Having a healthy gut strengthens your body’s first line of defence.  It’s now recognised that tiny leaks in the lining of small intestine known as leaky gut overload the liver and it is essential to cure leaky gut before you start a detox.

In the last decade there has been a new awareness of one of the oldest immune weapons we have – our own gut lining!  A leaky gut can play a role in diseases as diverse as asthma and arthritis.

As well as absorbing your food the the lining of your intestine is meant to act as a barrier to keep out undigested protein and harmful bacteria, yeast or parasites. The lining gets damaged by things like aspirin, bacteria, or even the pesticides sprayed on your food.

Activated Immune System

When the lining becomes damaged and lets the harmful organisms or undigested food molecules into the body it is called “leaky gut”. As a result your immune system becomes activated and it can lead to auto-immune disease.

A whole host of health problems such as skin complaints, asthma,  food allergies, chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, headaches and musculo-skeletal problems can result from leaky gut.

To find out if you have a leaky gut it’s best to get an intestinal permeability test done at a specialized lab like Genova Diagnostics or Metametrix.

Gut Healing

Healing the intestinal lining is essential for health. A number of nutrients can help to heal a leaky gut. The amino acid Glutamine is the main substance that the intestinal cells need to renew and repair themselves. Zinc carnosine is a form of the mineral that is particularly effective for gut healing. Slippery elm is soothing and calming for a damaged and inflammed gut lining.

Supplements that are made specifically for healing leaky gut often contain a number of nutrients that may include aloe vera extract, NAG (N-acetyl glucosamine) and DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) as well as glutamine and zinc.

Detox the toxins

It is also important to address the accumulation of toxins that are already in your body as well as those that you constantly add. Toxins from the environment are increasing at an alarming rate.

In his book Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution Dr James Braly says that, “Seriously allergic and sensitive people are essentially no different from everyone else – it’s a difference in degree, not kind. Their suffering is a clear warning to the rest of us about the incredible invisible dangers of our surroundings”

Various fasts used to detox can release the toxins from the fatty tissue too quickly, especially if you are overloaded with them from a leaky gut. Fasting also robs the body of the necessary nutrients needed by the liver to process the toxins ready for elimination through the bile or urine.

Very low calorie detox diets stress the adrenal glands and pancreas by making them regulate low blood sugar. Using a good detox protein powder like Ultra Clear Plus pH to mix with fruit juice or vegetable juice is an excellent way reduce calorie intake enough to rest the organs while supporting the detox pathways.

If detox pathways are slow or lacking in nutrients the toxins are unable to be eliminated and are left to recirculate and settle in your tissues, causing pain, inflammation and disease.

It’s important to heal a leaky gut if you are going to detox your body or you will be constantly overloading your liver with toxins leaking from it. You can find out more about leaky gut and how to cure it here: Leaky Gut Cure

Scientists have been warning us that Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that is used for the production of drink and food containers, food can linings and babies bottles, is toxic for a number of years. They are concerned that it leaches from the plastic into our food and water. Researchers have linked BPA to serious health risks but the manufacturing industry maintain that the amount the average person consumes is not enough to cause any harm.

Estrogen mimics and your health

Bisphenol A is classified as an estrogen mimic also known as gender benders and hormone disrupters. They interfere with the way your hormonal system functions and are not easily detoxified from the body naturally. US researchers found that Bisphenol A actually remains in the body much longer than experts previously believed.

It is thought that these hormone mimics contribute to conditions such as endometriosis, infertility, ovary dysfunction, miscarriage, excessive menstrual bleeding and cancers that are sensitive to estrogen. In high doses given to laboratory animals it causes bad behavior and insulin resistance which is linked to Diabetes 2 (late onset) and Metabolic Syndrome.

Although manufacturers have always maintained that that amount the average person consumes of BPA is far lower than can cause any health problems a recent study showed that the controversial gender bender chemical increased by 69% in the urine of people who drank for a week from polycarbonate bottles.

Previously, British researcher Dr. Melzer and his team found that in the people he tested the average BPA concentrations were higher in those diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In fact, even a slightly raised BPA concentration was associated with a 39 percent increased risk of having heart disease and diabetes.

