7 Reasons You Can t Eat the Foods You Love!

Transcription

1 Dr. Susan Plank s Report: 7 Reasons You Can t Eat the Foods You Love! Betsy Coltrain sat feeling miserable on the couch. She had just finished eating dinner and began to feel the uncomfortable fullness, bloating and abdominal pain that seemed to bother her after every meal. She had planned to go clothes shopping with her daughter but she knew she couldn t. She reached for the roll of antacids and thought, Do I have to live like this the rest of my life? I know from speaking to other individuals that many of them are worried about their frequent gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and other Irritable Bowel Symptoms (IBS). These symptoms along with nausea, abdominal pain and bowel irregularity are the most frequent symptoms that individuals suffer. Forty percent of all visits to primary care physicians are reportedly related to digestive symptoms. Occasional symptoms are not concerning but chronic persistent digestive irregularity indicates that you have digestive dysfunction. 1. DIGESTIVE DYSFUNCTION 1

2 UNDERSTANDING YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM To understand the digestive system, it s important to understand the necessary functions of the three basic phases of the digestive tract. The first phase of the digestive tract is the digestive phase. The digestive phase is comprised of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder and liver, it is responsible for the breakdown or digestion of the foods we eat (Figure 1). The food is chewed then mixed with acid and enzymes breaking it into smaller particles. Gas, belching, bloating or passing large amounts of foul smelling gas are common symptoms of dysfunction of the upper digestive tract. These symptoms usually occur within an hour after eating. Acid and enzyme production decreases with age. Symptoms of the upper digestive tract can lead to imbalances further along the digestive tract. 2. PROBLEMS WITH ACID OR ENZYME PRODUCTION Figure 1 Digestive Phases PHASE 1: Digestive PHASE 2: Absorptive PHASE 3: Elimination 2

3 The second phase of digestion is the absorptive phase, the bolus of food, acid and enzymes moves from the stomach to the small intestine. All the absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients occurs within a few inches inside the small intestine. Poor diet and/ or inflammation due to food sensitivities may interfere with the proper absorption of nutrients causing us to become fatigued and malnourished. 3. INFLAMMATION DUE TO FOOD SENSITIVITY Symptoms of fatigue, pain and decreased nutrient absorption, such as low calcium, vitamin D or vitamin B12 levels are issues of the absorptive phase. Potential weight gain or loss can develop due to dysfunction of the absorptive phase. These symptoms are frequently accompanied by pre-existing symptoms related to the digestive phase. 4. POOR NUTRIENT ABSORPTION Finally, in the elimination phase, food remnants that remain after absorption move further along to the large intestine. Here water is absorbed, vitamin synthesis occurs and bacterial fermentation takes place. Thriving colonies of good bacteria or probiotics are necessary to boost our immune system. The food waste should be eliminated in a timely fashion. The causes of diarrhea and/or constipation are frequently found in the elimination phase of the digestive system. Other indicators of elimination phase dysfunction may include frequent illness or infection, dehydration, poor eating habits or familial history of colon cancer. 5. LACKING PROBIOTICS & HEALTHY BACTERIA BALANCE 3

4 WARNING SIGNS Since we are not equipped with warning lights, our symptoms exist to alert us of imbalances and potential problems in our digestive tract. Any prolonged symptom indicates an underlying dysfunction and alerts us that attention is required. Digestive symptoms have been correlated with and may contribute to other health conditions such as: chronic fatigue, autoimmune exacerbation, bone density disorders, and potentially cancer. Many women have had their gallbladder removed due to the presence of gallstones or sludge. High fat diet is the primary reason for gallbladder disease. An inflamed gallbladder may cause bloating, right sided abdominal pain (pain under the right ribs) and the production of large amounts of foul smelling gas. Treatment for an inflamed gallbladder, cholecystectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder, is often considered but should be a last resort. Dietary changes and targeted nutritional supplementation are beneficial in addressing the causes of the inflammation. Reversing inflammation is a primary goal to help save the person from further pain and possibly surgery. 6. POOR DIETARY CHOICES 4

5 TYPICAL TREATMENT Commonly, individuals try to diagnose their symptoms themselves; they may take advice from friends or family, or use the internet for guidance. Many people utilize over the counter (OTC) medications such as antacids or laxatives in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. Frequent use of OTC remedies may help initially but fail to eliminate the cause of the symptoms in the long term. Research reveals that twenty percent of people taking antacids have been doing so for ten years or more. OTC meds can also mask symptoms, allowing an underlying digestive dysfunction or food sensitivity to continue undetected. Many individuals with digestive complaints will visit their primary care doctor and be prescribed antacids or other medications to calm their digestive symptoms. Care should be taken to ensure these medications don t affect absorption of nutrients with long term use. Antacids may have this effect. The use of imaging studies to evaluate a patient for underlying digestive disease can be beneficial, especially if the condition has been long standing. Imaging studies or being scoped allows a physician to look for gross anatomical changes to an organ, such as ulcers, polyps or tumors. The imaging studies used for digestive evaluation typically include consuming a not so pleasant tasting drink, prior to testing to clean out the desired portion of the digestive tract. This is necessary to ensure good visibility of the suspect tissues. 5

