Is Bacteria Waging War on Your Stomach?

[Guest guest]

" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - In the Pocket

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 08:24:00 -0500

 

 

 

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December 12, 2006

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Is Bacteria Waging War on Your Stomach?

 

Find out today how everyday factors including stress, diet, exposure

to toxins and especially antibiotics may be contributing to your

declining health...

 

In the latest, life-saving report by renowned nutritionist and medical

expert, Dr. Russell Blaylock, you'll discover which over-the-counter

supplements can dramatically improve your overall health and boost

your immune system, how to tell the good bacteria your body craves

from the bad ones, and how recurrent problems such as gas, bad breath,

and heartburn may be masking signs of a potentially deadly deficiency.

 

Get a copy of this FREE special report, " Probiotics: The Answer to

Many Mystery Illnesses. " Learn about this vital information today --Go

Here Now.

 

http://www1.youreletters.com/t/455434/2413923/811444/0/

 

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Dear Member,

 

A friend of mine named Jim had his first colonoscopy at age 53. His

doctor found no polyps, but this good news was tempered with some

cautionary news as well: The colonoscopy had detected the early stages

of diverticulosis - a condition in which small pockets occur at weak

points in the colon wall.

 

About half of all people over the age of 60 develop diverticulosis,

but many people are unaware they have this condition because there are

usually no symptoms until diverticulosis turns into diverticulitis

(also known as diverticular disease).

 

Then the problems begin.

 

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The Modern age

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The rise of diverticulitis cases throughout the 20th Century closely

parallels the rise in consumption of processed foods that are stripped

of natural fiber. This may be a coincidence, but researchers have also

found that diverticulitis is most common in industrialized countries

where processed foods make up a large part of the diet.

 

When dietary fiber intake is reduced, the bowels work harder to keep

food moving. This puts excess pressure on the colon. Eventually, weak

spots on the colon wall develop into diverticulosis pockets. If a food

particle gets lodged in one of these pockets, infection and

inflammation may prompt fever, abdominal pain and cramping, as well as

constipation or diarrhea. In severe cases bleeding may occur.

 

The typical first line of defense in this case is a liquid diet and a

round of antibiotics. Surgery is often necessary if the condition

becomes chronic. But many doctors overlook the effectiveness of

dietary detoxification procedures that focus on cleansing the colon.

In some patients, a proper detox can successfully address

diverticulitis without antibiotics or surgery.

 

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Not just any fiber will do

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Prevention of diverticulitis is fairly simple: Add more fiber to the

diet. That's what most doctors tell their patients and leave it at

that. The problem here is that some high-fiber foods may actually make

the problem worse.

 

In a report about diverticulitis on my local NBC affiliate here in

Baltimore, a gastroenterologist pointed out that seeds and nuts might

trigger diverticulitis. The seeds in blackberries, for instance, can

easily cause problems. The doctor recommended a high-fiber diet that

includes plenty of fruits and vegetables along with whole grain products.

 

But not all fruits and vegetables are ideal for people with

diverticulosis. For instance, the seeds in tomatoes and cucumbers may

cause problems for some patients. Whole grain products can cause

problems too. UK nutritionist David Crawford warns that wheat and rye

(along with dairy products) prompt mucous development in the digestive

tract. Pressure on the colon wall increases when mucous builds up and

solidifies.

 

And there's one more problem with wheat products. Many people are

sensitive to the gluten in wheat and don't even know it. They react to

the consumption of pasta, bread and cereal with symptoms that may

include anemia, fatigue, sinusitis, insomnia, autoimmune problems and

digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and...diverticulitis.

 

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Kicking out the toxins

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As I mentioned above, the right type of detox diet may be able to help

diverticulitis patients avoid antibiotics or even surgery. The trick

is to find the detox method that's the best fit for your needs.

 

HSI Panelist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S., has written

extensively about the need to cleanse the liver and colon with detox

diets - most recently in her book " The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet. "

For those who are new to the concept of detoxification, this book can

provide an overview of the importance of detox and how it's done. (You

can find more information on Dr. Gittleman's web site: annlouise.com.)

 

If you're interested in treating diverticulitis with a colon cleansing

detox, talk to a healthcare practitioner who's knowledgeable about

natural detox methods and is also aware of the specifics of your

condition.

 

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....and another thing

 

Most women are aware that a good intake of dietary calcium helps

protect bones as you age. But if you're thinking, " Yes, I've heard it

all before, " consider this: Research from Rutgers University shows

that one specific group of women may be underestimating just how much

calcium they need.

 

In previous e-Alerts I've looked at studies that show how increased

calcium can actually contribute to the success of a weight-loss diet.

But the Rutgers study illustrates that a daily intake of calcium in

excess of 1,200 mg may be a necessity for postmenopausal women who are

trying to lose weight.

 

The Rutgers team examined calcium metabolism to estimate the amount of

the mineral that's actually absorbed by postmenopausal women

attempting to lose weight by combining an exercise program with a

restricted calorie diet. In a trial of nearly 60 women, researchers

found that women who exercised and reduced their calorie intake

absorbed considerably less calcium than women who didn't diet or exercise.

 

Women in the diet/exercise group required 2,000 mg of calcium per day

to prevent bone loss.

 

But simply upping the calcium supplement dosage may not be a good

solution for everyone. Calcium binds acids, which may cause

indigestion in some people. So talk to your doctor about supplemental

calcium, and be alert to potential digestive problems if you decide to

increase your dose.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

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