How restoring Gut can aid in recovery from addiction

There is an ever-growing number of addiction sufferers across all demographics and throughout the world. In 2011, it was believed that there was one drug-related death every 15 minutes in the United States. Addiction to substances and behaviors is an increasingly common ailment, and finding an effective and lasting way to overcome these destructive tendencies is an ongoing struggle. Experts are looking into restoring gut as a way for this problem.

Restoring Gut Heals Addiction. Try and experience the comfort that comes with freedom from addiction

Addiction can affect lives in many ways, at work or in the home, and become destructive to the self and those around the addict. The causes of addiction are unique to each sufferer, and can differ wildly from each. Very often these causes are not known or understood. In cases of addiction, there is a change in the brain chemistry, which leads to the dependence on the substance or behavior. Altering this chemistry back to optimal levels would provide the best hope for long-term recovery. There is evidence to suggest that the altered brain chemistry can result from or be affected by a compromised intestine and altered levels of gut flora.

Recent studies have shown that there is a link between addiction and relapse after rehab and healthy gut flora. Professor Fredrik Bäckhed from the University of Gothenburg stated during a guest lecture at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at Copenhagen University: “Our results provides strong evidence that alcohol addiction is not only in the brain, but that it in some cases can be associated with an imbalance in the intestinal flora.” The study conducted by Professor Bäckhed and his colleagues examined the reactions to sobriety in alcoholics. 60 alcoholics participated in the study, 26 of whom had low levels of gut flora and suffered from leaky gut syndrome. After the test period of 19 days, the 26 subjects with impaired digestion showed a much higher level of depression, anxiety and alcohol cravings in these subjects as compared to the 34 test participants with healthier guts. These results clearly indicate a link between healthy gut flora and recovery from addiction.

Another study recently published in the American Journal of Physiology: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, showed that chronic alcohol consumption is associated with altered dysbiotic microbiota composition in a certain subset of alcoholics. Alcoholics with dysbiosis displayed lower levels of Bacteroidetes and higher levels of Proteobacteria. This imbalance creates leaky gut, which increases the translocation of toxic substances into the blood stream hence necessitating the need of restoring gut.

Higher levels of undesirable gut bacteria are also known to increase the production of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), cause chronic inflammation, and create an altered blood-brain barrier. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier results in toxins entering the neurological pathways, contributing to the development of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and cognitive deficits. These neurological and psychological side effects increase the addictive cravings and behaviors.

Chronic inflammation has also been shown to affect psychology adversely, and can result in severe depression, which also feeds into the addiction process.

The effect of alcohol on the gut creates a vicious cycle in the treatment process. Since the alcohol has damaged the intestinal flora, the addictive behaviors and cravings continue, and relapse damages the gut even further.

Although these and most of the studies conducted in this arena focus on alcoholism and alcohol abuse, the impact of impaired gut permeability and endotoxemia on a neurological level affects all those suffering from any form of addiction, as the anxiety, cravings, and self-destructive behavior are influenced in the same way.

Restoring Gut Heals Addiction is very essential for healing all kinds of addiction

Restoring the level of healthy gut flora is a long-term process requiring a holistic approach. Diet and supplementation must accompany abstinence from alcohol and other addictive substances. Digestive enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics, and other nutritional treatments will support and encourage better overall health and an addiction-free future.

Certain food stuffs can also help in healing the gut what we are reffering as restoring the gut. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and pickles can have a very beneficial effect on the microbiota of the gut and intestinal tract. Foods containing gluten and high sugar levels, conversely, have been shown to adversely affect the healing process and compound leaky gut syndrome. Sugar can also become a replacement addictive substance, and affects intestinal permeability in much the same way as alcohol does.

Restoring Gut Heals Addiction: Check out our Integrative Addiction Conference 2016 being held in Austin, Texas

A diet that is high in complex plant fiber and low in sugars and fats will stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduce inflammation. Other recommended nutritional supplements include L-glutamine, antioxidants, natural anti-inflammatory agents, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids such as Omega 3. Dietary and supplementary recommendations should be made according to the needs of each patient.

At the Integrative Addiction Conference, the link between restoring the gut health and addiction will be discussed in more depth, as well as many other topics relevant to addiction and addiction treatment. Integrative Addiction Conference is an annual conference featuring Integrative Advanced Medical Training. Learn to own and operate a thriving Integrative Addiction and Brain Rejuvenation Clinic.

http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/