Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is characterized by inflammation of the intestines, and is most notably represented as Crohn’s disease, which usually affects the small intestine, but may affect other areas of the digestive tract, and ulcerative colitis, which usually affects the large intestine, or colon.

Two recent studies, presented at the American College of Gastroenterology’s 76^th Annual Scientific Meeting, discovered a connection between IBD and vitamin D status, or with latitude of geographic location at age 30. Latitude has been found to be strongly correlated with vitamin D status, because vitamin D is most commonly obtained through UV sun exposure. Those people living at higher latitudes are more likely to have insufficient vitamin D status; thus, the vitamin D connection to IBD.

In one study, it was found that people who lived in northern US latitudes at age 30 were more likely to later develop IBD. The researchers stated, “This differential risk may be explained by differences in UV light exposure, vitamin D status, or pollution.” The risk of developing Crohn’s disease was 50 percent lower in those people living in southern latitudes at age 30, and for ulcerative colitis, it was 35 percent lower.

In the second study, vitamin D3 supplementation was given to Crohn’s patients with low blood levels of vitamin D. The low-dose group received 1,000 IU daily, and the high-dose group received 10,000 IU daily. After 26 weeks of supplementation, there were differences in vitamin D levels, but more importantly, there was a significant improvement of disease symptoms in the high-dose compared to the low-dose group.

So many conditions are affected by insufficient vitamin D levels. If you do not know your vitamin D level, get it checked, even if you live in the south. Most integrative doctors recommend a vitamin D level of at least 50 ng/dL.

Share this Post...

colon, Crohn’s disease, digestive tract, Gastroenterology, IBD, ilcerative colitis, inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, intestines, large intestine, latitude, pollution, small intestine, vitamin D, vitamin D level, vitamin D status

In some people who take antibiotics, the uncomfortable side effect of diarrhea results. This happens because antibiotics disturb the gut bacterial balance. Antibiotics, aptly named as they are, work by killing bacteria—both good and bad bacteria. This alteration of gut bacteria can result in an imbalance that favors pathogenic bacteria, resulting in diarrhea. This is known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). One of the most severe forms of AAD is Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

A recent review of 22 studies, and a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, both sought to determine the effectiveness of probiotics on the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In the review, the lead researcher stated, “Overall in twenty-two studies, probiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the odds ratio of developing AAD by approximately 60 percent. This analysis clearly demonstrates that probiotics offer protective benefit in the prevention of these diseases.” A researcher presenting the results of the meta-analysis stated, “The preventive effect of probiotic use remained significant regardless of species used, adult versus child populations, study quality score and antibiotic administered.”

These findings were presented at the American College of Gastroenterology’s 76^th Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. in late October. The acknowledgement of the beneficial effects of probiotics by such a group is encouraging. Certainly, the evidence is impossible to ignore. Next time you are prescribed antibiotics, ask your doctor about taking probiotics. If your doctor is not familiar with probiotics, educate him/her!

Share this Post...

AAD, antibiotic, antibiotic associated diarrhea, antibiotics, bacteria, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, Diarrhea, Gastroenterology, gut bacterial balance, imbalance, pathogenic bacteria, Probiotics

Renew You Challenge

Let’s start this week off right!

Weekly challenge (I mean, opportunity!) to help set you off on the right foot and in the right direction for bringing health to your week. You could even add it to your calendar. Join us!

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gut disorder characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort, and altered bowel habits—constipation, diarrhea, or usually, alternating between both. People with IBS have a decreased health-related quality of life. Often, they also experience such conditions as fibromyalgia, depression, or even colon cancer.

It is known that women with IBS are less physically active than healthy women, and that women with IBS who do participate in regular physical exercise experience less fatigue or bowel complaints. A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology takes this association one step further by testing whether increased physical activity decreases IBS symptoms, and whether it increases quality of life.

As it turns out, regular exercise—20 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 3 to 5 days per week—improved gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in people with IBS. The researchers recommend that physical activity be used as a primary treatment modality for IBS. 

I recommend exercise a lot because I believe it should be a part of everyone’s routine. It helps improve gut function, yes, but it also helps improve just about every area of health. So this week, if you or someone you know has IBS and you aren’t getting enough physical exercise, get moving. Find some form of exercise that makes you feel good, and just do it.

