Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Death Begins In the Colon


In our Enlightened Homemakers Forum this past week, we discussed the stomach. We discussed the role it plays in our health and why we must take care of it, why we need to nurture the stomach so that all else is right with our bodies. This is a topic that leads to utter frustration on my part. The frustration for me lies with the medical community. I watch so many talk shows about Autism and almost everyone talks about shots. Its all about the shots. Yes, that may be a small part of it, but why oh why do they not talk about the stomach? Why can't Dr.s outside of homeopaths ever talk about the role of the stomach? Why is it that I, a little homemaker who didn't get a medical degree, gets it ... crystal clear. It just makes sense. If it didn't matter what we eat, we wouldn't need a food pyramid or the FDA. (both are corrupt anyways). We could drink pop all day and munch on Snickers for lunch. We all know that isn't the case. But, I just don't get why the Dr.'s aren't getting educated on what feeds the brain. Why there is a big connection on what we eat and how we feel.

There is a vicious cycle that can occur in the stomach. It happens frequently, it is happening more and more. You see, the stomach was made by our Creator to deliver nutrients, to filter the garbage , to feed our minds and to give us energy. However, when we damage this system, all else goes haywire. The system fails. It is then critical that this is fixed or the body will suffer greatly.

The cycle begins with an injury to the small intestinal surface. This can occur with the overuse of antibiotics, poor diets and the overuse of drugs such as antacids. Once this happens, the necessary linings in the stomach and the intestines are not in place. This leads to malabsorbtion of nutrients. If the body doesn't' absorb what we are eating, even if good, the body is then malnourished. The proper nutrients won't get to the brain and other parts of the body and the body will then deteriorate. Whatever then the body does not digest, will in turn harm the body. Food that sits create toxins. Toxins are bad. Toxins affect everything. Bacteria will grow in the intestines and the stomach and the by products of the bacteria will grow, ie yeast and mucus. Research is showing the amazing correlation between yeast and bacterial growth and health. The problem is, it is hard to get the lining back in place. You have to be proactive. You have to allow the body to heal by removing offending foods and using probiotics, anti fungal and anti bacterial drugs. It takes time and diligence but it can be done.

What I can't emphasize enough is the importance on making sure that the stomach is working as it should. First, listen to your body. As I have said before, the poop tells the story. You should be going at least once per day. If you or your children are not regular, there is something amis. Same goes with diarrhea. Too much is also not good. Many of the times this means that your body isn't digesting food right. You want the food out within 24 hrs or the toxins will build up. Can you imagine leaving a piece of steak out for 72 hours. It would smell horribly and would be full of bacteria. Imagine that in your stomach. You want the food byproducts gone. Many times this means you need to get more fiber, more fresh food, less processed. It gums up the system.
If you or your children have stomach aches on a regular basis, listen. That is not normal. Many pediatricians tell moms that kids just have stomach aches. NOT. There is no normal reason to suffer from regular stomach aches. Start by removing dairy, a huge cause of stomach aches. Lactic acid not digested builds up toxins and sits in the gut. Remember, whatever the body does not digest does harm. Other common offenders are corn, soy and wheat.

If you think you have a stomach issue or you or your children are already facing serious issues like Chrons, Celiac disease, colitis, etc. I would highly recommend a book called "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall. She is amazing. She gives you instructions on how you can cure the system, even these diseases if you are diligent. Cure, not just help. The diet is difficult, I did it with my son, but so worth it.

I am continually monitoring the digestive systems in our family. A common question around here is "did you poop today." I know, a little intrusive , a little gross. But, I know that if my child is tooting a lot and especially smelly, he needs a fruit shake. Clean out the pipes. I don't give antibiotics. There is a time and a place for those but only in emergencies. It is so hard on the stomach. I make sure we are eating a diet high in fiber. Very little white flour, very little milk. My husband and I went on a three week body cleanse. We do this on occasion to show the body who is boss. We eat very little meat and very little carbs. We take psyllium husk and Bentonite in the morning before we eat, 1 T. of each in water. Same thing at night. I ate mostly fruits and veggies breakfast and lunch then a normal dinner with my kids but light. I felt great. At the end of week three, I ate some junk, white flour and sugar and meat. I felt horrible. While I don't intend to stop eating offending food altogether, we have decided to step it up a bit and eat better. This means less meat, maybe every other day, all whole grains (almost always there anyways), very little sugar. Eating less meat has made me realize how much energy the body takes to process meat. There is wise council we , as members of the LDS faith get from the Words Of Wisdom in our scriptures to eat meat sparingly. Somehow we overlook that. Me included. I get it now. I am going to do better.

By going through the process to heal my sons stomach who has autism, I am amazed at what a difference it has made in his life (and mine). When we started with his diet by day 3 we noticed an amazing difference. He was happy. Can you imagine being in constant pain but can't tell anyone. You would be angry and crazy too. Poor little guys. Our children shouldn't have stomach aches, have little energy and walk around in a fog. Eat healthy. Cook healthy. It is so important. As far as the damage of shots, we know they are hard on the system but the really damaging part is giving shots when the stomach is messed up. Then, the stomach which is meant to filter can't do it's part. Damage is done.

Please be proactive. I hear too many horror stories. It can all be prevented.It can be fixed. Death begins in the colon.

****for more reading about autism and the gut, please read Terri Hirnings blog. As always, very informative.


19 comments:

CandiShack said...

