The Miraculous Digestive System

The digestive system is a complex and mysterious system; we still have much to learn about how the body takes food and transforms it into the life-giving substances that feed and nourish us. The digestive system begins with the mouth and ends with the rectum. Most of the digestive system resides within the solar plexus, where our gut instincts are found, the chakra where the ego and cosmic self are located.

A main component of good health is based upon the quality of our food and our ability to absorb this food. The digestive system not only digests and absorbs the food, it also knows to excrete toxins and unhealthy byproducts from the body. The process of digestion and absorption has many physical and metaphysical aspects that work together. This explains why many spiritual practices place great importance on prayer and rituals surrounding food. As we become more aware of how our food is grown and how different foods feed and nourish us, our bodies begin to interact with these foods even better than before – for knowledge and intent hold tremendous power.

Understanding Hydrochloric Acid

So, let’s begin by better understanding the miracle of digestion, absorption and assimilation of foods.

We are born with a furry, microscopic hairs on the inside of the intestinal tracts. These hairs harbors beneficial bacteria that block harmful bacteria from getting into the lining of the intestinal tract and causing diverticulitis or other painful conditions. Due to frequent use of antibiotics, poor diet choices, stress and toxins, this hairy lining becomes damaged over the years, creating a bare intestinal tract and colon that become highly susceptible to callous growth and bacteria. The loss of this sensitive internal terrain is often the beginning of digestive issues. The foods that can best help restore the lining of the intestinal tract are: leafy greens, oregano, thyme, peppermint, banana, apple, figs and dates.

Another common reason for digestive trouble involves hydrochloric acid (HCl). The hydrochloric acid in the stomach is composed of a blend of seven acids. When our liver becomes overloaded with unhealthy fats and toxins, this can lower the HCI in the stomach, causing food to rot in the intestinal tract, which negatively affects the body, feeding a variety of bacteria present within the digestive tract. When low levels of HCl are replaced with inferior acids, this can create acid reflux and other health issues. It is important to understand that acid reflux is not caused by excessive HCl as often believed, but rather quite the opposite.

So, when dealing with any digestive issue, the first thing we need to do is to assist the body in replenishing the proper blends of hydrochloric acid. Celery is a strongly alkaline food that helps to counteract acidosis, purify the bloodstream and aid in digestion. Celery provides not only minerals needed to produce hydrochloric acid, but it also gently cleans and supports the liver, providing much needed mineral salts for the nervous system as well. By drinking 16 oz of fresh celery juice on an empty stomach once a day, you can transform your overall health and improve digestion.

Another thing we need be aware of when dealing with poor digestion is that animal products and other foods high in fat place a heavy burden on the digestive system as well as on the liver. So when seeking to improve digestion or heal the gut, it is important to limit these foods to a minimum. It is also prudent to refrain from foods that feed bacteria and viruses such as dairy, wheat, soy and corn. Canola oil should also be avoided, as it is very harsh on the digestive system, and negatively affects the body in many ways.

Elevated Biotics and Vitamin B12

We hear about probiotics and the importance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and many of us are aware that we need specific bacteria to create B12 deep within the ileum. However, contrary to popular belief, the probiotics we need are not found in kefir or fermented foods, but rather in the external parts of organic foods. These microorganisms, called elevated biotics, are able to absorb the energy of the sun, and make this energy available to the body, thus assisting in the production of B12. The best way to ingest these important bacteria is by eating fresh organic produce, straight from the garden, or by growing your own sprouts at home. When we grow our own food, the plants pick up on our needs, and know to produce the compounds our bodies need most.

At times, due to a compromised digestive system, we are not able to produce enough B12. In these cases, it is wise to support the body with a B12 supplement. Only use a B12 supplement that contains methylcobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin.

Candida and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Many believe that candida overgrowth is the culprit behind a long list of symptoms and diseases. It is important to understand what candida actually does, so that we can properly address a candida infestation.

Candida is a type of yeast that is an integral part of the gut flora. Candida feeds on toxins and the same foods that feed viruses and bacteria, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, streptococcus, e-coli and more. Candida competes with these pathogens, limiting their access to food, which limits their growth. When we have an overgrowth of candida, this means we are eating foods that do not support our health, such as dairy, wheat, eggs and processed food. As we begin to eat more fruit and vegetables, the digestive system returns to its state of homeostasis, and the candida overgrowth will subside. Many believe that the sugar in fruit feeds the candida, contributing to its overgrowth. This could not be farther from the truth. The sugar found in fruit and starchy vegetables is very different from table sugar, or the sugar found in dairy and wheat. The sugar in fruit is absorbed within the stomach within 3-6 minutes, and never reaches the gut. In addition to this, the fiber in fruit assists in clearing out harmful bacteria, limiting SIBO caused by antibiotic resistant strep in the gut. It is important to understand that candida is not to blame when dealing with yeast infections. Candida is the messenger that indicates we need to clean-up our diet. Let’s not try and “kill” the messenger, it’s counterproductive, for we cannot survive without candida.

Leaky gut, ammonia permeability, and intestinal diseases

Many who suffer from intestinal tract issues are told that they have a leaky gut. Before we continue, it is important to clarify what constitutes a leaky gut. A true leaky gut refers to a tear or puncture within the lining of the gut, which causes sepsis, an incredibly high fever, and is life threatening.

