The general consensus among health professionals is that most, if not all, major diseases start in the colon. This is not surprising when you consider that our foods are laced with preservatives, artificial ingredients, hormones, and other chemical additives. Refined, processed, low fiber foods, animal fats, a lack of exercise, and an ever increasing level of stress all contribute to our current gastrointestinal health crisis.

Many digestive complaints and symptoms appear even in apparently healthy people. They frequently go undiagnosed because these complaints are not serious. Symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, belching, flatulence, food sensitivities, indigestion, malabsorption, irritable bowel syndrome, and the list goes on.... are so common that they are seen as normal. Consider that a sluggish bowel can retain pounds of old toxic fecal matter. This leads to a vicious cycle of autointoxication that taxes our defense systems and eventually leads to more serious disease.

Over 100 million Americans suffer from some form of digestive disease. In fact, more Americans are hospitalized due to diseases of the digestive tract and colon than for any other group of disorders.

For summary guidance on specific nutritional support products that support a healthy digestive tract, see Digestive Health Support.

The First Step

This is a critical, but easy, prerequisite for improved digestion and assimilation. Try using a blend of healing herbs, nutrients, and fibers to provide a natural, gentle “broom” to gradually rejuvenate intestinal function.

Natural nutrients That Cleanse and Heal The Intestinal Track

• Plantago Psyllium Seed - This fiber helps scrub the convolutions in the intestinal tract, loosening and cleaning putrefying toxins.
• Guar Gum ( Sterculia) - A digestive fiber that helps regulate the rate of absorption of nutrients.
• Chlorella - Its nutritive value, high plant protein and chlorophyll content make it one of the world's best foods.
• Dunaliella Dunaliella Salina microalgae contains the powerful carotenoid family alpha and beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin. This powerhouse combination protects against free radical cell damage responsible for premature aging, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases.
• Wormwood In ancient Egypt, wormwood was highly prized as anti-parasitic. It is often used as a bitter digestive aid, with the powerful ability to fight off intestinal invaders such as pinworms and roundworms. It promotes the secretion of bile and other digestive juices. Bile being alkaline or basic in nature helps in the decomposition of breaking down of foods. In addition it helps neutralize excess acids thereby helping reduce prolonged acidity and acidosis
• Aloe Vera - Nature's enzymatic aid to digestion.
• Capsicum (Cayenne) - Aids circulation and useful in inflammations, stomach and bowel disorders.
• Cascara-Sagrada - Intestinal tonic and promotes peristaltic activity of the bowel.
• Black Walnut - Expels parasites. Assists in the elimination of toxins.
• Senna Pod - Helps cleanse the colon.
• Garlic - Rejuvenates and stimulates the lymphatic system to throw off waste materials.
• Acidophilus (carrot concentrate) - Helps neutralize gas, bloating, toxicity and constipation.
• Rosehips - Digestive stimulant. Antibacterial and antiviral.

All of the above ingredients are in Nutri Cleanse. Start with one teaspoon in the morning. Increase to two teaspoons after the first week.

The Second Step

It is not how much we eat, but how much we can fully digest, absorb and metabolize that counts. To be well nourished is to take into the body everything it requires, and to fully eliminate all the resultant debris.

The first of these processes is digestion. If eating results in gas, bloating, or occasional abdominal pains, consider digestive enzymes. By taking enzymes at the beginning of each meal, you will more fully digest your food, increasing your available helpful nutrients and decreasing possible exposure to antigens (food particles that can stimulate allergic reactions).

At least 25% of your resting metabolic energy is spent on maintaining your digestive health. By using enzymes, you can actually use less of this energy on digestion, leaving more available to make repairs, restore normal functions, or perform other tasks with added energy.

Enzymes from plant sources

All of the above ingredients are in Power Plant Enzymes in a base of: Barley Grass Juice, Wheat Grass Juice, Spirulina and Chlorella. Power Plant Enzymes are enteric coated which allows the enzymes to pass through the acid of the stomach into the alkaline small intestine.

