Gut and Psychology Syndrome
I feel at times the world is spinning hopelessly out of control. I wish we could make everyone and everything stop so we could take a few deep breaths and reason together. Can’t we see that we are poisoning our earth and with it those we love. There are too many casualties in too many battles. We are repeatedly told that technology is advancement. We are able to dissect the genome and gaze at infinitesimal molecules, but as leaders (the USA) in the technological world we have one of the poorer records for health. Research from the United States indicates that over the past 20 years childhood diseases and disorders have skyrocketed with Allergies up 700%, ADHD up 500%, Asthma up 300% and Autism up 1500%! Ten years ago 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed as autistic. Today 1 in between 120 and 1 in 250 (depending on the study and region looked at) children are diagnosed with autism. In California there has been a 10-fold increase in newly diagnosed cases in the last 10 years and the trend is rising. It is estimated that today in California rates of autism are increasing by 1 child every 3 hours. About 10% of the children in the United States are diagnosed with ADHD/ADD or learning disabled. As these children move from childhood to adulthood they are more prone to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, depression or other mental illness.
This rising trend is not simply because we are better at diagnosing or we have broadened the parameters of these conditions to include more children. As I see it, we have a full-blown crisis on our hands and the tools that have created the problem are not likely to be the ones that fix it. Yet this is where the lions share of all research dollars are being spent in our country namely pharmaceutical cures. Let me offer another solution or scenario that may help explain what is going on and how we may turn many of these conditions around giving children a normal healthy life.
It is the current thought among researchers and doctors who are not being funded or manipulated by the pharmaceutical or chemical industries that repeated exposures to unnatural drugs and toxins are poisoning and damaging our bodies. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, cautioned (back before drugs ruled the day) that, “ALL Disease begins in the Gut”. Could the words of a wizened sage still hold true today. Let’s unfold what some of the current research is revealing.
It has been found that bottle fed babies develop a completely different and less healthy gut flora than breast fed babies. The compromised gut flora in a bottle-fed baby later on predisposes her to many health problems. Having acquired a weakened gut flora from the start, the typical modern mom had quite a few courses of antibiotics in her childhood and youth for various infections, earaches or acne. It is a well-known fact that antibiotics have a serious damaging effect on the gut flora, because they wipe out the beneficial strains of bacteria in the gut as well as the harmful ones.
Many modern moms had been on birth control pills for many years before getting pregnant. Birth control pills have a devastating effect on the beneficial (good) bacteria in the gut. One of the major functions of the good bacteria in the gut flora is controlling and managing over 500 different species of pathogenic (bad) and opportunistic microbes. When the good bacteria are destroyed the opportunistic microbes multiply in large colonies and occupy large areas of the digestive tract. A modern diet of processed and fast foods provides the perfect nourishment for these colonies of bad microbes. As a result of all these factors, a modern mom has a serious compromised gut flora by the time she is ready to have children.
Why are we talking about the mother gut flora? Because her baby is born with a sterile gut. In the first 20 days or so after the birth of the child, the baby’s sterile gut surface gets populated by a mixture of microbes, which comes from the mother. So whatever microbial flora the mother has, she will pass to her newborn child.
If the child does not acquire a normal balanced gut flora, then the child will not digest and absorb foods properly, developing multiple nutritional deficiencies. Malnourished patients demonstrate learning disabilities, psychiatric problems and allergies. The properly balanced gut flora actively synthesizes various nutrients such as vitamin K and many of the B-vitamins. Clinical experience shows that the best way to treat these deficiencies is to restore the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Remember, there must be a symbiotic balance of the good as well as the bad microbes in the gut. You must supply the good as the bad microbes are ever present.
In addition to nourishing the body, the beneficial bacteria in the gut act as the housekeepers of the digestive tract. They coat the entire surface of the gut protecting it from invaders and toxins by providing a natural barrier and producing a lot of anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal substances. It is no surprise that when the gut flora is out of balance, digestion cannot be healthy. Again, there is a direct connection between digestive problems and learning disabilities, psychiatric disorders, allergies and a weakened immune system.
If a baby does not acquire appropriate gut flora, then the baby is left with a compromised or weakened immune system. The result is a history of infections followed by courses of antibiotics, which damage the child’s gut flora and immune system even further. Infections such as ear infections, chest infections, fevers, sore throats and skin rashes are common. Many children that I see in my practice have had antibiotic therapy 4 and 5 times per year for several years. Vaccinations given to a child with a compromised immune system can further weaken the immune system and provide a source of chronic persistent viral infections and autoimmune problems in children.
So the modern child, who we are talking about, did not get normal gut flora from the start and then damaged it further with repeated courses of antibiotics and vaccinations. Is it any surprise that digestive problems, allergies, asthma, eczema, and a variety of neurological and psychological disorders are so common today. I think it is inaccurate to look for a single causative factor for these conditions, when in fact; there appears to be a multiplicity of causes that have culminated into the epidemic we now face.
The average adult has about 4 pounds of bacteria in the gut. In fact the number of microbial cells in the gut outnumber the number of cells in your entire body. Good microbes aid in the digestion of food. They synthesize various nutrients, they protect the gut from toxins and pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi that can affect brain function and they support production of different immune supporting cells. Without control of the beneficial bacteria, the person’s digestive system instead of being a source of nourishment becomes a major source of toxicity in the body.
