Dr. Cherry on Digestion
What we have right now in the U.S. is a not a health care system, but a disease care system. And one of the biggest disease-care issues we face is digestive problems – it's time to shift to the health care side of things.
Digestive problems are one of the most common problems doctors see; you or someone you know is probably already experiencing that. But doctors often deal with digestive problems with their prescription pad: acid blockers, Nexium, proton pump blockers, all of which can actually affect the absorption of nutrients. But there has got to be a better way. And there is a better way.
We've been researching this subject for years based on our experiences with pateints, and it is actually very easy to deal with. It all boils down to four simple categories:
Digestion, Elimination, Absorption, Natural Bacteria – DEAN.
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First, we have to digest things we take into our bodies so they can be absorbed. There are three major classes of foods that we take into our body: body, proteins and fats. Enzymes are what break them down so the body can absorb them. (Amylase breaks down carbohydrates, lipase breaks down fats and proteases break down proteins.)
As we get older, we make less and less of these enzymes. But God has given us the understanding of these enzymes and the ability to put them in a capsule to assist our body as we produce less. We can also put other enzymes such lactase, cellulase, papain (from papaya), and bromelain (from pineapple) into capsules to aid in the key first step of digestion by breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
We can't use everything our body takes in, so elimination becomes very important in getting rid of the waste. As we get older and our colons slow down, we have a harder time eliminating things and it can become a major problem. This is where fiber comes in.
There are certain fibers that are so concentrated, we can put them into a capsule in small amounts. They are also potent, so that in addition to helping with natural elimination and improving constipation, they also help lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and assist in weight reduction by giving you a full feeling. One of these special fibers, glucomannan, swells to 17 times it original volume, which provides bulk as it moves through the colon.
The normal occupants of the colon/digestive tract are probiotics. Probiotics, or good bacteria, have been in the news quite a bit lately as we are learning more about their crucial role in health. These good bacteria, such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, can do a variety of different things, but one of the most significant is their role in immunity.
There is strong evidence that probiotics strengthen and enhance immune function, actually causing a more responsive immune system. This is especially important as we deal with antibiotic resistant bacteria, H1N1 flu, and other viruses. We can put these good bacteria into a concentrated capsule form as a supplement to – not a replacement for – your normal diet, to get their many benefits. Anything we can do to enhance it is a good thing!
Prebiotics are what feed the probiotics to keep them alive and enhance their growth. Many prebiotics are forms of fiber, such as FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and arabinogalactan.
When we researched this whole area of digestive health for our Digestion Support, we came up with a list of compounds backed up by scientific research. These compounds include enzymes, concentrated substances to help with elimination, and the good bacteria.
Pray about this – particularly if you have digestive problems, but don't wait until you have a problem. Let's not be disease oriented, let's be prevention oriented. Remember, God has a pathway to healing to your healing, and this may be your pathway to healing in your digestive tract.
