Naturopaths have always looked at digestive health as their cornerstone of treatment. On the whole many practitioners will include gut health as part of a protocol to help resolve a chronic or complex condition as we know that the health of the gut, the level of good or bad bugs or microflora, contribute to ill health or disease.
The microflora of the gut is responsible for making certain vitamins for the body including Vitamin B2, Folate, B12 and K2. These little guys are also responsible for the structural integrity of the gut wall, the metabolism of drugs and chemicals from the environment and on our food, for protecting us from pathogens and play a role in a healthy immune system. And for the most part it’s pretty successful system. Unfortunately in todays world there are many assaults to this system such as chemicals including pesticides and hormones, sugar intake, processed foods, lack of fiber and stress that wreak havoc with this delicate bug balance allowing the bad guys to flourish and the good guys to suffer.
There is a myriad of symptoms such as bloating, food intolerances, chronic inflammation, foggy head, aches and pains, upset bowels, itchy skin conditions, fatigue can be because of dysbiosis. Animal studies and human epidemiological studies have linked a reduction in bacterial diversity to chronic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation and bowel disease.
Typically a Naturopath will assess the symptoms and if needed have the client do a Functional Stool Analysis which can give feedback about what types of microbes are growing in the gut, how healthy the gut is generally, the amount of inflammation, the amount of Short Chain Fatty Acids which is the main food source for the colonocytes, the pH of the gut, the amount of pancreatic elastase, mucus and white blood cell levels and parasites. These days we can even test for “Leaky Gut” which is when the tight junctions between colonocytes that form the strong barrier of the gut wall become weak and particles that should normally not be absorbed, are able to pass through the gut wall. When this happens the immune system recognizes these particles (proteins, toxins, food components) and mounts a response that cause symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, skin conditions and allergies.
So What Do We Do About It?
In some instances, it is necessary to undergo a period of treatment to improve the general state of affairs for the gut, eliminate pathogens and or parasites and improve the microflora for best possible outcomes of health.
A typical protocol would involve for processes: Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate and Repair.
REMOVE
Involves the use of anti-microbial herbal medicines such as berberine containing herbs, Oil of oregano, anti-parasitics such as Wormwood, Black Walnut and berberine containing herbs, anti-fungal herbs such as Pau D’Arco & Oregano Oil, and herbs to break down any biofilm that may be protecting the microbes such as Ginger and protease.
REPLACE or STRENGHTEN
Often, if there is dysbiosis, one of the main reasons it has developed is due to a weak digestion. If we all had no stress, great levels of digestive enzymes and good levels of stomach acid this would go a long way to helping with a healthy gut. So a Naturopath would use herbal medicines and certain supplements to strengthen the digestion. Typically herbs that are both digestive bitters as well as supportive of liver function would be used here with digestive enzymes.
REINOCULATE
This is using healthy beneficial bacteria in supplementation form along with prebiotics to help re-establish and support the growth of the healthy bacteria of the gut. Prebiotics such as pectin, slippery elm and larch arabinogalactans help to feed and fuel the growth of these healthy microbes. We do know that some microbes will re-establish colonies in the gut while others just do some good work on their way through and help to re-establish healthy gut flora.
REPAIR
This is about restoring the integrity of the gut wall or mucosa by giving support to these cells. A yeast called Saccaromyces boulardi is often used for intestinal mucosa immune support and repair. L-Glutamine, Aloe Vera, Liquorice and Marshmallow Root, Slippey Elm, zinc carnosine are all often used to repair the gut wall.
Certain foods are also recommended to enhance the health of your microbiome such as those listed in the chart below.
Microbiome Enhancing Foods include:
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Other things we can do to improve our microbiome is to be active, exercise, spend time out doors and in nature, play with animals. All of these things have been shown to increase microbial diversity which is about the range of types of microflora you have in your body. A greater diversity equates to better health.
If you have issues with your gut I highly recommend you come in for a consultation and we can get to the bottom of your problems.
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