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Symptoms and relief

Our purpose is not to hinder the physiological processes of the organism. Ours is a holistic approach. An approach that encourages the ristoring of the physical balance, by facing the causes as efficiently as possible and by ensuring a fast relief of all the symptoms.

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Stomach and intestine

A good diet and an efficient digestive process are essential to be in good health because we are what we eat, but most of all, we are what we manage to absorb. Long term good health depends on healthy nutrition, on an adequate digestive process and assimilation of foodstuffs; over time, gastric problems and incomplete digestive processes lead to several chronic disorders (gastritis, reflux, constipation, meteorism, occasional diarrhea) and other serious diseases (food intolerances, diseases from immune-complex deposition, liver overloaded with toxins, etc.). The primary function of the gastrointestinal system is to dismantle complex molecules so that nutrients deriving from foodstuffs, which would not be usable or absorbable at native state, are made bioavailable. Gastric and intestinal problems are very widespread.

Inflammations and damage of the gastrointestinal mucosa, responsible for the insurgence of gastritis and ulcers, affect large groups of people: around 70% of adults frequently experience heartburn and 50% of people aged over 45 suffer from chronic gastritis; moreover, 10% of the population, especially those aged between 30 and 50, show clinical signs of peptic ulcer, single or multiple. Intestinal dysbiosis is, on the other hand, at the origin of the most diverse health problems, ranging from Candida to an unbalanced immune system that can lead to frequent illnesses, several disorders of the intestine, food intolerances, etc.

Colitis, also called irritable bowel syndrome, refers to an irritative-inflammatory state mainly affecting the final tract of the intestine, called colon.

Symptoms associated to colitis can be extremely varied, ranging from pain and abdominal tension, to irregular intestinal habits, diarrea and/or constipation (also alternating), flatulence, meteorism, bloating, difficult digestion, etc., are all symptoms attributable to colitis.

THE COLON AND INTESTINAL FUNCTIONS

To fully understand the reasons underlying the onset of colitis, a broad background picture about the role and functioning of the digestive tract and in particular of the intestine is necessary. The digestive process starts in the mouth: teeth fragment the food and mix it with saliva, forming the so-called bolus. The lingual enzyme lipase, together with salivary amylase and ptyalin start the digestive process of starches and fats. The stomach subsequently mechanically mixes the food, breaking down and emulsifying fats and exposes molecules to other enzymes, among with gastric lipase, that start hydrolysis of fats.

In any case, most of digestion and absorption takes place in the small intestine and is mediated by pancreatic enzymes and by bile. The small intestine, i.e. the first tract of the intestine, is in charge of breaking down pre-digested food reaching the stomach as well as absorbing nutrients through the villi. Bile juices, deriving from the gallbladder’s activity as well as digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are released into the small intestine.

This is where specific enzymes break down proteins: amylase transforms starch into maltose and lipase hydrolizes diglycerides and triglycerides, producing long-chain fatty acids. Enzymes therefore play a key role in the absorption of nutrients, particularly in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibres. They can be divided into two categories: exogenous and endogenous enzymes: exogenous enzymes are assimilated though raw food, providing only enzymes required to digest that particular raw food; endogenous enzymes, instead, are mainly a product of the pancreas and of the subjaw glands and come into play to compensate for esogenous enzymes.

Of course, the higher the presence of raw foods in the diet, the lower the workload in the digestive process on endogenous enzymes, which should support the activity of enzymes already contained in the foodstuffs themselves.

As a matter of fact, every foodstuff, if intact, in its natural state and cooked at temperatures not lower than 60°C, contains a number or substances, in particular enzymes, that are useful for digestive processes. This facilitates the small intestine’s work considerably, as well as reducing workload of the pancreas. However, unfortunately foodstuffs today lack enzymes, due to cultivation methods, impoverishment of soil quality, transformation and manufacturing processes, or simply due to cooking procedures that do not preserve the enzymatic properties naturally present in foods.

The large intestine, forming the main part of the colon, is where the reabsorption of water and mineral salts takes place, as well as transformation of waste in faeces, expelled through the rectum. Chyme (mass deriving from the digestion of food) flows along the intestine thanks to peristalsis, i.e. contraction and extension movements of the intestinal walls, regulated by the rich innervation of the autonomic nervous system located under the intestinal mucosa.

As explained above, small and large intestine fulfill two distinct functions. Apart from the purely anatomical differences, they also differ with regard to pH levels – increasingly alklaline towards the large intestine, as well as for the type of bacterial flora inhabiting them… or that should be present. An alteration of this balance is the primary factor triggering the onset of colitis.

