A talk given by Tessa Jupp RN in June 2003
has led to a new addition to our book range - $5.
Here is a summary of the book.
The information for this topic came mainly from
a very interesting document by Willis S Langford entitled "Autism - a comprehensive
guide" which is available on the internet. Although this article
is aimed at treating autistic children, a lot of this information gleaned
from world-wide research, is as valuable to the "normal" population as
well.
There is an integral link between the functioning
of the gut and the immune system and what affects one has a bearing on
the other. In order to fix something, we need to understand how it
works properly in the first place. The overheads from the talk which
explain all this in simple language, have been put together into booklet
form and are available at $5 each.
The important message is that there are 2 types
of Helper T-cells in the immune system called Th1 and Th2. The Th1
cells deal with acute infection - like colds and flu's, infected cuts etc.
The Th2 cells are responsible for antibody production so that the body
can overcome a repeat infection much faster. In simple terms - Th1
are the soldiers fighting in hand to hand combat and the Th2 cells are
those on guard duty to sound the alarm and repel invaders.
Problems occur when the Th2 cells become dominant
unbalancing the Th1 cells. When this occurs we tend to develop chronic
allergies, depressive psychological disturbances, auto-immune diseases,
leaky gut and constant infections that are difficult to resolve.
The pattern can be set in childhood as
vaccination stimulates Th2 production (can be further stimulated by fluvac
etc) and lowers Th1 cells. So a pattern is set up with frequent colds,
flu's and ear infections etc that are hard to throw off. We may then
end up on antibiotics which kill off the good gut flora, leading to overgrowth
of candida and causing damage to the gut lining. This results in
decreased nutrient absorption, indigestion, gut ulceration, leaky gut,
food intolerances allergic reactions, chronic illness like asthma etc,
build-up of toxic metals, chronic ill health and auto immune disease such
as Chronic Fatigue, diabetes, Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and autism
in susceptible individuals as the Th2 climbs higher. So at any point
in our lives we can be thrown into this vicious cycle of ill-health that
is self perpetuating.
T Helper 2 Cells are raised by infection,
vaccines, stress, faulty digestion, leaky gut, candida, eating processed
sugars & flours, trans-fats like margarine, omega 6 fatty acids like
canola oil - all of which can lead to adrenal exhaustion, a further complication.
SIGNS Th2 IMMUNE SYSTEM is HIGH
- allergies
- muscle aches/headaches
- poor sleep/anxiety/tantrums
- leaky gut
- candida
- grain &/or dairy intolerances
- stressed, depressed, withdrawn
CAUSES of LEAKY GUT
stress & lifestyle factors - immune dysfunction
poor diet - high in refined foods - low
in fruit & veg
nutritional deficiencies - poor digestion &
absorption
intestinal invaders - candida, heliobacter, parasites
environmental toxins - chemicals & heavy
metals
medicinal drug overuse - antibiotics, NSAIDs,
antacids
SIGNS of LEAKY GUT
* abdominal discomfit
* bloating, distension
* reflux, indigestion
* burping, flatulence, gaseousness
* diarrhoea &/or constipation
* problems sleeping
* irritability or weird behaviour
* allergy prone eg hayfever, sinus
* skin eruptions - rashes, acne, boils,
eczema
SIGNS of LOW STOMACH ACID
¨ stomach uncomfortable after a meal
¨ burping, flatulence
¨ bloating, distension
¨ reflux, indigestion
¨ diarrhoea &/or constipation
¨ undigested food in faeces
¨ coated tongue
¨ fatigue
CAUSES of LOW STOMACH ACID
· antacids - acid production shuts down
for 9 days
· stress - physical & emotional
· bacterial overgrowth - candida, heliobacter
· grain or dairy intolerances
· inflamed irritated gut
· low zinc, magnesium, Vits B1, B3, B6
· chronic pain or illness
· surgery or trauma
· depression
· chemotherapy
· blood type A - has lower levels of stomach
acid
DO YOU SEE SIMILARITIES OCCURRING HERE?
The same things keep coming up as happening with
leaky gut and low stomach acid. And there is an inter-relationship
between the effect the immune system and digestive system have on each
other.
There isn't room in this short article to go into
the normal workings of either the immune system or the digestive system
(see the booklet for this) but it is important for all parts and systems
of the body to get the appropriate nutrients - vitamins, minerals, amino
acids as well as the carbohydrates, proteins and fats that are needed for
normal body metabolism. Otherwise they cannot function as they are
designed to and we recognise this as disease rather than as nutritional
dysfunction and therefore correctable.
Many so called "diseases"could be addressed in
this fashion. Stomach acid is necessary to break down the foods we
eat, particularly proteins before they pass through to the next part of
the gut to an alkaline environment and where the doorways to
absorption from the gut are like border guards
where you have to have the right passport to enter or need a sponsor to
accompany your admission.
Just as stomach acid is dependant on the necessary
nutrients esp zinc, B1, B6 so digestive enzymes, bile and insulin rely
on the message for release sent by stomach acidity and need certain nutrients
also for production. Each system is reliant on another
working well too. For Bile to emulsify
dietary fat we need cholesterol, taurine, Vit C, manganese and sulphur
to make the bile.
SIGNS of LOW BILE PRODUCTION
dietary fats are not being digested well if
- faeces float in toilet
- faeces colour is light tan or grey
- faeces are bulky and shiny
- bowel action is foul smelling
If you have problems with fatty liver or gallstones,
taking taurine, carnitine, Vit E and lemon juice can alleviate. Causes
include high copper levels, excessive sugar or fats in the diet, obesity,
low stomach acid, low intake of Vit C & E, taurine, manganese,
constipation and lack of exercise.
HEALING LEAKY GUT
So to fix leaky gut we need to address a lot
of the causes. We need to -
1 Increase stomach acid by taking lemon
juice, apple cider vinegar or hydrochloric acid tablets immediately before
a meal.
2 Avoid processed foods esp grains &
sugars (includes flours, breads, pasta cereals, rice)
3 Take glutamine and Vit A to help repair
the damaged villi (gut mucosa absorption sites) and reduce gut hyper-permeability
(inappropriate absorption)
4 Increase bile and pancreatic enymes production
- take taurine, Vit E & C, B3, chromium, zinc, manganese
5 Restore Gut Flora with acidophilus,
biodynamic yoghurt, or probiotics on an empty stomach
6 Eat organic fruit and veg
7 Use blood group diet
8 Drink more water - spring or filtered
9 Avoid constipation - take magnesium
and Vit C to bowel tolerance (twice a day on empty stomach)
10 Boost the immune system - get more
sleep, gentle exercise, laughter & fun
| To BOOST Th1 CELLS (and balance
Th2)
* take glutamine, Vit A, C, E, zinc, B Vitamins, essential fatty acids - according to blood group * boost friendly gut flora * improve digestion - stomach acid, digestive enzymes, bile, insulin * detox any heavy metals eg copper, mercury, lead * reduce stress - relax, sleep, massage, meditation, gentle exercise, laugh, have fun |