Hi, I just discovered your blog! I've been reading several of your posts - love it! I am right there with you on so many of these issues. Although my children don't have autism, I have read and studied and am so fascinated about health, holistic medicine, etc. And the other things you blog about, as well! (organizing, discipline, etc.) Anyway, just wanted to say I really enjoy what you have to say, and keep it up!
Oh - I wanted to ask, do you think it is safe to do the liver cleanse while breastfeeding?

Shari Goodman said...

You can do the liver cleanse while breast feeding but sometimes the babies don't like the taste of it.Thanks for the kind words!

Tiffany said...

Shari...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK...YOUR MANY HOURS SPENT IN RESEARCH AND UPDATING YOUR BLOG. IT IS SO UPLIFTING (A LITTLE OVERWHELMING AT TIMES...BUT SO HELPFUL!) I APPRECIATE ALL NYOUR HARD WORK. I NEED TO BE SOOOO MUCH BETTER...BUT IT IS SO HARD WITH TY WORKING NIGHTS...I CAN'T GET MYSELF TO COOK BIG FANCY MEALS!!! BUT I GET MORE INSPIRED THE MORE I READ YOUR BLOG!! THANK YOU!

Tiffany said...

Hey Shari... it's funny...I finally leave a comment yesterday after a couple years of reading your blog...and now I have a question for you...if you don't mind. I know you talked about ear infections a long time ago...and I should go search, but I was hoping you wouldn't mind just telling me again what you did. My first two girls have NEVER had ear infections...or at least i didn't know about them and they healed themselves. My little two year old has had at least three double ear infections...all within the last year...in fact she just got off amoxicillan (however you spell it) a couple weeks ago and now she is saying jher ear hruts again. I hate medicine...i'm not a dr. person...and i think you said something about allergies...or maybe it was related to your autism (which I don't think she has) I know you're not a dr. but i would love an opinion...or at least refer me back to the post?!??!! Thank you so much!!

Melissa said...

So well put Shari.
I can't believe the difference I have witnessed in just a month of having Summer eat gluten-free. Amazing results.

the DeCampos Family said...

Thanks for all the info. I still need to use those oils I got from you. Silly question but how do I apply it? On her tongue??

Shari Goodman said...

Cindi,

The application of oils depends on the oil. Let me know what kind you are using and I will tell you how to use it. Just email me.

Shari Goodman said...

Tiffany,

With recurring ear infections, a majority of the time it has to do with an allergy. The first thing I tell everyone is to go off dairy completely. It is the number one allergy. Try that for a month and see if there is a difference. If not, you try soy, corn, eggs. There are others but start there. Don't give her more antibiotics just yet, wait a bit with the dairy free and see if that works. If you need a milk, try rice milk, enriched.

Tiffany said...

Thank you! I will try that...she doesn't drink milk...but she does have it in cereal and she loves yogurt... thank you for getting back to me!!

RPH said...

As always Shari, thanks for the post. This one was very informative. I appreciate it!

Tiffany said...

Shari-- you have me SOOOO excited... the more I think about that...the more I can see that as the total culprit...did a little research last night...and she seems to have so many of the symptoms. You don't know (actually you probably do know...that's whay you are so dilligent to doing this research) HOW happy I am. I hope that that is the solution, and she can be a happy healthy kid again. I hate to see her always sick and always on medicine!! I will be forever grateful for you and all your dilligence! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!

Tracey said...

When do you have your Forum? Is it for everyone? Great infrmation. Thanks.

Sara said...

Shari,

Thanks so much for this post. After serving a mission in Bolivia, I came home with numerous colon issues that went on for years until I realized what it was. Not only was I not regular, but my body would alternately go between constipation and diarrhea ( In know, TMI) just to try to get the waste out. My stomach was cramping regularly, I was nauseous for "no reason" and I was even suffering mild depression. After tracking down some information on the colon, I did a liver/colon cleanse followed by a series of colonics. I wish everyone could see the black, toxic garbage that came out of me. Again, TMI, but I think it's important for people to know that I was a "regular" person, who had eaten a "regular" diet for years. I did have a parasite from my mission, but as I read and learned, it's SO common for people to have parasites, even here in the US where they are abundant in the fruits, veggies, and even meat that we buy. If you are feeling sluggish and tired or inexplicably depressed- or things just aren't "flowing" right, start in the colon.

Mindful Mothering said...

Thanks Shari:)

Recipe man said...

whats a great blog. its alot work i know. so much info!
thanks

Megan said...

I better stop swallowing my gum then!

Jenn said...

Okay, so I just found your blog and I know you want to take a break but I have one tiny question... Which way is a healthy way to cleanse my colin. I am having issues that resemble "Sara". I know that there are remedys out there, but which one do you think is the best.
Thanks for your time and enjoy your holidays.

Shari Goodman said...

Jenn,

Feel free to email me to talk more on this topic but the best thing to do is get off processed foods, especially white flours if you are. Use psyllium husk twice daily, 1 T. in water or juice before breakfast and after dinner. I really recommend a liver cleanse at the same time. See my post under Liver 101, it was pretty recent. Another good thing when doing the liver cleanse is Benzonite clay. You can find both of those things at a health food store. The Benzonite can be stirred in the psyllium husk also, 1 T.

Email me with any other questions.

Shari Goodman said...

Jenn,

It is Bentonite, not benzonite. Sorry