Description
Digestive disorders are common. Somewhere between one-third
and one-half of all adults have one, including conditions such
as:
- Ulcers
- Heartburn /
indigestion
- Gastritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative
colitis)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS)
- Diverticular
disease
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Gut flora imbalance
(dysbiosis)
- Celiac disease
- Candidiasis
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Incomplete digestion of
food
Proper digestion and absorption of food is critical if
the body's cells are to get the essential nutrients needed to
function well. If the
gastrointestinal system is not working correctly, it is very likely
that one or more of the body's other major systems (e.g., vascular,
nervous, immune) will also be significantly
affected.
Causes
There are many potential factors that may affect
digestive function, including:
- Food
sensitivities/allergies
- Infectious agents - e.g., yeast, bacteria,
parasites
- Damage to the lining and function of the gut
wall
- Enzyme deficiencies
- Low gastric acid secretion
(hypochlorhydria)
- Nutrient
deficiencies
- Inadequate dietary
fiber
- Medication use - e.g., antibiotics, NSAIDs, aspirin,
steroids, laxatives
- Environmental toxin exposure - e.g., heavy metals,
excessive alcohol
- Psychological
stress
My Treatment
Approach
- With testing and/or an elimination diet,
identify potential food sensitivities/allergies and
reduce/avoid those foods.
- Shift to an anti-inflammatory diet.
- Supplement to support and maintain healthy digestive function:
-
Vitamins
-
Minerals
-
Essential fatty acids
-
Amino acids
-
Enzymes
-
Probiotics
-
Anti-microbials
-
Fiber
- Identify/address existing chronic infections
(bacterial, parasitic, fungal).
- Avoid future toxin exposure, and safely / properly reduce existing toxin
levels in the body.
- Seek professional help for existing
psychological factors (e.g., stress).