Nutrition
The Critical
Role of The Gastrointestinal Tract In Systemic Illness, part 1
Editor’s Note: In this two-part series Dr. Goldberg explores the central
nature of the gastrointestinal tract in systemic illnesses and explains how
by improving the internal environment of the gut many difficult health problems
may be improved.
“All the rules of prudence or gifts of experience that life can accumulate
will never do as much for human comfort and welfare as would be done by a stricter
attention and a wiser science directed to the digestive system.”
—Thomas De Quincy 1785-1876
Numerous people with chronic health problems could be helped if they were to
explore the role of their gastrointestinal tract in their disease conditions.
Gastrointestinal dysfunction is commonly overlooked as an important source of
many systemic health problems, leaving many who could enjoy a higher state of
vitality in poor health.
Life involves the ongoing transformation of materials from the earth into living
tissues. Every creature has natural mechanisms that transform these crude substances
into living tissues of its own kind. This process is orchestrated by the gastrointestinal
tract on a daily basis. Few appreciate the role the gastrointestinal tract plays
in many of mankind’s ills, taking for granted the work of the GI tract
until it fails.
Health depends upon efficient digestion to breakdown food into water and fat
soluble molecules; absorption to transfer the products of digestion into the
blood and lymphatic tissues; assimilation to transfer the products of digestion
and absorption into the individual cells of the body; and elimination to dispose
of waste products. What happens when these metabolic processes break down?
In his 1968 book, Health for the Millions, Dr. Herbert Shelton asks, “What
is the extent of the role played in disease by impaired function of the digestive
tract? Fouling of the food supply and deterioration of the tissues of the body
result from absorption of septic materials from the digestive tract. This occurs
largely, if not wholly, in the small intestines. It is a factor we must reckon
with in any consideration of the etiology of the simplest as well as of the
most complex diseases. It seems that indigestion may be a contributing factor
in the cause of many, even most diseases.”1
Common Complaints Become Normal
Gastrointestinal problems are so common as to be viewed by many as a normal
state of affairs. The television ads harp numerous products to ease digestive
discomforts. These potions ignore the causes of illness and lay the foundation
for complications when nutritional processes are interfered with. The quantity
of anti-acids alone consumed in the U.S. is appalling. Anti-acids neutralize
stomach acid and inhibit the sodium bicarbonate required to activate digestive
enzymes. Undigested food ferments and putrefies. The indigestion of today becomes
the chronic fatigue, allergies, arthritis, autoimmune conditions and osteoporosis
of tomorrow.
Systemic illnesses developing from GI dysfunction generally evolve over a lengthy
time period. Children have relatively few disturbances compared with adults,
but time takes its toll, and by adulthood accumulated insults result in a loss
of GI efficiency and the development of body-wide symptoms for many.
Our gastrointestinal potential is determined by our genetic makeup and our behaviors.
Destructive behaviors engaged in that lead to the creation of GI problems include
the following:
Behaviors That Disturb GI Function
- Eating in excess
of GI tract capacity
It requires significant energy expenditure by the gut to transform food into
living tissues. The body has to “deal” with everything eaten. What
cannot be readily used requires body energy to store or discard in some fashion.
It is significant that scientists have repeatedly observed that caloric restriction
leads to an increased lifespan in animals and humans.2,3
A quotation often attributed to Benjamin Franklin succinctly illustrates our
digestive errors: “We live on one third of what we eat, the doctor lives
on the other two thirds”
Gluttony is widespread. The digestion of children begins to be ruined by their
parents who overfeed them at mealtimes and court the child’s favor by
giving them sweets and snacks. The child’s healthy instincts to eat only
when hungry are ruined and he/she becomes accustomed to eating purely for
the sake of pleasure. The road is paved for a host of digestive/systemic ills.
One ill consequence of overeating is fostering significant bacterial overgrowth
and disturbing normal bacterial flora.
- Consuming unhealthy
foods
The quality of the diet we consume determines the nutrients available to make
up digestive secretions, to fuel peristaltic waves, to build immune factors
that line and protect the GI tract, and to rebuild gastrointestinal tissues.
The devitalized refined foods eaten by many today give us too little of what
we need and too much of what we don’t need. In addition, commercial meat
and dairy products contain antibiotic residues that may result in disruption
of the critical gastrointestinal bacterial flora.4,5,6,7,8
- Maintaining
high levels of emotional stress and anxiety
Excessive stress is destructive to healthy GI functioning. The GI tract is
highly innervated in addition to having an extensive nerve plexus of its own
(the third nervous system). Our emotions have a significant impact on GI function.
GI peristalsis, secretions and bacterial flora are altered where there is
extensive emotional distress.
An old adage states “When the mind gets right, the bowels get right.”
I have counseled thousands of patients with GI disturbances. If, however,
there are serious emotional issues centering around a job, finances, family,
neighbors, etc., these must be resolved along with physiological issues such
as diet, toxicity, allergies and bowel flora in order to return the patient
to good health.
- Swallowing food
without proper mastication
“Across the lips and over the gums, lookout stomach, here it comes.”
Careless eating habits such as not chewing properly can result in impaired
functioning throughout the GI tract. Remember that the stomach has no teeth!
- Drug Usage
The GI tract is the arena through which most drugs are introduced and therefore
it is the area which suffers the worst ill effects. This in turn affects the
rest of the body systemically. Even a passing glance at the side affects of
common drugs listed in the Physicians Desk Reference Manual reveals the many
adverse consequences to the GI tract that occur with pharmaceuticals. Antibiotic
usage disturbs the normal intestinal bacteria and sets the stage for a multitude
of disease producing (pathogenic) bacteria to implant themselves.
- Drinking chlorinated
water
In their forthcoming book, Conquering Digestive Illness: The Guts and Glory
Program, Rubin and Brasco analyze chlorinated water’s effects on our
digestion. “Drinking water is commonly disinfected with chlorine to kill
micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Like antibiotics, however, chlorine
can disturb beneficial bacteria in the gut as well as pathogens.”9
- Getting insufficient
rest and sleep
Lack of rest and sleep lowers the energy that is required for efficient digestion.
All body functions are affected including the ability of the body to discard
toxic materials and repair tissues. Again, the normal bowel flora can easily
be upset under such circumstances.
- Living in an
excessively clean environment
The Western lifestyle with its emphasis on “cleanliness” has succeeded
in markedly decreasing infections in early life but may be adversely affecting
our immune systems in the process. In repeated studies researchers have suggested
that exposure to a variety of microbial pathogens in the air, water and food
stimulate the immune system and gut associated lymphoid tissue necessary to
prevent allergies, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. This theory known as the
“Hygiene Hypothesis” emphasizes that exposure to microbes builds
our defenses against disease at an early age, and that lack of exposure is
a major reason why the Western World is experiencing such a tremendous increase
in the incidence of asthma, allergies and autoimmune conditions.10,11
These behaviors are a recipe for dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
These actions disturb the internal environment of the gut specifically the critical
intestinal micro-flora.
The average human body contains about three and a half pounds of bacteria which
perform numerous functions in the body. The types of bacteria present and the
role they play in health and disease is influenced by our behaviors. Once the
gut micro-flora are disturbed, systemic problems are not far behind.
Conditions/Symptoms Frequently
Related to GI Malfunction
Many serious ailments of
man stem directly from malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract including the
following list. Clearly, when the gastrointestinal tract begins to falter, serious
disease is apt to occur.
-
Chronic Fatigue14
-
Fibromyalgia15
-
Diabetes/Blood Sugar
Disorders16 17
-
Low Back Pain18
-
Eczema and Psoriasis19
20 21
-
Cancer22
-
Rheumatoid Arthritis23
24
-
Halitosis25
-
Spinal Degeneration26
-
Ankylosing Spondylitis27
-
Rheumatism and Arthralgias28
-
Depression29
-
Chest Pains30
-
Allergies31
-
Headache32
Case Studies in Gastrointestinal Illness
Case Study I – Arthritis, Fatigue and Psoriasis
Presentation: A 25-year-old female presented with a seven year history
of severe arthritis, fatigue and psoriasis over more than 30 percent of her body.
Chiropractic adjustments had been administered over a period of six years affording
only temporary relief. Medical history included the use of steroids, immunosuppressants
and anti-inflammatory drugs which had produced significant side effects.
Interview and Examination: The client was distressed over her painful and
disfiguring condition. Her concerns centered around the joint pain and skin lesions,
but she had experienced GI disturbances for at least nine years in the form of
flatulence and diarrhea alternating with constipation, bloating and discomforts
after eating. Of note were areas of tenderness throughout the spine and joints
upon palpation, and the general depressed appearance of the patient.
