And repairing your gastro-intestinal tract
The Urinary Indican Test (UIT) screens for the by-products of putrefaction of protein in the gastrointestinal tract caused by an over abundance of dysbiotic (unhealthy) bacteria.
It sounds bad, but the test is very simple and you will know the results in minutes. Your urine sample is mixed with two chemical reagents and then compared to an enclosed colour scale. Darker colours are suggestive of the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria, which may lead to gastrointestinal toxicity.
The production of indican reflects bacterial overgrowth in the small and large intestines, and may be an indicator of intestinal toxemia and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. A positive test may also indicate Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), or the malabsorption of protein. A very pale or clear result indicates a healthy gastro-intestinal tract.
Conditions with elevated levels of urinary indican:
- Inflammatory bowel
- Celiac disease
- Hypochlorhydria
- Gastric ulcer
- Biliary / Intestinal Obstruction
- Jejunal Diverticulosis
- Scleroderma (hardening of connective tissue)
- Post-gastrectomy
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Diminished peristalsis
Toxicity and Detoxification
Toxins abound in our external as well as our internal environment. We absorb and consume toxins from our eternal environment, as well as the bacteria in our gut and many other metabolic processes that produce toxins within our bodies.
With all of this to contend with, it is a wonder that the body has any time for healing and other critical acts that are vital for our health and well being. It can be said that the health of an individual is largely influenced by their ability to detoxify. Our aim here is to help the body by supporting and stimulating it’s natural detoxification processes in a healthy, gradual manner.
The bowel is the most important place to start detoxification. Once the bowel is “clean” and free of bad bacteria, we can then focus on healing the bowel wall, and re-inoculating the gut with friendly bacteria. By healing the bowel wall we stop toxins leaking through into the blood stream. This reduces the liver’s workload, as it no longer has to filter and remove these toxins from the blood stream.
Once the bowel is healthy, the liver can focus on detoxifying the constant barrage of toxic chemicals we are exposed to. Every effort should be made to promote the optimal liver function – and the best way to do this is to detoxify the bowel.
To remove the accumulation of reactive substances, we need to reduce exposure to reactive materials by modifying the diet and environment, which is helped by decreasing and or avoiding daily ingestion of allergenic foods. The extended, gentle detoxification program used at this clinic is an effective way to achieve recovery of the defective barrier defense systems and over loaded detoxification pathways. By following this program you will be nutritionally supporting and enhancing your body’s detoxifying system.
Stage 1.
Correct Dysbiosis
This program has been designed to correct intestinal dysbiosis by eliminating pathogenic microorganisms such as unfriendly bacteria, fungal and parasitic organisms. These organisms contribute to inflammation and injury of the intestinal wall. This damage of the gut wall increases permeability allowing chemicals, bacteria and food allergens to enter the bloodstream where they can cause inflammation and dysfunction of many organ systems, especially the liver.
The successful treatment of chronic dysbiosis requires persistence and correct food choices. The health practitioner can help with these dietary changes and where appropriate, may also suggest supplements to help reduce the levels of harmful organisms while increasing the levels of “friendly” organisms.
There are a number of anti-microbial herbal extracts that are effective in reducing the number of unfriendly bacteria and yeast. Zinc and biotin also assist in fungal control, while helping to heal the damaged mucosal wall.
Homoeopathic remedies specific for Candida or parasites are also very helpful in assisting the bodies’ defenses to eliminate pathogens and reduce symptoms.
Stage 2.
a. Correct Nutritional Deficiencies.
Correction of nutritional deficiencies, especially Zinc, B12, folate and Vitamin A is required for intestinal cells to repair and to restore their important barrier and absorptive functions. These nutrients also assist in the detoxification of many chemicals by the gut and liver cells. Also high doses of vitamins and minerals at appropriate ratios may be needed to correct underlying deficiencies and speed gut repair and liver functions.
b. Re-inoculate the Intestinal Wall with Beneficial Organisms
The overgrowth of bad micro-organisms in the digestive tract is associated with irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosal surface due to loss, or alteration of the intestinal beneficial bacterial populations. Good bacteria need to be re-introduced to the gastro-intestinal tract at this point and can correct intestinal microbial imbalances, which have been associated with many health problems.
Stage 3 – Maintenance
After this you are ready to go onto a maintenance program and any other health concerns you still have can be more readily addressed, as your body will be able to make the most effective use of any supplements prescribed for you.
Cost
An Indican Test costs $24. The test is usually performed by your practitioner (or other trained staff) during your appointment and you will be shown the results of your test immediately.