1. Medications: NSAIDs and antibiotics – These are some of the main culprits in damaging the intestinal lining. Millions of people believe these to be harmless, but unfortunately they can have severe gastric side effects.
   
   According to Dr. Leo Galland, “Chronic exposure to NSAIDs (like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and nabumetone) produces a chronic state of intestinal hyper-permeability associated with inflammation. And antibiotics kill off the natural microflora in the intestinal tract which would normally protect the intestinal lining from overgrowth of yeast and negative bacteria.
   
   
2. Alcohol and ethanol have a damaging effect on the lining of the small intestine.
   
   
3. Viral, fungal and bacterial infections – Infections like the stomach flu, food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea can damage this lining.
   
   
4. Parasites.
   
   
5. Refined foods, sugar and high fructose corn syrup – In the absence of friendly bacteria, a diet with high levels of sugar and starches will enhance yeast infections and overgrowth. These foods, at high levels, will ultimately compromise immune function.
   
   
6. Stress chemicals – high levels of cortisol and other stress chemicals lead to an inflammatory state which can inflame the intestinal lining.
   
   
7. The cumulative toxin burden of heavy metals, chemicals, food additives, plastics, chlorine, fluoride, etc.
   
   
8. Emotional trauma – like a death, divorce, loss of a job.
   
   
9. Surgery.

Of course, the most important question is, “What can be done about a leaky gut?” The good news is that under normal conditions, the mucosal lining replaces itself faster than almost any other part of the body. Old cells are sloughed off and new cells on the intestinal lining are generated every 3 to 6 days.

To give your body the best chance for recovery, follow the 4 steps below to repair, rejuvenate and maintain the health of your intestinal tract.

See below for details or click on the individual links above:

One Cause, Many Ailments is a book that defines what Leaky Gut Synrome is and how it may be affecting your health. Written by Dr. John O. A. Pagano, Chiropractic Physician and author of the award-winning book Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative.

For years, Dr. Pagano has been treating patients with psoriasis and eczema by using the concept of the "leaky gut" as it was presented in the diagnositc readings of Edgar Cayce (Cayce, who died in 1945, is known as the "father of American holistic medicine").

Paperback - 150 pages

Pagano states that Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition that can be alleviated and in many cases completely healed. Once the underlying cause of a problem is recognized, one can proceed to correct the situation in an intelligent and reasonable manner. Dr. Pagano has done just that with One Cause, Many Ailments - Leaky Gut Syndrome!

This rapid cell turnover uses a lot of energy which must be provided by eating highly nutritional food. If the diet is primarily one of refined carbohydrates, sugary foods, packaged foods, junk foods, processed foods, sodas, etc, the intestinal lining will not have the energy necessary to regenerate itself. And, these foods will feed the yeast and fungus in the gut that will sustain this compromised terrain.

A basic healthy diet would include 5 to 8 servings of fresh fruits and mainly vegetables daily, high quality protein from organic (if possible) sources of fresh fish, chicken, eggs, healthy fats such as coconut oil and olive oil. Avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as corn oil, safflower oil and refined, bleached and deodorized supermarket oils.

Avoid refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame (Nutrasweet®), white flour and preservatives.

A. Bioactive Peptide Protein from White Fish

Hydrolyzed white fish protein is pre-digested by the fish’s own enzymes from the amino acid level to the peptide protein level. This peptide molecule of protein is then available to be absorbed into the intestinal lining where it may help to restore and repair tissue.

In random, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies performed on patients with Leaky Gut Syndrome and an irritable bowel, the patients were given 3 grams of pre-digested white fish protein per day. In six weeks, the symptoms disappeared and the bowel was strengthened in every patient by 79 percent.

B. L-Glutamine Amino Acid

L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in the body, making up approximately 60% of its total free form amino acids. It is the only amino that contains 2 atoms of nitrogen. This extra nitrogen is available to promote the
increased synthesis of muscle tissue.

Glutamine has been shown to feed the cells that line the intestinal tract. This is very important in that this is where we break down and absorb the fuel to make muscles grow. It is also the first line of defense against microbes that can invade our bodies.