In other tests Health Canada, the national health regulatory agency, has discovered detectable levels of the hormone-disrupting compound in 96 percent of canned soft drinks and is considering a federal ban on the use of Bisphenol A.  Canada has declared the chemical to be a major worldwide pollutant.

Should you be worried?

In spite of the fact that the website http://www.bisphenol-a.org/, which is run by the American Chemistry Council, argues that polycarbonate plastics are safe  there is so much concern that the sale of baby bottles containing BPA was banned in San Francisco from 2006. There are concerns that simply warming the milk in bottle that contain Bisphenol A would cause even more of it into the milk. And the use of it in plastic containers has been limited by legislation in 9 states.

Canada banned the sale of baby bottles containing BPA last October. Around the same time the manufacturer of Nalgene water bottles, announced that it would recall from stores all bottles made with BPA following a finding by the National Toxicology Program that BPA exposure can cause cancer, as well as behavioral, developmental and reproductive problems.  In the USA Whole Food Markets and others have taken Bisphenol A containing plastics
off their shelves.

Alternatives are available

The chemical makes plastic hard, translucent and shatter proof and the high costs of plastics with characteristics similar to polycarbonate have kept manufacturers from developing bottles with these materials. Nevertheless with many concerned individuals looking for alternatives some companies are producing drinking water bottles and babies bottles that do not contain  the toxic chemical. If you value your health then it’s worth seeking out alternatives. Beter to be safe than sorry,

Avoiding Plastics containing Bisphenol A

BPA is used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics often identified by the recycling # 7 which can usually be found on the bottom of the container. Phthalate is another example of a hormone-mimicking chemical found in many common products. Plastics with recycling # 3 contains both phthalate and PVC which is also suspect. Category 6 is polystyrene, another baddie. Styrofoam take-out containers leach toxins into your hot tea or coffee.  Bottles designated # 1 are for one time use only as the plastice breaks down with further use.

So what to use?

Glass is probably the best option but heavy to carry and easily broken. Metal water bottles are alternatives but may not be free from BPA if they are lined with a plastic coating. The Environmental Working Group advises using stainless steel bottles that don’t have a plastic liner. Swiss made Sigg drinking bottles are available in a number of countries and claim to be safe and toxin free. Kanteen Klean bottle are made of stainless steel which they claim does not leach. Born Free make BPA free babies bottles and are available in the USA and UK.

Although you cannot avoid all toxins in your environment you can choose to avoid toxic Bisphenol A in plastic drinks bottles. In this toxic world every one you can avoid counts.

With accusations that the media is whipping up unnecessary fear and frenzy and shocking hints that this outbreak of swine flu has been deliberately engineered by an American pharmaceutical company and amounts to bio-terrorism, we cannot deny the fact that people have already died from it. What we really want  to know is how we can protect ourselves against it and is regular detox enough to strengthen our immune systems against swine flu.

As you have not been exposed to this virus before you will have no  immunity against it but there are many things you can do besides detox to strengthen your immune system and to protect yourself against being infected by this and other viruses.

The internet is full of good practical advice like washing your hands with  soap and water and sneezing into a tissue but if you think that antibacterial soaps are the answer then think again. Many contain triclosan which kills the good bacteria on your skin as well as the bad. Yes, you have bacteria on your skin just like the good the bacteria in your gut. They are your fist line of defense. Once you use antibacterial products you destroy your own protection as well as the germs.

Recent research shows that their overuse may create super germs and that children that are exposed to these products are now having more signs of illness, allergies and asthma. Why? Because their immune systems have been compromised by having no good bacteria.

Bleach? Bleach can apparently spread, not kill, germs. A study shown that using hand wipes with bleach or antibacterial ingredients in hospitals spread the bacteria from one place to another. Bleach is very toxic and dangerous to inhale.

Let’s look at many other things in our modern lifestyle that can damage the immune system. Some of the major ones are:

Sugar: All simple carbohydrates inhibit the immune system. This includes fructose, glucose, sucrose and even honey. Eating sweets or sugary snacks between meals is a real killer of the immune system.

Alcohol: Studies have shown that there can be an severe decrease in neutrophils, one type of immune cell, after drinking alcohol.

Food allergy or sensitivity: Reactions to food can cause a serious depression of the immune system that is often not recognised.

