COLON HYGIENE AND HIV.

The Holistic Approach by Peter Melamed, LAc, RN, PhD and Martin Sivorinovsky, MA

(The article originally appeared in San Francisco Frontiers magazine on August 8^th, 2002)

Millions of people suffer from HIV, AIDS and other health problems without giving any consideration that a toxic sluggish colon can be at the root of the problem. Usually, many Americans don't even think about colon hygiene unless they suffer from diarrhea, constipation or watch news coverage of a colonoscopy performed on President George W. Bush. Today, most are still in the Dark Ages when it comes to acknowl­edging the importance of colon hygiene, particularly with regard to its effects on HIV, AIDS and the immune system.

The immune system is a complex array of organs, cells and molecules distributed throughout the body. The primary func­tion of the immune system is to defend the body against inva­sion by disease-causing foreign substances, viruses and pathogens. A healthy immune system works so effectively that it destroys and removes infected cells before they have a chance to develop into an illness.

Positive Effects of Friendly Flora

The digestive system functions in a unique way as part of the immune system. The digestive system protects the body from invading harmful bacteria and pathogens throughout the gastro-intestinal tract. The digestive system contains about 100 trillion microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, viruses and par­asites. Most of these particles reside in the colon. In terms of how these particles affect our bodies, they can be differentiated into friendly flora (good bacteria) and unfriendly flora (harmful bacteria).

The friendly flora—good bacteria—helps the body by enhancing the immune system in resisting the HIV virus. Friendly flora increases the proliferation of lymphocytes, macrophages (white blood cells that eat up and destroy invad­ing microorganisms), and immune-competent defensive cells that are located under the lining of the colon and function to neutralize toxins before they enter the bloodstream. Friendly flora also inhibits the growth of pathogenic organisms by suc­cessfully not allowing access to nutrients and covering up the lining of the intestines. When pathogenic organisms cannot absorb nutrients or gain access to binding sites on the intestines, they cannot grow and multiply.

Friendly flora contain antiviral actions. Recent research indi­cates that friendly flora may affect the transmission of the HIV virus. Good bacteria must develop methods of controlling the viruses in order to protect themselves as they evolve. Friendly flora develop an acidic environment by producing large amounts of lactic and other acids because viruses are not comfortable in acidic environments. The good bacteria raise internal tem­perature to fight off viruses, which have difficulty coping at high temperature levels. Additionally, the friendly flora syn­thesize certain byproducts such as essential fatty acids and hydrogen peroxide that viruses cannot tolerate.

Negative Effects of Unfriendly Flora

The immune and digestive systems are dependent on the proper biomechanical balance to function efficiently. Weak­ened digestion exacerbates the cellular inefficiency and causes malfunctioning of the immune system. It is critical for immune-system functioning that the right ratio of friendly to unfriendly flora (at least 80 percent friendly flora, 20 percent unfriendly flora) must be maintained in the intestines. When com­bined with high stress levels, chemical exposure, poor diet and overuse of antibiotics and hormones (particularly for HIV-positive individuals that take a lot of antibiotics), the unfriendly flora—harmful bacteria—destabilize and diminish the friendly flora. This leads to opportunistic infections, sepsis, Candida, dysbiosis and growth of the HIV virus.

Decreased amounts of friendly flora lead to overgrowth of Candida yeast infections that suppress immune function. As the Candida grows, it spreads up through the stomach and into the esophagus and mouth where it is known as "thrush." Addi­tionally, the Candida grows very long roots that puncture the mucous lining of the intestines. These punctures result in Leaky Gut Syndrome. These conditions permit the entrance of the viruses along with fungus, toxic waste products and pathogens into the colon from where they enter the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, the viruses and pathogens are transported to the body's organs, muscles, bones, tissues and cells, potentially causing harmful actions.

Leaky Gut Syndrome causes malabsorption of many important nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids due to the presence of toxins on the intestines. The malabsorption of these nutrients decreases immunity, causing growth of the HIV virus as well as a number of poor health conditions such as gas, bloating, cramps, fatigue, headaches, memory loss, poor concentra­tion, diarrhea, irritability and anal "thrush."

Holistic Remedies

The following holistic remedies may strengthen and enhance the immune system in resisting the HIV virus.

• Stress Management: through herbal medicine, amino acid supplementation, acupuncture treatments, deep relax­ation and magnet therapy.

• Enhance Digestion: through diet improvement, enzyme and nutrient supplementation, and drinking the Karlovy Vary Healing Drinking Mineral Water.

• Elimination of Toxins: through complete body cleans­ing, fitness and exercising and improving your surrounding environment.

• Restoration of Friendly Intestinal Flora: through colon hydrotherapy, diet, potent probiotics and implantation of friendly intestinal flora into the colon.

• Control Candida overgrowth by herbal supplementa­tion and body detoxification.

• Liver Health Maintenance: through liver detoxification, and vitamin and mineral supplementation.

These holistic remedies may be combined with any med­ical treatments such as medications, antiviral drugs, antibi­otics, physical therapy or alternative treatments, including Chinese herbs, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, home­opathy, massage therapy and psychotherapy.

To summarize, having proper digestion and absorption and maintaining the proper number of friendly intestinal flora through colon hygiene strengthen the immune system. A stronger and healthier immune system is the body's main defense against the HIV virus.

Peter Melamed, L.Ac, RN, Ph.D., is the founder and president of Biotherapy, Inc., an alternative medicine clinic combining the wisdom of traditional folk medicine, ancient Eastern medicine, American and European naturopathy, and cutting-edge Western technology to provide a complete, all-natural response to your healing needs. Clinic specializations include colon hydrotherapy, pro­static massages, herbal medicine, acupuncture, facial rejuvena­tion, and healing food consultations.

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