Is your gut making you sick?

No matter how unrelated a disease may appear to be there is a great deal of evidence to show that many conditions and diseases are indeed linked to the digestive system. For example, toxic substances produced by unhealthy gut flora can often produce general symptoms that appear to have no relation to digestive health, such as: general lack of wellbeing, fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, muscle and joint aches, sleeping problems, urinary tract infections and the list goes on.

The Gastrointestinal system (GIT) with a 5-6 metre tube that begins with the mouth and ends at the anus, consists of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and the Colon (large intestine). It is assisted by the accessory organs such as the liver, gall bladder and pancreas which are connected to the GIT. The gastrointestinal tract, the gut, does not exist only to digest our food, absorb nutrients and discharge waste, although this is indeed a very important function, but it is in fact an intelligent organ and is central to the health of our body. This organ which is considered the 2nd brain by many communicates between its inhabitants (gut flora) and the host. In this way our digestive system is inextricably linked to our immune, endocrine, circulatory and central nervous systems.

The wonderful world of our flora

This fascinating organ, the gut, if stretched out flat would cover a tennis court and is our major interface between the ‘internal milieu’ and the external environment. Because of this connection with the outside world the digestive tract is a perfect harbour for anything harmful that might get in. Therefore nature has provided the gut with a formidable barrier to pathogens (disease-causing unfriendly microbes) by providing it with intestinal micro flora, the mucosal lining (lumen) and the immune system (up to 85% of the immune system is found in the gut). Its health therefore plays a huge part in the health of every other aspect of the human organism.

Before birth a baby’s gut is sterile and upon its entry into this world the infant’s gastrointestinal tract receives a massive invasion of various microbes dependant on the type of birth (vaginal birth provides the first healthy micro flora) and the type of milk ingested, with breastfeeding providing 99% of one type. A healthy gut is the basis of our immune system. It needs a living, highly organized micro flora to provide a barrier to pathogens and protect us from infections, carcinogens and toxic substances by engulfing and secreting them.

Hippocrates over two thousand years ago coined the phrase ‘All diseases begin in the gut’. Today science is only just discovering how right he was. The gut acts as a second brain by communicating between the gut micro flora and your body. It is linked to our immune, circulatory, endocrine and central nervous systems.

Our micro flora is highly organized and the number of functions that it fulfils is so vital to us that should our gut become sterilized we might not survive. This micro flora consists of bacteria, yeasts, viruses, worms and other one-cell structures. On average an adult carries around 2 kg of bacteria in the gut providing more cells and genetic material in the micro flora than in the entire body. In the healthy gut they appear to live in a state of balance, neither one type dominating the other. If one type should predominate then it is capable of overwhelming the body with its waste and toxins. Even an overgrowth of ‘healthy’ bacteria can create havoc.

Some of these organisms play important roles in the optimal function of our digestive and immune system, some can be harmful whilst others may be neither beneficial nor harmful. Our digestive tract works hard to suppress the growth of harmful gut microbes with the help of stomach acid, mucous, bile, digestive enzymes, antibodies and friendly bacteria. Meanwhile our gut flora provides a barrier from our polluted world, the chemicals in our food and drink and the polluted air we breathe. It coats the entire surface of the gut protecting us from invaders and toxins and produces substances that have an anti-bacterial, antiviral and antifungal action. Thus it can protect us from infections, carcinogenic and toxic substances by engulfing and excreting them.

Cancer is far less likely to occur in a healthy digestive system. A healthy gut environment will produce enzymes needed to break down proteins, carbohydrates, fibre and fats. Therefore digestive health cannot happen without a well functioning Gut Micro flora. Did you know that gut bacteria and microbes are responsible (through transporting molecules) for the release and absorption of vitamins, minerals and many other nutrients through the gut lumen? In particular the Group B vitamins and vitamin K are actually produced in the gut milieu.

How poor bowel flora can affect your health

Of course, as most sufferers would know, the ecology of the gut plays a huge role in specific disorders of the digestive system, such as Ulcers, Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. But many more health disorders, seemingly unrelated to the gut, can occur when our bowel flora is deranged. If the normal equilibrium of the gut is changed for whatever reason this hampers many functions of the body.

Digestion is disturbed, inflammation sets in, microbes can migrate into the gut and compete for nutrients, and absorption of B vitamins is impeded. You may feel your energy is less than it used to be as you become deficient in all the minerals and vitamins normally produced by the damaged micro flora. It is often not enough to take vitamins and minerals to restore your health. One needs to restore gut flora first to regain that balance once again.

Our gut flora is also the basis of our immune system and when gut flora is damaged then the two arms of our immune system (Th1 & Th2) which normally should be balanced become skewed. This is often when allergic reactions or intolerances begin to manifest. The Th2 arm of your immunity (which produce antibodies to foreign matter in the bloodstream) becomes hyperactive whilst the other arm, Th1 (responsible for regulating our defences against pathogens) becomes disabled.

These days many children are the unfortunate recipients of allergies that greatly affect their lives due to the poor state of their gut microenvironment. More and more children suffer with allergies and sensitivities to foods than ever before with such ailments as eczema, asthma, ear infections, chest infections and so on. Twenty years ago peanut allergies, anaphylactic reactions and other food allergies were rare and the current ‘no nut’ rules in schools were unheard of. Asthma is the most commonly reported long term child’s health condition with an increase of around 8% since 1990.

