Some have attributed the saying "All diseases begin in the gut" to Hippocrates. It is a message that has been passed down over the centuries in the natural medicine community, and in his book Dr. Jensen's Guide to Better Bowel Care, the late holistic doctor Bernard Jensen, PhD, said that the bowel is the source of disease. He wrote, "As we take care of the bowel, we cleanse and purify the body and all its organs. That cleansing and purifying must start with the bowel."
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Aside from its job in digesting food and absorbing nutrients, the gut also acts as a barrier against the absorption of unhealthy, incompletely digested food molecules. However, the barrier posed by the gut's mucus membrane lining is not complete. Small quantities of molecules of various sizes and types typically cross this barrier intact. In and of itself, this might not cause any significant problems. However, once the gut lining becomes inflamed or damaged, spaces in the gut open up and allow large food molecules to be absorbed into the body. These large molecules can have toxic, hormonal, and immunologic effects. Also, since they are foreign to the body's defense system, they are seen by the body as antigens, or substances that cause the immune system to produce antibodies against what were originally harmless, innocuous foods.
This phenomenon is referred to as "leaky gut syndrome," and it can cause and contribute to diseases. One cause of leaky gut syndrome is bacteria dysbiosis, the imbalance of intestinal bacteria (microflora).
Intestinal Bacteria and Disease
The gut is loaded with intestinal bacteria. Some of these bacteria (probiotics) are beneficial and can produce antibiotic-like and immune-stimulating substances. Other types of bacteria are pathogenic (disease-causing) and can produce carcinogens and tumor-promoting substances as well as various toxins. The quantity and nature of the substances produced are determined by the type, quantity, and metabolic activity of the bacteria-how many and which types of good bugs we have versus bad bugs.
Just having good levels of probiotic bacteria in our gut has a favorable effect on the balance of intestinal microflora and discourages the growth of harmful bacteria while also supporting good digestion, proper immune function, and increased resistance to infection. People with healthy colonies of intestinal probiotics are better prepared to fight disease-causing bacteria. The lactobacilli and bifidobacteria families of probiotics (e.g., L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius, S. thermophilus, B. bifidum, B. longum, B. lactis, B. infantis) help promote a balance of healthy intestinal microflora because they produce organic compounds that improve the acid pH of the intestine, thereby blocking bad bugs from reproducing.
A healthy gastrointestinal tract with good mucus production-and the right balance of good bacteria-controls the growth of harmful bacteria, discourages disease processes, and helps prevent widespread inflammatory disorders. Research shows that probiotics can be beneficial in the treatment of inflammation/arthritis, allergies/eczema, and HIV/compromised immunity, as well as other disorders.
Probiotics and Digestion
As you might expect, probiotic supplements can also have beneficial effects on digestive disorders. One reason is that probiotics secrete enzymes that aid digestion. For example, L. acidophilus is a source of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk, which is deficient in people who are lactose intolerant. In addition, probiotics can help prevent and manage acute viral and bacterial diarrhea as well as control antibiotic-associated diarrhea. If that wasn't enough, probiotic supplementation has also shown benefits in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
Research has demonstrated that supplementation with probiotics, specifically those containing L. casei, can prevent certain types of diarrhea from causing those spaces in the gut to open up and contribute to leaky gut. Other research suggests that L. acidophilus supplementation may have a similar effect.
Betaine Hydrochloride and Pepsin
Bacterial overgrowth that contributes to leaky gut can also be caused by low levels of hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. The result is that bacterial enzymes destroy the mucus coating and damage occurs. You may think that low levels of hydrochloric acid are uncommon-after all, so many people use antacid products to neutralize stomach acid. However, many healthcare practitioners have discovered that, in the overwhelming majority of people with heartburn, indigestion, and other digestive disorders, they're actually suffering from not enough hydrochloric acid. Unfortunately, most people reach for antacids when they first experience heartburn, which will help them feel better right then and there, but may cause some lower gastrointestinal distress and, ultimately, interfere with the absorption of some vitamins and minerals.
The use of a digestive or enzyme supplement with betaine hydrochloride, a safe form of hydrochloric acid, may be a better choice for many heartburn/indigestion sufferers. It's important to keep in mind that stomach acid's major task is to break down proteins so that enzymes secreted by the pancreas can finish the protein digestion job. If this doesn't happen, not only may you be hit with digestive ills, but these proteins might be absorbed through a leaky gut and lead to additional problems.
In a small number of cases, heartburn, belching, or bloating after meals and indigestion are not due to failing stomach acid production. In this small percentage, supplemental hydrochloric acid won't help and may aggravate the problem. If in doubt, seek out a physician knowledgeable in nutritional medicine and ask for gastric analysis by radio telemetry or Heidelberg testing to determine your hydrochloric acid status.
Supplemental hydrochloric acid is available as either betaine hydrochloride or glutamic acid hydrochloride. If testing confirms weak stomach function, start with just one capsule or tablet in the early part of each meal and then, slowly and cautiously, work up to more capsules or tablets (not to exceed five at one time) until digestion improves. If burning or other adverse symptoms occur, cut back to smaller quantities or discontinue use altogether.
Multidigestive Enzymes
It may also be important to consider the use of digestive enzyme supplements to promote more complete digestion-and reduce the risk of leaky gut. Both human and animal research show that the body's production of certain digestive enzymes slows down with age. These enzymes include proteases (protein-digesting enzymes, also known as proteolytic enzymes), lipases (fat-digesting enzymes), and amylases (carbohydrate-digesting enzymes). A multidigestive enzyme supplement would typically contain all of these.
In one study, previously housebound patients with pancreatic insufficiency who used a digestive enzyme supplement were able to resume a near-normal social and work lifestyle. In another study, patients with impaired digestion due to severe pancreatic insufficiency also experienced impaired secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK)-an intestinal hormone that jacks up bile secretion and fat digestion. Supplementation with digestive enzymes has allowed patients to experience a significant increase in their CCK levels, which has also been shown helpful to people with cystic fibrosis. Research also indicates that people with chronic pancreatitis (an inflammatory condition of the pancreas leading to insufficient enzyme and hormone secretion) were able to achieve better digestion with digestive enzyme supplements. In addition, several studies have shown that poor digestive enzyme production can be caused by various nonpancreatic digestive diseases. Study participants responded well to digestive enzyme supplements.
If you're a healthy person with minor digestive problems, some research suggests that tablets, rather than capsules, may work best, although there are many fine products available in tablet or capsule form. I've found the best bet is a multidigestive enzyme supplement.
Ailments & Natural Remedies by Gene Bruno (59th Street Bridge Publishing Corp, 2001) Dr. Jensen's Guide to Better Bowel Care by Bernard Jensen, PhD ($15.95, Penguin Group/Avery, 1999) "Probiotics in health maintenance and disease prevention" by J. A. Drisko et al., Altern Med Rev, 2003 "Effect of oral pancreatic enzyme administration on digestive function in healthy subjects: Comparison between two enzyme preparations" by J. E. DominguezMunoz et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 4/97 "Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans" by Y. Bouhnik et al., J Nutr, 1/99
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The word is getting out about helpful germs and bacteria, known as acidophilus. |
Study after study from many of the most prestigious universities in the country support and advance the concept that probiotics are as important and basic to our health as a balanced diet and exercise. |