Glutamine has been shown to increase the amount of friendly bifido and lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria in the gut. This is quite significant because it prevents the hyperpermeability of the lining of the gut called "leaky gut" which is one of the leading cause of allergies and other autoimmune symptoms.

Colostrum is rich in natural immunoglobulins that support healthy functioning of the intestinal immune system. Colostrum also helps prevent damage to the intestinal lining caused by NSAIDs.

Colostrum should be processed fresh, and never exposed
to high heat. 100% pure colostrum should be free of any additives such as whey powder or magnesium stearate and free of antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and other pathogens.

E. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice

Studies have shown that DGL Licorice helps relieve stomach discomfort immediately. It provides soothing relief for your digestive tract and stomach lining.

There have been other studies showing that DGL helps to improve the quality of the protective substances which line the intestinal tract, thereby increasing the life span of the intestinal cells and improving blood flow to the intestinal lining.

It has also been shown that the flavonoids present in DGL inhibit the growth of H. pylori, in vitro. The following two studies showed DGL to be an effective anti-ulcer compound:

1) Morgan AG, McAdam WA Pacsco C, Darnborough A "Comparison between cimetidine and Caved-Sin the treatment of gastric ulceration, and
subsequent maintenance therapy." 1982 Jun 23(6): 545-51

2) Morgan AG Pacsco C. McAdam WA "Maintenance therapy: a two year comparison between Caved-S and cimetidine treatment in the prevention of
symptomatic gastric ulcer recurrence." Gut 1985 Jun 26(6): 599-602

Decreasing the toxic load in the intestines can be achieved by an implementation of a healthy alkaline diet as mentioned above, reducing harmful medications (if possible), and then removing toxic heavy metals and chemicals from the body, which serve to help candida, pathogens and parasites proliferate.

According to Dr. Thomas Nissen, an expert in Environmental Medicine, detoxifying the body of metals and chemicals is the first priority for anyone with a neurological disorder. As we have seen, toxins may play a major role in myelin sheath degeneration and other neurological disorders, so neutralizing these toxins is highly important.

Infrared Saunas have an excellent reputation for removing both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. They are a wonderful addition to other natural chelators, especially for removing chemicals that one is exposed to on a daily basis. One drawback is that they are expensive ($3,500 and up), or require visits to a health care practitioner's office.

The following detoxification products can be a safe alternative to traditional chelators used in chelation therapy for removing heavy metals and chemical pollutants.

When you mix bentonite clay with water, it creates a large negatively charged surface area. When the body is in a tub of warm water, the warm water opens up the pores of the skin, and the positively charged toxic particles are drawn through the pores of the skin, to be absorbed by the clay.

Most chemical and metal toxins have a postive charge, whereas the clay has a negative charge. Thus, the toxins cannot resist being drawn towards the clay. Bentonite clay has a great capacity for absorbing many times its own weight in toxins. In other words, clay baths have been shown to literally pull pollutants out through the skin, getting rid of many months and years of toxic accumulations.

It is important that you find a clay that has been purified, so it contains no mold, yeast, bacteria or fungus. Also, it helps to use a clay that mixes well and disperses easily with warm water to get maximum effectiveness. Some clays do not mix well in the tub, leaving you with a cumbersome and messy clean-up.

Glutathione is a short string of amino acids called a peptide. It is composed of three amino acids: glycine, glutamine and cysteine.

Glutathione is a major player in detoxifying the body of many toxic pollutants, including toxic metals and chemicals. Glutathione deficiency impairs the body's ability to get rid of toxins whether they are environmental or the by-products of cellular metabolism.

If we have low glutathione levels we slowly become toxic, storing away poisons in our tissues, organs, muscles and brain. We simply cannot detoxify effectively if our glutathione levels are too low, no matter what form of detoxification we undertake.

Glutathione is made by all the cells in the body, and is the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifying agent. In one review, almost 80% of people with chronic ailments were found to be deficient in glutathione. In fact, low levels of glutathione are involved in all disease states.

Why? – because the heavier the cumulative toxic burden on the body, the greater this depletes supplies of glutathione. For example: One molecule of mercury uses up one molecule of glutathione. Since all chronic, degenerative disorders are triggered, in part, by the toxic load, it is small wonder to see why glutathione levels are such an important marker.

Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb.  Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. 

Supplements such as NAC can help your body make more glutathione, but the effect is mild. This is why intravenous therapy was once considered to be the only therapy that really works.

According to Dr. Marcus Laux, it is important to find an oral glutathione supplement that your body can truly absorb.  It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact.  According to Dr. Laux, liposomes were recently tested in rigorous scientific studies, and were found to have an amazing 90% absorption rate.  That’s comparable to intravenous glutathione therapy, for a fraction of the cost. 

A cell culture study was conducted on glutathione at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by Gail Zeevalk, PhD. The study showed the neuro-protective nature of the glutathione from damage due to the known neuro-toxicants maneb (fungicide) and paraquat (herbicide).

The Infrared Sauna has an excellent reputation for detoxifying both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. It is an excellent therapy on its own or as an adjunct to other natural methods of detoxification.

Proper FAR infrared sauna therapy can be supportive for:

• Detoxification
• Enhanced Immune System Health
• Improved Cardiovascular Health
• Stress Releif
• Weight and Cellulite Management
• Pain Relief
• Skin Beautification

FAR infrared saunas help to accomplish detoxification in the following manner: A layer of fat and oil exists just below the surface of the skin. The FAR infrared light resonates with the water molecules within these lipid or fat cells.

This vigorous activation of the water molecule stimulates the fat cells to excrete toxins. These toxins will be released through the skin's sweat channels as a result of the high temperature from the sauna. As sweat and oil are secreted, the toxins dissolved in them are secreted as well. By excreting these toxins and then washing them off your body, the toxic load on the body is lowered and cellular health improves.

Oil glands help remove oil-soluble toxins that the body would otherwise have a difficult time eliminating. We have created a world filled with oil-soluble toxins such as gasoline, solvents, pesticides, ingredients in toothpaste, personal care products, etc., which the body is not able to dispose of efficiently. The longer the skin is heated, the more oil-soluble toxins are eliminated.

No other sauna company that we know of knows as much about detoxification as High Tech Health, Inc. Their specialty is providing saunas that detoxify safely and effectively. Their Thermal Life® Sauna is designed to allow anyone to detoxify at a rate that is appropriate for them.

Bio-Resonance™ Heaters

The Thermal Life® Sauna utilizes specially designed Bio-Resonance™ ceramic heaters that provide the optimal level of far infrared exposure no matter where you are in your detoxification process. A special feature of the Bio-Resonance heater is the nature of the far infrared rays that is emits. FAR infrared is a band of electromagnetic energy, just as visible light and ultraviolet light are.

The difference between visible light and far infrared is that we cannot see far infrared. FAR infrared affects the body differently than ultraviolet or near infrared light. Heat lamps emit near infrared which is only absorbed by the surface of the skin. FAR, on the other hand, is absorbed into the body up to a depth of 1 and half inches. It is experienced as a softer heat sensation which is quite enjoyable.

FAR infrared rays also stimulate the production of endorphins, the "happy hormones", and have been prescribed for pain for a long time. Bio-Resonance heating technology ensures an enjoyable, detoxifying experience.

Comparing Ceramic to Carbon Heaters in FIRS

Hight Tech Health (HTH) researched "carbon heater" technology and found it to be significantly inferior to their trademarked BioResonance® emitters because carbon heaters are inefficient and poor emitters of far infrared waves. If the emitters don't produce good far infrared, then the detoxification effect is diminished. HTH emitters are alloy tubes filled with solid ceramic . The ceramic material is warmed to the temperature range where it emits the highest quality and quantity of FIR waves. (between 6-20 microns).

The surgical grade stainless steel reflectors behind the emitters reflect back into the cabin any FIR emitted from the rear of the emitters. This way, the cabin is completely filled with 100% FIR waves and none are lost into the walls of the sauna. Carbon emitters because of their poor design and emission, lose close to 50% of what little far infrared they do emit through the back walls, because there is nothing to reflect the waves back into the center of the sauna cabin.