Alteration of the delicate intestinal ecosystem’s balance

The gastrointestinal mucosa’s surface reaches around 300 sq m. It consists in a cellular barrier, the epithelium and a molecular barrier, the mucous layer. The entire surface is colonized by microorganisms: over 400 different species inhabiting the intestinal microflora can be identified.

These microorganisms are principally saprophytes and most of them carry out important functions for the individual’s health, creating a sort of defensive barrier against aggressive microorganisms. Others, instead, are pathogenic, remaining harmless if limited in number, yet capable of causing diseases if the condition becomes favourable for them to multiply uncontrollably. A typical example in case is Candidiasis.

Healthy intestinal flora (eubiosis) is a condition of equilibrium that is, however, difficult to maintain. This depends on several factors, namely: internal factors, such as the quantity of oxygen available, which diminishes moving from the stomach to the final tract of the intestine; pH levels, initially acid and becoming increasingly alkaline thanks to pancreatic and duodenal secretions, and mechanical factors such as peristalsis; external causes, principally linked to personal lifestyle, such as psychogenic factors (anxiety, stress, etc.), iatrogenic factors ( intake of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anxyiolitics, laxatives, contraceptives, etc.), but mostly linked to the nutritional lifestyle adopted.

Modern nutritional lifestyle as a main cause of intestinal dysbiosis

Nutritional lifestyle plays a key role in the insurgence of intestinal problems. First of all, dietary excesses cause overwork for the intestine and other organs in charge of digestive processes (pancreas, liver, gallbladder), particularly when foods introduced lack substances necessary for their metabolization.

Generally speaking, nutritional lifestyle in the Western world is rather unbalanced and produces negative effects on the delicate equilibrium of the intestine’s ecosystem, due to insufficient supply of fibres and excessive intake of sugars and animal proteins. Excess of sweets and carbohydrates (sugars), refined and preserved foods, diets that are too rich in cooked foods, lacking enzymes, poor in fibres, unbalanced in the supply of different nutrients, not functional for an adequate development of physiological bacterial flora, leads to fermentative dysbiosis at intestinal level, featuring bacterial and fungal overgrowth (Candidiasis).

Excessive consumption of animal proteins (meat, dairy products, etc.), produces a putrefactive dysbiosis at intestinal level, with an increase of Bacteroides and also causes bacterial urease which, in turn, transforms them in carcogenic compounds by metisabolizing biliary acids.

Putrefactive dysbios can be corrected by reducing consumption of fats and animal fats and increasing intake of fibres. Besides, “technological” foods of our Western world entails the often unconscious intake of preservatives, colouring agents, pesticides, estrogens and antibiotics that have a devastating effect at intestinal level on physiological bacterial flora and digestive enzymes. In short, unhealthy nutritional habits and quality of foods consumed daily are among the principal causes of intestinal dysbiosis, the most straightforward consequences of which, referring to short-term effects only, are abdominal distension, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation and malaise.

If an incorrect nutritional lifestyle typical of modern life is protracted for several years, the small intestine never managing to complete its work properly, the obvious outcome will be that the mass conveyed to the large intestine through peristaltic movements will not be manageable by the colon, as it will not be functionally prepared to receive it. Undigested food residues will end up being fermented and putrefied by the rich and varied bacterial environment inhabiting the colon, triggering the development of gas, anomalous proliferations of intestinal microorganisms, abdominal tension, alterations in faeces formation, constipation, diarrhea… In other words: colitis. Add to this the frequent use/abuse of medicines, particularly laxatives and antibiotics, impoverishing beneficial bacterial flora, as well as widespread, often undiagnosed food intolernaces, and the intestine gradually becomes an “ill” site.

Pathogenic microorganisms replace physiological flora, putrefactive and fermentative process prevail over digestive processes; intestinal permeability alters, intestinal imbalance (i.e. dybsiosis) reigns supreme. Owing to the close network of innervations running through the intestinal mucosa, stress and emotions in general also play a decisive role in worsening the disorder. Anxious people are often at a greater risk of contracting colitis. The approach for the treatment of this much widespread disorder must therefore necessarily take into account all predisposing factors, particularly lifestyle and nutritional habits.

Treatment of colitis using conventional medicine

The key role played by dietary habits in intestinal dysbiosis and its possible consequences (constipation, meteorism, occasional episodes of diarrhea) has already been underlined above; the solution to the problem should therefore include “cleansing” the intestine from pathogenic microorganisms and correcting the nutritional regime, which basically means adopting a “perfect diet”.