Another option for enzyme support is Phyto Opti-Zymes, a complete plant based multi-enzyme complex. Designed to supplement an enzyme deficient diet that can trigger uncomfortable symptoms, including gas and bloating. These common symptoms often signal digestive insufficiencies that can lead to more advanced metabolic challenges, including weight problems, fatigue, allergies and excessive aging. Phyto Opti-Zymes™ boosts digestion and absorption with three proteases (protein digesting enzymes); seven carbohydrases (carbohydrate digesting enzymes); proprietary acid stable lipase (fat digesting enzyme); proprietary hemicellulase (indigestible fiber digesting enzyme); plus peptizymes and bromelain from pineapple. Prepared in a special base of prebiotic enhancers (Jerusalem Artichoke and Fructooligosaccharides) that helps cultivate healthy probiotics which aid in digestion and absorption.

Probiotic Complex provides a complex of probiotic bacteria to support the digestive system (previously called Vita Balance 3000). Probiotic Complex is a natural approach to chronic digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, flatulence, bloating and the effects of prolonged antibiotic therapy).

Gradually adding more fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables into your diet will provide a natural source of enzymes and fiber to support intestinal health.

Vegetables mineralize the system. The water contained in fruits and vegetables is important for nourishing and cleansing. Water carries the rich cargo of nutrients into the intestines where they are rapidly absorbed and then flushes away the wastes.

For an easy to prepare, nutrient rich lunch, try drinking a salad. It is like a cool soup and is easy on the digestive system.

Raw Foods aid digestion and help build a strong immune system

Aloe Vera acts as a digestive tonic

The Body's Immune System plays a key role in the digestive process

The overall digestive process involve components of the immune, endocrine, nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems. The immune system selectively screens the contents of the intestinal tract, recognizing and absorbing necessary nutrients while discriminating against toxins, antigens, bacteria, viruses, and non-nutritive matter that can produce disease. This amazing feat is accomplished at the intestinal lining, which is 200 square meters in size (about the size of a tennis court). When the integrity of this system is weakened our body becomes susceptible to disease.

Our immune system puts up a valiant battle against almost overwhelming odds. You can "lend a hand" by supporting your body with the natural ingredients listed below to nourish and rejuvenate your immune system.

Natural Nutrients That Rejuvenate Your Immune System

• Alfalfa Juice Powder - Rich in carotenes, vitamin K, chlorophyll and amino acids. A good blood-building food.
• Phosphatidylserine - Improves mental alertness, short and long term memory. Increases the brain's glucose metabolism and neurotransmitter receptor sites to improve cognitive functions.
• Ginkgo Biloba - Reduces mental stress and increases mental stamina. Powerful support for the cardiovascular system, improves blood flow to the brain. Helps with memory loss. Also a powerful antioxidant.
• Spirulina - The most concentrated, nutritious whole food available. More protein than any other food with the full range of essential amino acids. High in chlorophyll, natural iron, and the B-complex.
• Chlorella - Rich in chlorophyll, minerals and antioxidants. Promotes cell growth. Detoxifies the blood.
• Dunaliella - Red micro-algae. High in natural carotenoids. Good for the adrenal glands, reproductive organs, pancreas, spleen and skin.
• Alfalfa Juice Powder - Rich in carotenes, vitamin K, chlorophyll and amino acids. A good blood-building food.
• Red Clover Tops - A blood purifier. Helps inflammatory skin conditions and psoriasis, childhood eczema, bronchitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Parsley Greens - Rich in chlorophyll, Vitamin B, and Potassium. Strong alkalizing effect on the body.
• Black Currant Powder - Excellent source of omega 3 & omega 6 essential fatty acids.
• Dandelion Greens - Gently stimulates intestinal function. Good for the liver and kidneys.
• Rhubarb Juice Powder - A liver and colon cleanser, also a healer for the stomach.
• Red Beet Juice Powder - Cleanses the kidneys and helps regenerate liver cells.
• Milk Thistle Powder - One of the best remedies for liver complaints.
• Burdock Root Powder - Purifies the blood and lymph of toxins.
• Watercress Greens - Purifies blood and alleviates fatigue.

Yoga For Digestion

1. Lie on your back. Have your arms by the sides. You can put your hands under the buttocks for support.
2. Inhale as you raise your legs to a 60 degrees angle. Hold for 5-10 seconds.
3. Exhale and bend your knees into the body. Hold for 5-10 seconds.
4. Inhale and extend your legs to 60 degrees. Hold for 5-10 seconds.
5. Exhale and lower the legs to the ground to your starting position. Relax for 5-10 seconds.

Repeat this cycle a total of 8 times. Your liver will love you if you practice this. It’s also extremely effective in helping to prevent constipation and other digestive dysfunctions.