Do You Have Digestive Disorders?

Consider these Numbers on Digestive Disorders

• More than 95 million Americans suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common GI diagnosis in the U.S. and a top 10 reason for visiting the doctor.
• Medical costs related to gastrointestinal conditions have been reported to be as much as $105 billion annually.

Basic Digestive Disorders:

• Constipation
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Nausea and Vomiting in Children
  
• Constipation in Children
  
• Traveler's Diarrhea
  
• Fish Poisoning

Kid's Digestive Disorders

• Indigestion
• Are Your Bowels Moving?
• Intussusception
• Teens: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
• Teens: Ulcers

Disorders

• Diverticular Disease
• Heartburn
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Chrohn's Disease
• Ulcers
• Ulcers and H. pylori
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Dyspepsia
• Gallstones
• E. Coli Infection
• Giardiasis
• Celiac Disease
• Meckel's Diverticulum
• Stomach Cancer

The following supplements/foods can promote a healthy digestive system:

• Antioxidants: Normal digestion produces a host of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (free radicals), against which the intestinal mucosa maintains an extensive system of antioxidants.

  When presented with an abundance of oxidant stress, however, the mucosal barrier can sustain damage and become leaky, setting the stage for inflammation (digestive disorders).

  Inflammation itself, produces large quantities of reactive species, and a destructive cycle can be activated.

  In patients who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), there are high levels of reactive oxygen species in the intestines, which contributes to the damage caused by the disease.

  Oxidative damage is a major key factor in the disease process. The levels and the balance of important antioxidants are impaired within the intestinal mucosa in IBS.

  Studies have shown that antioxidant combinations, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, can reduce the symptoms associated with IBS.
  
  

• Probiotics: With more than 400 microorganism species in the human gastrointestinal tract, the overall balance can greatly influence intestinal health.

  Various studies have demonstrated that probiotic bacteria can support a healthy digestive tract and even help eliminate gastrointestinal dysfunction (digestive disorders).

  Also, an optimal balance of flora (beneficial microorganisms) in the intestine can help produce a decreased transit time.

  Probiotics can be purchased in pill form, by eating natural, unprocessed, unsweetened yogurt or by taking a teaspoon or so of acidophilus each day. Acidophilus can be purchased online or from your local health food store.

  
  

• Selenium: Selenium is a potent antioxidant necessary for metabolism of calcium and vitamin C, conversion of blood sugar into energy, reduction of platelet aggregation, and promotion of cardiovascular health.

Selenium deficiency is common in people who have IBS.

Note though, that selenium is a mineral. Our bodies need minerals, but in very small maintenance amounts, so, rather than purchasing selenium supplements, eating natural foods which are high in selenium is a much safer method to insure that we do not overload our system.

Brazil nuts are a rich, natural source of selenium, however due to the fact that they are so high in selenium, eating too many may result in selenium toxicity.

Other natural food sources high in selenium include cereals (corn, wheat, and rice), nuts (brazil nuts and walnuts), legumes (soybeans), animal products (beef, chicken, egg, cheese) and seafood (tuna).

Other selenium rich foods are turkey and oats.



• Fiber: Dietary fiber is essential to good health and is found in many plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains.

  Insoluble fiber found in such foods as fruit pulp, vegetable peels and skins, and grain brans adds bulk to stool and hastens the movement of food through the digestive tract, helping to prevent constipation and diarrhea.

  Soluble fiber found in fruits, vegetables, grains, oatmeal, dried beans, and dark chocolate helps to lower cholesterol and prevent such diseases as colon cancer, diabetes and digestive disorders.

  Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known anti-inflammatories. They can be found in cold-water fish such as salmon, halibut, sardines, trout, or herring.
  Precursors to the most active omega-3s (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) can be obtained in walnut oil, flaxseed oil, perilla oil, and canola oil.
  

  Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines.

  They may also reduce the dosage of corticosteroid drugs needed to cause a remission.
  

• Vitamin K: Vitamin K is used by the body to regulate blood clotting. A deficiency in vitamin K can result in bruising or bleeding.

  Patients with ulcerative colitis are frequently deficient in vitamin K. One study showed that 31 percent of patients who had chronic gastrointestinal disease (digestive disorders) had a vitamin K deficiency, and all of them had either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

  Foods high in Vitamin K are dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, asparagus, parsley and others.

Caution: Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting, protects the heart, and helps to build bones.

However, if you are taking Coumadin (warfarin), an anti-coagulant,... before beginning a diet which is high in Vitamin K, talk to your doctor. High levels of Vitamin K decreases the action of Coumadin.

It is unnecessary to take Vitamin K supplements because if you add dark, leafy greens to your diet, (rather than the pale green lettuce we find in most salads) you should already have the necessary levels of Vitamin K in your system.

Many digestive disorders can be vastly improved with inexpensive, natural foods.

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