Section 5
Gastro-Intestinal

EMACIATION (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

BASIC FACTORS—Rest in bed, fattening diet that will build tissue and blood. This should include dairy products, well-cooked cereals, malted or predigested cereals, a graduated program of tonic treatments (the Tonic Frictions). Fomentation over the stomach twice daily, followed by Hot Abdominal Pack.

GASTRIC ULCER—Withhold food by mouth; rectal feeding; Fomentation over stomach twice daily; well-protected Heating Compress during the interval between. Graduated Tonic Frictions.

CHRONIC GASTRITIS—Rest in bed; abdominal Fomentations 2-3 times daily; Protected Heating Compress during intervals.

INTESTINAL CATARRH—Enema at 95⁰ F. after each bowel movement. During the interval between, apply a Heating Compress at 60⁰ F., changing it every 30 minutes.

HYPOPEPSIA—Graduated tonic treatment (Tonic Frictions), Ice Bag over stomach half an hour before each meal.

CONTRAINDICATIONS—Avoid prolonged Hot Baths and Cold Full Baths.

GENERAL METHOD—The general plan of treatment must be such as to secure increased income of tissue-building material with a diminished outflow, hence the diet must be very simple, easily assimilable, and taken in as large a quantity as possible. Exercise must be diminished or, in grave cases, suspended altogether. Moderate exercise may be allowed, if necessary, to maintain the appetite. Special attention must be given to increase of the appetite and improvement of digestion by suitable hydrotherapy applications. Cold applications must be very short and intense, so as to produce strong nervous impressions upon the nerve centers without removing animal heat, to any considerable degree, or increasing oxidation.

PICA (craves dirt)

SYMPTOMS—The child keeps eating dirt.

CAUSES—Children eat dirt because they crave minerals which they are not obtaining enough of in the foods served them. Sometimes they eat paint chips from the walls. But paint often contains lead or cadmium, both of which are quite toxic. Lead can produce brain damage. (See "Lead Poisoning.")

TREATMENT—Supplement the child's diet with extra vitamins and minerals.

• Include Nova Scotia dulse or Norwegian kelp in his diet. This will supply trace minerals. If you live near the ocean, add a little ocean water to help salt the food. Do pulse tests to determine if a celiac type of disease exists (see "Pulse Test," and "Celiac Disease").

• Do a hair analysis test, to determine which minerals are needed.

ENCOURAGEMENT—The temptations of Satan are greater now than ever before; for he knows that his time is short, and that very soon every case will be decided, either for life or for death. It is no time to sink beneath discouragement or give up the battle. Cling to Jesus and, by His grace, live the life of an overcomer.

MALABSORPTION SYNDROME

SYMPTOMS—Anemia, diarrhea, and weight loss are frequent. Sometimes there is weight gain instead of weight loss.

Other symptoms may include dry skin, fatigue, abdominal bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, PMS, thinning hair, tendency to bruise easily, depression, or inability to concentrate. There may also be vision problems (especially night vision; and bulky, pale, and fatty stools (known as steatorrhea).

CAUSES—This appears to be a wastebasket category. Whenever nutrients, in general, cannot be properly absorbed by the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, the problem is dubbed "malabsorption syndrome."

Possible causes include an impoverished diet, primarily junk food. The body may not be producing enough digestive enzymes. Vitamin B complex may not be in the diet or is not being absorbed properly. Diseases of the gallbladder, liver and bile ducts, or pancreas may exist. There may be food allergies.

Other causes include damaged intestinal walls, caused by irritable bowel syndrome; lactose intolerance; Crohn's disease; diverticulitis; celiac disease; colitis; parasitic infestation; excessive consumption of antacids, alcohol, or laxatives. Chronic constipation or diarrhea can have a similar result.

Radiation therapy, sugary foods that shorten the intestinal tract, or digitalis treatment can reduce the absorptive area of the intestines. An overgrowth of candida in the digestive tract or obstructions in the lymphatic system can have a similar effect.

Too rapid intestinal transit time causes nutrients to pass out of the body as waste.

AIDS and cancer can produce many of these symptoms.

There are a number of other possible causes, including a variety of drug medications.

Premature aging can be caused by a decline in secretions of stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

TREATMENT—

• The great need is to cleanse the body, and then rebuild it with a good, healthy program.

• A good nourishing diet, as discussed elsewhere in this book; rest; exercise out-of-doors; fresh air; sunlight; freedom from worry and tension—all these are needed.

• Oregon grape and gentian are healing and improve digestion. Chamomile calms the nervous stomach. Peppermint and parsley are also healing.