However, it’s unconceivable to think that traditional methods can actually obtain targeted cleansing of the intestine; the use of laxatives or intestinal disinfectants or even invasive techniques such as colon hydrotherapy destroy physiological bacterial flora as well and are therefore counterproductive.

In an ideal diet, white flour should be eliminated in favour of spelt, kamut flour and brown rice; sugars should also be eliminated (sweets, jams, alcohol, etc.); there should be a drastic reduction of animal proteins (meat and dairy products); consumption of at least 4 – 6 daily portions of vegetable and 2 – 4 portions of fruit is recommended; organic foodstuffs should be preferred; most of all, as previously highlighted with regard to the role of enzymes, most meals should consist in raw food. However, the fact is that lifestyle imposed by our “technological” society makes perfect nutrition a largely unattainable, purely utopic aim. So…

What’s needed is therefore a different approach, aiming to solve the problem rapidly, yet without interfering with physiological digestive mechanisms, while preserving efficiency and balance of the entire digestive tract.

Nature can help you in case of colitis

A natural and effective approach

Solving the problem of colitis or irritable bowel syndrome requires great commitment in following a healthy nutritional regime in a strict way, while resorting to valid aid from Nature. Once again, Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), can be of great help, its efficacy and beneficial effects on the digestive tract (stomach and intestine) having been confirmed by numerous studies and applications.

GSE and colitis

With its amply demonstrated, broad spectrum bactericidal, antifungal, antiviral and parasiticidal properties, GSE enables “selective” cleansing of the intestine from pathogenic microorganisms, without affecting previous physiological flora.

A study published in the “Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine” Vol.5 n° 3 of 1990, effected in vitro and in vivo on intestinal microflora, proves the efficacy of GSE, in different concentrations, towards pathogenic microorganisms as well as proving its “selectivity”, in that it does not have a significant, negative impact on Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.

Recent studies, carried out by a team of Polish researchers at the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, investigating GSE’s ability to exert protective action on the gastrointestinal mucosa, have reached the conclusion that GSE exerts cytoprotective action through increase of PG2 endogenous prostaglandins synthesisis, suppression of lipid peroxidation and increase of intramucosal blood flow mediated by the release of nitric oxide by nervous sensors. Together with a heightened activity of superoxide dismutase and the release of gastrin, it promotes the reparative action of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Results have therefore confirmed the incredible cytoprotective role of GSE, highlighting its ability to accelerate healing from lesions in the gastrointestinal mucosa. It’s not only protective but also reparative!

These discoveries put an accent on GSE’s functionality towards the intestinal mucosa, making it ideal in a natural approach aimed at effectively restoring functional and protective integrity of the mucosa itself.

Given the above considerations, GSE therefore represents the cornerstone of an extraordinarily effective approach against colitis. Its association and synergy with specific plant extracts enables to:

  • facilitate selective cleansing of the intestine, providing fibres with excellent prebiotic properties, supplying the organism with a pool of enzymes to enhance correct digestive processes
  • counter the development of intestinal gas, avoid fermentations and alleviate abdominal tension


This approach, combined with a healthy lifestyle (in terms of diet, but not only), includes the use of natural remedies that are well known in folk tradition and the efficacy of which in providing a definitive solution has been confirmed by recent studies.

To facilitate selective cleansing of the intestine, providing fibres with excellent prebiotic properties, supplying the organism with a pool of enzymes to enhance correct digestive processes…
Nature can help you with …

Grapefruit Seed Extract: with its broad-spectrum bactericidal, antifungal, antiviral and parasiticidal properties, it enables “selective” cleansing of the intestine from pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, it exerts protective action on the gastrointestinal mucosa, as well as accelerating wound healing processes.

Fibersol®-2: a concentrate with high, soluble plant fibre content (min. 90% of its dry weight), extracted from maize starch and, through an enzymatic process, reduced to non gelifying micronized powder, capable of absorbing great quantities of water.

Integration of this solubile fibre compensates for the lack of fruit and vegetables in the daily diet. Taken cyclically, it regulates intestinal activity, normalizing it, both in cases of slow as well as excessively rapid transit time, reducing the intestine’s irritability. Moreover, it favours the development of physiological bacterial flora in the intestine.

Fermented Maltodextrins: this is a special blend of purified, highly effective enzymes, extracted from fermented maltodextrins using cultures of Aspergyllus fungus, by employing a particular fermentation process created by Dr E. Howell, a pioneer in food enzymology. The blend comprises: amylase, protease, concentrated protease, glucoamylase, lipase, cellulase, lactase and endophytes.

