LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Gastroenterology

Easily Treatable Condition Often Unrecognized in IBS Patients – (09-06-01)

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Easily Treatable Condition Often Unrecognized in IBS Patients

This article refers to lactose intolerance being misdiagnosed as IBS. This gives more support to alternative practitioners’ treatment methods because avoidance of dairy is always at the top of the list for almost any condition; especially so with any GI related complaints.

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2001;13:941-944 Prospectively, the effect of a lactose-restricted diet was evaluated among irritable bowel syndrome patients with lactose malabsorption. Lactose malabsorption was defined by a positive hydrogen breath test and a positive blood-glucose test. An analysis of symptoms was completed before, during, 6 weeks after and 5 years after starting the diet. In addition, the number of visits made by the patients to the outpatient clinic was scored during 6 years. Conclusions In a large majority of irritable bowel syndrome patients with lactose malabsorption, which was previously clinically unrecognized, a lactose-restricted diet improved symptoms markedly both in the short term and the long term. Furthermore, visits by all patients to the outpatient clinic were reduced by 75%. We conclude that diet therapy is extremely cost- and time-saving. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that lactose malabsorption, which is easily treatable, is excluded before diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome.

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Influence of anti-Helicobacter triple-therapy on intestinal microflora – (09-06-01)

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Influence of anti-Helicobacter triple-therapy on intestinal microflora

The question posed in this article is interesting. However, the results of this study may fuel debate between traditional gastroenterologists and functional medicine practitioners. I have had discussion with a few specialists who believe in the GI tracts’s ability to restore to homeostasis after an insult. This article supports this concept. Unfortunately, I think this article will prove to be misleading. Antibiotics unquestionably alter the flora of the GI tract, usually in adverse ways. The Updates have repeatedly outlined the damages to overall health with disturbed GI microflora. The data on this article do point to changes that occurred that will adversely affect the health of the GI tract (increase in Candida, Klebsiella…), although the abstract does not touch on it.

Synergy : Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 15 (9), 1445-1452

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Evaluation of GI function from expired CO2 after oral C-putrescine – (10-08-01)

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Evaluation of GI function from expired CO2 after oral C-putrescine

Putrescine?? Doesn’t sound too pleasant, does it? This substance is a result of the degradation of animal proteins in the GI tract. This study uses the idea that healthy cells of the intestine can break down putrescine and we can check for the by products of this breakdown. Even more important is the question that, if the cells lining the GI tract are not healthy the putrescine doesn’t get broken down and actually can begin to rot (hence the name…). A strong digestive system is also very, very important in braking this stuff down.

Synergy : Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 16 (9), 986-990

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Alteration of DNA methylation in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis – (10-08-01)

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Alteration of DNA methylation in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis

I know this sounds a little technical, but the take home message is that alterations in the body’s ability to methylate DNA may lead to cancer. Methylation helps to protect DNA from damage. Slow methylation can come from a variety of sources, with dietary alterations and genetic sluggishness at the top of the list. Combine the two and it’s not a pretty picture. Folic acid and Vit B12 are some of the most important players in this game. Making sure you eat lots of whole grains and fresh fruit will provide high levels of these nutrients. However, in patients with genetic sluggishness, high doses of folic acid may be needed in supplement form.

Synergy : Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 16 (9), 960-968

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GI Cancer After Cholecystectomy: Is Bile Involved in Carcinogenesis? – (11-05-01)

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GI Cancer After Cholecystectomy: Is Bile Involved in Carcinogenesis?

Considering the large number of patients who come through my office lacking their gall bladders, this article has some serious implications. Remember that the gallbladder is designed to collect bile as it is made by the liver and then release it in response to a fatty meal to help absorb the digested fat. Without a gallbladder (which mainstream medicine sometimes appears to consider as a vestigial organ…) the bile leaks into the GI tract as it is produce by the liver–this will occur at times when nothing is present in the GI tract for the bile acids to emulsify. It appears that these bile acids doing nothing increase the risk of not only intestinal cancer, but also esophageal cancer. This study is incredibly large and therefore the results are more likely to hold true for everyone.

Gastroenterology — Abstracts: LAGERGREN et al. 121 (3): 542

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Short-Chain Fatty Acids Induce Intestinal Epithelial Heat Shock Protein – (11-05-01)

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Short-Chain Fatty Acids Induce Intestinal Epithelial Heat Shock Protein

I know this is one of those long, complicated titles, but the take home message here is clear. SCFAs definitely protect the lining of the GI tract (this is a rat study but there have been many such studies in humans). To get SCFAs, we need a combination of both healthy bacterial flora and soluble fiber.

Gastroenterology — Abstracts: REN et al. 121 (3): 631

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Intestinal dysfunction, liver cirrhosis & spontaneous bacterial peritonitis – (06-25-01)

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Intestinal dysfunction, liver cirrhosis & spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

I know it’s a big long title, but basically, patients with liver cirrhosis have increased suseptability to bacterial infections without any known source of the bacteria. This article suggests that the bacteria may come from the gut. This would suggest that the use of probiotics in any patient with liver disease would be an essential part of their therapy.

Synergy : Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 16 (6), 607-612

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Why should gastroenterologists be interested in nutrition and obesity? – (10-03-02)

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Why should gastroenterologists be interested in nutrition and obesity?

Umm…because it is the keystone upon which health and disease pivots? Because it holds the potential to stave off most diseases known to man? Because it can modify the progression and severity of many (if not all…) chronic diseases, many of them GI disorders? Because the GI tract is the first and largest area food we eat is exposed to? Why is this even a question?? This is a sad state of how behind medicine is when it comes to health.

Gastroenterology Online

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