LifeCare Chiropractic

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GI tract

Microflora characteristics in faeces from allergic & nonallergic infants – (11-23-00)

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Microflora characteristics in faeces from allergic & nonallergic infants

All this information on normal, healthy flora in the GI tract, and yet neither pediatricians nor gastroenterologists “believe” in them. This article again supports the association between antibiotic use and allergies. The artilce suggests that the presence of bacteria in the GI tract is instrumental in the developing infant’s immune system. It helps to balance out the Th1/Th2 ratio; a very important balance of our immune systems. Without proper balance, the likelihood of atopic diseases and autoimmune disorders is increased.

Synergy Abstract

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Zinc Deficiency Suppresses Development of Oral Tolerance in Rats – (01-09-03)

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Zinc Deficiency Suppresses Development of Oral Tolerance in Rats

Oral tolerance is the process by which the immune system surrounding the GI tract (close to 2/3 of the immune system is centered around the GI tract) samples an antigen (such as a protein from foods) and decides that this substance is okay and sends that same signal out to the rest of the body. Without this process, our body would be under the impression that we are under perpetual attack from proteins in our food.

nutrition.org — Abstracts: Finamore et al. 133 (1): 191

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The importance of the GI tract – (05-05-03)

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Increased intestinal permeability as a cause of fluctuating postprandial blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetic patients.

This article really reminds us of (or should wake others up to…) the importance of the GI tract to every other system and every other disease. Increased intestinal permeability will allow larger molecules to enter into the body and increase the antigenic load that the immune system and liver have to deal with. Restoring permeability can be done with careful attention to diet, avoidance of common allergens, probiotics and soluble fiber intake. I’m sure the info in this article will also pertain to Type 2 diabetics as well.

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GI response to non-harmful bacteria very primitive – (08-03-00)

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GI response to non-harmful bacteria very primitive

The body does not respond to harmful and non-harmful bacteria in the same way. This researcher suggests that the method the GI tract uses to deal with these bacteria is very primitive; suggesting that this relationship between us and our bacteria has been around for a long, long time.

Science 2000;288:2222-2226 The immunoglobulin IgA produced in gut mucosa to keep intestinal flora in check is produced by a “primitive” T cell-independent mechanism. “The immune system in the intestine sees and responds to the enormous load of nonpathogenic bacteria (greater than 500 thousand billion) in an apparently primitive way,” Dr. Macpherson told Reuters Health. “The bacteria do not seem to penetrate the body much, and the IgA response by the intestine that we have discovered is important in keeping them out.” According to Dr. Macpherson, the findings may have implications for research into disorders like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which involve an inflammatory response to commensal intestinal bacteria. “It is pretty reasonable to suppose that failure to dampen down the inflammatory reactions to them is the key, but we don’t know the relative importance of the pathway that we have described in this,” he said.

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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Meta-analysis of smooth muscle relaxants in irritable bowel syndrome – (03-01-01)

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Meta-analysis of smooth muscle relaxants in irritable bowel syndrome

This article describes a benefit to drugs affecting the smooth muscles of the GI tract in irritable bowel. My concern with therapies such as this are many. Primary among them is that IBS is one of those GI conditions that responds very well to functional medicine; primarily because alterations in flora and diet are major contributors to the syndrome. So, if we have a patient with unhealthy flora in the GI tract and we slow down the transit time in the gut, those bad bacteria now have even longer to act on things that they should not be acting on. Pathogenic bacteria can unconjugate estrogen that the liver is trying to get rid of and send it back into the system. They can act on undigested carbs and proteins and lead to putrefaction. Remember, fixing the problem is ALWAYS the best answer…covering up symptoms only leads to further problems.

Synergy Abstract

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Hydrolyzed Whey Formula Reduces Duration of Crying in Colic – (01-02-01)

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Hydrolyzed Whey Formula Reduces Duration of Crying in Colic

Considering that milk is a common allergen, especially in infants, it is not surprising that digesting milk proteins further will reduce the effects of this allergy on the GI tract. Of course, my reaction would be to ask why we insist on trying to modify something that the infant is very likely allergic to–just take them off of dairy. An interesting side note–recent studies have pointed to the efficacy of manipulative therapy in reducing the crying time in infantile colic. If we begin to agree that colic is a GI disorder, than we also have to accept that spinal manipulation will also have beneficial effects on the visceral system as well..

Pediatrics 2000;106:1349-1354 An extensively hydrolyzed whey formula is effective in reducing the duration of crying in infants with colic. “The crying of infants on hypoallergenic formula decreased by 77 minutes per day more than the crying children on standard cow’s milk formula,” the researchers say. After adjustment for gender and the duration of crying during the qualification period, the difference was 47 minutes per day. Both figures were statistically significant, the researchers determined. A 63-minute difference in the reduction of crying time was observed in favor of the whey hydrolysate formula group when analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. The team reports that after the intervention week, 40% of the infants in the whey hydrolysate group no longer met the inclusion criteria regarding crying, compared with 28% of the infants in the standard formula group. Dr. Lucassen and colleagues conclude that “additi! onal research is needed to establish the effectiveness of hydrolysate formulas in infants with atopic features and in infants showing the complete picture of infantile colic, as opposed to infants with excessive crying as the single symptom.”

 

Psychological state and level of activity of extrinsic gut innervation – (07-19-01)

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Psychological state and level of activity of extrinsic gut innervation

This article suggests a link between psychological health and the function of the GI tract. While this is no big shocker, it does remind us once again that true wellness also includes our psychological and emotional well being. Many times we focus on the obvious stuff like diet and exercise and forget about the rest of wellness. As an aside, exercise does have a major impact on overall mood and emotional health…

Gut — Abstracts: Emmanuel et al. 49 (2): 209

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Biofeedback and improved gut transit and autonomic innervation

Ditto. Gut — Abstracts: Emmanuel and Kamm 49 (2): 214

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