Intestine health
An intact intestine means being healthy!
Most of the cells in our body are not human.
Our microbiome consists of 100,000 billion bacteria. That’s about 100 times more bacteria than body cells. In total, our microbiome makes up one to two kilograms of our body weight. The vast majority of these bacteria are found in the gastrointestinal tract. Without these microorganisms we humans would not be able to survive.
How is our own ecosystem developing?
Each of us represents our own ecosystem. This microcosm in our intestines develops in the first days after birth, as the embryo’s intestines are still uninhabited in the womb. The birth process is important, during which the newborn comes into contact with the mucous membrane of the mother’s birth canal and absorbs the first bacteria there. For this reason, the microbiome of naturally born babies is different from the microbiome of children born via cesarean section. Later there are various other sources from the environment that contain microorganisms for our intestinal flora, but especially our food. Our lifestyle and diet are crucial to the development and changes of our microbiome throughout life.
What can the inhabitants of our intestines do!
Our fellow citizens provide vital services to us. They help us break down and utilize nutrients, form vitamins and support our immune system in defending itself against pathogenic germs. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect and stimulate the production of certain hormones. But that is not all. Current research results indicate that the inhabitants of our intestines may also have an influence on our behavior and our psyche and can therefore even represent a second brain in addition to the brains of the head and stomach.
What does research say about the intestinal flora?
For around 15 years, findings from the field of psychomicrobiotics have shown that an imbalance in the intestinal flora can be a trigger for mental illness. The research field of psychomicrobiotics deals with the study of the interaction between the brain and intestinal flora, whereby the influence can occur in both directions. For example, the intestinal flora could influence the central nervous system by regulating serotonin levels, which are responsible for our good mood.
But current research is also interested in the influence of the intestinal flora on other diseases that at first glance have nothing to do with the intestine, such as obesity, inflammatory diseases, diabetes or allergies. The claim that certain bacteria make you slim and protect against diabetes is particularly popular. For example, recent studies have shown that the proportion of a certain bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila is significantly lower in obese people than in people of normal weight. A. muciniphila stabilizes the mucus layer in the intestine.
When the intestines are sick
Of course, normal deviations in the intestinal flora can also occur in intestinal diseases – in such cases, some bacterial strains are often too much, too little or not present at all. For example, a certain form of inflammatory bowel disease is caused by Clostridium difficile. In healthy people, C. difficile is a harmless intestinal bacterium. When competing species of normal intestinal flora are suppressed by antibiotics, C.difficile can multiply and produce toxins that can lead to potentially life-threatening diarrhea. Research has shown that transplanting the entire bacterial flora from a healthy donor (fecal transplant) can cleanse the intestines and cure diarrhea in 95% of cases. But the thought of a fecal transplant frightens many patients and doctors are skeptical about the unconventional therapy.
Our intestinal flora: a line of defense against other microorganisms
There is no doubt that our intestinal flora plays a central role in our health. Beneficial intestinal residents compete with pathogens for nutrients and opportunities to attach themselves to the intestinal mucosa. In addition, some of them even produce antibacterial substances that inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. The intestinal microbiome therefore represents one of several lines of defense of our digestive system. These lines of defense are necessary because the surface area of the intestine is huge and therefore provides a huge area through which pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate the body. The intestinal microbiome, together with the intestinal mucosa and the immune system connected to the intestine (= GALT-gut-associated lymphoid tissue = lymphoid tissue connected to the intestine), forms a functional unit that is summarized under the term intestinal barrier.
The immune system, associated with the gut, represents the largest collection of immune cells in our body. Approximately 70% of immunologically active cells are located in our digestive system. The most important tasks of GALT are, on the one hand, the defense against pathogenic microorganisms, but on the other hand also the tolerance to various food ingredients and useful microorganisms in our intestinal flora.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders – the causes are unknown
Despite all the research, the exact causes of functional gastrointestinal disorders are unfortunately not yet known. The microbiome can play a role, but also previous gastrointestinal infections, hypersensitivity of the intestinal nerves or constant stress, but all factors probably play a role together. Therefore, treatment focuses on existing symptoms such as gas, bloating, cramps, diarrhea or constipation.
