4R Program for Intestinal Health
If you are someone that deals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue, frequent colds, general malaise, or just want to get healthier then a 4R program can be right for you.
The 4R program is designed to be a digestive cleanse. There are many ways of cleansing and through my experience I have found a doctor prescribed, specifically patient tailored program achieves the best results. This is that program. The 4 R's stand for:
Remove, Restore, Reinnoculate, Repair
During the initial removal phase the patient is tested for signs and symptoms of dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is a term used to describe an imbalance in the typical gut flora. The gut flora are the living microorganisms (beneficial bacteria like acidophilus and bifidobacteria, yeasts, parasites, molds, fungi) that reside in our intestinal tract. Yes, there are many colonies of these little microorganisms that live within us and most are supposed to be there.
The beneficial or good bacteria and other microorganisms have created a symbiotic relationship with our bodies. These microorganisms feast on our undigested food, mainly fiber, and help our digestion, aid in our immune system and even help us to produce helpful nutrients such as vitamin K.
Unfortunately not all the microorganisms that reside in our digestive tract are beneficial. There are many strains of unfriendly microorganisms that enter our bodies throughout our lifetime. These microorganisms don't really care much about us so they don't help to secrete useful products. Just the opposite happen, they act as parasites or toxin producers. These bad bugs can promote gas and toxins which disturb the normal homeodynamics (vist our blog on homeodynamics rather than homeostasis) of our bodies.
The simple explanation I like to use in my office is this:"Good bugs live in our gut and help us by eating our poop and pooping out their own beneficial byproducts. Bad bugs live in our gut and also eat our poop but when they poop they poop out toxins."When the ratio of good/bad bacteria reaches a certain level we get symptoms. That magic ratio is different for every individual and the symptoms are quite varied. Symptoms can include chronic aches and pains, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, headaches, fatigue...I can go on and on.
How Do we Address Dysbiosis?
The first R addresses these bugs. There are many nutritional products available for helping to eliminate the bad microorganisms in your body, in our office we figure out which product/s you need. During the "Removal" phase of the 4R program these supplements are taken and typically a "Yeast Free Diet" is prescribed (visit our Blog about Yeast Free Diet). This process will last anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on the individual.
The next R is "Restore". Here we Restore digestive enzymes that help to make digestion of foods easier. Also at times I prescribe supplements that re-acidify the stomach with the proper betaine hydrochloride balance. In our office we choose from different digestive enzymes that vary depending on the patient. This stage will be implemented along with one or more of the other R's.
The next R is "Reinnocculate". In this stage beneficial bacteria and or yeast supplements (probiotics) are prescribed to populate the digestive tract with high amounts of the “Friendly bugs.” The strains of probiotics used are dependant upon the individual. The length of time used and the dosage also vary. I see two common problems from patients that are taking probiotics on their own. One is lack of quality and stability in their probiotics, if a microorganism is dead by the time it reaches the target area it is of no help. Number two is a lack of knowledge on dosage (typically how many billions of probiotics to take a day) and for how long you should take them. I do believe in tailoring programs to the individual rather than giving out general advice to the masses. This stage is usually more intensive for 4-8 weeks and then can last as a supportive stage for up to 6 months at a time.
The final R is "Repair". In the repair stage we test the individual for nutrients that will aid their bodies in the natural repair process of the digestive tract. These products vary also but include nutrients such as Turmeric, L-Glutamine, B-vitamins, Aloe and Licorice. The most commonly used product, UltraInflam-X by Metagenics, I do not mind mentioning because of how many individuals I feel it helps. This stage varies greatly in length. I have many individuals including myself that have used "Repair" products such as UltraInflam-X for years learning when to cycle on and off of it.
I hope this helped to explain another tool I use in my office to help patients. I hope this information sparks questions or conversations with me or others. As always I believe you should learn as much as you can on your own and question anything that doesn't make sense to you. Your health is and should be in your own hands. Be responsible and take charge of it!
Yours in Health,
Dr. Piken