Share this Post...

abdominal pain, bowel complaints, bowel habits, colon cancer, Constipation, depression, Diarrhea, discomfort, disorder, fatigue, fibromyalgia, Gastroenterology, good, gut, gut function, Health, IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, life, physical exercise, quality of life, symptoms, treatment, women

Wonder why American’s are plagued with Heartburn, Constipation and Bloating? Join me on CNN-TV at 9:00pm ET tonight with Joy Behar, Suzanne Somers, Dr. Andrew Weil and Kathy Griffin. Watch as I uncover the direct link between an unbalanced gut and weight gain, and how constipation, bloating and heartburn are just a few of the warning signs of bigger problems down the line. I will be joining Suzanne Somers, who is guest hosting the show to promote her informative and inspiring new book, Sexy Forever: How to Fight Fat after Forty – Shed the Toxins, Shed the Fat.

I was one of the main contributors of Suzanne’s new book, helping her understand the complexities of the gut as it pertains to weight loss. Like most of Suzanne’s other books, this is sure to be a New York Times best seller (already at #15 on Amazon).

Look for me in the second segment, right after Dr. Andrew Weil. For more information, here’s a link to Joy’s show: http://joybehar.blogs.cnn.com/

It is sure to be a fun, exciting and eye-opening evening for all of you. Don’t miss it!

Share this Post...

Brenda Watson, CNN, Entertainment_Culture, Gastroenterology, General practice, Gynecology, Health_Medical_Pharma, Heartburn, Inc., medicine, Oncology, symptoms, The New York Times Co

Irritable Bowel? Diarrhea? Painful gas and bloating? This might come as a surprise, but as many as one in every five Americans suffers from IBS or some other intestinal disorder—and just like you they’re searching for relief. But conventional medicine may not always be the answer, especially if doctors aren’t looking deeply enough to get to the root of the problem!

Tomorrow on the Poop Scoop I’ll be talking with leading gastroenterologist and nutrition expert Dr. Leonard Smith to learn more about irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive conditions. Learn why IBS is what some physicians call a “catch-all” diagnosis and what that means for you, and join us as we take a look at the many causes of digestive distress (some might surprise you!) and the natural solutions that can help you get your insides back on track.

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

Share this Post...

bloating, Diarrhea, Gastroenterology, IBS, intestinal disorder, Intestine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Leonard Smith, Other Intestinal Disorders, Painful gas

Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux—we’ve all felt that awful burning sensation at one time or another, but chances are we blamed it on something we ate and reached for the nearest antacid. Why? Because for years mainstream doctors have been telling us that symptoms like these are the result of too much stomach acid—when in fact 90 percent of the time they’re wrong! And when was the last time your doctor actually tested you to be sure? Probably never!

Tomorrow on the Poop Scoop I’ll be talking with CEO Harry Simmons of Heidelberg Medical, whose work with the Heidelberg pH Diagnostic System has revolutionized the way we look at digestive disorders. Imagine a capsule you can swallow that will travel through your digestive tract and help doctors actually see where the problem is coming from! Today, pH diagnostic testing has become essential to the successful treatment of many digestive disorders, including low stomach acid, gastric ulcers and GERD. I can’t wait to hear all about it from the expert!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

Share this Post...

Antacid, digestive disorders, digestive system, Dyspepsia, gastric ulcers, Gastroenterology, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, Harry Simmons, Heartburn, indigestion, Peptic ulcer

I came across an interesting article recently in the Journal of Gastroenterology.  The title caught my eye – “Gut Microbes: From Bugs to Drugs”.  I have to share with you a few comments from this article. 

Now, this is a mainstream gastroenterology journal.  The article covers some ideas about how probiotics, or pharmabiotics (the term they use that includes probiotic microorganisns, both alive and dead, components of these organisms and break-down products, or metabolites, of these organisms) may be useful for the pharmaceutical industry . 

Well, duh!  I see the mainstream medical community having these “aha! moments” all the time, but it’s always about things that the natural health community has known for years, heck, decades! 

But, it does bring awareness to more people about the importance of natural health.  I just cringe to think how Big Pharma might manipulate good medicine in the name of money, though. 

Here are some good quotes from the article:

“In addition, “big-pharma” now struggles with the realization that the era of the blockbuster, one-size-fits-all drug may be eclipsed by a more personalized approach to therapeutics.”

“Furthermore, large fortunes have been expended by the pharmaceutical industry developing synthetic drugs; yet, many of the most versatile and useful drugs have been derived from living material in the wider environment.”