Gastrointestinal diseases and their triggers from the perspective of alternative medicine!
Stress (although many people don’t want to admit it)
Luxury foods (e.g. alcohol, tobacco smoke, e-cigarettes, etc.)
Food additives (so-called E-substances, sugar, oils, etc.)
Excessive consumption of fructose (damages the liver / is immediately metabolized into fat in the liver).
Medicines (especially antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors – which are used in conventional medicine), so-called “stomach protectants”, painkillers, so-called anti rheumatic drugs and many others).
Pesticides, biocides, other environmental toxins
Microwave radiation (e.g. kitchen, cell phone, especially in the future G5 standard)
Gluten
We would like to take a closer look at the gluten that we ingest through eating bread and pastries – grain products in general. Particular attention should be paid to wheat. Wheat is particularly rich in gluten. This protein itself is capable of triggering leaky gut syndrome and causing significant damage to the intestinal lining. We are not talking about gluten intolerance or even a gluten allergy.
Research confirms that wheat in its current form and cultivation is not suitable for a healthy diet. Gluten content has increased many times over in recent decades and is up to 40 times higher than 20 years ago. Many readers will know that wheat has been cultivated for almost 10,000 years. That’s true, but we can no longer compare today’s highly cultivated wheat with ancient wheat such as emmer or einkorn. All other types of grain do not have this high gluten content.
Very often, and this has to do with human anatomy and the need for detoxification, pollutants and nutrients are first transported to the liver, on the one hand for detoxification and on the other hand for conversion into other endogenous substances. Liver strain is very common. This is evident, for example, in chronic fatigue and an increase in liver values in the blood without a convincing explanation. If such liver stress occurs over a longer period of time, a fatty liver develops and the detoxification function is further restricted. If left untreated, it leads to catastrophe (Leaky Gut Syndrome).
It is very important to know that the so-called silent inflammation occurs due to the permeable intestinal mucosa. These silent inflammations are usually not noticed by patients. Yes, because as the name suggests, they take place in silence and that is exactly where the danger lies. They are not perceived through direct symptoms or as pain. If silent inflammation has existed for a long time, conclusions can be drawn by determining the CRP in the blood. It should be noted that alternative medicine interprets this value differently.
Possible signs of „Leaky gut syndrome“
What symptoms or signs of the disease should we pay attention to and what are signs of leaky gut syndrome (we consider these lists to be important and do not claim to be complete):
- chronic fatigue,
- general muscle pain,
- migraines (estrogen – sex hormone – cannot be broken down),
- depression,
- skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, etc.),
- susceptibility to infections,
- bladder infections, cystitis or genital infections,
- food intolerances and food allergies,
- diverse problems in the movement and support system,
- diseases of the heart – blood circulation,
- disorders and diseases of the central nervous system (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, other dementias, multiple sclerosis – MS).
Disturbed intestinal flora – the most common symptoms
- obesity,
- high blood pressure,
- inflammatory reactions,
- allergies,
- type 2 diabetes,
- poor immunity,
- autoimmune diseases such as: Type 1 diabetes – Thyroid diseases (Hashimoto – Graves), Chron’s disease – Ulcerative colitis – Zolia disease – Rheumatism – RH arthritis – Multiple sclerosis – Lupus erythematosus – Psoriasis and much more…,
- flatulence,
- cramps,
- feeling of satiety,
- diarrhea,
- constipation (pain in the sacroiliac joint and lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulders, etc.),
- lack of vitamins (anemia e.g. B 12 / folic acid),
- iIron deficiency without causing bleeding,
- lack of minerals,
- hormonal disorders,
- depression.
The list goes on and shows the complexity of this problem.
Are you suffering from these symptoms or are you suffering from the diseases mentioned above?
Then we recommend our basic intestinal test in a German laboratory with subsequent intestinal cleansing and repopulation of the intestinal flora accompanied by our practice team.
