The quote below in the
Iodine and Potassium Iodide started some discussion on coffee and probiotic enema's in the thread. You can obviously click the link to that quote and find the entire discussion there, but here is what I thought what seemed the most relevant information to help anyone understand what these enema's are about, how to do them and how they can help.
Laura said:
worldbridger said:
Anyway, at the same time I got a recommendation to a doctor who is a specialist in chronic pain (who also said I have fine fiber neuropathy) who went to the US in the 70s and his teacher was the one who came up with method called ”blistering”, she treated John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson who both suffered from chronic pain. Then the method faded away when Big Pharma started their opiode campaign.
So, the first doctor put me on Gabapentin and the other one started treating me (local anesthetic and Saroten to put me in deep sleep), Saroten (25-50 mg) helped me feel like I really had been sleeping for the first time in 2 years.
I was feeling some sort of hope, then things started to get worse again. So here I am. Running out of time, energy, money, and hope.
Today four books arrived in the post and all of them were about the brain and its relationship with all kinds of disorders including autoimmune, lyme's infections, general decline, etc.
One thing that came up in TWO of these books (haven't skimmed the other two yet) was enemas. In one, the coffee enema was recommended for sorting out the vagus nerve. In the other, probiotic retention enemas were recommended for straightening out autoimmune conditions usually caused by taking antibiotics early in life.
Here is a site that talks about this:
http://wholehealthchicago.com/2015/05/18/on-good-bacteria-enemas-and-your-health/
And an excerpt.
Microbiome bacterial mix
A poor mix of bacteria in your microbiome can increase your risk for a diverse selection of conditions, including:
Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Mood disorders including chronic anxiety and depression. A very readable source of information is GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome).
Susceptibility to intestinal inflammation (irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s) and colon cancer. Some gastroenterologists are treating these conditions by giving enemas containing stool material from a healthy donor, a process called a fecal transplant. If your doc recommends one, consider a DIY approach to save yourself $10K.
Learning disabilities, including ADD and ADHD. In one recently published article, researchers gave a group of newborns an enema of good bacteria, another group no enema. Thirteen years later, in the group that didn’t receive the probiotic enema, the ADD/Asperger rate was 7%. In the probiotic group: 0%.
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes
Autism. Some lab experiments using mouse models for autism have shown promising results with probiotics, and some nutritional physicians and autism support groups are encouraging this. However, the probiotics suggested are so potent they do require a doctor’s prescription.
Lyme Disease. Our physicians recommend a low-volume retention enema using an extremely high-potency, prescription-only probiotic containing nearly a trillion bacteria.
So, since I'm suffering rather severe pain and disability at the moment from an injury, I thought I'd give it a whirl: double whammy, coffee followed by probiotics.
I watched some video testimonials on youtube about it and it sounds almost too good to be true. We'll see. I've got nothing to lose, and neither do you.
Coffee Enema
First off is coffee enema's and here are a few articles that get's the ball rolling on how to do it and why they are important. The biggest thing is apparently it can mobilize your liver to work extra hard to release a ton of toxins that may be stored in it as well as stimulating the vagus nerve. Because the liquid will be going up your backside, the best kinds of enema kits to purchase are the glass ones because there is no leaching of the material into the liquid, which eventually will go into your colon. And if that's too pricey, then stainless steel or medical grade silicone are also decent purchases.
https://www.sott.net/article/301218-Detoxing-protocols-Coffee-enema
https://www.sott.net/article/185888-Use-coffee-enemas-for-detoxification
https://www.sott.net/article/307422-Big-Pharma-does-not-want-you-to-know-the-health-benefits-of-coffee-enema-therapy
How to do a Coffee Enema
1. Fill your container with 500ml to 1 liter maximum of coffee solution
2. Use 2 or 3 rounded TBSP of coffee bean powder per enema
3. When using the coffee solution for enema it
must be room temperature
4. Lubricate tubing w/olive or coconut oil
5. Insert tubing roughly 3 inches (7.5 cm) up backside in the direction of your navel
6. Retain the liquid for 12-15 minutes
maximum
7. Can lie on back or side (preferably right side for coffee because of the hepatic vein to the liver?) although there seems to be some dispute over what is best in this regard
8. It needs to be organic and caffeinated coffee, not decaf
9. Use Distilled water or RO (reverse osmosis) water
10. Apparently you can purchase organic enema coffee that's mold free and specifically geared towards it
11. If you get jittery after taking a coffee enema, reduce the amount of coffee used next time
Gaby said:
Here are some useful articles that give an idea of what to expect and how to variate the recipe for the coffee enema:
Coffee Enema
_https://ineedcoffee.com/coffee-enema/
I think they recommend too much coffee though, but you'll find the theoretical concepts very nicely synthesized.
