#3: The Gut & Detoxification - Its Connection to Immune Health

45 Day Total Body Detox 2023

By Stephanie Ray, BCN, CNHP

Imbalances in the gut contribute to congestion in the liver. Intestinal dysbiosis down-regulates hepatic efflux pump activity and impairs phase I and II detoxification pathways in the liver, increasing oxidative stress. Simply put, if your gut is out of balance, you will not detoxify toxins efficiently due to its relationship with the liver.

Likewise, if the liver is congested, things like ammonia back up and impact GI and brain function. The gastrointestinal track is considered the third detox pathway, if it is leaky or aggravated, there will be a decrease in happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. The GI and brain have the same beneficial chemicals making sure the gastrointestinal tract is a crucial part of successful detoxification. 

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Imbalance

• Bloating, belching, or excessive flatulence
• Loose or hard stools
• White tongue
• Tiredness
• High histamine response
• Food sensitivities
• Weak or cracked fingernails
• Skin irritations

The Immune System and The Gut

Your gut is the first line of defense against invaders. Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide experience gastrointestinal issues that affect how food is digested, nutrients are absorbed, moods are impacted and the immune system functions. In a healthy gut, the beneficial flora can number up to 100 billion per milliliter. In the typical American intestinal tract, that count may be as low as 4 or 5 billion per milliliter. When there is a significant decrease in friendly gut flora and a high level of unfriendly organisms, it can trigger the onset of health imbalances and suppress the immune system.

A Delicate Balance 

Typically, a healthy person will have a greater amount of good microorganisms to combat any unhealthy organisms in the lower digestive tract. Symptoms occur when there is an overgrowth of harmful organisms compared to beneficial flora. By pushing unhealthy gut flora out of the gastrointestinal tract and colon, this creates an environment for healthy intestinal flora to colonize and thrive. CytoFlora®, an 11-strain probiotic lysate, pushes bad bugs out of the GI quickly, helping reestablish healthy crosstalk between the gut and brain. Most individuals notice improvements within 48 hours.

CytoFlora® Health Benefits

• Improves healthy bowel, gut, and immune function*
• Increases communication and speech*
• Amplifies sociability, cognitive awareness and moods*

Decreasing Leaky Gut and Inflammation: An Intervention Study

In a 35-day study with ten children, Immunobilan testing by Red Laboratories measured immunoglobulins A (IgA) and M (IgM), two antibodies that a play critical role in healthy immune response. Baseline results showed significantly elevated IgA and IgM levels, signifying an immune response to unhealthy gut flora. Recent advances in our capability to identify microbes and their function offer exciting opportunities to evaluate the complex cross-talk between microbiota, intestinal barrier, immune system and the gut-brain axis.

At completion of the study, immunobilan results revealed a 55% overall decrease in IgA levels indicating improved GI balance and a 27% decrease in IgM levels which represents leaky gut. After 21 days on CytoFlora®, ATEC scores, which measures Communication, Sociability, Cognitive Awareness, and Health/Physical/Behavior, indicated a 30% overall improvement.

Study Improvements 

• More socially engaged
• Deeper level of functional communication: verbal and nonverbal
• Improved concentration and behavior
• Improved comprehension
• Independence
• Mature behaviors
• Compliance
• Self-confidence
• Emotional stability; happy mood

Gut Supporting Bone Broth Recipe

Bone broth is made with simple ingredients that are rich in minerals, gelatin, and collagen. The extended cooking time ensures the extraction of the beneficial nutrients that support gut and immune system health.

• 3-4 pounds beef marrow and knuckle bones
• 2 pounds meaty bones such as short ribs
• 1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
• 4 quarts filtered water
• 3 celery stalks, halved
• 3 carrots, halved
• 3 onions, quartered
• Handful of fresh parsley
• Sea salt
• 2 - 4 droppers of CytoFlora®

Cooking Instructions

1. Place bones in a pot or a crockpot, add apple cider vinegar and water, and let the mixture sit for 1 hour so the vinegar can leach the mineral out of the bones.
2. Add more water if needed to cover the bones.
3. Add the vegetables bring to a boil and skim the scum from the top and discard.
4. Reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 24-72 hours 
5. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, throw in a handful of fresh parsley for added flavor and minerals.
6. Let the broth cool and strain it, making sure all marrow is knocked out of the marrow bones and into the broth.
7. Add sea salt to taste and 2-4 droppers of CytoFlora®. Drink the broth as is, or store in fridge up to 5 to 7 days or freeze for up to 6 months for use in soups or stews.

Thu, Jan 19, 23 |

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