What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About IBS How You Can Reverse IBS In As Few As 2 Weeks

An estimated 40 million Americans suffer with

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Some experts, recognizing that many go undiagnosed, suggest that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 10–20% of the general population. Irritable bowel

syndrome is characterized by a group of symptoms in which abdominal

pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel pattern, such

as loose or more frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, and/or hard or

less frequent bowel movements or constipation.

We know that gender plays a clear role, as more than 80 percent of IBS patients are

women between 20 and 55 years old.

The criteria for diagnosing IBS is based on the newly modified Rome

criteria (Rome II criteria) as the presence for at least 12 weeks (not

necessarily consecutive) in the preceding 12 months of abdominal

discomfort or pain that cannot be explained by a structural or

biochemical abnormality and that has at least two of following three

features:

(1) pain is relieved with defecation, and its onset is associated (2)

with a change in the frequency of bowel movements (diarrhea or

constipation) or (3) with a change in the form of the stool (loose,

watery, or pellet-like).

Some people with the disorder have constipation (IBS-C). Some have

diarrhea (IBS-D). And some alternate back and forth between

constipation and diarrhea (IBS-A).

IBS symptoms result from what appears to be a disturbance in the

interaction between the gut or intestines, the brain, and the

autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility

(motor function) or sensory function.

Research has shown that the cause of IBS is related to neuroendocrine-

immune system dysfunction (brain and stomach hormones). This

connection is largely mediated by the neurotransmitter or brain hormone known as serotonin. The

brain and gut are connected through the neuroreceptors (hormone docking stations)

for serotonin, 5-hydroxytriptamine-3 (5-HT3) and 5-hydroxytriptamine-4 (5-HT4).

These serotonin receptors regulate the perception of intestinal pain

and the GI motility (contractions that move food through the

intestinal tract). Therefore serotonin controls how fast or how slow

food moves through the intestinal tract. In fact, there are more

serotonin receptors in the intestinal tract than there are in the

brain. Ninety percent of serotonin receptors are in the intestinal

tract.

Research suggests that IBS patients have extra sensitive pain

receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be related to low

levels of serotonin. Decreased levels of serotonin may help explain

why people with IBS are likely to be anxious or depressed. Studies

show that 54–94% of IBS patients meet the diagnostic criteria for

depression, anxiety, or panic disorder.

Restoring optimal levels of serotonin has been the focus of

traditional drug therapy. Zelnorm, a 5-HT4 receptor agonist, was once

hailed as “the drug” for IBS-c (IBS with frequent constipation), has

recently pulled from the market for its association with heart attacks

and stroke. The percentage of patients taking Zelnorm that had serious

and life-threatening side effects was 10 times higher than the

percentage of patients taking a placebo.

Even before this drug was recalled cardiovascular risks, many experts

warned that this drug was dangerous for its other potential side

effects including severe liver impairment, severe kidney impairment,

bowel obstruction, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, headaches,

abdominal adhesions, gallbladder disease, and back pain.

Lotrinex (Alosetron), a 5-HT3 agonist, is prescribed for IBS-d. Within

8 months of being on the market, reports of ischemic colitis (a life

endangering situation in which the blood supply to the intestines is

blocked) began to grow each day. Lotrinex was responsible for at least

four deaths, probably many more. Many who took the drug reported

severe abdominal pain from constipation.

The drug was taken off the market. It is now back and available with

strict prescribing guidelines. An editorial in The British Medical

Journal suggests that as many as 2 million Americans will be eligible

for the drug under the new guidelines. According to previous reported

side effects, this would result in 2,000 cases of severe constipation,

almost 6,000 cases of ischemic colitis, 11,000 surgical interventions,

and at least 324 deaths.

Antispasmodics (Levsin, Levsinex, Bentyl, Donnatal, etc.) are

routinely prescribed for the treatment of IBS symptoms. Potential side

effects include bloating; blurred vision; clumsiness; constipation;

decreased sweating; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; excessive

daytime drowsiness ("hangover effect"); feeling of a whirling motion;

headache; light-headedness; nausea; nervousness; rash; hives;

difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth,

face, lips, or tongue agitation; confusion; diarrhea; difficulty

focusing eyes; disorientation; exaggerated feeling of well-being;

excitement; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations;

loss of coordination; loss of taste; memory loss; muscle pain;

pounding in the chest; severe or persistent trouble sleeping; trouble

urinating; unusual weakness; very slow breathing; vision changes;

vomiting.

Using potentially dangerous drugs to reduce

symptoms, while ignoring natural and often more effective approaches

is typical of what is wrong with “cookbook” (symptom-focused)

medicine.

