Neglected, it can cause serious health concerns.  Taken care of,
intestinal health can help you to stay energetic and full of life.
Read on to discover how you can improve the health of your
intestines...

The intestine is the main absorptive area of the digestive tract.  It
is essentially a tube with a thin mucosal lining and lots of blood
vessels on the inside and muscles around the outside.  It has its own
immune tissue called GALT, or gut associated lymphoid tissue.  The
inner lining is filled with little fingers, or projection of the
mucosa, which greatly increases its absorptive surface.
Lying on the membrane are many friendly organisms, which help our body
with the digestive process.  The small intestine attaches to the
stomach.  Near it’s beginning, ducts from the liver and pancreas
release digestive juices.  These juices mix with the partially
digested food from the stomach and continue the digestive process.
Nutrients are absorbed through the thin intestinal wall and
transported via the bloodstream, to where they are needed.  The liver
also excretes processed toxins and fats through the bile.  These
substances must be carried through the intestine without being
absorbed.

The remainder of the food is pushed through into the large intestine.
The main function of the large intestine is the preparation of stool
for excretion.  In order to do this the digested food must be
dehydrated and compacted.  The last bit of nutrients may also be
absorbed here.

The immune system has an important role to play in the health of the
intestine and the body at large.  One can think of the digestive tract
as part of the exterior since it is in contact with things taken in
from our environment.  GALT must identify normal food particles and
nutrients from microbes, toxins and other foreign substances that can
cause our body’s harm.  Improper immune responses are a cause of food
allergy, food sensitivity and can be the basis for autoimmune
conditions.

Some of the most important players in intestinal health are not part
of our own body.  Friendly intestinal bacteria, often called
probiotics, are an essential part of digestion.  They break down food
particles, manufacture vitamins and prevent the infection of the tract
with other microbes.  Each bowel movement actually contains millions
of these friendly bacteria; they are in a constant state of renewal.
Many concerns like indigestion, gas, bloating and constipation can be
due to an imbalance of the intestinal bacteria.  It is easy to upset
this balance by improper diet or taking medications like antibiotics.

Many foods that we eat, other substances we consume and our lifestyles
contribute to intestinal disorders.  Highly processed foods, alcohol,
medications and tobacco are difficult for our body to break down and
may also physically damage the digestive lining.

Processed foods are also deficient in nutrients so not only does the
body have to work extra hard to digest the food, but it also gets
depleted of the things it needs to do its work.  Water and fibre
intake is important to have proper moisture and bulk in the stool and
make bowel movements regular.

Stress, anxiety and other emotional concerns put our nervous system in
an excited state.  Our digestive processes are only fully functional
when our nervous system is relaxed.  Sedentary lifestyles decrease
movement throughout the digestive tract.  As our transit time slows
there is more opportunity for the re-absorption of processed toxins
and greater chance of microbial overgrowth.  Slow transit time also
dries the stool and makes it more difficult to pass.  Our body is
designed so that each time we eat a meal we have a bowel movement.
Many individuals can be considered constipated and have bowel
movements less than once daily.      One can eat the most nutritious
food but if the intestinal membrane is not in good working order the
body will not be able to absorb the nutrients.

Candidiasis occurs when the fungus Candida albicans overgrows or
spreads to other areas of the body.  It is normally found in the
gastrointestinal and genital tracts.  It causes inflammation and leads
to leaky gut syndrome.

Compromised immunity, hormonal fluctuations and the use of
antibiotics, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives or chemotherapeutic
agents increase the risk of infection.

People who suffer from celiac disease cannot digest gluten, a protein
that is found in many types of grain.  Cases can range from severe to
mild.  Severe cases are usually discovered in childhood because the
child will fail to grow and thrive.  Less severe cases may not
manifest until adulthood.  Gluten intolerance is an inherited
condition.  The gluten actually causes an allergic reaction that
damages the intestinal lining.  The lining becomes unable to absorb
nutrients.

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammation of the small intestine but it can
affect any part of the digestive tract, including the mouth and
stomach.  It has symptoms that are very similar to colitis.  Bouts of
abdominal pain and cramping with diarrhea occur and may be emotionally
debilitating.  The intestine becomes scarred which leads to a
decreased ability to absorb nutrients.

Diverticulitis occurs when the muscles around the intestine weaken and
the tissue forms pouches, or diverticula.  If these pouches become
filled with fecal matter they get infected and inflamed, causing
diverticulitis.  Diverticulitis is usually the result of low dietary
fibre, high dietary sugar, chronic constipation or intestinal
infections.