The Coffee Enema – A Liver Cleanser
_http://sawilsons.com/library/the-coffee-enema-a-liver-cleanser/
Based upon Dr. Gerson’s work.[...] Add 3 heaping tablespoons of ground coffee (organically grown coffee is absolutely essential*) to 1 quart of water (preferable distilled). Let it boil lightly for 3 minutes, then simmer for a total of 20 minutes. Keep lid on. Strain and use at body temperature.
The body should be lying down on its right side, with both legs drawn close to the abdomen. Breathe deeply, in order to suck in the greatest amount of fluid into the necessary parts of the colon. It also helps to let all of the air out of the lungs and suck the gut in and out while in this position.
The fluid should be retained for 12 to 15 minutes. It helps to have a clock or watch in view. Dr. Gerson found that all the caffeine is absorbed from the fluid within 12 minutes. The caffeine goes through the hemorrhoidal veins directly into the portal veins and into the liver.
The following explains estimates for the best quantity of water, not too much nor too little. Too much will wash away much needed electrolites from the colon. Too little would not be enough.
Enemas vs. Colonics, Mineral Absorption, and Electrolyte Imbalance
_http://sawilsons.com/library/enemas-vs-colonics-mineral-absorption-and-electrolyte-imbalance/ [...] By contrast, the coffee enema used on the Gerson regimen is 32 ounces, just enough to fill the descending colon, and barely, it at all, reaching into the transverse colon. Mineral absorption is minimally affected, and, of course, the coffee solution itself contains minerals (potassium) which are absorbed along with the caffeine and palmitic acid salts.
It is nearly 1L just to reach the upper limit in the descending colon.
Interesting historical background and track record:
With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemas? Enemas and Colonics. New Age Nonsense? Think Again.
_http://nutritionresearchcenter.org/healthnews/with-friends-like-these-who-needs-enemas/
Another situation involved a 22-year-old young man with flu-like symptoms who was vomiting with diarrhea and a severe migraine-type headache without relief for five days. On the sixth day, still in pain without relief from symptoms, Acupuncture and herbs from a Chinese medical doctor did not help. His doctor suggested a course of: Immune Support, CalMag Balance and of water enemas followed by three flushes with organic coffee. By the end of this session, all symptoms were eradicated to the complete amazement and appreciation of the patient.
Probiotic Enema
Generally, from what I understand (and other's can correct me if I'm wrong) the process of doing a probiotic enema is similar in certain ways to a coffee enema although I think you can leave the probiotic enema without needing to do a bowel movement for much longer if need be, although others who have more experience with doing the enema's can comment on that. Some of the information on how to do it had a few differences of opinion on how much water to use, etc. Below are a few articles you can read to give a better idea on the how's and why's of it.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/544136-how-to-do-a-probiotic-enema/
http://wholehealthchicago.com/2015/05/18/on-good-bacteria-enemas-and-your-health/
How to do a Probiotic Enema
1. Fill 1 1/2 cups or 12 oz of water into a glasss
2. Open 2-3 probiotic capsules and add to water
3. Use spoon to mix and dissolve
4. Set aside for 8 hours or overnight
5. Get a clean enema bag, pour in the probiotic mixture and clamp the enema firmly into place
6. Retain the enema for 12-15 minutes (or possibly longer?)
7. If possible lie on your left side
As far as what kinds of strains of probiotics to use, here's some recommendations from Gaby on that. Although it seems that depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what current state you are in. It seems like L. Rhamnosus GG is a good one all around in your probiotic mix to have.
Gaby said:
worldbridger said:
You mentioned "prescription probiotics", what is that in terms of billions of bacteria, and what kind of bacteria is it? As I said before I use Innate, Flora 50-14 Clinical Strength:
http://www.innateresponse.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/40128.Flora50-14.FACTSBOX%20copy.jpg
That is pretty good! I would just use that, it looks better than what I got.
I got two types of probiotics:
Megalevura - Containing
L. rhamnosus GG (6 per 10 to the power of 9),
lactobacillus helveticus (4*10 to the power of 9),
bifidobacterium longum (4*10 to the power of 9), and
saccharomyces boulardii 600mg per stick.
This one is famous among people because it can stop any colitis or diarrhea caused by Augmentine, a killer antibiotic. It also helps with digestive problems in general. The saccharomyces boulardii is most useful to fight any antibiotic induced diarrhea. The bifobacterium is good for the large intestine and the L. rhamnosus GG is very well researched.
L. rhamnosus GG promotes the growth of other good bacteria in the gut, it reduces dermatitis and food intolerances in babies, it has increased survival for mortal infections in the intensive care unit and it helps with traveler's diarrhea. There is probably more research, but this was from the last time I did a pubmed search about it. L. rhamnosus GG is a subtype of L. rhamnosus.