Powerful neurotoxins created from yeast such as Candida and Clostridia can get absorbed through the damaged gut lining and then cross the blood-brain barrier affecting the patients mental functioning. Broad-spectrum antibiotics do not touch them while killing the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which are supposed to control and manage the yeasts and clostridia. So after a course of antibiotics these two pathogenic groups get even more out of control and grow stronger. Clostridia overgrowth in the gut has also been associated with obesity. Which may explain why it can be so difficult for some to lose weight.
Because of these imbalances in normal gut flora, children and adults as well are unable to properly breakdown and digest some common foods. Poor digestive health is also behind the growing trend towards gluten and dairy-free diets. Many have learned simply by listening to their bodies that they do not do very well if they eat grains or dairy. When the gut flora is out of balance, large proteins such as gluten and casein are difficult to breakdown and digest. Gluten is a protein present in grains, mainly wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is a milk protein present in milk products of all animals. In gut dysbiosis (which literally means a bad condition of life), these proteins do not have a chance to be digested properly before they get absorbed into the blood stream. They are absorbed into the bloodstream in a form with a similar chemical structure to opiates, like morphine and heroin. These substances called gluteomorphin and casomorphin get through the blood-brain-barrier and block certain areas of the brain just like morphine or heroin would do, causing various neurological and psychological symptoms. These substances, gluteomorphin and casomorphin, are routinely found in the urine of patients with schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, depression as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia (poor coordination), schizophrenia and many other learning and mental problems are not incurable. There are hundred of documented cases of recovery from autism, ADHD/ADD and schizophrenia when the child was given the right treatment. Again, the solution many parents are finding is not as simple as taking a new drug or a super supplement. There often must be a comprehensive approach. But while there will be some effort and inconvenience involved, the benefits can be transforming and life-giving.
Dr. Kenneth Bock, a New York-based physician and author of Healing The New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Allergies & Asthma explains; “we are in the midst of a group of new childhood epidemics, which are directly related to industrialism, and to its associated pollution, environmental degradation, and toxicity.” Included in the list of offenders are pollutants as well as chemicals in foods that the body is not able to metabolize. An overload of toxins leads to chemical stress in the body that in turns creates chronic inflammation in the lungs (asthma), in the immune system (allergies), in the brain (attention deficit), and in the skin (eczema). There appears to be a direct correlation relating specific digestive disorders to conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder.
A comprehensive treatment approach focuses on treating each individual on the cellular level, ensuring that each cell has proper nutrition and is not over-burdened by toxins. By repairing the digestive tract, adopting the right diet, taking nutritional supplements and detoxifying, the cells become more effective at supporting all organ and body systems.
Again the father of medicine, Hippocrates, cautioned, “ALL Diseases begin in the Gut”. For this reason, it is important that we work to restore digestive health rather than just treating symptoms. Medication protocols focus primarily on modifying symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes. Re-establishing normal gut flora can address a myriad of health issues. The treatment described in Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s book Gut and Psychology syndrome is not drug based. Her treatment is a natural nutritional approach, which changes the child’s diet, supplementation and lifestyle.
A major part of recovery is modifying the diet to eliminate or reduce dietary stress. The appropriate diet is key to allowing the digestive tract to heal and allow for the re-establishment of the good bacteria. One of the great challenges for introducing any diet into a child’s life is the fact that the majority of children with learning disabilities are extremely ‘picky’ eaters. Part of their problem is that their diet is limited to a handful of foods, which only perpetuates their biochemical and physiological abnormalities.
The rapid industrialization of food, medication, communication and lifestyle has challenged our bodies, which have not been able to adapt as quickly. A focus on nutrition, non-toxic home and personal care products and a low stress lifestyle can facilitate the healing and recovery of those affected with GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) as Dr. Campbell-McBride has coined it. We all need clean air, clear water, clean soil, wholesome food and fun.
The GAPS children and adults can present with symptoms of autism, ADHA, ADD, OCD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, allergies, asthma and eczema in any possible combination. Any child or adult with a learning disability, neurological or psychological problems and allergies should be thoroughly examined for gut dysbiosis. Re-establishing normal gut flora and treating the digestive system of the person should be the number one treatment for these disorders, before considering treatment with drugs or otherwise.
Please take a moment to evaluate yourself and your children for any symptoms of gut dysbiosis. Constipation (less than 2 to 3 bowel movements daily), diarrhea, eczema, asthma, allergies, indigestion, excessive gas or burping, tummy aches or pains.
Often the first step is to eliminate foods that are potentially risky. Eliminating gluten and milk products, which may seem dramatic or difficult can be easily done with a little planning. Most large grocery stores have a gluten-free section. Use rice or almond milk instead of cow, goat or soymilk. Avoid foods with chemical additives or preservatives. Eat foods that are abundant in good bacteria such as sauerkraut (homemade or in the refrigerated section of the health food store). I have found that even you picky eaters can develop a taste of mildly fermented vegetables. A good probiotic supplement is recommended. Digestive enzymes can also be beneficial.
Remember, symptoms are the body’s way to letting you know something is wrong. Please take stock of your current level of health and of those you love. I urge you to take pen to paper and draft a plan. As you know, a goal not written, is only a wish. Getting healthy can be as simple as putting the good things into the body and removing the bad. Nourish and detoxify. To that end, we can assist you.
For more information, treatment recommendation, protocols and recipes contact us at Western Botanicals.
With Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Kyle D. Christensen, DC, ND, MH
Reprint of an Article by Kyle D. Christensen, DC, ND, MH, Western Botanicals, Inc. 2007
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