Integrative Health Blog

Eating the Good Bugs for a Healthy Gut

Posted by on Tue, Jan 21, 2014

 

Digestive health is one of the most critical pieces to obtaining and maintaining good overall health. The health of any person is directly related to the health of the bowel, as about 70% of our immunity resides in the “gut”.  Therefore, it is important to eat foods that promote a "healthy gut" and supplement with concentrated foods and sometimes herbs that clean and maintain the digestive tract and bowel.

Probiotics, Bugs with Benefits 

Probiotics are products containing living beneficial bacteria, i.e. "good bugs", which ‘colonize’ the entire lining of our intestine. The potential benefits that the bacteria living in our intestine have on our well being are only just beginning to be understood by scientists and includes the following:

  • They enable the entire digestion and absorption functions of the intestine to operate efficiently
  • They protect us from challenge and infections by potential pathogens
  • They continuously prime and condition our immune system to function properly, from the day we are born throughout our entire life.
  • They can help protect us from allergy and intolerance and can reduce the symptoms in existing sufferers.

Probiotics are found in yogurt, kefirs, fermented foods and in supplements.  Probiotics can be added to your diet and most people will benefit from probiotic supplements.

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Tags: bowel health, immune system, digestive health, probiotics

31 Ways to Love Your Gut

Posted by on Sat, Mar 31, 2012

Here are some daily tips for loving your gut, which is about 70% of our immune system.

Daily Ways to Help Improve the Digestive System:

  1. Probiotics

  2. Digestive Enzymes

  3. Breathe

  4. Stretch

  5. Self-Massage

  6. Reflexology

  7. Essential Oils

  8. Soluble Fiber

  9. Meditation, stress relief

  10. Bowel Cleanse 

  11. Liver Cleanse

  12. Colon Hydrotherapy - Colonics

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Tags: bowel health, detoxification, toxins, digestive health

Benefits and Contraindications of Colon Hydrotherapy

Posted by on Mon, Mar 19, 2012

How do I know if I could benefit from Colon Hydrotherapy?

If you experience any of the following, colon hydrotherapy could be right for you:

Constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, candida, irritable bowel disease, brain fog, chronic pain, fatigue, auto-immune disease, hormonal imbalances, allergies, toxicity or any diseases related to the body’s exposure to or overload of toxins, compromised immune system or malabsorption of vitamins and nutrients.

Shouldn’t the body naturally eliminate toxins on its own?

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Tags: bowel health, detoxification, colon hydrotherapy, toxins

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Posted by on Fri, Mar 16, 2012

Sadly, colorectal cancer has become so popular that it has earned its own National Awareness Month. Among the cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is now the SECOND leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. [according to the Center for Disease Control]


 

We agree that early detection is the best means of increasing the survival rate of colorectal cancers.  

 

Even more importantly, we believe that maintaining proper bowel health is fundamental to preventing this disease.

 

What is proper bowel health?

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Tags: bowel health, detoxification, colon hydrotherapy, digestive health

Holistic Primary Care Approach to Digestive Health

Posted by on Wed, Dec 14, 2011

Did you know that 70 -80 % of your immune system is in or around the digestive tract?

It’s true. Now consider what would happen to your health if the digestive tract were compromised.

Malnutrition and lowered immunity would become a real health concern.

There are several things that can compromise the bowel including:

  • Parasites ( bacteria,  fungi, viruses, multiple cell organisms such  as pinworms)
  • Food allergies-inappropriate immune response to foods causing inflammation
  • Diverticula - herniations or pouches in the walls of the intestines that can trap foods and bacteria causing inflammation / infection of the bowel wall.
  • Antibiotics- while they can clear infections, they also kill good bacteria necessary for the health of the gut
  • Constipation- slow transit due to poor peristaltic motion can cause  the  bowel to become toxic due to bacterial overgrowth as well as tears in the walls of the intestines that easily become infected.
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Tags: holistic primary care, bowel health, immune system, integrative health, holistic approach, primary care, digestive health, holistic doctor