DIGESTIVE

PROBIOTIC

HERBAL LAXATIVES

DIGESTIVE

What are Digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are complex proteins involved in digestion that stimulate chemical changes in other substances. They work optimally at specific temperature and pH. Digestive enzymes include pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived enzymes, and fungal-derived enzymes. There are three classes of digestive enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipase's needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates.

Why is Digestive Health so important?

Diet and nutrient intake are critically important in the proper function of the digestive system. We must keep the system running properly if it is to perform it's function adequately. The digestive system is responsible for the complex process of breaking down fuel (food) and allowing for the absorption of nutrients into our bodies. Failure can occur at either point, leading to a defect in digestion (maldigestion) or a failure in absorption (malabsorption), which may trigger the development of a number of related digestive problems.

How do I Recognizing the Symptoms of Poor Digestive Health?

Diet and nutrient intake are critically important in the proper function of the digestive system. We must keep the system running properly if it is to perform it's function adequately. The digestive system is responsible for the complex process of breaking down fuel (food) and allowing for the absorption of nutrients into our bodies. Failure can occur at either point, leading to a defect in digestion (maldigestion) or a failure in absorption (malabsorption), which may trigger the development of a number of related digestive problems. Because the symptoms for both maldigestion and malabsorption overlap, these conditions are difficult to diagnose.

Problems related to the digestive system include constipation, candidiasis, abdominal bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome. Constipation effects people on a regular basis. Typically, this is caused by poor fiber intake, poor water intake and imbalance in the bacterial content of the colon, or candidiasis (Candida) and can lead to symptoms manifested by reflux, abdominal bloating, lethargy and a host of other symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the more common digestion problems seen in the country, and candida may also play a role in its symptoms.

How does age effect the Digestive system?

As we age, the function of the intestinal system changes. Often, acid levels decrease, and poor digestion occurs, which can lead to symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. Digestive enzymes may help reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.

How does Oxygen Elements Plus work?

The hydrogen sulfate and other acids in Oxygen Elements Plus (formerly called Hydroxygen Plus) reduce the surface tension of water. This can release the O- (negative) molecule, which then marries with the O+ positive) molecule when the Oxygen Elements Plus/water mixture is ingested. In this way nascent O2 results.

Deuterium sulfate (D2SO4) is a by-product of our manufacturing process and contributes to the destructuring of water in order to reduce its surface tension. Although we know that this process does allow additional oxygen to be available at the cellular level, we do not know the exact mechanism by which O2 is absorbed by the blood cells. When measured with an oximeter, however, the percentage of oxygen in the blood increases following ingestion of the Oxygen Elements Plus/water mixture.

In the above process, Oxygen Elements Plus makes water more permeable, more absorbable. The water in our bodies circulates nutrients, including oxygen, within the body. The body utilizes it's own water and makes contributions to the cells. Taking Oxygen Elements Plus helps the body utilize nutrients more efficiently, and does not alter the body's water in a negative way.

GHT's OE Plus formula is patented, which means it has fulfilled two requirements:

a) it is unique, and b) it has been tested to show that it does what we say it will do-

namely, oxygenate and detoxify. The manufacturing process of Oxygen Elements Plus is held as proprietary information.

What is Candida?

Candida is a dimorphic organism, meaning it can exist in two shapes and forms simultaneously. One form is a yeast-like state that is a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism. The other is a fungal form that produces very long root-like structures, called rhizoid's, that can penetrate the mucosa and is invasive.

In the yeast-like state Candida can be beneficial and we all have this form of candida in our bodies. The candida population should be low and indiscernible. This is "Friendly" bacteria and a healthy immune system prevent this yeast from becoming an infectious fungus.

It is when our bodies lose their proper immune protection, or the intestinal pH is altered unfavorably, that the organism can change from the yeast-like state to the fungal form. When this happens, the now-parasitic fungal form penetrates the gastrointestinal mucosa and breaks down the boundary between the intestinal tract and the rest of the circulation in our bodies. This allows partially digested dietary proteins to travel into the bloodstream, where they exert a powerful antibody-stimulating assault on the immune system.

Are there any side effects to taking Digestive enzymes?

There are some cases such as people with enzyme deficiencies (malabsorption) who may want to avoid proteolytic enzymes in order to spare lipase's(usually fat-digesting enzymes)because these digestive enzymes can be destroyed by Proteolytic enzymes. If this is not possible (as most enzyme products contain both), people with malabsorption syndromes (inability to absorb nutrients through the gut lining into the bloodstream) should talk with their doctor to see if their condition warrants finding products that contain the most lipase and the least protease.

In theory, too much enzyme activity could be irritating because it could start to "digest" parts of the body as the enzymes travel through the digestive system. Fortunately, that does not happen with supplemental amounts. Research has not determined the level at which such problems might arise.

A serious condition involving damage to the large intestines called fibrosing colonopathy has resulted from the use of pancreatic enzymes in children with cystic fibrosis. In some cases, the problem was linked to the use of high supplemental amounts of enzymes. However, the amount of enzymes used has not been linked to the problem in all reports. In some cases, lower amounts of enzymes have caused fibrosing colonopathy if the enzymes are enteric-coated. Some researchers now believe that some unknown interaction between the enteric coating and the enzymes themselves may cause damage to the intestines of children with cystic fibrosis. Until more is known, children with cystic fibrosis needing to take pancreatic enzymes should only do so under the careful supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare professional.

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ABOUT PROBIOTICS

What do probiotics do?

Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal micro flora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function , and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

What is the difference between the good and bad bacteria in our systems?

Your internal eco-system is made up of friendly and unfriendly bacteria (as well as neutral bacteria which can become harmful if your system is weak). The beneficial bacteria help your system digest food and absorb its nutrients. They also support a strong immune system. The unfriendly bacteria, also called pathogens, cause infection and disease. Probiotics supply your eco-system with an ample number of friendly bacteria to keep those pathogens under control and support your gastrointestinal system's peak performance. In other words, they provide the foundation for a healthy life.

How much probiotic is usually taken?

The amount of probiotics necessary to replenish the intestine varies according to the extent of microbial depletion and the presence of harmful bacteria. One to two billion colony forming units (CFU's) per day of acidophilus is considered to be the minimum amount for the healthy maintenance of intestinal micro flora.

Does probiotics increases the absorption of nutrients and minerals such as calcium. How does that work?

For your body to digest and absorb the maximum amount of nutrients and minerals from the food you eat, those nutrients need to be "bio-available". Or in a form which can be easily assimilated. Probiotics are particularly effective in breaking down proteins for easier digestion. That means if you want to get more calcium, magnesium and trace elements out of the food you eat, probiotics are an excellent approach. The beneficial bacteria acidify the intestinal tract which means a lower pH level necessary for optimal absorption of these necessary nutrients and trace minerals.

Is eating yoghurt enough to get the probiotics our body needs?

It is unlikely that eating yoghurt will significantly increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. The bacteria used to produce a fermented food like yoghurt is not concentrated for the purpose of supplementing your body's probiotic level. Besides the lack of potency found in food-producing bacteria, sugars and preservatives cause the bacteria to go through their life cycle before the food product even reaches your store. Also the strains used in Natren probiotics are selected as being the most beneficial for supplementing the probiotic level in your body. These strains are not found in yoghurt.

Are there any side effects to taking probiotics?

There are some case reports of severe, internal fungal infections developing in people treated with the yeast organism Saccharomyces boulardii. All of these people had impaired immune function prior to receiving Saccharomyces boulardii. No such adverse reactions have been reported with other probiotic supplements or in people with normal immune systems.

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HERBAL LAXATIVES

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome? How does it relate to food allergies?

Allergens or protein fragments will first penetrate the mucosal lining of the bowel in an undigested state. If "friendly" bacteria are present, these bacteria will give off digestive enzymes to try and break down these proteins into amino acids for their own food. Friendly bacteria live naturally in the mucous lining and form a protective barrier on the intestinal wall. On the other hand abnormal bacteria in the intestines give off toxins that can cause inflammation, making the intestinal wall "leaky". This allows the absorption of larger allergens to leak into the blood stream and cause allergic symptoms, such as hives or eczema. The connection between food allergies, eczema and probiotics is very clear. Having a healthy supply of beneficial bacteria in our bodies is crucial to having normal absorption of digested, non-allergenic proteins.

What are the most common Laxatives?

The laxatives most frequently used come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating.

Bulk-forming laxatives come from plants with a high fiber and mucilage content that expand when they come in contact with water. As the volume in the bowel increases, a reflex muscular contraction occurs, stimulating a bowel movement. These mild laxatives are best suited for long-term use in people with constipation.

Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action.

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a condition in which a person experiences a change in normal bowel habits, characterized by a decrease in frequency and/or passage of hard, dry stools. Constipation can also refer to difficult defecation or to sluggish action of the bowels.

What is Irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder. This disorder may causes significant discomfort even though it is not a serious health threat.

The cause of IBS remains unknown. IBS is not related to inflammatory bowel diseases.

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