Why isn't my digestive system working properly?

What's going on that my digestion is so terrible?

It seems nearly everyone has digestive issues of some form or another these days. Crohn's, IBS, Colitis, Celiac, and dozens of other digestive disorders have made an industry out of sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free products. So why is it that those with digestive issues can't often fully fix them and have to follow a very strict diet or suffer the painful consequences?   Below may give you some ideas of what is going on and how to remedy that problem! Gut flora imbalance  One of the main reasons you are not able to digest food properly is bacterial imbalance in your intestinal system. An ideal ratio for a properly functioning gut is 85 percent good bacteria to 15 percent bad, and when this is accomplished the good bacteria flourish and are allowed to do their job of digesting and absorbing certain starches, fiber, and sugars.  Unfortunately, a lifetime of habits littered with antibiotics, sugar, alcohol, toxins, and 'dead' food has destroyed the proper balance we require for good digestion.  In your effort to regain proper gut flora balance, consider antibacterial foods and herbs like garlic, onions, oregano, cloves, and black walnut. At the same time consider probiotic rich foods like green leafy vegetables and fermented foods such as sauerkraut, tempeh, and kefir. Enzyme deficiency Enzymes play a key role in our health by enabling our bodies to properly digest and use all the nutrients we take in to their greatest potential. If we do not introduce enough enzymes through our food, we put more pressure on the pancreas to produce enzymes in order to break down waste products, which eventually can leave it overworked and unable to produce the enzymes required to facilitate proper digestion.  To maximize your enzyme production, first increase your consumption of raw, organic food like papaya, pineapples, bee pollen, kefir, and fermented vegetables. Chew your food thoroughly to properly mix them with your enzyme rich saliva, which helps the process of pre-digestion.  Juicing is one way to really increase the amount of easily assimilated enzymes into your digestive system, as well as digestive and systemic enzyme supplements. Magnesium deficiency Previously, it was believed that magnesium was required for up to 325 enzymatic processes, but according to new research, that number is closer to 800. This makes magnesium very important in the digestive process.  Magnesium is also heavily implicated in proper functioning of muscles, including those in the lining of your digestive tract. A deficiency in magnesium causes the peristaltic action in your digestive system to slow right down, which hinders the movement of waste, and backs up the digestive process.  Consider liquid magnesium supplements, and loading up on salads rich in leafy greens and vegetables. Stress Stress creates all sorts of problems, not just for your digestion but for all parts of your body. Stress strips your body of various vitamins and minerals (B vitamins and magnesium to name a couple), tightens your muscles, slows down bowel movements, and inhibits absorption of enzymes and probiotics, as well as other nutrients.  Keep your stress in check through chamomile, medicinal mushrooms, kefir, and acts of gratitude, meditation, and exercise. Heavy metal toxicity There are many types of toxins that can cause digestive distress, however, one of the most gut compromising toxins falls in the heavy metals category.  Heavy metals are introduced into our bodies in a variety of ways, but some of the more problematic gateways are through vaccinations and mercury amalgams. Not only does this create a great burden for proper liver, gallbladder, and pancreas function (including secreting bile to facilitate digestion), but heavy metals also kill off good bacteria to further impair the digestive process. Heavy metal detoxification is a delicate process and should be handled by a professional, but you can consider chlorella and cilantro to help bind and remove them from your system.

What is Quantum Biofeedback?

What Is Quantum Biofeedback?

Quantum Biofeedback is a computerized energetic device that detects stressors in the body, and then emits healthy patterns back to your body.

With a head harness and wrist and ankle straps, the fully clothed client is attached to the biofeedback system which acts like a computerized scanner. The evoked signals are measured and determined to be in or out of balance – indicating stressors. Electromagnetic waveforms then stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms by providing true, healthy energy patterns.  The Technician can also use what we call "subspace", where you do not actually have to be hooked up to the device.  (Personally, this is 90% of my clientel), as I have clients from Mexico, the United States, Austrailia, Portugal and all over Canada!

A Biofeedback Technician (CBT) can help you and your body rebalance itself in those parameters that are most relevant for you at that given point in time. Measurements in 1/100 of a second ensure that the biofeedback frequencies need only be applied as long as they are useful – managing the stressors that may be affecting your health.

When people manage their stress, they heal themselves and the quality of their life improves. The stressors may include: allergens, bacteria and viruses, chemicals, dehydration, genetically altered foods, emotional issues, employment, fast foods, fungi, headaches and migraines, irradiation of foods, lack of sleep, medical conditions, diseases or disorders, nutritional deficiencies, overwork, pain, parasites, and relationship problems.

