Gut Instinct! Digesting the Immune System…

Testimony to the total-body benefits of a healthy gut immune system... “14 years ago, I was a typical teenager. Hormones & acne included. The treatment of the day: Roaccutane &/or Antibiotics or the Pill. And being a brand new medical student, I accepted this without question or concern. I proceeded to spend 2 VERY uncomfortable years on a ‘mild’ antibiotic (non-stop), without any mention of probiotic support of any kind. I experienced permanent constipation and painful bloating, and I remember spending my lunch hour climbing the hospital stairs just to help myself feel better about my swollen belly. These were the two year’s just prior to my making one of the best decisions of my life– I stopped attending med-school, and instead dedicated myself to the fulltime study of Homeopathic medicine. My learning only REALLY began here. For the first time I heard about probiotics and the enormous disservice I’d done my body/digestive system by persisting with antibiotic treatment for such a long period of time. Over the next 6 years, my health improved steadily. I ate well, exercised and used homeopathic treatments whereever possible to replace conventional medicines. I stayed FAR AWAY from antibiotics! I did take a probiotic supplement during the first few weeks of my new health approach, but for some reason, I was under the impression that I ‘should not take these for a long time/continuously’ (perhaps because of my terrible experience taking other pills for long periods of time? I was still a bit apprehensive).I started to feel generally well, quite proud that I only ever caught one ‘really bad’ cold per year:) In 2006 I attended training to become a Sevenpointfive consultant (supplement knowledge and Live Blood Analysis). Meeting Garth Kent quite literally ‘flipped my whole world upside down’ (in the best of ways!!). Sevenpointfive (representing a healthy , slightly alkaline, body fluid pH of 7.5) helped me connect with my body in a way that 7 years of ‘medical’ training never did. With a new and intimate understanding of what is needed for genuine lasting health, I began to take a range of Sevenpointfive supplements so that I could “walk my talk”. It was, admittedly, quite by chance that the two supplements I held on to (once my major detox cycles had been completed) were Mindset… and SBO. Since 2006 (whilst taking these two supplements with Ionic Coral Calcium water), I have experienced complete digestive health & regular/normal bowel function. I have not contracted a cold/flu (or any other infection) for the past 5 years (despite being regularly exposed to infections in my private practice). I had taken ‘immune supplements’ like vitamin C and echinacea before, but after the third consecutive year of NO FLU, I began to wonder what was making such a difference. This is when I became aware of the Digestive-Immune link, and I’d like to share some of my readings with you here… Consider this… the human gastro-intestinal tract houses the bulk of the human immune system, about 70-80% of it!! Probiotic bacteria, which are living microorganisms that have beneficial effects on human health, have mostly been studied as treatments for different gastrointestinal diseases and allergies. However, a new study shows that probiotics can modulate immune responses via your gut‘s mucosal immune system. The Vital Functions of Probiotics (SBOs) The friendly bacteria that reside in your gut have a number of very important functions, including: * Digesting and absorbing certain carbohydrates. Without good gut bacteria, your body cannot absorb certain undigested starches, fiber, and sugars. The friendly bacteria in your digestive tract convert these carbohydrates into primary sources of important energy and nutrients. * Producing vitamins, absorbing minerals and eliminating toxins. Probiotics help in the production of both vitamin K and B vitamins, and promote mineral absorption. They also aid in metabolism and the breakdown of toxins. * Keeping bad bacteria under control. Friendly bacteria compete with the ‘bad’ guys for room and board, but since beneficial bacteria are more at home there, they win most of the battles for nutrition and attachment sites within your colon. * Preventing allergies. Friendly bacteria train your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately. This important function prevents your immune system from overreacting to non-harmful antigens, which is the genesis of allergies. AND… MOST IMPORTANTLY:Providing vital support to your immune system... Beneficial bacteria have a lifelong, powerful effect on your gut’s immune system and your systemic immune system as well. The bacteria play a crucial role in the development and operation of the mucosal immune system in your digestive tract. They also aid in the production of antibodies to pathogens. 4 Steps to Restore Digestive Health... 1.) Eliminate fungi, bacteria, and toxins. 2.) Restore digestive enzymes with high quality, broad range, digestive enzyme supplements. 3.) Restore desirable bacteria into the intestine with high quality probiotics to establish balance. 4.) Stress management is also crucial to restoring digestive health.