your specific needs.

Good digestive health doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. You can start to improve your GI health today! For more information about FirstLine Therapy or to find a certified FirstLine Therapy practitioner near you, click here.

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REFERENCES 

1. ACNielsen, as cited by Consumer Products Healthcare Association, http://www.chpa-info.org/ChpaPortal/PressRoom/Statistics/OTCSalesbyCategory.htm. Accessed 3/8/07
2. Galperin C, Gershwin ME. Immunopathogenesis of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases. JAMA 1997 Dec 10;278(22):1946-55.