Often the term “leaky gut” refers to a different situation based on the belief that bacteria and fungus drill a microscopic hole within the wall of the intestine, allowing toxins to directly enter the bloodstream. This cannot happen without causing sepsis as mentioned in the case of a true leaky gut. However, ammonia permeability can cause the symptoms affiliated with what is often thought of as a “leaky gut” – bloated stomach, food sensitivities, fatigue, inflammatory skin conditions, restless sleep, anxiety and more.

Ammonia permeability occurs when the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is compromised, preventing proper digestion. This can occur when we endure constant heavy stress, eat a diet based on animal products that are rich in fat, or eat lots of processed sugar and harmful additives. These situations create a pre-fatty liver, which, in turn, lowers the amount of bile and HCl produced. The inferior acids present in the gut fail to properly digest food, causing the food to rot, which produces ammonia gas. This ammonia can move through the intestinal lining and cause the symptoms affiliated with a “leaky gut”. It is important to realize that the rotting food also feeds viruses and bacteria found in the gut, such as streptococcus, C. difficile, E. coli and MRSA, causing gastritis and other intestinal diseases.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chron’s disease, colitis and gastritis.

We are often born with a collection of toxic heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum, copper, cadmium, nickel, and lead in our bodies. As we age, we accumulate even more of these metals. The toxic heavy metals settle within the liver, gallbladder, and the intestinal tract (as well as thyroid, brain and other organs). Over time, these metals oxidize, creating byproducts that are extremely toxic to the body. In addition to this, the heavy metals also feed fungi, parasites, viruses and bacteria such as streptococcus, E. coli, and H. pylori. These viruses and bacteria then produce neurotoxins that attach themselves to the ammonia gas produced by rotting food, and together with the ammonia, permeate the gut, exposing the blood and nervous system to damaging neurotoxins.

When we have low levels of HCl coupled with the presence of toxic heavy metals, this feeds a particular type of virus that produces neurotoxins that inflame the intestinal tract and damage the surrounding nerves. This is what stands behind intestinal diseases such as the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chron’s disease, colitis and gastritis. These diseases can be accompanied by intense physical pain due to the shingles virus that makes the nerves in the body extremely sensitive. At times we may feel that we have trouble digesting foods with fiber, due to the pain we experience when eating these foods. The pain is not caused by indigestion but rather the fiber within the food rubs up against the inflamed nerves, causing pain. The byproducts of these viruses have a similar appearance to that of a parasite, which can cause confusion or a misdiagnosis when taking a stool analysis. Healing foods to eat in situations such as these include avocado, boiled potato, sweet potato or butternut squash. It is important to refrain from foods such as eggs and dairy that feed the inflammation and aggravate nerve problems.

It is relatively easy to remove these heavy metals, which is discussed in depth in the Heavy Metal Detox. Additional strategies to support the body in situations such as these include:

• Cilantro eaten daily, in a salad or added to a smoothie
• Parsley eaten daily, in a salad or added to a smoothie
• Zeolite as a supplement
• 2 fresh cloves of garlic taken daily
• 2 tablespoons of fresh sage taken daily
• L-glutamine supplement taken daily, preferably in powdered form, added to a smoothie
• Plantain leaf brewed as a tea once a day
• 2 tablespoons of red clover blossom tea taken twice a day

Foods Geared to Heal the Digestive System

In addition to the celery juice and foods in the heavy metal detox, another great healing food is aloe vera. Aloe vera has many antiviral and antibacterial properties. Papaya is also extremely powerful when it comes to healing the gut, calming the nervous system, treating conditions such as Chron’s, colitis, IBS, gastritis and more. Celery juice mixed with aloe vera and papaya is a winning combination.

Additional foods you want to incorporate daily include wild blueberries, oranges, raw spinach, leafy greens, sweet potato, and ginger-peppermint-lemon water. Barley juice extract powder is also very helpful in clearing out heavy metals, as well as chaga mushrooms that support both the liver and digestive system. Cat’s Claw & Licorice root tea help by killing off the viral load while supporting the adrenals. B12 that contains methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are important supplements for anyone dealing with pain. Good quality zinc and magnesium supplements are also extremely beneficial.

Know thyself

As we mentioned, most of the digestive system and solar plexus reside within the same physical area of the body. This is where the ego and cosmic self reside, as well as our gut instincts. When we experience dis-ease within this area of the body, this is an invitation to stop for a moment and evaluate – What is our intuition trying to tell us, and how can we better connect with who we truly are?

The New Era has arrived, taking us on a journey of awakening and realignment, helping us to connect with who we are on a grander scale. By learning to unconditionally love and accept who we are as humans, we can better connect with the cosmic love that heals both the body and mind. Becoming more aware of the foods we eat, and how they harm or heal the body is a big part of this awakening. For as we learn to love ourselves, we learn to cherish the physical body that is our home while here on Earth.

When seeking to resolve physical ailments, it is important to remember that “your body has the resources to heal itself under all conditions”, Abraham Hicks.

Let’s learn to honor our bodies,

Beth

Information in the article is based on Anthony Willam's book, Medical Medium, Carlsbad: Hay House Publishing, 2015