36 Ways We Damage Our Small Intestine

by David Klein, Ph.D., Naturorthopathic Doctor
Director of the Colitis & Crohn’s Health Recovery Center
http://www.colitisandcrohnscenter.com
http://www.veganhealingdiet.com
http://www.digestionperfection.com

Treat Your Villi Very Gently!

Your small intestine is not at all like a rugged garden hose which can handle any and all abuse; it’s certainly not coated with Teflon! It’s a very intricate organ made of delicate flesh.

The the inner surface of the small intestine is lined with specialized structures called “villi” (pronounced “vil-eye”). Villi are small, finger-like projections that protrude from the epithelial lining of the small intestine’s inner walls. The villi are set in a striated pattern (like the bristles of a hair brush) to provide a great absorptive surface area for the enormous quantity of molecular nutrients which transit along the approximately 20-foot length of the small intestine.

The absorption of nutrients is facilitated by enterocyte digestive enzyme which is secreted from each villi. The villi absorb fatty acids, amino acids and simple sugars through their semi-permeable membranes into capillaries for delivery to the rest of the body through the lymph fluid. To enable the diffusion of nutrients into the bloodstream, the villi have a rich blood supply to maintain a concentration gradient across the membranes.

FRAGILE: Treat With Utmost Care!

The walls of villi are remarkably thin, about one cell thick, and are therefore very delicate and fragile. Each villus is approximately 0.5 to 1.6 mm in length and has many projecting microvilli which collectively form the brush border membrane. When abused by unnatural dietary, recreational and remedial practices, the villi are easily damaged and their function can be impaired or fully destroyed. This typically causes pain and leads to a myriad of disease conditions.

In consideration of the facts that

• the villi are extremely delicate,
• the small intestine is only about one inch in diameter,
• the small intestine is packed into the abdominal cavity with numerous loops and bends, and
• the muscles of the small intestine do not have unlimited energy available to move digesta toward the colon,

it should be obvious that the small intestine will function best on a diet of soft, water-rich foods.

Analogously, it’s much easier to pump juice through a hose than it is to pump thick, sticky mud with solid chunks of plants. Right?

So, you must have guessed it by now: the most suitable foods for the small intestines are ripe, raw, juicy organic fruits and, therefore, fruit should comprise the bulk of our diet! Biologically, anatomically and physiologically, humans truly are a species of frugivores!

Dietary Transgressions and Intestinal Damage

When we stray from a water-rich diet of soft foods (mainly juicy fruits and tender vegetables which are chewed well), we stress the small intestines and the entire bowel, and the consequences will typically be disastrous. I know! As a result of the omnivorous diet I ate as child and teenager, I had ulcerative colitis for eight hellacious years. But, I healed that for good 32 years ago via a fruit-based, mostly raw and fully vegan diet.

Since 1993, have helped 4,000 clients heal their intestines via a specialized fruit-based diet program which I call the Vegan Healing Diet Plan. Juicy raw plant foods and thorough chewing promote healing!

Small Intestine Damage: Causes & Effects

There are numerous ways by which people weaken and damage their delicate villi and the function of their small intestine every day, causing illness and misery. Here are the major causes of small intestine damage and the effects:

1. Excessive fiber

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
atrophy
scraping/stripping
constipation
cramping
blockages
perforation
prolapses
bleeding
hernias

2. Hard, dry foods

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
scraping/stripping
bleeding
pain
atrophy
cramping
constipation
blockages
perforation
prolapses
bleeding
hernias

3. Insufficient fiber

EFFECTS
enervation
flora dysbiosis
constipation
blockages
prolapses
hernias
diverticulitis
polyps
thickening
tumors
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
cancer

4. Fermented dietary items (high-acid products such as vinegar, beer, wine)

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
mucus over-production
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
candida albicans
bloating
leaky gut

