Page 2 - healthy-digestion

multiple chemical sensitivity), muscle and joint aches and pains, skin
conditions, and feeling “off” or “toxic” .
9
A part of the immune system known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue
(GALT) is embedded in the GI tract. Probiotics appear to play a role in
modulating immune system activities related to these tissues and thereby
have an impact on infections, allergies and chronic conditions like asthma,
inflammatory bowel disease and others .
10
When dysbiosis occurs, or even just as a health-promotion measure, it
may be helpful to support the microfloral balance by consuming probiotic
supplements, along with foods like yogurt and sauerkraut.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you choose to take a supplement:
• look for a supplement that provides more than one type of
microorganism;
• choose a supplement that guarantees to provide billions of live cells;
• keep the product refrigerated or follow label instructions for storage;
• follow the manufacturer’s instructions unless otherwise instructed by
your health care practitioner;
• do not take probiotics at the same time of day as any antibiotics or
antimicrobial herbs.

Supporting Your Digestive Health
We usually think about eating in a way that promotes our health as a whole
but by ensuring adequate intake of fibre, enzymes and probiotics, we can
compounds called “polyamines”. Some polyamines have been implicated in
the loss of cell growth regulation seen in cancerous tumours . 5 build and maintain the health of the system that is so vital to our overall
well-being; the digestive tract.
When fats are not fully digested, they can cause a form of diarrhea called REFERENCES
6
“steatorrhea” which can lead to dehydration, deficiencies in fat-soluble 1 Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. et al. Glucose and insulin responses to whole grain breakfasts
vitamins, as well as alterations in levels of blood lipids and hormones. varying in soluble fiber, β-glucan: : a dose response study in obese women with increased risk for
insulin resistance. Eur J Nutr. 2009 Apr;48(3):170-5. Epub 2009 Feb 5.
1a Chang G, D’Souza AE, Chang K, Ali E. (2016). Ultimate Fibre Plus™ Product Monograph. Toronto
At a minimum, these by-products of incomplete digestion can create some 2 (ON): Alpha Science Laboratories, Division of Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Anderson JW, Baird P, Davis RH Jr, Ferreri S, Knudtson M, Koraym A, Waters V, Williams CL.
havoc in the GI tract, producing symptoms like gas, bloating, fluid retention, Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutr Rev. 2009 Apr;67(4):188-205.
cramps, constipation or diarrhea. Supplemental enzymes may provide 3 Health Canada’s Dietary Reference Intakes, accessed via http://www.hcsc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/
reference/table/ref_macronutr_tbl-eng.php
symptomatic relief . If you are going to take an enzyme supplement, look 4 March 12, 2010.
7
Feldman, Mark et al, ed. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s
for one that is broad spectrum and provides support for the digestion of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8th ed.
Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, An Imprint of
carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Elsevier, 2006. p.2203
5 M Linsalata, F Russo Effects Of Nutritional
Components On The Polyamine Metabolism,
Probiotics publishe in Tumorigenesis Research Advances
Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2007. p. 103
A probiotic is a live microorganism, usually a type of bacteria, that is similar 6 Feldman, Mark ibid. p. 2201
to beneficial bacteria found in our digestive systems. A prebiotic is a form of 7 Murray, Michael T and Pizzorno, Joseph E.
Textbook Of Natural Medicine, 3rd Ed. St.
indigestible carbohydrate that stimulates the growth of probiotic organisms. Louis, Missouri: Churchill Livingstone, An
Imprint of Elsevier, 2006. p. 432
8 Rakel, David Integrative Medicine, 2nd Ed.
The balance of different types of bacteria in the GI tract may become Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, An Imprint of
Elsevier, 2007. p.121
disturbed due to infection or treatment with antibiotics. This off-balance 9 10 Rakel, David. ibid. p. 620
H Gill, J Prasad Probiotics,
state is sometimes referred to as “dysbiosis”. Dysbiosis can alter the way the immunomodulation, and health benefits.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and
intestines perform the function of absorption . 8 Biology 2008; 606 (5): 423-454
Dysbiosis may underlie such signs and symptoms as bad breath, body Janet McKenzie is a graduate of the
odour, bloating, gas, nausea, and constipation. It has been associated with University of British Columbia School
conditions such as attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and of Nursing, Queen’s School of Business
nervousness, brain fog and confusion, digestive problems, irritable bowel and the Canadian School of Naturopathic
syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, immune disorders (autoimmune Medicine. She has practices in Hamilton
disease, allergies, recurrent infections), liver dysfunction, malaise and and Toronto, and teaches at the Canadian
fatigue, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (fibromyalgia, School of Natural Nutrition.

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