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Lifestyle Factors
that Contribute to Rectal Disease
Job stress and other life stress can contribute to the development
of rectal disease, especially hemorrhoids. Low-stress and
tribal cultures have almost no incidence of any of these maladies,
it can almost be said that they are symptoms of living modern society.
Some of the other factors that cause rectal problems are……
- Low-fiber diet
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Substance abuse
- Medications that alter bowel function
- Sitting for long periods of time
- Very little exercise
- Pyschosomatic factors, especially depression
- Immunodeficiency diseases
Out of these factors, a low-fiber diet is the
big culprit. It’s
the #1 factor behind colorectal cancer too. The standard diet in
most developed countries is high in carbs and calories, high in chemicals
and artificial fats, low in healthy fiber, enzymes, vitamins and
minerals. Most people are aware these factors contribute to
obesity, diabetes, heart disease, but unaware that in the digestive
tract they also cause dysbiosis, toxicity, tissue inflammation and
other stresses. Sooner or later the result is one or more digestive
ailments.
The US is about the worst. It’s quite startling the
difference in rates of colorectal cancer between the undeveloped
nations of Africa, for example, and a developed nation like America. The
main differences are dietary, especially fiber.
At root is this : any diet that encourages anaerobic bacteria and
other microbes to grow in the bowel (usually
begins with a high-carb, low-fiber diet)
causes dysbiosis, which is a toxic intestinal
ecology, and that condition in turn causes
many ailments of the bowel and rectum. Then
there are many cause-and-effect pathways
where one ailment sets up the conditions
for another to emerge. You’ll
very often have several occurring together.
Ultimately, then,
it comes back to eating a good diet. The
condition of the intestinal tract staying
balanced is the best long-term hedge against
developing any of these illnesses.
As a general rule, I recommend to all my patients a diet that features…..
- moderate protein
- complex, unprocessed carbohydrates
- lots of fruits and vegetables
- low sugar
Special risk factors : Some vegetarians, due to their diet choices
have to be especially careful. In particular many vegans (who
don’t eat meat, dairy foods or eggs) have another contributing
factor : chronic anemia. I’ve seen quite a number with
very low hemoglobin counts, hemocrit levels and blood iron levels,
indicating chronic anemia, and they’re unwilling to change
their diet because they believe in it so deeply. Well, anemia
can be causative of Crohn’s
Disease. The Crohn’s can’t be managed if the
blood isn’t healthy.
My conclusion? Vegetarian diets can work for some people but
not everyone. But for everyone, if your digestive tract shows
signs of imbalance or illness, get it checked
out.
Digestive Illnesses that
Contribute to Rectal Disease
Diathermy
When To Seek Help
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