Getting Rid of Unwanted “Guests”

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.