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.
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.
All of the above ingredients are in Nutri Cleanse. Start
with one teaspoon in the morning. Increase to two teaspoons after the first week.
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.
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.
Restore Your Friendly FloraProbiotic 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.
| |
4 romaine letttuce leaves | 1 small carrot |
1/2 small beet | 1 stalk celery |
1/2 tomato | 1/2 tomato |
1/2 cucumber, skin intact | 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil |
juice of 1/2 lime | 1 clove garlic (opt) |
Put 2 inches of distilled water into the bottom of the blender. Next put in the lettuce leaves and tomato. Give them a quick blend until liquid. Cut up the carrot, celery and beet. Put remaining ingredients into the blender and blend for about a minute or until they are liquefied. Add lime juice and extra virgin olive oil. Blend again for 10 seconds. Use organic vegetables if possible. |
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.
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.