“Perhaps the inner world of the gut microbiota may offer a new frontier, a more natural and accessible opportunity for novel drug discovery.”

“The future of drug discovery in gastroenterology is likely to reside in the lumen [inside the GI tract]!”

 Interesting read.

Share this Post...

bugs, community, drugs, environment, Gastroenterology, GI tract, gut, Health, industry, journal, mainstream, metabolites, microbes, microbiota, microorganisms, natural, organisms, pharmabiotics, pharmaceutical, Probiotics, synthetic

It seems like every other person I meet is taking medication for acid reflux. Well, it just makes my blood boil. All most docs do is write a prescription without really getting to the underlying cause. The poor patient is stuck in this vicious cycle of always needing the meds. It’s a very common problem with people who have been on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for a long time.

PPIs are only supposed to be used for 8-12 weeks depending on the type you are on, and they are not meant for long-term use. What happens when you are on these meds is that your stomach stops producing hydrochloric acid. So when you suddenly stop taking the meds, your body goes into what is called a “rebound” reaction. This means your body realizes it can now make the hydrochloric acid (which by the way you need for healthy digestion!), and now it overproduces it. Ironically, most people who are prescribed PPIs in the first place actually have too little stomach acid, not too much! Hence, the vicious cycle.

To break the cycle you need to wean yourself off these types of meds while at the same time taking hydrochloric acid supplements with your meals. Trust me, it’s well worth it. You’ll be in control of your body, and no more co-pays!

To learn more, listen to the informative and eye-opening archived internet radio show Brenda’s Poop Scoop that aired Wednesday February 1oth, Acid Reflux: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling You.

Share this Post...

acid reflux, Antacid, digestive system, Gastric acid, Gastroenterology, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hydrochloric acid, proton pump inhibitors, Reflux

Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux—we’ve all felt that awful burning sensation at one time or another, but chances are we blamed it on something we ate and reached for the nearest antacid. Why? Because for years mainstream doctors have been telling us that symptoms like these are the result of too much stomach acid—when in fact 90 percent of the time they’re wrong! And when was the last time your doctor actually tested you to be sure? Probably never!

This week on the Poop Scoop I’ll be talking with CEO Harry Simmons of Heidelberg Medical, whose work with the Heidelberg pH Diagnostic System has revolutionized the way we look at digestive disorders. Imagine a capsule you can swallow that will travel through your digestive tract and help doctors actually see where the problem is coming from! Today, pH diagnostic testing has become essential to the successful treatment of many digestive disorders, including low stomach acid, gastric ulcers and GERD. I can’t wait to hear all about it from the expert!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

Share this Post...

Antacid, Digestive diseases, digestive system, Dyspepsia, gastric ulcers, Gastroenterology, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, Harry Simmons, Heartburn, indigestion, Peptic ulcer

I know too many people who are swallowing antacid pills and potions and even taking prescription drugs on a daily basis, and it got me thinking about stomach acid and pH levels. I recently read an article titled “Too Little Stomach Acid Can Be a Problem Too” by Pharmacist Suzy Cohen. Imagine my surprise—finally someone in mainstream medicine was echoing what we in the natural health field have been saying for years now: most physicians do not test you for pH levels and just assume you have a high stomach acid level, and they hand you a prescription to reduce stomach acid—not what you need!

In reality you likely have a condition known as hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) and can be setting yourself up for compounded health issues by taking the acid-blocking meds that are commonly prescribed. The article then goes on to say that a simple blood test for gastrin levels can indicate whether or not you have low stomach acid.

Gastrin is a hormone that is produced to stimulate the production of stomach acid.  Because it works on negative feedback, high blood levels of gastrin can indicate that your body is producing too much in an attempt to produce more stomach acid.  This could be one way to test for hypochlorhydria, but a more accurate test would be the Heidelberg capsule test.

I have to say, I was very impressed by the information contained in this article and by Dr. Cohen’s understanding of basic physiology and natural health approaches to this growing problem. Check it out for yourself, or better still, take a copy to your physician and get properly tested before swallowing any more meds.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/sfl-suzy-cohen-columnist,0,2948334.columnist

Share this Post...

Achlorhydria, Acid, digestive system, Gastric acid, Gastrin, Gastroenterology, Heartburn, Heidelberg test, hypochlorhydria, indigestion, Stomach, stomach acid, Stomach disease, Suzy Cohen