The intestinal organ in history

The intestine is still a taboo subject today and is often considered less important. But that was not the case in the past. If you look at different cultures, it becomes clear that the intestine used to be the focal point. The focal point for health, or if you were ill, to get well again.

I would like to give you a few interesting examples from history:

• As early as 300 BC, Hippocrates put forward the hypothesis: "Death is in the gut"
• The intestine has its own patron saint: St. Erasmus (lived between 240 and 303). He is regarded as a helper for cramps, colic, abdominal complaints and stomach diseases. His intestines were removed while he was still alive.
• The Old Testament states that Abraham owed his long life to drinking sour milk.
• An Egyptian papyrus (2000 years old) contains instructions for a colonic irrigation.
• All fasting cures used to be accompanied by enemas to cleanse the bowels.

These things have more or less fallen into oblivion today because the bowel is such a disgusting thing (if I may put it that way). Bacteria have a bad reputation these days. Attempts are made to kill as many bacteria as possible, to make the environment germ-free and even children are advised to disinfect their hands and not play in the dirt. The fact is, however, that we could not survive without our gut and especially without our fellow inhabitants (the bacteria).

A few facts about the gut

The gut is around 7-8 meters long (4 times longer than we are) and covers an incredible 400-500 square meters! That's about the size of a tennis court. This is the surface area on which we absorb our nutrients. In other words, everything we eat is passed through it and absorbed (or what we can't absorb is excreted). The skin, by comparison, is only 2 square meters in size.

The intestinal bacteria - our roommates, as I called them at the beginning - weigh around 2 kilograms. Of these 2 kilograms, 85% are so-called good bacteria and 15% are "bad" bacteria. We need this ratio because it is the only way to train our immune system and ensure that we are protected against external pathogens. Only if this system is disrupted or the environment changes does it become difficult for our immune system.

80% of the immune system is formed in the gut. But 98% of the production of serotonin (our happiness hormone) also takes place in the gut.

The terms "gut brain" or "gut feeling" are therefore not so far-fetched, but have to do with the fact that substances such as the happiness hormone are produced in the gut. However, the intestinal environment is crucial for this production. Or as Professor Béchamp put it in the 19th century:

"The microbe is nothing, the environment is everything."

This means that the individual bacteria do not make us ill or maintain our health, but the entire system, or the milieu. We describe this environment with the pH value of the intestine, among other things. This shows the condition of our intestines as a whole. That is why it is so important to check the environment, preferably by means of stool tests.

For all those who prefer listening to reading, I would like to recommend my popular Darmglück podcast. With lots of exciting health topics, tips and tricks for a healthy lifestyle in everyday life and a balanced diet. Listen to "The gut - the gateway to health" now:

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A good stool analysis provides information about the environment

Unfortunately, such detailed stool analyses are rarely carried out in our country. A colonoscopy is usually carried out straight away. Such colonoscopies are very good for seeing protrusions, which can be removed immediately during the colonoscopy without the need for further surgery. Even more serious problems can sometimes be found with a colonoscopy.

But what we can't see with a colonoscopy is: what is the condition of the environment? What is the pH value, what about the bacteria, do we have fungi, a permeable bowel and so on. That's why we need a good and comprehensive stool analysis.

Most of the tests we know are limited to inflammation, and Candida fungus or occult blood may also be investigated. Today, however, it is possible to analyze much more extensively, such as the intestinal flora status (aerobic and anaerobic bacteria), digestive residues, pH value, inflammatory intestinal mucosa or even whether the mucosa is permeable.

We have now gained a lot of experience in the field of stool analysis. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

Complaints when the intestinal flora is out of balance

The intestinal flora, as the entirety of all intestinal bacteria, is sensitive and can be impaired by various influencing factors. The main causes of disturbed intestinal flora include:

• stress
• Lack of exercise and an unhealthy, unbalanced diet
• Antibiotic therapy, which impairs or eliminates both benign and malignant bacteria

The symptoms caused by a disturbed intestinal flora often manifest themselves as:

• Clearly recognizable intestinal problems such as flatulence, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome
• Allergies such as hay fever
• Food intolerances such as gluten intolerance
• Frequent colds due to a weakened immune system
• Histamine intolerance
• Mental restrictions such as mood swings
• Skin problems
• Inflammation of the gums

The symptoms of intestinal problems are varied and show us how important this organ really is for our health and well-being.

Gut with charm - all about an underestimated organ

Precisely because the topic of the gut has received so little attention for so long, I am delighted about the new popularity that the topic is currently experiencing thanks to a young female doctor. A few years ago, Giulia Enders published a book entitled "Darm mit Charme: Alles über ein underestimated organ"*, which reports on the gut in simple language. Very refreshing and well worth reading!

I recommend this entertaining short film so that you can get an immediate impression of her.