A Biofeedback session may include using rebalancing programs such as Acu-Meridians, Chakras, Emotions, Iridology, Full Body Detox, Prostate/Ovarian Stim, Stressed Organs, Vitamins, Minerals and Aminos, Lymph, Homeopathic, Hormones, Allergies, Spinal, Nerves, Muscles, Flower Essences, Healing Crystals, testing supplements, acupuncture …as well as many other specific frequencies programmed for your stressors.  On the other side of things, it can release emotions that are hindering you from past lives, karma matters and cleanse auras.  It can really be life changing in these instances.

“Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” - Sarah Bernhardt

Inflammation = Degenerative Disease

Inflammation has long been linked to both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Now, there’s emerging research that also links chronic inflammation to allergies, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, digestive disorders, heart disease, hormonal imbalances and osteoporosis. 

Injured tissues become inflamed and result in redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function. When acute inflammation doesn’t shut down, it becomes chronic and causes damage to the injured tissues. Dr. Bland, a nutritional biochemist, says, “Inflammatory stimuli, such as bacterial infection, trauma, ischemic events, stress-related events, toxic exposures, allergens and chronic viral infections activate the inflammatory response.”

According to the health experts, the biggest culprit in causing abnormal inflammation is the pathetic “standard American diet” (SAD) of heavily processed convenience and fast foods. Dr. Perricone believes that “Inflammation equals aging. Inflammation is the reason you get wrinkles; why you forget everything from where you left your car keys to your neighbor’s first name; why you can be irritable and depressed and why you lose the healthy bloom of youth.”

Inflammation is what causes arthritic pain, stiffness when using your muscles, the wheezing of asthma and the discomfort of allergies. It is even possible that the progression of atherosclerosis is directly related to chronic inflammation in up to 50 percent of cases. Excess acid production also increases the inflammatory response leading to loss of bone and joint tissues.

To reduce degenerative disease, it’s necessary to avoid pro-inflammatory foods and rely exclusively on anti-inflammatory foods:

Pro-inflammatory foods to avoid:

* red meats from corn-fed, antibiotic/hormone laden animals

* saturated fats such as lard and meat fats

* fried foods

* partially hydrogenated (trans fats) found in margarines, chips, candies, cereals and baked goods

* cooking oils that are exclusively corn, safflower, sunflower or soy based

* soft drinks (both high sugar and diet varieties)

* excess sugar (both from heavily processed sources, such as candy and from naturally occurring sources such as fruit juice)

Perricone describes sugar as one of the most serious causes of inflammation, rapid aging and weight gain. Sugary foods quickly elevate blood sugar, creating an insulin release along with free radicals that oxidize fats. When oxidized, the fats form plaque deposits in our arteries, leading to disease. Thus, a diet high in sweets, pasta, fruit juices, cereals and even rice cakes can actually lead to heart disease. Insulin release also increases stored body fat and release of pro-inflammatory chemicals causing cell damage and accelerated aging.

Anti-inflammatory foods and dietary supplements to include:

* foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, especially cold water, wild-caught fish (or fish oil supplements)

* raw nuts and seeds (especially pecans, almonds, walnuts and flaxseeds)

* homemade soups made with poultry or meat bones (boiling the bones releases glucosamine and chondroitin into the soup which, when ingested becomes bioavailable in the body. They can reduce inflammation and helps repair cartilage)

* dark green vegetables (especially kale, seaweed and greens)

* antioxidants in supplement form (especially vitamins C and E, and quercetin)

* zinc taken in supplement form which assists healing and reduces inflammation

* extra virgin organic olive oil, expeller pressed grape seed and avocado oils

If you are already showing chronic inflammatory symptoms, I recommend that you adopt the following 10 dietary recommendations:

1) Eat lean meats and poultry that are free-range, organic and not corn-fed (i.e. grass-fed preferably).

2) Eat a wide variety of vegetables (the deeper the colors, the better).

3) Use cold-pressed, uncooked olive oil (in salad dressings) and grapeseed or avocado oil for cooking.

4) Avoid products that contain added sugars (especially white sugar and high fructose corn syrup).

5) Avoid or limit your intake of cow’s milk products.

6) Avoid or limit your intake of heavily processed grains and grains containing gluten if you suspect an intolerance to them (brown rice, wild rice and millet are gluten-free).

7) Eat organic foods whenever possible.

8) Identify and avoid foods to which you have an allergy or sensitivity.

9) Eat wild, cold water fish at least three times weekly, especially salmon.

10) Eliminate all trans fats. Avoid added saturated fats. 

Happy Eating!!!