The main characteristics of these enzymes can be summarised as follows: they are active at human body temperature; their efficacy is expressed in environments varying between pH 3.0 to pH 9.0 and are therefore the only enzymes that are active in acid, basic and neutral tracts of the intestine; their activity starts in the upper part of the stomach and this favours reduction of the organism’s digestive enzymatic secretions, enabling the pancreas to produce higher quantities of systemic and immune enzymes; they effectively break down proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibres, sugars, dairy products and, thanks to endo-phytase, they enhance the assimilation of minerals contained in vegetables.

These ingredients are artfully conveyed in a formulation in soluble powder; citrus fruit flavours (lemon and orange) are added for a more pleasant taste.

To counter the development of intestinal gas, avoid fermentations and alleviate abdominal tension…
Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: with its broad-spectrum bactericidal, antifungal, antiviral and parasiticidal properties, it enables “selective” cleansing of the intestine from pathogenic microorganisms, responsible for putrefactive processes.

Vegetal carbone: an ancient, effective remedy to enhance the absorption of intestinal gas.

Peppermint and Menthone: these two components have been chosen for their high terpene content, the main one being menthol, with a carminative and eupeptic action on the nerve endings of the gastric wall, and antifermentative at intestinal level, useful in cases of colitis with meteorism.

Angelica archangelica: a plant containing an essential oil, the main component of which is a compound with coumarinic structure called angelicin, that together with its lactone, called archangelone, and another furocoumarinic derivative called archangelicin, carries out a sedative and spasmolytic action, useful in cases of digestive dyspepsies accompanied by spasms and flatulence.

Fennel: its therapeutic action is due to its essential oil content, in a 3 – 6% average, consisting in terpenes and phenolic terpenes such as anethole, fenchone and feniculin. (FENICULINA). Fennel seeds are currently widely used as carminatives, antispasmodics and stimulants for digestive functions.

Linden: it contains an essential oil consisting mainly in an aliphatic sesquiterpene alcohol; used as a diaphoretic, antispasmodic and sedative.

Chlorophyllin: a fundamental component due to its action on spastic colitis and intestinal fermenations.

The ideal means to convey these ingredients is a swallowable tablet.

The association of the above-described ingredients, essential for a decisive approach against the problem of colitis can be further supported by the following actions:

– Rebalancing of the intestinal flora and simultaneous reinforcement of the organism’s natural defenses: single use vials with patented measuring cap, based on probiotics (B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus), fructo-oligosaccharides, GSE, Uncaria and Mordinda citrifolia (Noni)

DIETARY ADVICE TIMING REQUIRED FOR THE DIET: AT LEAST 2 MONTHS

FOODS TO AVOID

  • Simple sugars (white sugar, glucose, sucrose, fructose, maltose, sorbitol, mannitol, lactose,
    galactose, maple syrup, agave juice, honey, molasses)
  • Foods rich in yeasts and moulds (in other words, all fermented foodstuffs: bread, pizza, sweets and other bakery ware, cheese, vinegar, beer, alcohol, wine soy sauce)
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Sweetened drinks; packaged, preserved, refined foods.
  • Foodstuffs to which you are intolerant


FOODS TO CONSUME WITH CAUTION

  • Refined cereals (pasta and glazed rice)
  • Whole cane sugar (only if necessary)
  • Foodstuffs causing flatulence (subject to personal sensitivity: legumes, potatoes, maize, carrots, artichokes, onions, cauliflower, raisins, apricots,
  • plums, chestnuts)
    Coffee, tea
  • Eggs


RECOMMENDED FOODS

  • Seasonal fruit and vegetables, if well tolerated
  • Whole grain cereals and pasta (spelt, kamut, rice, quinoa, millet, tapioca)
  • Fish, white meat (preferably organic)
  • Oleaginous seeds (nuts, almonds, sesame, sunflower)

WATER

Drink at least two litres of water, away from meals and at ambient temperature, daily, choosing water with fixed residue levels below 50 mg/L and with pH lying between 6 and 7.

GENERAL ADVICE

Eat while seated, taking your time, chewing food properly. Avoid chewing-gums. Avoid use of medicines unless strictly necessary (in particular antibiotics, cortisone-based medicines, antidepressants and contraceptives). Avoid laxatives. Take daily exercise (at least a half hour walk). Avoid anxiety and stress as much as possible. Allow more time for yourself, to devote to hobbies and interests.