But Let’s Back Up A Bit First…
Who would be looking for answers by doing this type of test?
In my busy naturopathic practice, I usually find that there are three groups of people searching for these type of in depth answers.
1. Ignorance is Bliss – Isn’t It?
The first group have some type of digestive problem but they haven’t seen anyone about it yet. It may not be bad enough for them to seek help, or it could be just be something they have avoided looking into because of the private nature of the issue – either way this is probably the first time they have realised that there may be an easy way to find a solution.
(Of course this test does not replace getting the advice of a qualified medical practitioner if necessary – but the knowledge contained in the results of this test will be of invaluable assistance).
2. Please Help Me!
The second group quite clearly have a digestive problem that is disrupting their life and their health, and they have already sought medical and / or naturopathic advice. Sometimes there has been a diagnosis of Coeliac disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease; but at other times there has been no conclusion at all.
They may have had medical investigationssuch as blood tests, stool tests, breath tests, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (a thin flexible tube fitted with a camera and passed down the throat to examine the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine), or a colonoscopy which examines the lining of the large bowel.
If they have seen a naturopath, then chances are they have done any number of herbal cleanses, taken all sorts of supplements and remedies to heal their gut, and loaded up on endless probiotic powders. They may have altered their diet, gone on a fast, and some people may have even had colonic irrigation!
But even after following ALL of the medical and naturopathic advice to the letter, there are many people who are still no closer to finding out what is wrong with their digestive system, and what it will take to get rid of the problem. Sometimes the treatments and medications they have taken have made them even worse, and this has left them frustrated, angry and feeling like no-one can help.
For these people, I can assure them that there IS another way.
3. I Would Never Have Even Known…
The third group of people don’t even know that the cause of their disease could be coming from their bowel.
Auto-immune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and many others, can have a trigger stemming from an unhealthy bowel, as can other types of arthritis, allergies, skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis, sinus problems, chronic headaches, and immune dysfunction. One very serious auto-immune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis has been closely linked with a bad bacteria found in the bowel.
In any of these conditions, it is the bowel that needs healing first, before we go in to treat the disease.
“Why is our digestive tract so important?“, you might ask…