The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, said, "Death begins in the colon." Ayurvedic medicine from India, the most ancient and complete system of natural healthcare, states that all chronic health conditions arise from the intestines, and a tenet in Traditional Chinese Medicine says that the heart is the 'supreme emperor' and the intestines are the 'prime minister.' This gives you an idea of the importance of a well- balanced gastrointestinal tract.
Dysbiosis refers to any imbalance of the micro-organisms inhabiting the lining of your intestines. A healthy GI tract should ideally have at least 85% friendly lactobacteria (like the kind one gets from yogurt) and no more than 15% unfriendly or toxic coliform bacteria, yeast and fungus. But typically in our Western society the balance is the opposite!
The good bacteria should keep the harmful organisms suppressed and in low numbers. But sugary diets and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, birth control pills, steroidal drugs and even the chlorine in tap water, disturbs the good bacteria and encourages the bad organisms, especially yeast (fungus) to overgrow. This is how vaginal yeast infections occur following courses of antibiotics.
The same thing happens much more commonly in our intestines and is referred to as 'candidiasis' or candida yeast infection. As the yeast multiply they send rootlets into the intestinal wall, release toxins, and create 'leaky gut syndrome'. This condition permits organisms and toxins to enter the blood stream and deeper tissues where widespread damage can occur.
Because dysbiosis usually goes undiagnosed for a long time and so many organs and tissues can be affected, a wide array of conditions and symptoms can result. The list of symptoms are as diverse as nervous and mental disorders or food and chemical sensitivities. Below is a list of symptoms and conditions that can be caused by dysbiosis:
Gastrointestinal: heartburn, gas and bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease,colitis, diarrhea, constipation.
Genitourinary: bladder, urinary tract and kidney infections, yeast vaginitis, menstrual irregularities, infertility, endometriosis, PMS.
Nervous system: memory loss, inability to concentrate (brain fog), irritability, depression, lethargy, chronic fatigue, loss of libido, numbness and tingling, twitches, headaches, hyperactivity, learning problems, autism.
General: mitral valve prolapse, allergy symptoms, asthma, sinusitis, earaches and ear infections, psoriasis, cold hands and feet, joint pain/stiffness, increased body hair, food cravings, food and chemical sensitivities/intolerances, overeating.
There have even been cases of patients thought to be suffering from lupus, schizophrenia, myasthenia gravis, anorexia nervosa and multiple sclerosis who recovered following treatment for dysbiosis.
The cleanse is intended to clear dysbiosis and restore the normal healthy balance of organisms in your intestines. It is sometimes necessary to take acidophilus and other 'probiotics' to re-inoculate the intestines, but it is far more important to skillfully kill off the offending organisms. The muscle-testing allows us to select the right supplements for each individual for this purpose, pinpointing their needs and ensuring accuracy.
Proper diet can prevent and in some cases cure many health problems. In the case of dysbiosis, it is absolutely essential. This specific diet removes the foods that encourage yeast and fungus growth and mucous production. It requires some commitment since it is not an easy one. It also requires some sacrifice.
You may even say, "What's left to eat?" or "I'd rather just suffer than give up so much!" But take heart. This diet is temporary. Although some people will need to avoid foods forever that give them bad reactions, most people will be able to eat the forbidden foods again, once they have completed the program. Occasionally people experience a 'die-off reaction' during the cleanse as the offending organisms release their toxins.
The symptoms may include headache, rash, flu symptoms or fatigue. They are usually mild if they occur and only last a day or two and happen only in a minority of cases. Check in with me if you need to. Occasionally you can develop full-blown sinusitis and allergies during the cleanse. This is due to your immune system taking a slight dip initially and simultaneously catching a wave of pollens or flu bugs passing through the area. This is very uncommon but I feel the warning is healthy.
The average length of time for the cleanse is 3 weeks, but it may take longer. I will need to see you for a follow up appointment at 2 weeks, and then again before you are released from the cleanse diet. There are many common foods you will need to avoid during the cleanse. After the program, you will be able to reintroduce them one-by-one into your diet and see how each one affects you. The guidelines are on the next page.
Cleanse:
Take your supplements religiously and strictly avoid the following foods until I check you to ensure the candida is safely cleared from your system:
AVOID: Sugar and all sweeteners: cookies, candy, chocolate, pastries, ice cream, soda, etc.; honey, molasses, real or artificial maple syrup, agave nectar, corn syrup, rice syrup, fructose, dextrose, maltose, xylitol, etc., fruit (except for green Granny Smith apples), fruit juice, dried fruit, etc.
Many foods have corn syrup, and drinks such as soy and rice milk usually have rice syrup or cane juice, a few (the 'unsweetened' ones) don't. Note: When reading food labels, ignore the section that indicates "grams of sugar". Only be concerned with the list of food ingredients when looking for sugar and sweeteners.
Milk products: milk, yoghurt and cheeses, especially aged cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, parmesan, blue, etc. Occasionally we allow butter and soft cheeses like cottage, farmers, feta, mozzarella and jack.
Bread products: bread, buns, bagels, crackers, etc.; Any baked goods containing yeast, and any sourdough or sprouted grain products.
Fermented products: beer, wine, liquor, vinegar (salad dressings, ketchup, pickles, olives, relish,etc.), tamari, soy sauce, miso, tempeh, natto, sauerkraut, sourkraut, kambucha.
Miscellaneous: coffee, black tea, Worcestershire or A-1 sauce, mushrooms, packaged foods with lots of unfamiliar ingredients, monosodium glutamate (MSG-ask the owners of your Chinese restaurant if they use it), processed and smoked meats, french fries (they are often dipped in sugar), artificial colorings, flavorings and sweeteners (aspartame, Splenda, etc.), margarine. Avoid nuts and corn if you have multiple food sensitivities.
Any foods you tested allergic too:_____________________________________
ALLOWED: You may freely eat vegetables, chicken, fish, beef, seafood, eggs, beans and lentils, tortillas, and healthy oils (olive, flax, coconut, etc). Keep moderate on starchy foods. You may have rice (preferably brown
rice), whole wheat pasta, potatoes (preferably sweet potatoes, yams and red skinned), oatmeal and hot cereals (unsweetened) and alternative grains like quinoa, amaranth and millet. For salad dressing you may use olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.
For soy sauce you may use Bragg's Liquid Amino's from the health food store because it's non-fermented. For tomato sauce, make sure it has no sugar. For sweetener you may use Stevia. Generally
found in liquid droppers in the health food store; it is an herbal extract 300X sweeter than sugar (but does not feed yeast), so you only need a drop or two in tea for example.
MEAL IDEAS:
Breakfast: Eggs, oatmeal or whole-grain hot cereal with green apple cubes, cinnamon and stevia, rice cakes, almond butter, meats, veggies...
Lunch and Dinner: Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, chicken, fish, potatoes, beans, veggies, salad, avocado, rice noodles...
Snacks: green apples, almond butter, celery, carrots, rice cakes, hard-boiled eggs,
IMPORTANT!: After 3 to 4 weeks on the cleanse you come in for re-testing. If you test negative for yeast and your symptoms are gone it means their population is now below the threshold level.
But you MUST come in for the re-evaluation or it could all end up being for naught. If you had food sensitivities, they may be gone or it may take some time to change your body's response to those foods.
Live Well Holistic Health Center | 16 East Lancaster Ave. | Plaza 16 Building | Suite 104 | Ardmore, PA | (610) 896-1554 The Best in Gentle Chiropractic, Natural Medicine Mainline PA, Alternative Curs, and Montgomery County, Delaware County and beyond, just outside of Philadelphia, PA
No comments:
Post a Comment