In an earlier article, we learned why sometimes our
digestion does not seem quite right and how we are exposed to and host all
sorts of unwanted “guests” within our own bodies. Lots of times when the
doctor cannot determine what is wrong with you or they tell you it is in your
head, it may likely be these unwanted “guests” - parasites, yeast/fungi/mold, viruses,
or bacteria that are taking over your body and creating a variety of
symptoms.
Typical symptoms include: Allergies, anemia, asthma,
bloating, chronic fatigue, constipation, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, enlarged
liver or spleen, flu-like symptoms that persist, gas, headaches, immune
problems, irritable bowel, unexplained joint and muscle aches, skin problems, sleep
disturbances, and teeth grinding can signal parasites, which masquerade so
easily as other disorders. Some people will experience secondary gluten and/or
lactose intolerance, so add food sensitivities to the list above.
This is all fine and good, but several questions remain.
First, how do I know if a “guest” is the underlying cause of the symptoms?
Second, what type of “guest” is it? And third, how do I get rid of it? All
these are critical questions.
It is important to be aware of other causes of digestive distress
which fall into three categories: food allergies/sensitivities, structural
issues in the digestive tract, and ongoing emotional stress.
I will use the terms “allergies” and “sensitivities”
interchangeably. They are technically not the same, yet they are each specific
descriptions of an immune system response. The most common food sensitivities
are wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, nuts, and sugar. Then there are less
common ones such as oats, other grains, the nightshade family of vegetables,
other fruits, etc. I have seen all kinds of food sensitivities in my clients.
And yes, you can be sensitive to a “healthy” food!
There are a variety of testing options to identify food
issues: blood tests, saliva tests, and of course muscle testing. Once the
underlying cause is identified the solution is simple - avoid the foods that
are causing the problem.
Second, there could be structural issues in the digestive
tract: insufficient hydrochloric acid, insufficient bile, lack of a gall
bladder, acid/alkaline imbalance in the small or large intestines, lack of
digestive enzymes. To learn more about the structure and function of the
digestive system click here and scroll through the articles:
http://brwellness.com/nutrition-news/?cat=15
Blood testing, saliva testing, and muscle testing can also
be used here to identify the underlying issue. Once the cause is identified
there are a variety of nutritional support products such as enzymes,
probiotics, acid/alkaline balancers, and digestive tract healers.
Third, there can be excessive emotional stress. Too much
stress keeps our body in a sympathetic nervous system response which is a
problem as digestion is optimized as a parasympathetic nervous system function.
This can be identified through saliva testing of hormones or
muscle testing or simply an awareness of current stressors in one’s life. It
can be helpful to learn stress reduction techniques such as breathing and
meditation to help alleviate some stress and to break the constant sympathetic
nervous system response.
The next question is what type of “guest” are we dealing
with. Testing options include muscle testing, stool testing, saliva testing,
and blood testing. I have found muscle testing to be most helpful and the most
cost effective. I previously used stool and saliva testing more frequently, but
find I get similar results from muscle testing, and verification from blood
testing.
Stool and saliva testing can identify parasites, yeast,
fungus, and bacterial infections, along with inflammatory markers in the small
and large intestines, pancreatic enzyme activity levels, and blood in the stool.
Blood testing can identify chronic and acute infections from bacteria,
parasites, and viruses, and suggest hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach. Often,
we are told that our blood tests are “normal.” It is critical to remember that
“normal” does not mean “optimal” or “healthy”. When we look at the details of
the total white blood cell count and the differential we can observe patterns
that suggest chronic and/or acute infection patterns.
Once we know what we are dealing then we use the proper
remedies. Each type of issue requires its own protocol. The remedies I use
include herbs, homeopathics, and nutritional products that are antimicrobial.
Depending on the “guest” there are anti-virals, anti-fungals, anti-yeast,
anti-mold, anti-parasites, and anti-bacterial varieties. There are also
enzymes, probiotics, and other gut healers to support the digestive tract. To
determine the specific protocol for each person I use muscle testing. I have
many different products in the office and I use the muscle testing to identify
the specific supplement(s) for each individual.
I hope this article has helped you to better understand the
process and see that there is definitely a solution to digestive distress. This
is one of the most common issues that clients come to the office for and one
that is always resolved if the client is compliant with the recommendations. It
important to recognize that getting rid of the unwanted “guest” and healing the
digestive tract is a process that generally takes at least 3-4 months and for
some people up to a year.
Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and
Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create
individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To
learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call
(262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.
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