| Acidophilus and Eczema
Probiotics and Enzymes to repair the gastrointestinal tract
You may have heard the phrase, "If the gut is not healthy, neither is the rest of the body". Fully half of the six stages of nutrition (namely digestion, absorption, and elimination) occur in the digestive tract. If the critical digestive system isn't working properly, even the best nutrients will do us little good.
James Barker, N.D., in his article, "Skin Health, Eczema, and Preventative Strategies", summarized the importance of protecting the GI integrity for eczema patients by saying: "If the eyes and the skin are the portal through which we may observe the body's internal health, the gut then is the door through which a majority of disease initiates its entrance into the body....It goes without saying that... the first area of treatment then for the patient displaying eczema should be the gastrointestinal lining, without a doubt" (p. 58).
Following are a list of supplements, foods and herbs that can help you regain GI integrity of the digestive tract and as a result remedy your eczema:
(1) Acidophilus, Bifidus, and Other Probiotics:
Research surrounding the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of eczema is extremely enticing. Probiotics are food supplements comprised of billions of live microbial organisms that have numerous beneficial effects on human health. A significant improvement in the clinical course of atopic eczema has been reported in patients given a probiotic supplemented diet (p.57). "The potential of probiotics to reduce the risk of atopic disease has been graphically demonstrated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which probiotics administered pre- and postnatally for 6 months to mothers at risk for eczematous disease, reduced the prevalenece of atopic eczema to half of that observed in infants receiving placebo" (p.57).
From the books I have read on probiotics, I have learned that a proven super-strain of probiotics is the strain DDS-1, in the acidophilus group. It has been widely researched and its abilities documented by scientists such as Dr. Khem Shahani at the University of Nebraska . It has powerful anti-carcinogenic properties and produces effective natural antibiotic substances which can deactivate eleven known disease causing bacteria.
There are 200 different strains of L. acidophilus, some 13 of which have quite strong antibiotic qualities but DDS-1 was shown by Dr. Shahani and his colleagues to be the most effective against pathogens (Chaitow, p. 184).
We must ensure adequate intake of friendly bacteria on a daily basis. If you are in the first stages of working towards healing your eczema, you need to supplement with large amounts of probiotics (acidophilus, bifidus and other types of friendly bacteria). Start with small amounts of acidophilus and bifidus either on an empty stomach (best) or with your meals and increase as you go along.
I highly recommend the following three probiotics products:
- DDS-1 Acidophilus. This product has Lactobacillus acidophilus and wild-crafted blue green algae. The minerals in this type of blue green algae "turbocharge" the friendly bacteria, making them multiply faster than any other Lactobacillus product currently available in the market.
- Bifidobacterium bifidum micro-blended with wild-crafted blue green algae.
- Full-spectrum probiotics made with the following ingredients: lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Aceola and Rose Hips blend, wild-crafted Blue Green Algae, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lipase, Amylase, Protease, Cellulase.
(2) Enzymes:
Unless you are going to eat a 100% raw food diet, you need to supplement with plant-based enzymes any time you eat foods that are cooked or processed, or packaged. By supplementing the body's natural secretions, enzymes will help digest protein, carbohydrates, and fats in the intestines. By doing this, you address the causes of intestinal distress and help reduce intestinal gas, bloating and flatulence.
Food enzymes can be isolated from pineapples, papayas, figs, pancreas and a mushroom called Aspergillus oryzae. Except for the Aspergillus oryzae, all other isolated enzymes (fruits and pancreatic enzymes) have a very narrow range of activity with regard to intestinal pH.
The best type of enzymes for digestive purposes are enzymes made from Aspergillus orzyae (plant-based enzymes). These enzymes can function and become active in a very wide intestinal pH range - from 2 to 12. Better yet, if the plant-base enzymes are micro-blended with a mineral rich whole food such as blue green algae, it dramatically assists good digestion in the stomach. Specifically, wild-crafted blue green algae, since it is very high in mineral content.
Enzymes function better with minerals as co-factors and can be very effective in the digestion of cooked or processed meals.
The enzyme supplement I recommend has the following ingredients:
Amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, lactase, and wild-crafted blue green algae.
(3) Balancing digestion by adding more sodium to your diet:
Sodium plays a vital role in digestion. Sodium or salt is necessary for balancing fluids and pH in the intestinal tract. I'm talking here about organic sodium or salt as found in green and sea vegetables and not commercial salt (sodium chloride) or sea salt. Both commercial salt and sea salt are inorganic (ionic) minerals. The human body does not possess any enzymes strong enough to break the ionic bonds found in inorganic minerals.
Consuming sea vegetables (i.e., kelp, blue green algae) or juicing green vegetables daily offers the body organic minerals required to help digestion. Sufficient sodium enables the body to manufacture watery bicarbonates used to neutralize over acid stomach contents. Foods can then be well digested.
In addition, in most skin health challenges like eczema, the production of hydrochloric acid is often extremely low causing symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion. Low stomach acid can be addressed with sufficient daily intake of organic sodium (pp. 153-157).
One of the best and quick ways of making sure you are getting sufficient sodium in your body is to juice celery and zucchini every day. These two vegetables give the body a natural diuretic effect and aid in the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body. The sodium content will neutralize acid ash residue of acidic foods in the body.
(4) High quality dietary fiber:
As you increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, you will be getting high quality dietary fiber. Research has shown the health benefits of a diet high in fiber. The benefits include regularity, lower cholesterol, protection against certain forms of cancer, and stabilized blood sugar levels.