        Reversing IBS With Nutritional Therapy

I find that IBS usually disappears rather quickly once my patient’s

correct their poor eating habits (increase fiber, reduce simple

sugars, caffeine and junk foods), uncover any hidden allergies when

present, including gluten intolerance (Celiac disease), boost optimal

stress coping chemicals (serotonin, magnesium, B-vitamins, etc.),

restore bowel ecology (probiotics), and take the right digestive enzymes with

their meals.

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5HTP

To boost serotonin levels I recommend patients take, the amino acid

responsible for making serotonin, known as 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).

5HTP along with the right vitamins and minerals, is responsible for making serotonin.

Patients should take 300-400mg a day with food.

Digestive enzymes

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

and absorption, I recommend taking pancreatic enzymes with each meal.

For stubborn IBS symptoms, I recommend using a high dose, pharmaceutical grade, pure 8X (100% stronger than most over the counter digestive enzymes).

Magnesium

I always recommend people take a good optimal daily allowance

multivitamin/mineral formula. Patients with IBS have depleted their

stress-coping chemicals (serotonin, magnesium, and vitamins) and this not only leads to IBS but also

prevents them from overcoming IBS.

It is a vicious cycle that can only be

broken by taking adequate amounts of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients I’ve already mentioned above.

The mineral magnesium, which is involved in over 300 bodily processes,

is particularly important for reversing the symptoms of IBS-c and IBS-A.

Magnesium helps relax the smooth muscle of the colon (natural

laxative) allowing normal bowel movements. While a diet high in

nutritious fiber is important, magnesium is even more important. A

magnesium deficiency not only causes constipation but can also lead to

heart disease, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), depression, anxiety,

chronic muscle pain, headaches, migraines, fatigue, and many other

unwanted health conditions. Those with IBS-c may need up to 1,000mg of

magnesium each day. While those with IBS-d, may need less than 500mg.

I recommend patients begin with 500mg of magnesium a day, preferably taken in a multivitamin formula.

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.

I recommend taking a high dose (9 billion strong), pure, enteric coated probiotic formula once a day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months.

This approach isn’t guaranteed to solve every case of IBS. However, in

the majority of my patients, their IBS symptoms are usually gone within two weeks.

I've developed a IBS Formula, called The Healthy Bowel Formula. You can read more about this formula in my online store or call the clinic 205-879-2383.

http://store.drmurphreestore.com/hebosu.html

Flu Shots For The Elderly Are Ineffective

Originally taken from-

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 23, 2008 

Flu Shots For The Elderly Are Ineffective

(OMNS, October 23, 2008) Have the elderly people in your family missed their flu shot? If so, they may have made the right decision. 

The New York Times recently reported that "A growing number of immunologists and epidemiologists say the vaccine probably does not work very well for people over 70," and that previous studies may have shown "not any actual protection against the flu virus but a fundamental difference between the kinds of people who get vaccines and those who do not . . . simply because they went to the doctor more often." (1)

Influenza vaccination has been widely touted even though evidence of effectiveness is lacking. One large scientific review looked at 40 years' worth of influenza vaccine studies. It found thatflu shots were ineffective for elderly persons living in the community, and flu shots were "non-significant against influenza" for elderly living in group homes. (2) 

The authors of another major review "found no correlation between vaccine coverage and influenza-like-illness attack rate." (3) 

Author Dr. Thomas Jefferson said, "The vaccine doesn't work very well at all. Vaccines are being used as an ideological weapon. What you see every year as the flu is caused by 200 or 300 different agents with a vaccine against two of them. That is simply nonsense." (4) 

Indeed, he commented, "What you see is that marketing rules the response to influenza, and scientific evidence comes fourth or fifth." (5)

Some still claim that flu vaccinations, even though they do not prevent the flu, may help prevent more serious complications such as pneumonia, so dreaded and so often deadly for the elderly. But the authors of the study discussed in the NY Times article specifically noted that "influenza vaccination was not associated with a reduced risk of community-acquired pneumonia." (6)

As with all immunizations, flu shots can have harmful side effects. Vaccines may contain, among other things, ingredients such as mercury and aluminum, which are widely regarded as toxic. The elderly are more likely to be injured by, or even die from, flu vaccine side effects. Such incidents may remain unreported by hospitals or physicians. 

One man, aged 76, had a flu shot and immediately had to be hospitalized for a week. When family members suggested to the hospital staff and physicians that it was probably a reaction to the shot, their views were disregarded. Two years later the man had another flu shot, and was promptly hospitalized a second time. Family members once again said it was a reaction to the flu shot. The hospital said it was a low-grade infection, probably a bladder infection. The man died.