Carbon emitters are large thin plastic or fiberglass panels with a thin layer of carbon material sandwiched in between, or lined with fabric with carbon fibers woven into the fabric, then laminated onto the panels with a wire grid behind them to heat them up. They are made large to compensate for the extreme inefficiency of far infrared light production. They take 40-45 minutes to warm up to the point where you can even get into the sauna vs. our saunas which are warm and ready to use in 10-15 minutes.

High Tech Health will not put plastic or fiberglass into their saunas because of concerns regarding possible out-gassing of chemical compounds from these panels. These types of saunas are primarily marketed for recreational use. Another downside to carbon heaters is because of their large panel size, they produce fairly strong electromagnetic fields. HTH heaters emit extremely low levels of EMF's, about 2-4 milligauss, which is equivalent to sitting next to a reading lamp.

Carbon heaters are inexpensive to construct. They don't tend to have a long life, and can burn out in 5-6 years. HTH has never had to replace a single heater in the 14 years of selling the Thermal Life saunas. It is by far, the most durable, energy efficient and long lasting technology in the industry.

The most important four points in buying a far infrared sauna in regards to the heater technology used are:

1. Strength of Infrared – is the heater effective in promoting detoxification?
2. Energy Efficiency
3. Durability / Long lasting
4. Warm-up time

Besides linking to their site in the below-mentioned link, you can call them directly (recommended) at 800-794-5355 or 303-413-8500 and speak to one of their knowledgeable product specialists.

By mentioning our website Evenbetterhealth.com, you will receive the discount when you place the order from them. As well, High Tech Health offers a 30 day money-back satisfaction guarantee, so you can try it risk free. They also offer a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship of the cabin, the heaters, and the electrical components.

For more information and to purchase the Thermal Life® Far Infrared Sauna from High Tech Health, Inc., please click here.

A tissue mineral analysis or hair analysis provides a unique reading of heavy metal and mineral levels in the cells over a two to three month period. It takes into consideration that toxins are stored in the tissues of the body, not in the blood.

For instance, you can have normal copper levels in the blood, but high copper levels in the tissues. The reason hair is used for testing mineral status and metabolic activity is because of its very nature.

Our hair is formed from clusters of specialized cells that make up the hair follicle. During the growth phase, the hair is exposed to the internal environment such as blood, lymph and extra-cellular fluids. As the hair continues to grow and reaches the surface of the skin, its outer layers harden, locking in the metabolic products accumulated during the period of formation. This biological processs provides a blueprint and lasting record of metal content and nutritional metabolic activity that has occured during this time.

The precise analytical method of determining the levels of minerals in the hair is a highly sophisticated technique: when performed to exacting standards and interpreted correctly, it may be used as a screening aid for determining mineral deficiencies, excesses, and/or imbalances. HTMA provides you and your healthcare professional with an economical and sensitive indicator of the long-term effects of diet, stress, toxic metal exposure and their effects on your mineral balance that is difficult to obtain through other clinical tests.

It is important for the attending healthcare professional to determine your mineral status as minerals are absolutely critical for life and abundant health. They are involved in and are necessary for cellular metabolism, structural support, nerve conduction, muscular activity, immune functions, anti-oxidant and endocrine activity, enzyme functions, water and acid/alkaline balance and even DNA function.

Many factors can affect mineral nutrition, such as: food preparation, dietary habits, genetic and metabolic disorders, disease, medications, stress, environmental factors, as well as exposure to heavy metals. Rarely does a single nutrient deficiency exist in a person today. Multiple nutritional imbalances however are quite common, contributing to an increased incidence of adverse health conditions. In fact, it is estimated that mild and sub-clinical nutritional imbalances are up to ten times more common than nutritional deficiency alone.

To get an idea of how helpful a hair tissue analysis can be, think about this: Researchers using tissue mineral analysis determined, more than 100 years after Napoloen Bonaparte's death, that he had been poisoned by arsenic. Even though his hair sample was tested more than a century after his death, it still revealed pathological amounts of arsenic that had gradually proved fatal.

A hair analysis usually needs to be obtained through a health care professional (which can be expensive).However, we offer a service that allows you to get a comprehensive hair tissue mineral analysis from a federally licensed laboratory called Trace Elements, Inc.

Each hair analysis contains a detailed 10-15 page report from the laboratory itself, which shows bar graph readings indicating high, low and reference range levels for toxic metals, essential minerals and significant mineral ratios.