To maintain intestinal hygiene, you need about 35 to 40 grams of different fiber sources everyday (e.g., bran, cellulose, lignin, pectin, etc.), all found in different organically grown, ripe seasonal fruits, whole grains, and colorful vegetables. Eating these foods provides the added fiber that will bulk up in your intestines, gently sweeping the colon clean of extra estrogen, hormones, toxins, waste debris of cellular metabolism and soak up excess cholesterol. Do not try to "mega-dose" on one type of fiber, like oat bran, as you need each (all) of the different basic fibers for proper bowel cleansing.
Do make a mental note that the following foods in particular are known to add to the healthy condition of your intestine, specifically because of their fiber content:
Flax seed: Besides being a well-rounded source of both the in-soluble and soluble fibers, flax contains another component called lignans. Lignans have anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Lignans have been isolated and studied at the University of Toronto. It was found that lignans, in the presence of friendly bacteria in the human intestine, form very potent anticancer substances, particularly against the hormone-driven cancers such as breast, colon, prostate, uterine and ovarian (Finnegan, p.45).
Organic flax seed is, by far, the richest source of the valuable plant lignan. Other sources of lignan are rye and millet.
Prunes: Few foods contain both insoluble and soluble fibers and prunes just happen to be one of these foods. Consume it either raw or dried as a healthy snack. Three pieces of dried prunes will give you 4.2 grams of fiber.
Mangos: From a personal experience, I find fresh mangos to help tremendously with colon health in general.
(5) Unheated, organic coconut oil:
Infections from the growth of candida albican is common among eczema patients. For example, in my case, many parts of my skin looked like it had fungus growing on it. I'm pretty sure that I and everyone else who has eczema has candidiasis. Candida albicans is a type of yeast-like fungus that can cause weakening of the immune system and infection known as candidiasis.
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Before & After
Candida Albicans manifests as dry skin. |
This is why unheated, organic coconut oil is a great product for fighting infections. When coconut oil is consumed, the body transforms its unique fatty acids into powerful antimicrobial powerhouses capable of defeating some of the most notorious disease-causing microorganisms. Even the super germs are vulnerable to these lifesaving coconut derivatives. Coconut oil is, in essence, a natural anti bacterial, anti viral and anti fungal agent ( Fife , pp.57-76).
The antimicrobial effects of coconut oil come from its unique composition of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). Coconut oil is composed of 48 percent lauric acid, 7 percent capric acid, 8 percent caprylic acid, and .5 percent carproic acid. These medium-chain fatty acids give coconut oil its amazing anti microbial properties and are generally absent from all other vegetables and animal oils with the exception of butter (p. 58).
Not all types of coconut oil sold in the market today are effective as an anti bacterial product. The one I recommend is unheated, organic, extra-virgin coconut oil that has its enzymes and vitamins active and alive especially vitamin E.
(6) Raw organically grown garlic:
Garlic is well known to be the ultimate herb for fighting candida albicans. Some call it the ultimate antibacterial, antifungal and anti viral medicinal food. Garlic is best used fresh. Raw organic garlic destroys bacteria and boosts immune function.
Garlic is high in sulfur, which is one of the most important minerals needed by your body to do its detoxification work.
To maximize garlic's superlative antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitical activity, use it in the following way. Before going to sleep at night, finely chop 2 cloves of garlic. Put the chopped garlic on a tablespoon and swallow it with water. Do not chew it. There will be absolutely no garlic odor on your breath if you do not chew the garlic.
Your first bowel movement in the morning will have a garlic odor. This is a wonderful sign that this superfood was active in your GI tract while you were sleeping and regenerating. Garlic tirelessly patrols your intestinal tract all night long as a "toxic-garbage cop" helping to neutralize, dismantle, and eliminate bacteria, viruses, parasites and carcinogens.
Build up to 3 cloves every night. Do not eat raw garlic more than 2 weeks in a row .
( 7) Tea from herbs that are supportive in repairing the digestive tract:
The following sweet herbs can be used daily as support for the intestinal tract. In the initial stages of this healing process, I recommend that you use this tea once or twice a day for the first three months.
The ingredients for the tea are anise, caraway and fennel seeds plus ginger. Take a heaping teaspoon of each of the different seeds and add water to make a cup of tea. Slice two or three thin pieces of organic fresh ginger. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes. This tea is very calming to the stomach, especially if you are going through any uncomfortable detoxification symptoms. It reduces gas, nausea and bloating. Ginger is known to be a very strong antibacterial and anti fungal agent.
A summary of the supplements you need as digestive aids for Eczema:
- Enzymes mixed with wild-crafted blue green algae - 180 capsules- $41.00
- Acidophilus mixed with wild-crafted blue green algae - 100 capsules - $29.00
- Bifidus mixed with wild-crafted blue green algae - 100 capsules -$29.00
- Full spectrum probiotics - 100 capsules - $38.50
- Unheated coconut oil - 16 oz. - $16.00
(I recommend that you start with a couple of these products but not all of them at once).
I will email you a schedule to follow as you start taking these supplements.
Ordering Page - Click Here
References:
- Barker, Jason , N.D. (May 2003). "Skin Health, Eczema, and preventative Strategies." Townsend Letter for Doctors and patients . pp. 56-58.
- Chaitow , Leon and Natasha Trenev. (1990). Probiotics. Hammersmith, London: Harper Collins publishers.
- Finnegan, John. (1993). The Facts About Fats. Berkeley , CA : Celestial Arts.
- Fife, Bruce , N.D. (2001). The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Colorado Springs , CO : HealthWise.
Contact us with your questions and/or when you are ready to get started on these powerful supplements (90 day money back guarantee).
Other supplements needed for treatment of eczema:
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