5. Indigestible foods

EFFECTS
enervation
mucus over-production
flora dysbiosis
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
bloating
candida albicans
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
bleeding
insufficient production of enterocyte digestive enzyme
malabsorption
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
strictures
constipation
diverticulitis
thickening
blockages
prolapses
adhesions
sepsis
cancer

6. Overeating fat/oil

EFFECTS
acidosis / hyperacidity
bile over-production
enervation
congestion
flora dysbiosis
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
candida albicans
irritation
mucus over-production
malabsorption
insufficient production of enterocyte digestive enzyme
leaky gut
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
constipation
abscesses
sepsis
thickening
ulceration
induration
polyps
cancer

7. Overeating protein

EFFECTS
acidosis / hyperacidity
bile over-production
enervation
putrefaction (producing hydrogen sulfide, methane, mercaptans, putrescine, indoles, skatoles, ammonia, cadaverine, etc.)
irritation
mucus over-production
flora dysbiosis
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
candida albicans
malabsorption
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
bleeding
ulceration
constipation
diverticulitis
thickening
perforation
leaky gut
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
abscesses
sepsis
strictures
induration
polyps
cancer

8. Overeating complex carbohydrates (starch)

EFFECTS
fermentation (producing alcohol and vinegar)
bloating
mucus over-production
enervation
constipation
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
candida albicans
malabsorption
leaky gut

9. Overeating grains and flour products

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
mucus over-production
constipation
bloating
blockages
strictures
fermentation
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
candida albicans
malabsorption
insufficient production of enterocyte digestive enzyme
leaky gut
hernias
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
ulceration
induration
polyps
cancer

10. Over-juicing

EFFECTS
paralysis
atrophy
diarrhea
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
anemia

11. Cooking by-products: acrylamide, acreolin, heterocyclic amines, free radicals, etc.

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
ulceration
bleeding
pain
abscesses
thickening
leaky gut
malabsorption
insufficient production of enterocyte digestive enzyme
induration
cancer

12. Bingeing

EFFECTS
nutrient deficiencies
enervation
irritation
constipation
bloating
diarrhea
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
anemia

13. Purging (bulimia)

EFFECTS
nutrient deficiencies
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and other nutrient deficiencies
enervation
cramping
irritation
anemia

14. Extremely acidic foods, beverages and culinary additives (lemons, alcohol, cola, kombucha, vinegar, etc.)

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
pain
mucus over-production
constipation
insufficient production of enterocyte digestive enzyme
malabsorption
strictures
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
bleeding
ulceration
thickening
leaky gut
induration
polyps
cancer

15. Hot foods and drinks

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
pain
mucus over-production
constipation
atrophy
paralysis
suppressed digestive enzyme secretion
malabsorption
strictures
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
malabsorption
leaky gut
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
thickening
bleeding
ulceration
induration
polyps
cancer

16. Cold foods and drinks

EFFECTS
enervation
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
atrophy
suppressed digestive enzyme secretion
paralysis
prolapses
strictures
malabsorption

17. Irritants (salt, pepper, chili peppers, onions, garlic, radishes, leeks, scallions, chives, shallots, oregano, ginger, cinnamon, arugula, curries, mustard, vinegar, mint, coffee, black tea, green tea, white tea, alcohol, cola, charred meat, etc.)

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
pain
mucus over-production
constipation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
bleeding
ulceration
atrophy
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
malabsorption
abscesses
thickening
strictures
induration
polyps
cancer

18. Laxatives

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
mucus over-production
constipation
spasms
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
malabsorption
anemia

19. Enemas

EFFECTS
enervation
atrophy
flora dysbiosis
prolapses
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
malabsorption
anemia

20. Colonics

EFFECTS
enervation
atrophy
flora dysbiosis
prolapses
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
malabsorption
anemia

21. Parasites

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
leaky gut
malabsorption
anemia

22. GMO foods (genetically modified soy beans, corn, Canola, papaya, sugar beets, etc.)

EFFECTS
enervation
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
irritation
leaky gut
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
bleeding
pain
atrophy
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
flora dysbiosis
bloating
sepsis
thickening
malabsorption
anemia
cell death

