Freeing Up Resources

The importance of normal gut function

Western medical science has not recognized the importance of the relationship between the immune system and the gut. Only now are some people beginning to recognize and label the "leaky gut syndrome" as being the cause of many diseases. Ayurveda recognized this connection five thousand years ago when it talked about disease being caused by accumulation of toxins or "ama" as a result of impairment of the "Agni" (the process of digestion and assimilation). If the agni does not function properly, then the ama accumulates in the intestines and leaks into the circulation and subsequently accumulates in other parts of the body clogging them, impairing their resistance and immunity and causing disease of that organ.  Another name for this phenomenon is dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis Dysbiosis is a state of imbalance of the intestinal flora (bacteria and other micro-organisms), which may lead to excessive bacterial fermentation in the gut and 'autointoxication' from endotoxins (toxins produced by undesirable bacteria within the body). Dysbiosis is promoted by the consumption of antibiotics, which destroy friendly bacteria much more readily than undesirable putrefactive varieties such as E coli and Clostridium. A reduced ability to produce gastric acid may also lead to an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestines. Such an overgrowth may promote nutrient malabsorption, particularly that of vitamin B12. Natural treatment for dysbiosis and conditions promoted by autointoxication include probiotics together with an appropriate dietary program.