By Marijke van de Water, B.Sc., DHMS

Cecal Acidosis aka “Leaky Gut”

Sugars and starches are normally digested with enzymes in the small intestine When large amounts of sugars and starches are fed the small intestine cannot digest them all at once thus the digestive load is forced back into the cecum to ferment. The excess fermentation causes abnormal levels of gas (often causing colic), heat, and acids. These destructive lactic acids destroy beneficial bacteria (probiotics) but are favoured by harmful strains of bacteria such as Salmonella, Streptococcus, and E. Coli as well as yeast cells. These bacteria then produce a variety of different toxins that are very damaging to the colon walls.

This cocktail combination of gas, heat, and acid, is known as caecal acidosis, a condition that not only permanently disrupts the natural balance of microflora by killing off beneficial bacteria and encouraging the growth of unfriendly bacteria, but damages the intestinal lining of the colon making it abnormally permeable. This damage can happen as early as 24 hours after a starch overload or gradually over a period of several weeks. Known as “leaky gut syndrome” the damaged colon allows the migration of bacteria, yeast, acids, and related toxins to “leak” across the membranes, out of the colon and into the general body systems including the liver, kidneys, heart, muscles, immunity, and the ever sensitive laminellar hoof tissue. This damaged colon is a major cause of laminitis which will not heal unless the colon is repaired.

(Besides laminitis a variety of other health conditions are due to leaky gut as well: arthritis, fatigue, allergies, skin conditions, bloating, chronic colic, hormone imbalances, undiagnosed joint and muscle pain, and auto-immune conditions. All of these conditions are a result of colon toxicity through modern feeding practices, lack of exercise, chemical deworming and antibiotics).

PART III OF THIS ARTICLE WILL BE PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14th, 2010.  Sign-up for our blog and it will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Marijke van de Water, B.Sc., DHMS

•  Equine Health & Nutrition Specialist
•  Homeopathic Practitioner
•  Medical Intuitive/Healer
•  Seminar & Retreat Facilitator

“Helping Horses & Their People”

Marijke has been a Natural Health Practitioner and Energy Healer for nearly two decades. She is a gifted and widely respected healer who uses a blend of exceptional knowledge, modern science, ancient wisdom and medical intuition giving her an uncanny ability to track the underlying causes of unwellness. She uses a variety of modalities to help horses (and their people) including diet, clinical and therapeutic nutrition, homeopathic medicines, energy testing and energy healing.

www.rivasremedies.com

Phone: 1.800.405.6643