Chronic Degenerative Diseases and Digestion (Part 1)

Human beings around the world are sick and are getting sicker. We are immersed in a silent epidemic of chronic degenerative diseases (CDDs) that is gradually enveloping the planet’s population. According to the World Health Organization, from a projected total of 58 million worldwide deaths from all causes in 2009, it is estimated that CDDs, physical ailments whose course worsens over time, account for 38 million or over 60 percent.

Here in the United States, CDD’s impact on mortality is even more significant with 3 out of 4 deaths resulting from long term degenerative illnesses and nearly 50% of Americans having at least one. The elderly are especially susceptible; approximately 80% of all persons older than 65 years have at least one chronic condition, and 50% have at least two. And all that misery doesn’t come cheap. Of the nearly three trillion dollars Americans spend every year on health care, it is estimated that 75 percent of it can be attributed to the costs of chronic degenerative disease. That's over 2 trillion dollars!

Although chronic degenerative diseases can affect any system or structure in the body, including the heart, brain, liver and respiratory tract as well structural components like bone and muscle, behind all CDDs you will find one common thread: inflammation and activated immune system, i.e a defensive or protective response. And because the of vast amount of immune activity occurs in the small intestine, the origins of almost all CDDs can be found in this 5 foot tube in the center of the digestive tract. Specific culprits are chronic exposure to food toxins and allergens and some aspect of the deteriorating digestive lining, which inevitably follows. That’s called “leaky gut”, and it can result in microscopic food particles, mostly undigested protein fragments (peptides), gaining access to the circulation through a weakened intestinal wall. From there, the particles enter the circulatory system and the various components of the body, and we’re off to the CDD races. Understanding these points--inflammation, immunity, food and digestion-- are the keys do truly addressing this epic health crisis

Immunity and inflammation are our body’s defensive responses to unwelcome and unrecognized interlopers in its internal milieu. Wisely, when in this defensive posture, it will allocate resources to fight offending agents, shunting them away from healing and repair. Over time as the assaults continue, and healing and repair become more and more suppressed. Various bodily systems can break down and the signs of CDD, swelling, pain, frequent colds, hypertension, and dysfunction in the various organs of the body will begin to appear. The body’s engines simply won’t be firing on all cylinders and health conditions will gradually deteriorate. This will typically result in more inflammation and immunity, ultimately leading us into a downward spiral of disease symptomology that just keep getting worse.