6 Some individuals find the procedure embarrassing but it is necessary to visualize the inner digestive tract. Common conditions found in this way include diverticulitis, polyps and cancer. These conditions can necessitate surgical intervention. It is possible that the cause of your bloating, gas or other IBS issues cannot be visualized by these testing methods leaving the doctor and individual lacking answers. After thorough testing many individuals become frustrated due to the apparent lack of causation of their symptoms and decide to just try and live with their symptoms. These individuals are typically suffering from a functional digestive disorder. 7. FRUSTRATION DUE TO LACK OF TREATMENT FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH Functional digestive testing allows laboratory analysis of a stool sample to determine problems related to the digestion, absorption and elimination phases of your digestive tract. This testing identifies specific changes in the functioning level of each organ influencing the phases of digestion. Functional digestive testing can give specific answers related to the cause of your digestive symptoms, which may not be apparent on more common digestive tests. This specialized testing is completed using a stool sample and is done in the comfort of your own home. No chalky drink mix, no embarrassment, no need to prep for the test. None of that is required to complete this testing. 6

7 Once the laboratory evaluates your stool sample a determination of the functionality of each area of your digestive tract will be determined. The test also identifies inflammation, common with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the presence of parasites. The functional stool testing is invaluable for answering many questions that the upper GI, lower GI, CT scan and MRI tests are not able to discern. Functional stool testing gives specific information regarding the overall functioning of your gut as well as for specific organs. Functional digestive stool analysis provides answers to underlying digestive, absorptive and elimination issues. This testing is superb in evaluating the health, wellness and functionality of your digestive tract. The stool analysis provides many answers that traditional gastrointestinal testing does not. Is your body able to break down the food you are eating? Is there sufficient acid, enzyme and bile production to turn food into the energy your body requires to sustain a healthy energetic life? Are there impediments to the small intestine being able to absorb the necessary nutrients and vitamins you need? Do you have adequate levels of healthy microbes in your colon to protect you and boost your immune system? Do you have pathogenic bacteria or yeast living in your colon that could be causing your symptoms, especially diarrhea and fatigue? 7

8 CASE HISTORIES Mini case study #1: Lori, in her early 60 s came to see me with a 20+ year history of stomach pain, described as burning, chronic diarrhea and fatigue; she had seen many doctors and gastroenterologists over the years but had not received many answers. She was being treated for ulcers but her symptoms persisted. She was frustrated because none of the tests she had done previously could explain the cause of her diarrhea. She joked that of all the pictures she had of herself, they were mainly of her insides! Her diarrhea was so frequent and severe that it was affecting her ability to work and socialize. She had become too self conscious to go out to dinner with friends and family. Prior to her appointment, I asked her to complete my OptiHealth symptom survey and retrieve copies of her latest blood work. As a culmination of the information I had I was able to recommend she have a functional stool test completed. It would show us how her digestive system was functioning and if there might be any underlying concerns. Lori s results showed she had normal digestion and absorptive phases but had elevated inflammatory markers. She also had elevated yeast and a Citrobacter bacterial infection that was resistant to many antibiotics. After years of suffering and testing, she had never been told this before. Given a choice of treatments, she chose to try a natural remedy versus more antibiotics. I started her on a natural remedy known to be effective against her 8

9 Citrobacter infection and a week later, she reported that she had had only one bout of diarrhea in the previous week. She was thrilled! Mini case study #2: Sallie, a 43 year old teacher came to my office complaining of recent weight gain and fatigue, but had been suffering severe abdominal pain, gas, bloating, nausea and alternating constipation and diarrhea for the last 12 years. She had seen multiple doctors over the years, tests had been run but the conclusion was that there was nothing wrong and that her condition was all in her head. This educated woman had spent the last decade searching the internet for answers to her ongoing symptoms. She was now anxious and depressed. She was hesitant of more fruitless appointments and had reluctantly sought out my help. Her previous doctors had violated her trust. After meeting with her and reviewing her OptiHealth symptom survey I recommended we get some labs. I ordered blood work and a functional stool test. By analyzing her blood work I found an imbalance between her cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The elevated cholesterol was suspect since she had assured me that she was eating only turkey, chicken and vegetables. She said by trial and error she had found that, they seemed to be the foods that caused her less distress. Interpretation of her functional stool testing revealed elevated inflammatory markers, insufficient bile salts and imbalanced intestinal flora. She was suffering from severe gut inflammation but there was no clear cause. I ordered further testing. Since her diet had become so limited and she still suffered severe inflammation I ordered a food sensitivity test in an attempt to isolate the cause of her inflammation. The results were remarkable 9

10 The results of Sallie s food sensitivity testing revealed she was severely sensitive to dairy, gluten, soy and various meats. Gluten and soy are found frequently in most prepared or processed foods. She was in fact less sensitive to chicken and turkey but she still had some sensitivity to them. Removal of the highly inflammatory foods from her diet allowed her gut to heal and her body to respond. Her symptoms began to dissipate within three weeks. In less than three months, after changing her diet and giving her targeted nutritional supplements to address her inflammation and imbalanced gut flora she was symptom free. HAVE HOPE, GET HELP If you are suffering from persistent digestive symptoms or are looking for a natural approach to a current diagnosis help is available. To get started now, take the Fit Life symptom survey available on the NorwinWellness.com website. Answering the Fit Life survey is the first step to calming your belly pain and allowing you to eat the foods you love! Download Dr. Plank s Fit Life Questionnaire! Are you frustrated and tired of searching for answers to your painful and embarrassing gas, bloating, nausea, constipation and diarrhea? Live energized and confident! Listen to your gut contact Dr. Plank. 10

11 Susan M. Plank, D.C. Dr. Susan Plank, D.C Dr. Susan Plank s Norwin Wellness Center Where hope & healing meet! 11