Irritable bowel syndrome mimics Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
but does not make visible lesions in the bowel.  The causes of
irritable bowel are an overgrowth of microbes, poor diet, emotions and
food sensitivities.  The bowel reacts to these irritants with strong
intestinal contractions.

Leaky gut syndrome refers to an irritation of the intestine that leads
to the absorption of incompletely digested food particles.  These
particles then go on to stimulate an immune reaction.  This condition
is believed to be the root cause of many inflammatory reactions in the
body like arthritis and eczema.  It can also be the result of
inflammation from other intestinal conditions.

Parasitic infections in the gastrointestinal tract are common.  Eighty
percent of North Americans harbour one or more parasites.  It is so
widespread because of international travel, immigration, contamination
of the water and food supply, use of daycare centres, household pets,
antibiotic use and chemical contamination.  Giardia and pinworms are
the two most common intestinal parasites.  Intestinal parasites cause
illness by competing with the host for nutrients and secreting waste
products that cause allergic and autoimmune reactions.

Ulcerative colitis occurs when small ulcers develop on the mucous
lining of the large intestine.   The colon becomes unable to absorb
nutrients and water.  Part of the underlying cause of colitis may be
an autoimmune reaction.  This is when the body attacks its own cells.
Other causes include low dietary fibre, high dietary sugar, high-
refined carbohydrate intake, food allergies, stress, unresolved
emotional conflicts and antibiotic use.

Support the intestine by:

·  Undertaking regular bowel detoxification.

·  Increasing dietary fibre and water intake to regulate bowel
movements.

·  Eliminating all processed and refined foods from the diet.  Also
avoid any food that you are sensitive to.

·  Reducing stress and increasing exercise, which promotes proper
bowel functioning.

·  Using caution with food and water sources while camping and
traveling.

·  Using nutritional and herbal supplementation.

Bowel cleansing removes excess build-up on the colon walls and repairs
the intestinal lining.  If necessary, substances to kill infecting
organisms can also be used.  One simple way to cleanse the bowel is by
drinking a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon each
morning.  Many herbs are helpful to restore intestinal health.  To
heal the intestine, calendula, fennel, peppermint and slippery elm can
be used.  To eliminate parasites clove, garlic or wormwood are often
used.

Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes as food
sources of fibre.  Supplemental fibre can be taken in the form of
inulin, apple pectin and oat bran.  Drink 1.5 to 2L of filtered water
daily.  Fibre and water are important to regulate bowel movements.

Do not use the following foods because they irritate the intestine;
unfermented dairy products, wheat, animal fat, caffeine, carbonated
drinks, chocolate, candy, processed food, additives, preservatives,
citrus fruits, spices and sugar-free foods.  If you are celiac
maintain a gluten free diet.  Some gluten containing foods are:
barley, oats, rye, wheat, spelt, kamut, hydrolysed vegetable protein,
texturized vegetable protein, hydrolysed plant protein malt, modified
food starch, some soy sauces, grain vinegars, binders, fillers,
excipients, natural flavours, hot dogs, gravies, luncheon meat, beer,
mustard, ketchup, non-dairy creamer, white vinegar, processed foods,
bouillon cubes, chocolate, bottled salad dressing, curry powder and
seasonings.   If you have diverticulitis avoid grains, seeds, nuts,
dairy products, sugar products, spicy food, fats, and processed foods.

Food that support intestinal health are vegetarian protein, raw
vegetables and fruits, whole grains, brown rice, potatoes, carrots,
turnips, soy products and green drinks.  Consume fermented products
like yogurt, kefir, quark, buttermilk and natural cheeses to replenish
the friendly bacteria that assist with nutrient digestion.  Broil or
bake fish and meats instead of frying.  Steam vegetables lightly.

To counteract stress do regular exercise and deep breathing
exercises.  Take time to enjoy your foods, chew well and eat in a
comfortable environment.  Use a hot pack over the abdomen to provide
more blood to the digestive organs.  If you have an inflammatory bowel
condition only use heat therapy during the healing stage.

When camping or travelling take precautions to ensure the safety of
your food and water.  Water filtration devices can be used with some
water bottles or sterilizing pellets can be added to water.  Ensure
all of the food that you eat is well cooked.  Do not eat raw produce
that you have not cleaned yourself, including salad in restaurants.

For a list of supplements to help you optimize colon health, follow
this link:  http://www.nationalnutrition.ca//HEALTHCONCERNS_intestinal.aspx