Basic intestinal screening indication: determination of the quantity and quality of the intestinal biota (microbiome) and mucous membrane immunity, presence of inflammation, dysbiosis and food allergies. The “Basic Intestinal Examination” is a very extensive examination package consisting of several examinations: digestion, pH value, resident and transient intestinal biome, mycology, virulent factors, intestinal biome, secretory IgA, beta-defensin 2, alpha-1-antitrypsin, EPX and a qualitative determination of the inflammatory markers calprotectin, lactoferrin, hemoglobin and transferrin.
Which diagnostics and tests are indicated or necessary?
1. Detailed anamnesis and medical history (complaints, symptoms, eating habits, stool quality, stool quantity, other illnesses).
2. Physical examination (in our practice includes osteopathic and kinesiological tests, heart rate variability (HRV measurement during stress), various preliminary examinations)
3. Laboratory diagnostics – stool examination (basic intestinal examination) (A test kit will be issued – results take approximately 14 days)
After receiving all the findings and evaluating the findings brought by the patient, the results are summarized and a therapy concept is created. This therapy concept should not be viewed as dogma, but rather is constantly adapted over the course of therapy.
1. Intestinal cleansing: using colon hydro therapy (most effective form) or else – series enemas at home.
Intestinal cleansing is the very first step towards intestinal cleansing or resettling and building up the microbiome, as intestinal cleansing improves the entire intestinal environment in such a way that, in addition to parasites, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, etc. will no longer find an ideal habitat in the intestines. (pathogenic = causing disease)
With an intensive intestinal cleansing you free your intestines of old layers of mucus and fecal deposits, which are known to be the most popular hiding places for pathological germs. If these shelter options dissolve, they will these also quickly vacate their place.
If pathological germs die in the intestine, it must be ensured that not only the metabolic toxins of the parasites, but also their “corpse toxins” can be eliminated as quickly as possible. This is also best achieved as part of a colon cleanse, as this ensures rapid digestion and comprehensive detoxification at the same time. Toxins that are already outside the intestine (intra/extracellular space, organs, etc.) must be targeted and removed separately.
2. Heavy metal removal (if necessary)
3. Enzymes for building the gastrointestinal tract
Digestion begins in the mouth (this is where the first digestive enzymes are released), so testing all digestive organs (stomach, liver/bile (if present), pancreas, small intestine and large intestine) is crucial for an undisturbed microbiome.
4. Probiotics!
The active and useful intestinal bacteria from a high-quality probiotic, on the other hand, ensure a healthy symbiotic relationship, which means that the intestinal flora is positively influenced, the beneficial bacteria ultimately predominate and a high level of diversity is achieved (which is an important characteristic of a healthy intestinal flora) .
5. Nutrition
- chewing gum, stopping candy (this is not about sugar, but the act of chewing activates the digestive cascade),
- avoid processed foods (all finished products, including bread and rolls) and avoid simple carbohydrates (monosaccharides), especially sugar, whether white or brown, the color makes no difference,
- fruit to a very small extent (yes, that’s right – fructose is also a monosaccharide and, by the way, makes up 50% of our household sugar) and concentrate on local products (we don’t need tropical fruits – these are usually harvested green and have hardly any vitamins and minerals ),
- above all, eat vegetables, preferably regional and seasonal,
- sea fish (no blue varieties),
- significantly reduce meat and sausage consumption.
6. Supplement antioxidants
e.g. Vit C, L – Gluhation, OPC, Melathonin, Vit. D3, Vit. E, e.g. Curcumin
(this is just a selection – needs are tested individually!)
7. Minerals
And here too, most of them need to be supplemented (zinc, selenium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, etc.) (this is just a selection – needs are tested individually!)
8. B – Vitamins
especially Vit. B1, B3, B6, B12
(this is just a selection – needs are tested individually!)
Elimination, detoxification, intestinal cleansing and supplementation is not a fad, but a necessity!
For all health-conscious people. In our society (everything is growing quickly, more and more industrial food with no nutritional value, instead rich in environmental toxins, stress and so on) it is the responsibility of every person.
Your NMC Team Krk