There are indications that vaccination side effects are underreported. The US Food and Drug Administration's Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System receives around 11,000 serious adverse reaction reports each year, mostly from doctors. (7) 

FDA states that "VAERS tracks serious vaccine reactions, not common fevers and soreness from shots. Serious reactions include death, life-threatening illness, hospitalization, and disability resulting from a vaccine." (8) However, FDA admits that they probably receive reports for only about 10 percent of all adverse vaccine reactions. (9)

The National Vaccine Information Center estimates the reporting percentage to be far lower, perhaps under 3 percent. (10)

The exact contents of each year's flu shot is an educated guess. Sometimes this guess is wrong, as it was for 2008, where the vaccine "doesn't match two of the three main types of flu bugs now in circulation. . . . The predominant type A flu virus this year is the H3N2 strain; 87% are the "Brisbane" strain. 

And 93% of this year's type B flu bugs are from the "Yamagata" lineage. The current flu vaccine's H3N2 component is the "Wisconsin" strain; the type B component is from the "Victoria" lineage." (11) Even when the guess is correct, flu viruses frequently mutate and become resistant all over again.

The flu vaccine, notes the NY Times, has not been double-blind, placebo-control tested. Faith in vaccination appears to be greater than the scientific evidence to justify vaccination. Senior citizens already take far more medications than any other segment of the population. The elderly have weaker immune systems. The risk of immunization adverse effects rises accordingly. Increased side effect danger, along with low effectiveness, is a bad combination.

Is their an available alternative? Yes, there may be: give the elderly more nutrients, rather than more needles. 

Older people often have inadequate diets. With ageing and illness, their bodies' need for vital nutrients goes up, yet frequently their intake actually goes down.

Nutritional supplements help fight the flu. Vitamins and minerals have been shown to significantly reduce incidence and duration of influenza. This was already known back when many of today's elderly were still middle-aged. 

32 years ago, twice Nobel-Prize winner Linus Pauling reviewed the nutritional literature and determined that high doses of vitamin C reduce the frequency and shorten the severity of influenza. (12) Orthomolecular (nutritional) physicians have repeatedly confirmed this. 

Robert F. Cathcart, MD, successfully treated thousands of viral-illness patients with massive doses of vitamin C. (13) Vitamin D also increases resistance to influenza (14), as do the minerals selenium and zinc. (15)

With good nutrition bolstered with supplemental vitamin and mineral intake, the human body's natural defenses are strengthened and can rapidly adapt to resist new flu strains. Clinical evidence indicates that nutrition is more significant that vaccination. Malnutrition is far more dangerous than not getting vaccinated.

No, there is not a vaccination for every illness. It might be nice if there were, but no shot can make up for poor nutrition.

Over-reliance on vaccinating the elderly ignores their fundamental problems of poor diet and vitamin/mineral deficiencies. These are underlying reasons for a susceptible immune system. Supplemental nutrition is the "other" immune system booster. It is time to use it.

References:

(1) Goodman B. Doubts grow over flu vaccine in elderly. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/health/02flu.html September 2, 2008.

(2) Rivetti D, Jefferson T, Thomas R et al. Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jul 19;3:CD004876.

(3) Jefferson T, Rivetti D, Rivetti A et al. Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines in elderly people: a systematic review. Lancet. 2005 Oct 1;366(9492):1165-74.

(4) Gardner A. Flu vaccine only mildly effective in elderly. HealthDay Reporter, Sept 21, 2005.

(5) Rosenthal E. Flu vaccination and treatment fall far short. International Herald Tribune, September 22, 2005.

(6) Jackson ML, Nelson JC, Weiss NS, Neuzil KM, Barlow W, Jackson LA. Influenza vaccination and risk of community-acquired pneumonia in immunocompetent elderly people: a population-based, nested case-control study. Lancet. 2008 Aug 2;372(9636):398-405.

(7) National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161, 703-487-4650, 703-487-4600.

(8) http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/vaccine.html

(9) KM Severyn in the Dayton Daily News, May 28, 1993 cited at http://www.chiropracticresearch.org/NEWSVaccinations.htm

(10) "Investigative Report on the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System." National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), 512 Maple Ave. W. #206, Vienna, VA 22180.

(11) DeNoon DJ. Most influenza strains do not match current vaccine. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/570050 February 11, 2008. Also: Joe Bresee, MD, chief, epidemiology and prevention branch, CDC Influenza Division, Atlanta. CDC news conference, Feb. 8, 2008.

(12) Pauling L. Vitamin C, the Common Cold, and the Flu. Freeman, 1976.

(13) Cathcart RF. Vitamin C, titrating to bowel tolerance, anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy. Med Hypotheses. 1981 Nov;7(11):1359-76. http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html

(14) Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006. Dec;134(6):1129-40.

(15) Girodon F, Galan P, Monget AL et al. Impact of trace elements and vitamin supplementation on immunity and infections in institutionalized elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial. MIN. VIT. AOX. geriatric network. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Apr 12;159(7):748-54.

For more information:

Video questioning influenza vaccine: http://www.thinktwice.com/flu_show.htm 

A humorous look at flu vaccine: http://www.thinktwice.com/Flu_Farce.mov