An effective, high quality
whole food supplement line must address the
following universal nutritional needs:
- better digestion and
assimilation of foods through the use of
probiotics and enzyme supplements
- better nutrition
through nutrient-rich food supplements
- increased protection
against free radical damage (oxidative stress)
through mineral- and nutrient-dense whole food
antioxidant supplements.
These universal needs
represent the three Basic Biological Principles
recognized by a new discipline of medicine
called Functional or Nutritional Medicine. Many
of the studies and books written by physicians
and researchers from this discipline give us the
scientific reasons that explain why this health
model, and the supplements used in this health
model, are effective in such a wide range of
circumstances.
Today a very large, and
increasing, number of alternative, allopathic
and naturopathic doctors are practicing a
Nutritional Medicine approach to health.
Physicians in this field
have found that most degenerative conditions
have their origin in the malfunction of the
digestive and liver detoxification processes.
In other words, illness can be directly related
to problems of the digestive and liver
detoxification systems and their related
influence on immune, nervous and endocrine
function. Therefore, if we address the
health of these systems, the body is given the
opportunity to create foundational health
throughout the rest of the body. If the
degenerative condition is labeled lupus,
diabetes, arthritis, or any other “condition,”
the Nutritional practitioner will first
recommend addressing the health of the
gastrointestinal tract. Once the GI tract
is clear, then the liver detoxification system
should be supported and strengthened.
Today, through the efforts
of Functional/Nutritional Medicine, we have
hundreds of clinical studies and pieces of
scientific research that confirm the old folk
adage, “death begins in the colon.”
Jeffrey Anderson, M.D.,
wrote an article called “How Problems with
Digestion Can Cause Illness Anywhere,” and in
this article he explains why we should address
the health of the gastrointestinal tract first,
no matter what the name of the degenerative
disease. He explains that new information
about the dynamics of the body make it clear
that conditions in the digestive tract affect
the entire system. The degradation of the
gastrointestinal environment is one of the
primary points at which health is lost. What we
now know is that the same toxins associated with
GI dysfunction are frequently absorbed and
distributed to other parts of the body.
First they place a burden on the liver and the
immune system. If liver overload occurs,
there will be spillover, and some of the toxins
will be passed on to other organs or tissues.
Often, a “weak link” in
the system that will be affected first by the
damage. The vulnerability of a particular organ
or part of the body may be inherited, or caused
by physical injury, toxic exposure, or poor
diet. For example, if the sensitive system
is the lungs, toxins that originate in the gut
and circulate in the bloodstream may manifest as
asthma or allergies.
Len Saputo, M.D., in his
article, “Harmful Flora,” also shows that if the
gastrointestinal tract becomes unbalanced and
the liver detoxification system breaks down, our
entire immune system can malfunction in three
ways.
- A weakened immune
system can result in immune suppression
diseases, such as cancer and AIDS.
- The overburdened immune
system can overreact and become
hyperresponsive to normal stimuli; this occurs
in asthma, migraine, and food allergies.
- A malfunctioning immune
system can cause auto-immune reactions, when
antibodies target our own tissues, as in
rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Dr. Saputo explains that
the gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune
organ in our body. 80 percent of all our
protective immune globulins are produced in the
digestive tract. It isn’t difficult to see
that when this large, strategically placed
immune system member isn’t working well, our
defenses are lowered. Once our barriers are
down, it becomes more difficult to defend
against invaders.
Functional/Nutritional
Medicine Strategies To Support Health
Functional/Nutritional Medical doctors,
including the two mentioned above, Dr. Jeffrey
Anderson and Dr. Len Saputo, show that cleansing
and supporting the GI tract and the liver
can and will clear the body of potentially any
and all conditions. In summary:
- First detoxify the GI
tract.
- Get the liver cleansing
systems working.
- Finally, clean up the
“downstream consequences,” which includes
toxins in the tissues and cells.
Functional/Nutritional
Medicine proves that we can’t deal with the
“downstream conditions” (symptoms in the body
such as lupus, cancer, arthritis, etc.), until
we’ve addressed the “upstream problem(s)” in the
gut and liver. When you clean up these
areas, then the troublesome consequences tend to
go away through the body’s own improved
functioning.
The “4 R’s,” the four
steps in this strategy, include:
- Remove and Reduce
abnormal intestinal microorganisms (parasites,
bacterial pathogens, small intestine
overgrowth such as yeast, and food antigens).
This can be done by repairing “leaky”
intestinal membranes with friendly bacteria
(acidophilus, bifidus, fructose
oligosaccharides,etc.) and food-based
supplements high in naturally-occurring
minerals and nutrients.
- Replace:
moderate and enhance hydrochloric acid
production by replacing missing friendly
bacteria and digestive enzymes. Also
fiber is added to support motility and
production of short-chained fatty acids.
- Restore
symbiotic bacteria and GI bacteria fuel
sources to support metabolic activity through
the use of full spectrum friendly bacteria (L.
acidophilus, B. bifidus, L. planetarium, L.
salivarius, L. bulgaricus.....etc.).
- Repair: augment
with nutrients necessary to support healing of
intestinal lining, plus adequate calories, and
adequate fiber. Support liver
detoxification system through the use of
antioxidants and food-based nutritional
supplements.
Difference In The
Quality Of Nutritional Supplements
Unfortunately, too often, man-made
supplements, in isolated, single, separated or
chemically-manufactured form , such as zinc,
copper, vitamins B, C, E and isolated beta
carotene are chosen to reverse degenerative
conditions. The supplements we recommend
in our health model are far superior in their
quality and effectiveness because they are based
on the whole food concept - nutrients are best
used by the body when found in their natural and
complex configurations.
Superior quality products
are created from this philosophy:
The human body is a
marvelously designed living organism with the
ability to grow, regulate, repair, and defend
itself when given natural, high quality, full
spectrum nutrients.
For the best,
long-lasting, results, choose a line of
food-based products from natural, wild-crafted
and organically grown foods to enhance the
quality of human body performance: physical,
mental, and emotional.
References:
Optimal Digestion, by Trent Nichols, M.D.
The 20-Day Rejuvenation Diet Program, by
Jeffrey Bland.
Way of Life Enterprises, Inc.
Hannah Ineson
P.O. Box 627
Damariscotta, ME 04543
888-676-5693
E-mail:
hannahi@tidewater.net
Website:
www.wayoflifenutritionals.com
