Could Unhealthy Intestinal Bacteria Be Making You Sick?

Many digestive problems like heartburn, acid reflux, IBS, bloating, constipation, colitis and diarrhea caused by bacteria in the stomach account for over 200 million doctor’s visits and billions in health care costs, every year. However, the ill effects of intestinal bacteria go way beyond the  stomach. Researchers are slowly uncovering how several medical problems are related to poor intestinal and digestive health.

Treating the stomach directly has extraordinary results.  Patients can experience relief from a variety of conditions from allergies, acne, arthritis, headaches, autoimmune disease, depression, attention deficit disorders and more. These are the good side effects of normalizing the bacteria function and promoting healthy intestinal flora through healthy, high-fiber diets and pro-biotic supplements like G.I. Balance ™, enzyme therapy, and nutrients to improve the health and digestion.

The human digestive tract has trillions of good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria controls immune and intestinal function, regulates digestion, protects against infection, and produces essential nutrients and vitamins. When the body has an optimal balance of bacteria, it has good effects on the body. However, if there are more bad bugs, they can cause allergies, asthma, eczema and other problems.

Research has shown that there is a link between bad bacteria and autism. Simply by examining urine samples, researchers observed a difference between normal and immune compromised individuals by the concentration of bad intestinal bacteria.    Bacteria produce toxins and inflammatory molecules can contribute to autoimmune diseases. In fact, taking antibiotics to cure problems like acne can alter the intestine’s ecosystem and affect the good flora, triggering autoimmune diseases like colitis and other disorders.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that delirium in a patient with liver failure can be cured or prevented by giving them Xifaxan, an antibiotic that clears toxin-producing bugs that have grave effects on the weak livers, causing the fogginess and insanity.  Researchers are getting closer to understanding how many health conditions may be related to gastrointestinal health deficiencies.  Obesity is also linked to bad intestinal health because of toxins produced called lipopolysaccardies that promote weight gain and trigger inflammation.

The key is to eat high-fiber, natural, wholesome food and avoid sweet, processed and oily food. Fiber feeds the good bacteria and wipes out the bad, promoting good intestinal and digestive health.  It is worth checking out your digestive health even if there are no obvious symptoms.   However one of the best gifts you can give your body is to be proactive about pro-biotics for good health. Read: How Gut health effects inflammation and immune health.