I've taken megalevura before during the antibiotic protocol and it worked like a charm.
The other contains L. rhamnosus GG 56 mg per envelop. It's brand name here in Spain is Bivos.
I'll like to read more about it before I venture to put several envelops/sticks into an enema though. Otherwise I would start with 2 sticks/envelops. The safety information says to not use more than 2 envelops per day, although I understand that the experiment was aiming for trillions of bacteria per enema. Will have to do my homework though.
Gaby said:
worldbridger said:
What is disturbing is that there's very little information what kind of bacteria that is beneficial for the large intestine, or I haven't found any anyway. The only thing I found is that the LI is mostly populated by bifido strains and the SI is mostly populated by acidophilus strains.
Seems like an unexplored area and I discovered that it is way more complex than just "good and bad bacteria".
Indeed it is. Here is an update by Emily Deans on this topic:
The cutting edge of gut health and disease
https://www.sott.net/article/328633-The-cutting-edge-of-gut-health-and-disease
Probiotics and other microbiome manipulations have been touted as cures to everything from obesity to colitis to allergies and autism. Certainly the potential for these agents and methods are exciting, but what where is the line, now, between dangerous hype and the state of the art research being done?
The perfect way to answer that question was a symposium this past week at Harvard Medical School on gut health, microbiota, and probiotics, bringing together world experts in the field.[...]
His lab has worked out fascinating interactions between how the microbes in the gut metabolize bile acids and downstream changes in how the liver processes our food, which could explain a piece of how our gut could be a key battleground in the fight against obesity and diabetes.
In both human and rodent studies, increasing obesity, insulin resistance, and fasting glucose levels correlate linearly with decreasing distance between gut bacteria and the cells lining the intestine. This invasion of bacteria on the front lines of the gut is called "bacterial encroachment," reminding us that our relationship with our microbiota is best characterized as "frenemies." Andrew Gewirtz leads a team at Penn that published the sobering paper in Nature last year, showing how modest amounts of emulsifying agents nearly universally found in processed food damaged the microbiome and intestinal cells, causing colitis in mice. He made the sensible recommendation to avoid processed food in favor of eating fresh, whole foods.
He's also been able to reverse some damaging effects of more processed, purified diets in mice by adding the fermentable fiber inulin to their chow. The inulin feeds the microbiota and makes them more diverse and robust. However, along the lines of the "frenemies" designation, immune compromised mice got sick when fed inulin, meaning we have to be careful about making recommendations for fiber blooming of our gut microbes. It may make sense to use multiple step treatments, eliminating pathogens with temporary low fermentable fiber diets and possibly antibiotics, then adding in more friendly probiotics, feeding them with fiber. These complex protocols have yet to be studied in a systematic way in humans and remain experimental.
On the second day of the symposium, several scientists, including one of my favorites, psychiatrist Ted Dinan from University of College Cork, spoke about the evolving work on interactions between the gut and the brain. He's studied small but significant differences in cognition and stress tolerance in mice born via c-section vs. vaginally, and, crucially, found some similar differences in young adult humans. He showed data from a study taking fecal transplants from depressed individuals into rats, leading to dramatic changes in behavior in these rats when they became more anxious and anhedonic. They also had elevated levels of inflammation compared to rats who got fecal transplants from non-depressed, healthy humans.
All the speakers linking gut and brain health mentioned how microbiota affect the metabolism of serotonin, a key behavioral neurotransmitter, and Elaine Hsiao, PhD of UCLA showed some of her work illuminating this complex process down to the molecular level. In addition, many microbes make neurotransmitters in the gut, which can send signals to the brain via the vagus nerve. In previous studies, certain strains of probiotics have been shown to decrease anxiety in rats, and this effect was lost by cutting the vagus nerve. Dinan has also shown improved cognition in humans using the probiotic b. longum.
He made a key point that these measured microbial effects in humans are modest but significant. If a new class of treatments for depression or anxiety is made from probiotics, they will likely be most useful for mild depression or anxiety. Most folks who experience depressive disorders have more mild cases, and many people for various reasons don't have access to the psychotherapy that is first line for milder depression. "Psychobiotics" could be an inexpensive and low risk way to bridge the treatment gap. [...]
We discussed this topic on the latest H&W show:
https://www.sott.net/article/329074-The-Health-Wellness-Show-Some-of-my-best-friends-are-germs
I've yet to order my enema kit but will be after posting this and will probably start with coffee enema's first to see how that goes and then working my way toward the probiotic enema's. Hopefully this helps and if anyone wants to correct or add something to the 'steps outline' that I wrote out for both the different types of enema's, please do so. That's what I had written down in my notes as to what seemed to be really important to keep in mind when doing either.