Radiographic Studies: Film studies by her chiropractor showed moderate spinal
degeneration with disc narrowing, lipping and osteophytic formation throughout
the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, and advanced disc degeneration at C5-C7
and L4-L5.
Laboratory Testing: The sedimentation rate was elevated at 38 mm/hr. Stool
microbiology testing showed few normal bacteria and a preponderance of imbalanced
intestinal bacteria including staph aureus and klebsiella pneumonia.
Program of Care: Steps were taken to remove foods from her diet that were
fostering abnormal bacteria growth. Homeostatic soil bacteria13 were administered
to reduce pathogens from the gut while increasing normal flora. The patient underwent
dietary reform, received counseling in regards to rest and sleep habits, lowering
her stress level, and the implementation of other hygienic measures.
Within a month the patient’s joint pains eased and the psoriasis diminished.
The patient lost weight while her energy levels increased. She continued with
dietary reform and the homeostatic soil organisms for three months. At the end
of this time, the psoriasis had almost disappeared as had most of the joint pains
except for some residual neck discomfort. The patient’s GI symptoms were
the first to improve with the other improvements following. She reported being
comfortable after eating and no longer experiencing bloating, diarrhea and other
GI annoyances. The sedimentation rate returned to eight, indicating that the sources
of inflammation had been resolved.
Discussion: This client had serious systemic health problems directly related
to impaired gastrointestinal dysfunction. By addressing the GI malfunction through
appropriate analysis and hygienic measures to improve the internal environment
of the gut, the patient’s symptoms abated, her vitality improved and the
degenerative processes were brought to a halt.
Case Study II: Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Presentation: A 51-year-old female presented with complaints of ulcerative
colitis over an eight-year period, accompanied by arthritic complaints in the
hands, shoulders, knees and feet, diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. Prior care
for the inflammatory bowel disease included antibiotics and steroids along with
immunosuppressants from her rheumatologist.
Interview and Examination: The patient complained of ongoing intestinal
cramping, bleeding and diarrhea, along with severe joint pains. Her social life
had been devastated by having to hurry to the restroom frequently. The patient
reported that her intestinal problems began shortly after receiving repeated courses
of antibiotics prescribed by her family practitioner for an alleged sinus infections.
Several weeks after receiving the antibiotics she experienced diarrhea. The diarrhea
became chronic and she began to pass blood. A colonoscopy was performed and a
diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made.
The patient had been hospitalized twice for the bowel disorder and had received
ongoing antibiotics along with intermittent courses of steroids. Three years after
the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made severe joint pains led the patient
to a rheumatologist who made the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. No relationship
between the two conditions (i.e. ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis)
was made to the patient nor were any causal factors suggested. The patient was
told that both conditions were “cause unknown.”
The patient appeared anemic and in significant pain as she moved slowly and with
distress due to the joint pains. Her muscle tone was poor and she was underweight
at 95 pounds at 5 feet 6 inches.
Laboratory: The patient was anemic, had a low serum albumin, and had a
sedimentation rate of 86. A stool microbiology revealed a high count of abnormal
bacteria including klebsiella pneumonia. A serum yeast titer showed significant
elevation.
Program of Care: The patient was put on a hypo-allergenic liquid diet for
a week followed by a diet of non-starchy cooked vegetables and moderate amounts
of proteins. A homeostatic soil organism formula was utilized to help restore
the normal bacterial flora that had been severely altered over the years by ongoing
antibiotics, steroids and ongoing diarrhea. The patient was instructed on hygienic
measures to take including rest and sleep, emotional poise, modest amounts of
sunlight, etc. The patient began to reduce the amounts of steroid compounds that
had been medically prescribed.
Outcome: After 10 weeks of carefully following her individualized directions,
the patient experienced a gradual reduction in the amount of bleeding she experienced
and a diminishing of the diarrhea. As the gastrointestinal complaints eased, so
did the arthritic discomforts. After three months the patient reported that her
symptoms were reduced by 60 percent along with a rise in her energy levels. Subsequent
blood tests showed that her blood count had recovered to normal, as was the serum
albumin level. A follow-up on the yeast titer showed it reduced by 50 percent.
The patient has continued on dietary reform, and a hygienic lifestyle. Normal
intestinal bacteria have appeared in subsequent stool samples, this overall advancement
in her health can be attributed to both the improved diet, improved digestion
and the HSO Formula.
Follow Up: The patient has continued to improve and currently experiences only
modest occasional joint pains and mild looseness of the stool. She describes her
overall improvement as “remarkable.”