Nutritional deficiencies: Many nutrients are needed for the immune system to function and deficiencies are common. Some of the most important are: Vitamins A, C, D3, E, B6, the minerals zinc, selenium and essential fatty acids.

Toxins: Pesticides, solvents, drugs, heavy metals, environmental pollution cause widespread damage to the immune system. Use natural products in the home and avoid anti-bacterial soaps that kill protective bacteria.

Stress: The many forms of stress place a huge burden on the immune system. As well as emotional stress lack of sleep and excessive exercise place a physical stress on the body.

Sleep: Lack of sleep can severely impair the immune system and increase your susceptibility to viruses.

Positive steps you can take to enhance your immune system and protect against swine flu:

Detox: There is no doubt that regular detox sessions can and will strengthen your immune system. Several sessions of detox during the year can help get rid of unavoidable toxins that get into your system and
compromise your immune system. Mini detoxes in between can help to keep it strong.

Probiotics: Focusing on your intestinal tract is very important when trying to improve immunity as 65% of the immune system is in the gut. Colon cleansing is vital.  Studies have proved that a good balance of bacteria in the bowel are essential for your immune system to work well. Take a good quality probiotic every day.

Green Tea : Try gargling with green tea extract to protect yourself  against flu. Just empty one capsule into a glass of water.  Researchers found that it could reduce infections by as much as 87%.

Echinacea: This is a very well researched herb and almost all the research has used liquid preparations or tinctures. There are several varieties but Echinacea Augustifolia is considered to be more potent. Take it at the begining of an infection for up to 8 weeks.

Mushroom extracts: Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in Traditional Eastern  Medicine.  A nine year study of AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) derived from mushrooms showed it can increase the body’s Natural Killer Cells. 3 grams a day is recommended if you have an infection otherwise 1 gram a day is sufficient.

Monolaurin: which is derived from coconut is effective against the flu virus and is anti-fungal.. It can inactivate viruses by preventing them attaching to your cells. You will need about 1800mg to 2400mg per day to fight an infection.

Nutrients to take:

Vitamin C: In spite of reports by the majority of the  Medical profession that taking Vitamin C is waste of money and even dangerous numerous studies show that Vitamin C plays a vital role in the function of the immune
system to fight infections. Huge amounts of Vitamin C are neded to fight an infection. Taking 2 grams 3 times a day is not too much.

Vitamin A: This is needed to promote a healthy lining of the respiratory system and digestive system which functions as a barrier against infection. It is not unusual for children and adults that get frequent infections to be
deficient in Vitamin A. Vitamin A can be made in the body fro betacarotene (found in orange and yellow and dark green leafy vegeatbles) but if you have low thyroid function or diabetes you may not be able to convert it.

Vitamin A itself is found in breast milk, whole milk or fortified skim -milk, and liver (eat only organic). Vitamin is stored in the liver and long term high dose supplementation can lead to toxicity. Do not take it if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.  25,000 iu is a typical maintenance dose or 50, 000 iu (1.25 mg) during an infection for not longer than 30 days.

Vitamin D: Research continues to show that deficiency of  Vitamin D3  is associated with cancer, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, diabetes and obesity. Not only can it strengthen the immune system but it can shorten the duration of an infection. People who avoid the sun are likely to be deficient.
Take 1000 iu Vitamin D3 a day in an infection unless you have been instructed otherwise.

Zinc: Deficiency of zinc is very common although not often recognized. Measuring zinc in white blood cells is a better indicator of zinc status than in blood serum that is usually done.  Take 75 mg of zinc for one week only
during an infection. too much for too long can inhibit immune function. 25 mg is a good maintenance dose.

Antioxidants: We constantly create free radicals as part of normal function. More are created by environmental toxins, pollution, radiation, disease and infections. Some are neutralized by the body’s own antioxidant system if enough nutrients are present. Fee radicals are very damaging to the immune system.

Although you can get many antioxidants from your diet if it is high in fresh fruit and vegetables it pays to take an antioxidant supplement to give additional protection. Good ones may contain extracts of green tea, grape seed, blueberry, bilberry, broccoli, pycnogenol and green grass.

So by taking care of yourself, eating healthily, doing regular detoxes and with some forward planning you can do a lot to lessen your chances of getting infected with swine flu and have a good chance of fighting it or other viruses should you be unlucky enough to become infected.