GI Flora Balance Program

The GI Flora Balance Program consists of a 6-10 week program of weeding, feeding and seeding to help reestablish a more optimal gut flora balance.  This may need to be repeated in the future as part of an annual "critter cleanse".  

The weeding phase consists of using herbs such as oregano, berberine, and garlic to "weed" out or reduce the populations of the "bad bugs".   In reducing their populations, we can make more room for our "good flora".  Much like a garden can develop unwanted weeds, so can our gut terrain.  Due to various factors like stress, antibiotic exposure, traveling out of the country or poor upper digestive function,  we may experience the negative effects of an altered gut flora at some point in our lives.  This may include an overgrowth of candida, opportunistic bacteria, and parasites. 

During the feeding phase we are encouraging the re-growth of our good flora with prebiotics.  Prebiotics are food for our flora -- and help them thrive.  Prebiotics include foods high in fiber, as well as inulin, slippery elm, chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke.  

Lastly, with the seeding phase, we are introducing probiotics to help reestablish our populations of good flora.  We support this with the use of high quality probiotic supplements, as well with consuming fermented foods (if well tolerated).    
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Did you that the following symptoms or conditions can be linked to compromised gut health?
Allergies, autoimmunity, asthma, arthritis, inflammation, IBS, IBD, skin problems, weight gain, headaches, energy slumps, metabolism slowdowns, leaky gut, and joint issues can all be linked to the gut.  

The gut comprises 70% or more of our immune system in the form of lymphoid tissues.  It also houses 40-100 trillion gut microbes also known as our gut flora.  The average adult has 2-6 pounds of microbes (which comprises our microbiota) in their gut.  Our microbiota encodes 3.3 million genes.  That’s almost 150 times more than the human genome.  Many important metabolic functions in the gut are carried out exclusively by our microbiota. 

Hippocrates stated 2,000 years ago that good health begins in the gut.  Ongoing research confirms that the root cause for many undesired immune reactions originates in the gastrointestinal tract.  Our resident flora help  out our immune system by creating an inhospitable environment to opportunistic pathogens like yeast, dysbiotic bacteria and parasites.  They also produce vitamins like Vitamin K, and are part of our immune system.  Recent research is now showing that they produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and help regulate our mood.  It is important that we keep them happy, alive and well and not damage them through repeated antibiotic use, vaccines, chemicals, toxins, stress, gluten and poor lifestyle. 

​You can experience the following benefits from the GI Flora Balance Program:
Cleansing of the lower gastrointestinal tract
A healthy intestinal environment to maintain proper intestinal flora
Improved nutrient breakdown, absorption and assimilation into the body
Healing of the lining of the GI tract.
Elimination of yeast, parasites and other pathogens
Elimination of toxins
Support for a  healthy immune function
Re-established populations of good flora
Improved digestion
Improved mood, energy and vitality!