Intestinal Health?

On Saturday, I spent 3 hours with a nutritionist. We went over my history, including all the medications I have taken.  She determined I most likely have a very bad intestinal disorder. We believe this is the result of all the antibiotics, prednisone, and other medications that I was on from 2007 through 2011. It is also exacerbated by the continual use of a nose spray steroid nose straight for my sinus issues.

As a result, she has put me on a few nutritional supplements, which should help restore the intestinal bacteria, and on a very strict diet.  I do not want this to sound like I must count calories and watch what I eat.  On the contrary, I have specific food groups, some to eat unlimited amounts and some to limit the daily intake.  Today was the first day, and I needed help eating as much of each food group she suggested. They are my old farm meals.  No pasta, no cheese or milk.  I will also monitor my fatigue levels, chest congestion, sleep, hunger periods, and other data not related to food consumption logging.

From all the subsequent reading, this seems to make sense, as I would eat so much food and get minimal nutritional value. I read that if the intestine is not functioning correctly, the body is unable to absorb the proper vitamins and nutrients. In addition, it will not produce the nutrients necessary to make one feel good.

Another symptom that only makes me believe this is an actual issue is that if you eat and the food is not being processed, the number of bowel movements increases. It has not been uncommon for me to 4 or more bowel movements daily.  That would make sense if the food is just flowing through and not digesting properly or if the appropriate nutrient content is given to me. This could explain why I am fatigued, always hungry, and gaining weight.

She said the bacteria in my GI tract are one of the most overlooked and vaguely understood components of weight loss and longevity. Inadequate or problematic intestinal flora can cause a host of weight—and health-related problems. She asked the following, and I said YES many times.

1. 

Do you get a stomach bloat after eating carbs? 

2. Is your fat consumption relatively low, but you still have a protruding stomach? 


3. Do you not seem to recover well after exercise? 



Below is a great handout to graphically show what I believe is the issue.

First, I learned that gut flora refers to the delicate balance of microbes and other 'germs,' both good and bad, that live in the human gut (the stomach, small and large intestines, and colon). The gut flora balance is the perfect scientific example of a communal relationship—an otherwise symbiotic relationship where only one side benefits (in this case, the human). 

There are billions of gut flora bacterial cells in the human body, compromising over 400 strains. In fact, the bacteria in your stomach can comprise up to 22lbs of your total body weight! 

Though many of types of bacteria living in our stomach have been identified, there are still several types of gut flora that have yet to be explored, mainly because many are resistant to the latest culturing techniques, making them nearly impossible to study.

The problem is that many types of intestinal flora can't survive outside of the warm, incubating human body and can't be studied alive. 

I asked what does the flora in our stomach and intestines do and how does what they do relate to losing weight and being lean and fit? I found an explanation:  “Many of the flora in our gut work symbiotically within the human body. A partial list of the physiological processes influenced by our composition of intestinal bacteria would include our immune system, digesting carbohydrates, preventing irritable bowels, maximizing the absorption of nutrients, energy production, and more. 

For weight loss and fitness, proper nutrition is essential to be lean and fit. Our intestinal flora has a very large influence on the assimilation and absorption of what we eat. Conversely, an equally important consideration usually overlooked is that what we eat can influence our composition of intestinal flora. 

One example is the excess consumption of sugar. Certain flora living within our gut thrive on a high-sugar diet, most notably Candida Albicans. If you get bloat in your lower tummy after eating sugar, this indicates a Candida bloom. These flora produce what are known as endotoxins. Endotoxins are poisonous substances that live within the bacteria themselves. When these bacteria die, the poisons within them flood into your body, causing an immune response. If you have ever consumed sugar and felt nauseated, the endotoxins released into your system from bad gut flora are the culprit. This is just one example illustrating that if you want to lose weight, be fit, and lean for life, you can't ignore the influence wielded by the little bugs living in your gut.”

Another great link that was short and concise is:  http://chriskresser.com/a-healthy-gut-is-the-hidden-key-to-weight-loss

The main point is that if she is correct, it is time to recover from the issues of long-term prescription antibiotics and steroids. She said this may be a six-month process and to be patient. I will, as I have been searching for years now. The physician just gave me antibiotics and steroids with a good dose of allergy medicine. The way things have been, this may be the answer or may not. I only know for the first time in years that it makes sense.

Carry on my friends…  Carry on!