23. Drugs

EFFECTS
enervation
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
pain
flora dysbiosis
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
leaky gut
cell death
bleeding
constipation
diarrhea
atrophy
malabsorption
anemia
cancer

24. Cobalt deficiency

EFFECTS:
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
enervation
malabsorption
anemia
atrophy
leaky gut
constipation
spasms

25. Vitamin K deficiency

EFFECTS
defective blood clotting
uncontrollable bleeding / hemorrhaging
anemia

26. Vitamin U deficiency

EFFECTS

un-healable ulcerations
atrophy
leaky gut
anemia
induration
cancer

27. Calcium deficiency

EFFECTS
spasms
cramping
atrophy
diarrhea
strictures

28. Sodium deficiency

EFFECTS
spasms
cramping
atrophy
strictures

29. Magnesium deficiency

EFFECTS
spasms
cramping
atrophy
diarrhea
strictures


30. Vitamin D deficiency

EFFECTS
deficient calcium absorption
spastms
cramping
atrophy
diarrhea
strictures
anemia

31. Gluten

EFFECTS
celiac disease
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
malabsorption
anemia

32. Low pH

EFFECTS
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
pain
induration
physical degeneration
cell death
leaky gut
bleeding
flora dysbiosis
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
strictures
malabsorption
anemia
cancer

33. High pH (from overproduction of bile)

EFFECTS
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
pain
atrophy
cell death
leaky gut
bleeding
flora dysbiosis
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
strictures
malabsorption
anemia

34. Antibiotics

EFFECTS
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
bleeding
cell death
flora dysbiosis
bloating
vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
enervation
diarrhea
malabsorption
leaky gut
anemia
induration
cancer

35. Insufficient chewing

EFFECTS 

villi stripping/scraping
bleeding
prolapses
constipation
bloating
malabsorption
anemia

36. Excessive stress

EFFECTS
enervation
constipation
pain
cramping
prolapses
malabsorption
anemia
depressed enterocyte digestive enzyme production
irritation
inflammation (Crohn’s disease)
bleeding
ulcers
induration
cancer

Note: All of these causes can also result in colitis.

In Conclusion: Eat Juicily!

The natural biological diet for humans (known by the names The Vibrant Diet, The Hygienic Diet, The 80-10-10 Diet  and The Acid-Alkaline-Association Diet) has proven to be the most health-promoting diet of them all. It is a simple, super-nutritious diet of mostly juicy fruits, complemented with tender vegetables and minimal quantities of soft, hydrated, well-chewed or blended seeds and nuts. If you want your gut to heal, feel great and work with quiet perfection, maintain a juicy, high-water content diet of mostly ripe, juicy fruits, and practice perfect food combining. Water fasting promotes the fastest healing of the gut. Educate yourself about water fasting and do not attempt one longer than three days without professional supervision. A juice diet is also effective for healing. If you or a loved one needs guidance, I am glad to help.

Resources

Dr. David Klein’s Colitis & Crohn’s Health Recovery Center
http://www.colitisandcrohnscenter.com
dave@colitis-crohns.com
808-572-0861

Digestion Perfection Symptoms Assessment by Dr. David Klein
http://www.digestionperfection.com
dave@digestionperfection.com

Vegan Healing Diet by Dr. David Klein
http://www.veganhealingdiet.com

Dr. David Klein’s Self Healing Empowerment Counseling Services
http://www.selfhealingempowerment.com

Self Healing Colitis & Crohn’s – The Complete Wholistic Guide to Healing the Gut and Staying Well by Dr. David Klein
http://www.shop.colitiscurebook.com

Digestion Perfection with the Vegan Healing Diet Plan by Dr. David Klein
http://www.vibranthealthandwealth.com/bookstore/bookstore-individual.php?ID=4

Fasting & Eating for Mind-Body Purification by Dr. David Klein et al.
http://www.vibranthealthandwealth.com/bookstore/bookstore-individual.php?ID=77