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Naturopathy and Digestive Disorders

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naturopath digestive disordersDigestive disorders can be a very frustrating condition to have, with the stomach aches, urgent trips to the toilet, bloating, pain, avoiding certain foods and many more embarrassing situations. It comes as a very welcome relief for patients when they seek help for these conditions.

The gastrointestinal system is so important for overall health of every other organ and body system. It is needed for proper digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients, without these the body would not be able to function. It is no wonder why people that complain of problems associated with poor digestion are often sluggish, lethargic and lacking in vitality

Naturopathy can help with a range of digestive complaints, are few are listed below;

  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Coeliac disease
  • Pain, bloating, discomfort
  • Constipation and/or diarrhoea
  • Diverticular disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Prevention of travellers diarrhoea
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder

 

How can Naturopathy help with digestive disorders?

There is great potential for naturopathy to help with digestive disorders, quite often is can be due to certain food intolerances or allergies. Sometimes if the food is removed for 3 months, and then reintroduced it can be tolerated again, and sometimes the food needs to be avoided on a more permanent basis.

Your naturopath will take a thorough case history as well as observe your body, as there are physical manifestations of poor digestion that will appear in the hair, nails and/or skin.

 

Probiotics

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bacteria-probiotics-prebioticsI actually want to take the opportunity to dispel some of the myths related to probiotics as well as share with you some of the benefits.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are normally present in the digestive tract. They are necessary for proper digestion as well as preventing overgrowths of yeasts and other pathogens. They are integral to the synthesis of vitamin K, which is important for bone, blood and liver health, and also for the synthesis of B vitamins.

There are hundreds of different types of beneficial bacteria however the two most common are lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum.

Different strains of bacteria are suitable for different health conditions, so it is worthwhile consulting a healthcare practitioner, such as a naturopath, to determine the best probiotic for your individual health requirements.

Symptoms that can be associated with an imbalance in the digestive flora are

  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Intestinal & systemic toxicity
  • Constipation
  • Candida overgrowth
  • Food allergies
  • Malabsorption of nutrients
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Plus hundreds more…

 

The following are frequently asked questions regarding probiotics.

Q. If I eat yoghurt do I get enough good bacteria?

A. If you have taken antibiotics, the oral contraceptive pill, steroid drugs etc the answer is a definite NO. You absolutely need to take a probiotic supplement. Also if you are eating yoghurt that is full of sugar then you can forget any benefits from it.

Q. Should I take my probiotics before I eat?

A. Research has shown that it really shouldn’t matter when you take your probiotic supplement. The main rule would be to take 2 hours away from pharmaceutical drugs. Some people like to recommend an ideal time of ½ an hour before meals to give the bugs time to get moving through the stomach but before, during or after a meal really shouldn’t matter.

Q. Does it matter if I leave my probiotic out on the bench overnight?

A. The answer to this is no the product should be fine if left out once or even twice over night. The general rule is that the longer out of the fridge the shorter the shelf life but a short stay on the bench will not destroy your product.

Q. Are there foods other than yoghurt which contain probiotics?

A. Yes. Kefir, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh and umeboshi plums are all excellent additions to the diet to promote good digestive flora.