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IBS/IBD and the Healing Paradox
Having an open mind creates the window through which are options expand and our likelihood of success increases. As Thomas Edison said, "When you think you've exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven't."
Date: 10/14/2011 7:24:57 PM ( 13 y ) ... viewed 2582 times Irritable Bowel Disease/Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD/IBS) are functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders characterized by recurring symptoms of abdominal discomfort or pain associated with an altered bowel habit, either constipation, diarrhea, or both. In IBD/IBS, the GI tract may function differently, processing more slowly (or more quickly) than the average person. Science continues to validate holistic approaches that demonstrate successful resolution of these conditions and along the way, new understandings of a poorly understood digestive system.
Dr. Gerald Friedman of The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and co-investigator Greg Biancone conducted a multi-center analysis to determine if a multi-strain probiotic was effective in reducing the frequency of diarrhea in 84 IBS patients (IBS-D). In this small study, a multi-strain probiotic administered daily for 28 days normalized bowel habits in IBS patients compared to those who received the placebo. The average number of daily diarrheal episodes in the probiotic group significantly decreased from day 1 to day 28 compared to slight decreases in the placebo group during the same period.
In a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, cross-over study conducted at seven pediatric GI centers in the United States, Italy, and India, Dr. Stefano Guandalini of the University of Chicago and his research team randomly assigned 59 pediatric IBS patients to receive either a probiotic agent or a placebo for six weeks. At the end of six weeks, patients switched to the other arm of the study and underwent six more weeks of treatment. Patients filled out a questionnaire to assess their symptoms and overall quality of life before and after treatment. Researchers found the probiotic agent was safe and significantly more effective than the placebo in alleviating IBS-related symptoms (abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating, stool dysfunction) in children and teenagers.
Both of these studies demonstrate the dramatic effectiveness of probiotics in addressing what is usually a long-term, chronic problem of the digestive tract created as a consequence of antibiotic use. Antibiotics destroy the normal populations of bacteria, and allow for other micro-organisms to grow unchecked within the digestive tract and throughout the body. Anti-biotic means "Against Life" and Pro-biotic means "For Life." Antibiotics destroy the intestinal flora and probiotics rebuild the intestinal flora. Easy enough to understand, but it gets a little more complicated than that.
One researcher has demonstrated that giving people helminths, otherwise known as parasites, can cure their IBD/IBS. The particular parasites that were used in his research were pork parasites, Trichuris suis. Most of us think of parasites as harmful organisms that cause all manner of diseases, but what we find is that underdeveloped countries with poor sanitation have a very low incidence of IBD/IBS, or Crohn's, or Ulcerative colitis, or other inflammatory intestinal diseases.
"It turns out that countries where IBD is common are those industrialized, developed nations like the U.S., where there are no intestinal helminths. Conversely, where helminths are prevalent, the incidence of IBD is very low," says gastroenterologist Robert W. Summers, MD, of the University of Iowa College of Medicine. "In fact, Crohn's and ulcerative colitis really emerged in the U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s, when we began to shift to improved plumbing and sanitation and we no longer fertilized soil with both human and animal waste. Until then, these parasites were very common. And we didn't have much IBD."
So, if someone has IBD/IBS, Crohn's, or Ulcerative colitis, do they need probiotics or parasites, or both? How do we determine which one is best? The best answer will be found through trial and error. Few holistic practitioners know the benefits of both therapies and the medical profession doesn't consider either one. In the present medical model, parasites are only considered to be a threat to humans, and probiotics are rarely ever thought of. There’s a reason why it’s called the “practice” of medicine.
The current therapeutic model is the Warrior model, whereby we attack anything that we don't consider to be human. The medical profession uses chemicals and other therapies to destroy the "enemy" and the holistic profession uses herbs and other natural products in place of the chemicals used by their counterparts. The holistic approach is less harmful and risky, but the model is the same. What the Warrior model lacks is the understanding of the intestinal flora as an ecosystem that requires balance and support, and the importance of maintaining this system if we ever expect to achieve any degree of health.
Destroying the intestinal flora in any manner is to destroy the body’s lifeline. The nutrition for every cell in the body is based on the balance and function of the flora. The flora develops our immune systems and transforms toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Those two functions alone are what enable us to continue adapting to the ever increasing levels of toxicity in our environments, internal and external. The flora is the foundation for health and stability. Destroying the flora, destroys both health and stability.
The intestinal flora is of prime importance and working to keep it balanced should be our primary goal. We need a better model that sees man as one part of a larger ecosystem. The human body contains 10 trillion human cells and at least 100 trillion bacterial cells. Those numbers don’t even account for the other micro-organisms such as parasites that seem to be just as essential. We need the bacteria, parasites, viruses, yeasts and other organisms as much as they need us, and perhaps more than they need us. Science keeps indicating to us that deficiencies of these micro-organisms predispose us to illness and disease. Are we listening? Are we learning?
The detrimental effects of antibiotics are no longer dismissed as they were even as recently as 10 years ago, though most medical doctors remain uniformed of their risks. Research links antibiotic use with asthma, allergies, diabetes, obesity, and cancers. Just five days of antibiotic use can eliminate most of the bacteria in stools. The use of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, a problem that the World Health Organization has called one of three main threats to human health on this planet.
We cannot take health for granted and we cannot continue to pursue outdated, ineffective, and dangerous solutions to healthcare. The Baby Boomers are the sickest generation to reach retirement. Generation Y is the sickest generation of youth to come along. The average American is overweight and over one third are obese. The American diet is 90% processed foods and 90% of Americans don’t exercise. The average American takes 10 prescription drugs each year. These lists go on and on.
The short list contains the solutions – organic whole foods enzyme-rich diet; daily exercise; daily meditation, prayer, a walk in nature, or quiet time spent in reflection; plenty of sleep; family time; community; and fun. Our homes should be a refuge that we come home to where we restore and renew ourselves. Water filters and air filters are a must. Look to herbs, vitamins, and natural supplements, if needed, to augment the diet and compensate for our toxic planet. Each and every one of these options can impact IBD, IBS, and a host of other imbalances.
Having an open mind creates the window through which are options expand and our likelihood of success increases. As Thomas Edison said, "When you think you've exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven't."
It’s time for a transformation in how we view health and life. It’s time for establishing new priorities. It’s time for a change. The time to heal is now.
For more information on Dr. McCombs Candida Plan, go to http://candidaplan.com/,
or call us at 888.236.7780 to ask questions or schedule a consultation.
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