Gastrointestinal Health Flashcards
What is Hypochlohydria and what are the signs and symptoms
Low stomach acid pH above 3.0
Gas and bloating 30mins after food
Heartburn
Feeling full
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Brittle nails
What are the implications of hypochlorhydria
Reduced mineral absorption
Poor protein digestion/ putrefaction
Risk of colorectal cancer
Risk of H. Pylori survival
SIBO
Poor pancreatic juice and bile (reducing B12)
Natural approach to hypochlorhydria
Chew thoroughly
apple cider vinegar before meals
Zinc and B6 rich food
Bitter greens
Bitter herbs ( gentian / dandelion)
How to supplement with Betaine HCL
Start with 1 cap 350-750mg with protein meal
Increase 1 cap every 2 days until tingling or burning sensation. Then reduce by 1 capsule.
Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency
Bloating / bleaching / flatulence 1-2 hours after food
Excessive fat in stools (steatorrhorea)
Drowsiness after meals
Food intolerances
Low zinc and B12
IBS / SIBO
Causes of pancreatic insufficiency
Stress
Low stomach acid
xenobiotics
SIBO
Natural approach to pancreatic insufficiency
Chew adequately
Avoid snacking
Diaphragmatic breathing
Sing / gargle
Laugh
Bitters - gentian / dandelion
Pancreatic enzymes
How to use pancreatic enzymes
To mimic natural secretions, whereby enzymes secretion increases with more food intake.
Short meal take at start
Medium meal take half at start and half during
Large meal third at the start, middle and end
What Bile insufficiency
Where Bile synthesis or flow is compromised affecting digestion of fatty acids
Signs and symptoms of Bile insufficiency
Steatorrhoea (diarrhoea or constipation)
Intolerance to fatty foods bloating excess flatulence with cramping
What would show in stool test for bile insufficiency
Low / absent bile acids
High faecal fats
Causes of bile insufficiency
Low dietary fat intake
Impaired liver function
Obesity
Oestrogen dominance
Low HCI reducing CKK and bile release
Long term implications of bile insufficiency
Deficiency in fat soluble nutrients (vit E, A, D, K)
Hormone imbalance (poor oestrogen clearance)
High cholesterol
Gallstones
SIBO
Natural approach to bile insufficiency
Hydration
Avoid processed food
Chew slow
Diaphragmatic breathing
Taurine - tuna / salmon / chicken thighs
Choline - broccoli/ eggs / sprouts / quinoa
Support liver detoxification
Choleretics and cholagogues
Examples of choleretics
Radish
Cucumber
Onion
Kidney beans
Gentian
Barberry bark
Dandelion
Examples of cholagogues
Apples
Beets
Celery
Milk thistle
Turmeric
Ginger
What is mucosal barrier made up of
96- 98% water
Glycoproteins (mucins)
IgA
Anti microbial peptides
What happens to mucosal barrier in ulcerative colitis
Becomes permeable resulting in bacteria in close contact with host tissue leading to inflammation
What can disturbed mucosal barrier lead to
Bacterial translocation and leakage of LSP leading to metabolic endotoxaemia
What to support mucosal barrier
Optimal dietary fibre
Polyphenols - green tea/ blueberries/ cranberries/ pomegranate
Slippery elm / flaxseed/ marshmallow root - ( mucoplolyscarrides)
How to support intestinal permeability
Glutamine supplements
Glutamine food - cabbage juice / spirulina/ asparagus
Bone broth - glycine
What are risk of low IgA
Increases risk of SIBO and GI infections
What can cause low SIgA
Ongoing stress
NSAIDs
Antibiotics
How to increase SIgA
Saccharomyces boulardii
Mushrooms
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Pro and pre biotics
Polyphenols - green tea / blueberries