Much of our overall health is determined by the health of our gut. Did you know that 70% to 80% of our immune system is found in our digestive tract? That is very important since most of what goes into the body enters via the stomach verses through our lungs or skin. It makes sense that most of our immune system resides in our gut.
There are two types of immunity that help protect the body from harmful foreign substances that are not intended to be there. One type consists of barriers that protect the body, such as stomach acid, saliva, and bacteria. The other type consists of acquired immunity, which the body forms antibodies to fight against foreign pathogens.
It is important to make sure our gut stays healthy. How do we do that? Is it difficult? It is difficult due to the fact we live in a modernized western culture. Just about everything we see in the grocery store and restaurant are all processed foods. Foods must be kept from spoiling between the garden or butcher house to our tables. Do you really think the chemicals put into foods in our culture does not impact our health? You really must work hard to find foods the way the body was intended to consume what it needs to sustain life.
Many, if not most, of our chronic illnesses in America today are due to inflammation and most of that is through the gut. Many of the autoimmune diseases, such as
- Multiple sclerosis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Lupus
- Hashimoto’s Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
and many more are due to immune system dysfunction. It makes sense to figure how important gut health can be if 70% to 80% of our immune system resides in our gut.
There are two things to do to help improve gut health that are easy to implement. First is taking a quality probiotic, which puts the good bacteria into your digestive system. One thing that is being mentioned more these days is taking prebiotics as well. These are high fiber foods that do not digest until they get into the large intestine (colon), where it ferments and works by making a place for the good bacteria to grow and flourish. Dr. Axe has a great article “7 Reasons to Get Prebiotics in Your Diet — Plus the Best Sources” that goes into detail for further information.
The other focus is on what we consume. There are foods that cause inflammation. There are toxins and foods we consume that damage the barrier that protects the body from things getting into the blood system. This is what is called a “leaky gut”. Foods and toxins that are supposed to stay in the gut and gets eliminated are absorbed into the body and thus the body recognizes it as a foreign and attacks it. This is where much of our autoimmune diseases come from. This inflammation is constant due to our poor diet.
Our diet plays a huge roll in our health. It may not slow you down while in your 20s or 30s, but after 40 and especially in your 50s, unwanted things start popping up concerning your health. Do not wait until your health is shot and no quality of life exist before changing your lifestyle. Many people reverse their condition just by correcting their diet and supplementing with the proper prebiotics and probiotics.
The Medical News Today has a great article “All you need to know about the AIP diet”, which describes a diet called Autoimmune Protocol Diet. Dr. Axe also has a great article “AIP Diet: Are AIP Diet Benefits Worth the Drawbacks?” Check out these links for more information about eating foods that are anti-inflammatory.
I cannot mention autoimmune diseases and not mention Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). I have come across this at a conference in Chicago this past March and was shocked at the benefits of LDN and the people it could help. I recommend going to LDN Research Trust website to find more information about LDN and autoimmune diseases. This website has a lot of information and I recommend taking the time to look over it. Please feel free to call or set up a consultation to talk to one of our pharmacists about how LDN may benefit you. We have been dispensing LDN for years at our pharmacy, but never knew the full potential and impact, until recently.
I called up some of our customers and did a quick phone interview and was blown away at what I heard. These people had Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Parkinson’s Disease and were giving me all the great details of the benefit of LDN. Not one said they wanted to discontinue the product. For anyone with autoimmune issues, maybe it can help you. Click on the link below to see which consultation is best for you.
Craig Wells, RPh
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