the primary source of immunologic function, extend beyond the intestine and consist of the gut-associated, bronchial-associated, and duct-associated lymphoid tissues. Thus, virtually every mucosal surface of the body has the ability to respond to and induce effector cells capable of protecting the host from potentially harmful organisms or local antigens.

Gastro-Intestinal Health

The gastrointestinal tract is routinely defined as Òa tube approximately 10 feet long, running through the body from mouth to anus.Ó The World Book Dictionary adds that the intestine is Òthe lower part of the alimentary canal... food from the stomach passes into the intestine for further digestion and for absorption. This simplistic concept of intestinal function, combined with its indisputable lack of glamour, is reason enough for most people to never give the importance of intestinal health a second thought. This is unfortunate, possibly even dangerous, and needs to change. The reality is that healthy intestinal function is critically important to overall health. This realization makes it incumbent upon all those desiring good health to understand the importance of optimal intestinal health and adjust their habits into alignment with that knowledge.

The Intestine as a Protective Barrier

Consider as an analogy the atmosphere sur- rounding the earth and its role in protecting our environment.
The healthy intestinal wall is coated with hun- dreds of different species of microorganisms, both healthful and unhealthful bacteria numbering in the billions. This rich protective coating of micro organisms acts in concert with the physical barrier provided by the cells lining the intestinal tract and other factors to provide the body with important filter-like protection. Damaging substances like unhealthy bacteria, toxins, chemicals and wastes are filtered out and eliminated. Simultaneously, the critical factors needed for life, such as nutrients and water, are absorbed into circulation and made available to the billions of cells in the body that need them.

The atmosphere acts as a selective barrier making sunlight available for life-sustaining photosynthesis, while simultaneously preventing the sun's disease-causing ultraviolet light from penetrating. It is screened out by a protective portion called the ozone layer. The selective barrier function of the intestine is equally profound. In the healthy state, the absorption of small sugars, fats and proteins proceed through the intestinal wall and circulate throughout the body. They are required for a myriad of essential reactions. Simultaneously, damaging substances from unhealthful bacteria, incompletely digested food, toxins, or chemicals, are largely prevented from being absorbed and transported throughout the body. We are continually and unknowingly protected from the ill effects of these damaging substances.

Bad Habits That Negatively Impact Intestinal Health

Unfortunately human beings have developed bad habits that promote imbalancein both the atmosphere and the intestinal tract. For example, pollutantssuch as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have punctured holes in our ozone shield.The ozone hole has widened and deepened every year since scientists beganmeasuring ozone levels in 1985. Scientists feel that the continued depletionof the ozone layer will cause greater amounts of ultraviolet radiationto reach the earth's surface, resulting in a greater cancer risk, as wellas other health problems.

In a remarkable parallel, other bad habits in our society in generalhave contributed to an imbalance of intestinal protective factors in analarming percentage of the population. These bad habits include wide spreadconsumption of a diet high in refined simple sugars and fat and deficientin nutritious, whole, unprocessed foods and fiber. This type of diet couldpotentially tip the intestinal balance toward the overgrowth of unhealthfulbacteria and the proliferation of yeast or fungal organisms. It is alsoassociated with less frequent bowel movements and a number of forms ofchronic intestinal dysfunction. Other bad habits include the excess consumptionof alcohol and the use of antacids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatorypain relievers. These may contribute to a breakdown or deterioration inthe physical integrity of the intestinal wall, much like CFCs have puncturedthe ozone layer, creating holes for ultraviolet radiation to enter through.Scientists describe this state of intestinal breakdown as "leaky gutsyndromand feel it may contribute to intestinal dysfunction. Ahigh stress life-style combined with a bad diet, deficient in importantnutrients such as L-glutamine, pantothenic acid, zinc, folic acid, vitaminB12, vitamin A and others, may impair the healing of intestinal deterioration.Another bad habit is the over use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Researchershave acknowledged that virtually every antibiotic taken orally causes alterationsin the balance of the bacteria in the intestine. Even as little as onecourse of antibiotics may deteriorate that rich, protective coating ofmicroorganisms and upset the balance between healthful and unhealthfulbacteria, reducing the resistance to intestinal and systemic ill health.

Helpful Suggestions for Achieving Optimal Intestinal Health. Those interestedin achieving optimal intestinal health should find the following suggestionshelpful (as pictured on page 66): avoid excessive alcohol use and refined,sugar-rich, and fiber-poor foods. Avoid the use of antacids and broad spectrumantibiotics as much as possible. Eat a diet rich in whole, unprocessed,nutritionally adequate foods and fiber. Drink plenty of pure water. Consumea diet rich in, and/or supplement the diet with, probiotic proteins (lactoperoxidase,lactoferrin) and globulin proteins that may support a balanced and healthfulpopulation of intestinal bacteria. Also consider adding to the diet fructo-oligosaccharides(FOS) which act as a food source to nourish certain healthful bacteriabut not unhealthful ones. Finally, supplement the diet with scientificallyproven, high quality, healthful bacterial products such as bifidobacteriaand the NCFM strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus.