How to restore digestive health By Jordan S Rubin
 

I post this here as it is "non technical" and digestion is fundamental to all of us. I have included an abstract as some of the figures he quotes are staggering.

You have not only got to eat it but digest it too.

This is a well written thought provoking article, and follows a similar train of thought to Ellaine Gotterscall Breaking the viscous cycle. Fruit and fruit juices contain a mix of single and complex sugars - so it is about moderation -do not use to much fruit juice water down etc and looking at things in terms of what our ancestors ate (pre agrarians). Much is still unknown and discussed, I do not think there are absolute answers (we are all different) but the generality of what is being said make a lot of sense

I was not aware until I read Elaines book of the problems undigested sugars, carbohydrates etc can cause, and linked to omega six imbalance etc both provides a seat for inflammation and prevents proper digestion including those all important fats.

The power of bones in soup is new to me so I will follow that up.

Fermented milks are easier to digest as the lactose has been reduced (cheese) or lactase created by fermentation, so for those without the genes nature has lent a helping hand.

Interestingly it looks like he has written a book on the pre-agricultural diet (see "greek diet" post links)

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndi...ivehealth.html


ABSTRACT

"Chronic disease wreaks havoc on the American populace. One million Americans suffer from AIDS; eight million have cancer, and twelve million battle heart disease. However, there is one disorder that afflicts more individuals than the combined total of all of these other potentially deadly disorders, and, surprisingly, it is rarely mentioned. Thirty-eight million Americans are victims of digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, candida and food allergies.

If these staggering numbers of digestive disorders, along with the pain and discomfort that accompany them, were not enough, there is also the added burden of treatment costs. The economic impact of digestive disorders is $123 billion per year, compared to $17 billion for cancer, $58 billion for neurological disorders, and $88 billion for circulatory problems. Sufferers from IBS (the most common gastrointestinal disorder) incur an estimated $10 billion more in direct medical charges per year than a similar control group of people the same age and gender.

In 1995 at the age of nineteen, I was one of these statistics;......."

I've read that good health begins in the colon. How true I think it is. I've seen this young man on TV and I'm aware of some of the books he has written. Interesting.

Of Interest?
 

Hello R.B.,

Don't know if it is true where you live, but our PBS station is playing a show during pledge time on pretty much this same subject - I think it's called Brenda Watson's Fiber 35 - very interesting. It says basically what you have in this post plus her work illustrates the need for Omega 3's. Thought you might be interested.

Best to you,

Donna