Unlike some labs that test hair tissue analysis, Trace Elements, Inc. does not wash the hair at the lab. Washing the hair removes some of the loosely bound minerals and can reduce some mineral readings by 50 percent or more. The hair sample is prepared in their licensed clinical laboratory by using a series of chemical and high temperature digestive procedures. Testing is then performed using highly sophisticated detection equipment and methods to achieve the most accurate and precise results.

The Comprehensive Hair Tissue Analysis report details graph results for 8 toxic heavy metals/elements, 15 nutritional minerals/elements, 15 additional elements, 7 significant mineral ratios, and 9 toxic metal ratios. Once you purchase the hair analysis from us, we send you a hair sample kit with instructions on how to take the hair sample.

Nutritional Elements: Extensively studied, the nutrient elements have been well defined and are considered essential for many biological functions in the human body. They play key roles in such metabolic processes such as muscular activity, endocrine function, reproduction, skeletal integrity, and overall development.

Toxic Elements: The toxic elements or "heavy metals" are well-known for their interference upon normal biochemical function. They are commonly found in the environment and therefore are present to some degree, in all biological systems. However, these metals clearly pose a concern for toxicity when accumulation occurs to excess.

Additional Elements: These elements are considered as possibly essential by the human body. Additional studies are being conducted to better define their requirements.

Significant Ratios: If the synergistic relationship (or ratio) between certain minerals in the body is disturbed, studies show that normal biological functions and metabolic activity can be adversely affected. Even at extremely low concentrations, the synergistic and/or antagonistic relationships between minerals still exist, which can indirectly affect metabolism.

Toxic Ratios: It is important to note that individuals with elevated toxic levels may not always exhibit clinical symptoms associated with those particular toxic minerals. However, research has shown that toxic minerals/metals can also produce an antagonistic effeect on various essential minerals, eventually leading to distrubances in their metabolic utilization.

For a complete overview of the various sections covered in the Comprehensive Hair Analysis report, please click here.

To view details of the elements measured and to order the Comprehensive Hair Analysis, please click here.

Once you purchase the hair analysis from us, we send you a hair sample kit with instructions on how to take the hair sample. You then send the hair sample to the Trace Elements lab, and the lab sends us the detailed report/results, which we then mail to you. (Please note: international customers outside of the United States will be instructed to send the hair sample to us, not directly to the lab).

Email your questions by clicking here.

Although Leaky Gut Syndrome (also called Intestinal Permeability) is quite common, it is rarely tested for by doctors. And some doctors have maintained that it does not even exist! That stance is changing however, as more and more chronic and autoimmune conditions are connected to having a “leaky gut”.

Normally, the lining of the small and large intestines provide a semi-permeable barrier which prevents toxins, large molecules of food, bacteria and yeasts from passing through the barrier and entering the bloodstream, where they can trigger autoimmune reactions and cause mild to severe health problems.

This lining has three very important jobs to do:

1. It absorbs and transports nutrients from our food across the intestinal wall.
   
   
2. It provides a protective barrier that prevents toxins, bacteria, yeast, viruses and inappropriate food molecules (like undigested proteins) from passing into the bloodstream.
   
   
3. Within this lining, over 70% of immune-producing cells are created. These cells fight off bad bacteria and viruses. So, in effect, over 70% of our immune function lives here. A compromised lining is a compromised immune function.

This intestinal lining is supposed to have small spaces between the cells. These spaces can open and close, allowing larger or smaller molecules to pass as appropriate. However, when these spaces become destroyed by inflammation, the spaces become too large.

This allows toxins and large molecules to “leak” from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. And once the intestinal lining becomes too permeable, it negatively affects all three of the important jobs this barrier is meant to do. What happens instead is the following:

1. Our body loses its ability to properly absorb nutrients which can lead to malnutrition and serious mineral deficiencies.
   
   
2. The toxins and undigested proteins that leak into the bloodstream can cause the body to trigger an IL-6 and IL-4 auto-antibody reaction where healthy tissue gets inflamed and food allergies are created.
   
   
3. The lining no longer is protected by probiotic bacteria and bad bacteria and viruses can invade the terrain.