A healthy gut is the basis of our immune system. It needs a living, highly organized micro flora to provide a barrier to pathogens and protect us from infections, carcinogens and toxic substances by engulfing and secreting them. Dysbiosis or abnormal gut flora (see our treatment plans on Dysbiosis), often begins at birth because the mother’s internal gut health has been compromised by antibiotics, oral contraceptive pill or poor diet consisting of fast and processed foods.

These conditions stem from the abnormal gut flora of children with this process often beginning in babies who present with colic (poor digestion from abnormal flora) poor stool function and reflux. These babies have been born immune compromised with the consequence that they develop numerous infections (including ear infections) and receive numerous courses of antibiotics which damage their gut flora even further.

Why would a new born baby develop abnormal gut flora?

Sadly it starts with the modern mother who was not breast fed herself, but bottle fed, compromising her own gut flora. She may also have used the oral contraceptive pill, had multiple course of antibiotics, all known to change the delicate balance of the GIT environment. Our modern diet consisting of processed and fast foods further encourages growth of opportunistic unhealthy microbes, the most common of which is Candida, whilst the beneficial bacteria are destroyed or depleted in numbers. This situation we call gut ‘dysbiosis’. By the time the mother bears her first child she carries the tell tale signs of gut dysbiosis which she then passes unwittingly onto her newborn child. Further, if the mother should elect for caesarian birth (as opposed to vaginal birth) her new born baby is denied the first most crucial bacteria her child needs to begin the building of its immune system. More on this fascinating subject can be read through our available article ‘Our blooming gut flora’.

Gut microbes almost certainly have the potential to significantly influence brain function. Undesirable gut inhabitants have the potential to produce molecules that are toxic to the gut wall, immune system and brain. Alcohol and Acetaldehyde are toxins that can be produced by harmful gut pathogens and constant exposure to these substances can have devasting effects. If numbers of these ‘undesirables’ increase, especially if the host has what we call ‘leaky gut syndrome’, (see our treatment plan on Leaky Gut) then these pathogens may result in highly undesirable affects upon the brain. These pathogenic molecules can pass the blood brain barrier. Dr. Curtis Dohan, MD has found similarities between coeliac disease (gluten sensitivity) and the digestive tracts of schizophrenics. It is no co-incidence that many children and adults with neuro-psychological problems are also reported to suffer with digestive problems and indeed neuro toxins have been found in the stools of patients with these conditions. Harmful gut bacteria can produce symptoms of fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle pain and have been linked to children with ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and even Autism.

Research has shown us that the majority of children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have little or no friendly gut bacteria and exhibited high amounts of potentially harmful gut bacteria. One child in three in every classroom in the western world is diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and degrees in between. Our kids are sick and as a result their learning is hampered. Twenty years ago it was rare for a doctor to diagnose a child with Autism - now an Australian study has shown that around 1 in 160 children suffer with Autism and some group of doctors believe that there is a strong connection between this and digestive health. Links have also been made from a poor intestinal environment to the creation of Auto-Immune diseases. Toxic substances produced from harmful gut pathogens such as Acetaldehyde have the ability to alter the structure of proteins. These altered proteins are considered to be responsible for many autoimmune reactions where a person’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells.

Gut ecology has a huge impact on our health and as the list of related conditions is longer than can be related here, please refer to the Gut Matters online list ‘Other conditions that are associated with poor gut function’. Dysbiosis or abnormal gut flora often begins at birth because the mother’s internal gut health has been compromised by antibiotics, oral contraceptive pill or poor diet consisting of fast and processed foods. Harmful gut bacteria can produce symptoms of fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle pain and have been linked to children with ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and even Autism.

What can affect gut flora?

Antibiotic therapy is well known to cause a wide range of microbial changes. Antibiotics can often derange the ‘healthy’ bacteria yet have no effect on the ‘bad’ microbes. Similar effects can be connected to the oral contraceptive pill and steroid medications. After administration of these medications for prolonged periods we end up with a damaged gut flora – gut dysbiosis. Other factors that create dysbiosis are a product of our modern world: junk food diets, processed foods, high sugar diets, low vegetable (including raw) intake, and prolonged periods of stress, infections, radiation and infections. Quality probiotics or prebiotics should always be taken in any of these situations.

Gut Matters can help you. ‘Heal your gut, Heal your body’ By nourishing, cleansing and repairing the vital inner ecosystem of the gut (micro flora) your health can be restored. Our approach is an holistic one, treating the individual and looking at all facets of your health. Rather than just treating the symptoms we look at the cause. At Gut Matters our objective is to help you to find the correct diet and show you how to support your gut function. While you will need to make changes to your diet there is no doubt that increasing the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the digestive tract will improve your digestive and cellular health. We can show you how to restore the important inner ecology your body needs to function properly, improving nutrient uptake and controlling those symptoms that affect your quality of life.

We do this by offering comprehensive, step by step, treatment plans for all health conditions related to gut health, many of which have been mentioned in this article. We will dispel the myths and give you the truths about nutrition with the objective of restoring nutrient-dense, clean foods to your diet. In addition we suggest dietary and nutritional supplements and herbal medicines that will get you back onto the road to recovery. These are treatment plans that have worked for our clients in our own clinics and therefore we find are the most affective.

We hope this report has given you enough ammunition to delve further into improving your health. Please check the www.gutmatters.com web site for other information that will assist you. However if you require any further assistance or feel a consultation would best handle your particular situation, please contact Tammy Mitchum or Ros Andrews for a personal consultation service.

Tammy Mitchum & Ros Andrews

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Disclaimer: All information provided on www.gutmatters.com is believed to be accurate and true and is provided for information purposes only. This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, before undertaking any diet, health suggestion or other procedure set out on this site.