Discussion: These two cases demonstrate the following:
- How the routine prescription
of antibiotics (and other drugs) can set up a cascade of events leading to
gastrointestinal disturbances and grave consequences for a patient.
- How disturbance of the
gastrointestinal tract can easily lead to systemic disorders such as rheumatoid
disease.
- How correction of the
internal environment with proper rest, nutrition and micro-flora replacement
can bring about significant improvements in GI functioning and thereby improve
systemic disease states.
Editor’s Note: In the second part of this series—which will appear
in our next issue—Dr. Goldberg will further explore the intestinal micro-flora,
their importance in systemic illness and specific steps to take to improve the
microbiology of the GI tract.
Dr. Paul Goldberg is a graduate of Bowling Green State University (B.A.), Life
University (B.S.) The University of Texas Medical Center Graduate School of
Public Health (M.P.H.), and Life Chiropractic College (D.C.). He has an active
clinical practice in Marietta, Ga., where since 1983 he has practiced biological
medicine, clinical epidemiology, clinical nutrition, natural hygiene and chiropractic.
For the past 23 years he has also been a full-time faculty member of Life University
where he currently serves as a professor of gastroenterology and public health.
Questions and comments should be directed to drpaulgoldberg@hotmail.com. Further
information, related articles and links can be found at goldbergclinic.com
References
1. Shelton, Herbert M. Dr.
Health For the Millions 1968. Natural Hygiene Press
2. Farrar, Steve; “Got
an appetite for a longer life? Stay hungry.” Toronto Star January 10, 1999
3. Scientific American,
August 1996
4. Woodhead M: “Antibiotic
resistance”, Brit J Hosp Med 56:314-5,1996
5. Demling L: Is Crohn’s
disease caused by antibiotics? Hepato-Gastroenterology 41:549-51, 1994
6. Murray, Michael T. “The
Emerging Problems of Antibiotic Overuse” American Journal of Natural Medicine
Vol. 4, No.5 June 1997
7. Brody, Jane E. “
A World of Food Choices and A World of Infectious Organisms” New York Times
January 30, 2001
8. Madaline Drexler Secret
Agents: The Menace of Emerging Infections J. Henry Press, 2002
9. Rubin, Jordan S. and
Brasco Joseph; Conquering Digestive Illness: The Guts and Glory Program. Slated
for Publication, Kensington Health Books, Spring 2003
10. FD Martinez, PG Holt:
“Role of microbial burden in etiology of allergy and asthma” Lancet
1999, 354 (suppl2)
11. PM Matricardi, F Rosmini,
et. al. “Exposure to foodborne and orofecal allergic asthma: epidemiological
study” Br. Med. Journal 2000, 320: 412-417
12. Dr. Ken Rifkin; “What
are three and a half pounds of bacteria doing in our bodies?” Health Consciousness,
Vol. IX, No. 6, p 33-34, December 1988
13. Bacteria found in the
soil that benefit promote healthy gastrointestinal function while helping to
eliminate harmful micro-organisms.
14. Yamada, Tadataka, M.D.
Textbook of Gastroenterology 2nd edition p. 648
15. Goldberg, P.A. “Fibromyalgia:
Another Name For Impaired Health” Today’s Chiropractic Sept/Oct 1998
16. Yamada, Tadataka ref.
cit. p. 761
17. Ibid p. 361
18. Ibid p. 1758
19. Iconescu G Kiehl Ona
L and Schuler R. “ Abnormal fecal micro flora and malabsorption phenomena
in atopic ecxema patients”. Journal of Advancement in Medicine 1990; 3:
71-89
20. 21. Ibid 3:47-58
2.2 Ibid p. 578
23. Goldberg, P.A. “Arthritis and Rheumatism Sufferers: The Forgotten Patients”
Today’s Chiropractic March/April 1995
24. Ibid
25. Yamada Tadataka ref. cit. p. 1167
26. Ibid p. 1758
27. Goldberg, P.A. “Arthritis and Rheumatism Sufferers: The Forgotten Patients”
loc.cit.
28. Ibid
29. Goldberg, P.A. “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” Today’s Chiropractic
Nov/Dec 1995
30. Yamada, Tadataka, M.D. Textbook of Gastroenterology 2nd edition, page 648
31. Goldberg, P.A. “The Effects of GI Dysfunction” Today’s Chiropractic
March/ April 1993
32. Yamada, Tadataka
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