The Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine (FAIM) staff continually searches for information about cancer. This conference included nutritional information about the fight against cancer in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its prevention. Back to School for Doctors is built upon the nutritional philosophy of Dr. Royal Lee. He provided insight into improving the digestion and absorption of nutrition in the human GI tract that was ahead of his time. Dr. Lee produced many of the very first digestion related nutritional formulas in history. Milestones in developing supplements to aid the structure and function of the GI tract include the first probiotic supplement, first HCl supplement, first supplement to reduce bile viscosity to aid liver and gallbladder function, the first clay-based supplement as an adsorbent to bind waste, the first commercially available proteolytic enzyme supplements from plants and animals, and the first supplement designed to digest mucous off the intestinal wall. The conference reviewed some of the research and data of pioneering discoveries, including significant breakthroughs that were discarded because they did not fit the dietetic and pharmaceutical paradigms of the nation's health authorities and the industries employing them.

The burden of the digestive problems on the United States health care system is staggering. The National Institute of Health reports that 60 million to 70 million Americans are affected each year by digestive problems; cost in direct medical expenses exceeds $100 billion. Digestive diseases are named as primary cause of death for over 235,000 people in the United States annually. A new study conducted by the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition reveals that about half of all Americans say digestive problems affect their daily lives, preventing them from getting a full night of sleep, going out to eat, exercising, enjoying themselves or even socializing with friends. These statistics do not include the accessory phenomenon of food allergies. This state of affairs is a national embarrassment and unnecessary with the use of the proper nutritional supplements to support the entire GI tract.

The conference is sponsored by Standard Process Whole Food Supplements. Only health professionals carry its line of products. Highlighted at the conference were uses of supplements to protect against salmonella, ulcers, gallbladder issues, ulcerative colitis, hypochlorhydria and liver issues.

Protocols to prevent colon cancer were reviewed. When the stomach is low in HCl, the chyme that enters the small intestine is not acid enough. Bile, which is extremely alkaline, enters the small intestine and neutralizes the chyme. In a healthy body fermentation in the gut returns the mixture to an acid pH prior to entering the colon. However, in this alkaline scenario the mixture stays too alkaline and once it enters the colon causes trouble. Bile begins to digest the fat in the epithelial cells of the colon, which can ultimately become a cancer situation. In summary, the way to avoid colon cancer is to maintain healthy levels of HCl in the stomach and to support healthy flora in the gut, which can produce lactic acid through fermentation prior to entering the colon. Protocols for leaky gut, Candida, food allergies, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and diarrhea were discussed.

For more information on how to maintain a healthy GI tract, contact a health professional who attends Back to School for Doctors.