• Make sure the bowels are kept open and working properly. This reduces toxins in the intestinal tract and digestive organs.

• Locate specific causes and problems and apply solutions, as given elsewhere in this book.

ENCOURAGEMENT—God is love and He cares for us. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Trust and obey your sweet heavenly Father. You will never be sorry that you did.

BERIBERI (B Vitamin Deficiency)

SYMPTOMS—In children: mental confusion, muscle wasting, impaired growth, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, stomach and intestinal problems, diarrhea, and constipation.

In adults: weight loss, diarrhea, edema, fatigue.

CAUSES—Beriberi is a nutritional disease, caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B₁), but also all the other B complex vitamins, as well.

Beriberi is not common in the West. In the East, where many subsist primarily on polished (hulled) rice, it is endemic. The rice bran contains the vitamins, and the polished kernel only contains starch and protein.

In America, beriberi occurs as a result of alcoholism, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, infections, or stress.

TREATMENT—

• Eat brown rice, raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.

• Take vitamin/mineral supplements.

• Do not drink liquids with your meals, for this washes away water-soluble vitamins.

ENCOURAGEMENT—All who give themselves to the service of Christ will follow the example of Christ, and will be perfect overcomers. In His strength, you can stand firm amid the pollutions of this degenerate age.

PELLAGRA (B Vitamin Deficiency)

SYMPTOMS—Depression, anxiety, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, loss of appetite, red tongue that is sore and inflamed, weakness, weight loss, dementia, and itchy skin on the hands and neck.

It is sometimes diagnosed as mental illness.

CAUSES—Pellagra is a deficiency disease, caused by a severe lack of several vitamins. It is rare in the United States at this time; but, when it does occur, it is caused by diseases which heavily deplete those vitamins.

The primary vitamins involved are niacin (vitamin B₃) and, secondarily, thiamine (B₁) and riboflavin (B₂). Also needed is folic acid and vitamin B₁₂.

TREATMENT—

• Eat plenty of foods high in the B vitamins and take nutritional supplements.

• Worthwhile foods would include potatoes, legumes, broccoli, collards, bananas, figs, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, tomatoes, prunes, and whole grain breads and cereals.

ENCOURAGEMENT—All power to do good is God-given. His grace is sufficient for all our trials. If we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation and, through His grace, come off victorious.

SCURVY (Vitamin C Deficiency)

SYMPTOMS—Swelling and bleeding of the gums, tenderness of joints and muscles, poor healing of wounds, and increased susceptibility to bruising and infection. Rough, dry, discolored skin. Scurvy may occur concurrently with gingivitis (which see).

An infant with scurvy is comfortable only when lying on his back with his knees partially bent and his thighs turned outward. His bones are less capable of retaining calcium and phosphorous, causing them to become weak and eventually brittle.

CAUSES—Scurvy is a malnutrition disease, caused by a diet that is deficient in vitamin C.

TREATMENT—

• Scurvy responds, in as little as 2-3 days, to a daily intake of 100-200 mg of vitamin C.

• Fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables are also full of vitamin C.

• In order to promote blood and bone repair, from damage caused by scurvy, a well-balanced diet, high in protein and iron, is also needed.

• Supply bioflavonoids (vitamin P), which work closely with vitamin C. These will be found in vitamin C-rich foods.

ENCOURAGEMENT—When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God and agonize with Him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty, but will give us grace and strength to overcome and break the power of the enemy.

KWASHIORKOR (Protein Starvation)

SYMPTOMS—Retarded growth, changes in skin and hair, diarrhea, loss of appetite, edema, and nervous irritability.

CAUSES—Kwashiorkor (kwash-uh-OR'-kor) is a serious nutritional disease. Adequate carbohydrates are provided, but not enough protein.

This condition generally occurs in children between the ages of one and five, who have been weaned from milk to a diet primarily of starches and sugars.

Low blood protein levels cannot hold water in the blood vessels so it goes into the cells, producing a distended, bloated belly and edema.

There are 22 amino acids which children need, and 20 which adults need. Complete protein meals should be the objective.

TREATMENT—

• Add protein to the diet. In underdeveloped countries, a skim milk formula is usually first given, because the child's fat-absorption ability has been damaged.

• Other foods are gradually added, until he can handle a balanced diet.

• Correct all vitamin/mineral deficiencies which may exist.

ENCOURAGEMENT—To obey the commandments of God is the only way to obtain His favor. "Go forward" should be the Christian's watchword. Let God lead you by His Written Word, and you will not take missteps.