Friday, June 29, 2012

The Health of Your Gut Helps Determine Your Overall Health


Noted UK Professor Jeremy Nicholson has come to the conclusion " ... almost every sort of disease has a gut bug."
Dr. Nicholson’s focus has been on deciphering the roles of different pro-biotic strains, of which there are many, and their relationship to how they signal areas outside the gut. It's been discovered that our friendly intestinal bacteria go beyond even their important role of digestion.
If spread out on a flat surface the inner linings of our GI tract would cover a tennis court. The friendly bacteria that colonize this vast inner surface produce the acids necessary to breakdown and assimilate nutrients into our blood. These acids transport our food's nutrients through the gut linings so that our cells can recognize and utilize them correctly.

Most digestion and absorption takes place in the small intestine and is regulated by pancreatic enzymes (digestive) and bile. The pancreas aids in digestion by releasing proteolytic enzymes, which help break down proteins into amino acids. Natural digestive enzymes are found in raw fruits and vegetables. Processed foods are usually devoid of digestive enzymes. Over consumption of these processed foods can lead to digestive enzyme deficiencies. This may then lead to malabsorption and or intestinal permeability syndrome (bloating, gas, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and intestinal inflammation). To ensure proper digestion, absorption and elimination, I recommend taking pancreatic enzymes with each meal.


Foods nor supplements  get absorbed sufficiently without substantial healthy intestinal flora. Healthy gut flora actually creates Vitamins K2 and the B vitamins daily to maintain proper levels of those nutrients. Healthy gut flora also signal appropriate reactions to pollutants and pathogens that trigger immune system activity. This activity includes T-cell actions. Many knowledgeable scientists have ascertained that approximately eighty percent of our immune system depends on the GI tract's friendly bacteria.




Probiotics
The human intestines are inhabited by billions of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria, which are mostly located in the colon, aid in digestion by fermenting substances that were not digested in the small intestine and by breaking down any remaining nutrients. A healthy intestinal tract contains some 2-3 lb. of bacteria and other microorganisms, such as yeast, that normally don’t cause ay health problems. However, when the intestinal tract is repetitively exposed to toxic substances (antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, etc.), these microorganisms begin to proliferate and create an imbalance in the bowel flora. Harmful organisms like yeast and some normally dormant bacteria, begin to overtake the good bacteria. This is known as intestinal dysbiosis.
IBS and small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth may share similar symptoms. One study showed that 78% IBS participants had small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth. To aid in digestion and prevent intestinal dysbiosis, patients with IBS should take probiotics (Lactobacillus and Biidobacterium) on a daily basis.



For a more thorough explanation of gut health and “Leaky Gut” please visit my website http://drrodgermurphree.com/intestinal-permeability/


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