De-Stress Your Digestion :: Health and Disease

De-Stress Your Digestion
by author Loren Kozak, ND

The most common health complaint in North America is poor digestion. Consumers spend billions of dollars each year on over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs designed to temporarily relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. Although many suffer with only mild symptoms, any form of indigestion can have significant repercussions if it occurs repeatedly. Treatment of the underlying causes can prevent the development of more serious gastrointestinal diseases such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis.

Most people have an overworked and incompetent digestive system. Improper diet and poor eating habits eventually burden the digestive organs, which can lead to decreased absorption of nutrients and resultant deficiencies. Foods not properly digested ferment and putrefy in the intestinal tract and produce toxic byproducts that are absorbed back into the body. This auto-intoxication affects multiple organ systems, changing the way we look and feel. The toxic condition of the bowels creates an environment favourable for the development of candida yeast and parasites, further compounding the problem.

One highly effective way to address digestive problems is with Mayr therapy. It is a safe, physician-supervised method of detoxification and rejuvenation of the entire digestive system. This famous intestinal therapy is the result of the dedicated work and research of the late Dr Franz Mayr of Austria. Dr Mayr devoted his entire medical career to the study of the human digestive system. The goal of this therapy is to rest the digestive system, allowing time for healing, regeneration and detoxification. The patient is also educated on proper chewing and eating habits. In Europe today, Mayr therapy is available as an in-patient treatment at many elite health spas and sanatoriums. In North America, it is an in-office treatment provided by certified physicians.

The first step of Mayr therapy is to assess the degree of toxicity and the condition of the various digestive organs. Dr Mayr developed a diagnostic system based on the assessment of skin, posture and abdomen. Distressed organs tend to enlarge and cause adaptive changes in the size and shape of the abdomen, the rib cage and posture. Many measurements are taken initially and repeated throughout the therapy to assess effectiveness and duration of the treatment, which can range from one to three months or more.

Rest the Digestive System

Therapy begins with a short fast to rest the digestive organs. Various methods of detoxification are used such as Epsom salts and both herbal and homeopathic medicines to ensure proper drainage through the eliminative organs. Participants are counselled on the importance of thorough and proper chewing to allow digestive enzymes in saliva to predigest food before it reaches the stomach. The goal is to chew food until it is liquid–thus the saying, "drink your food." Even beverages are chewed to mix them with the enzyme-rich saliva. The Mayr protocol makes use of a tough two-day-old roll, which is chewed until liquid and a slightly sweet taste is noticed. This sweet taste is the amylase enzyme in saliva digesting the starches into sugars.

Development of proper chewing habits requires discipline but will improve digestion, increase nutrient absorption, raise appreciation for the flavours in foods and satisfy hunger with smaller servings. Clients undergoing Mayr therapy begin to recognize true hunger and are directed to eat only when it occurs and to stop eating as soon as the hunger is gone. This helps eliminate cravings and regulates the appetite.

Manual Manipulation

A key component of Mayr therapy is the manual abdominal treatment. This is a specific hands-on manipulation technique applied to the abdomen to increase intestinal activity, improve circulation in the abdominal cavity and promote detoxification. A trained Mayr practitioner administers this very comfortable and relaxing treatment one to three times each week, depending on the patient’s condition.

Mayr therapy rejuvenates the digestive system and in the process detoxifies the entire body. It also has a beneficial effect on posture, skin and general appearance. For many, it is an annual treatment. In Europe, famous dignitaries and entertainers use Mayr therapy for rejuvenation and to reverse signs of aging.

For more information or for a list of trained Mayr practitioners, contact the Occidental Institute Research Foundation at 250-497-6020 or 1-800-663-8342.

Dr Loren Kozak is a naturopathic physician who has been in private practice for 17 years in Nelson, BC. He is a level two Mayr practitioner.

Source: alive #233, March 2002

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