By Christine Cheng, R.Ph., and Frederick Cheng, R.Ph.
With summer just around the corner, some of us will be making plans for travel to exotic locales. In a previous article, we discussed the use of vaccinations against preventable viral diseases of the liver (e.g., Twinrix®) as well as traveler’s diarrhea (Dukoral®). For those with guts that are sensitive to changes, even small changes can cause a big upset in this homeostasis resulting in diarrhea, cramping, indigestion or worse.
The first step to protect our health is to build up our immunity and the easiest way to achieve this is by taking a probiotic. Probiotics taken on a daily basis can help support the immunity as well as support the health of the cells lining the intestinal tract thereby maintaining their function as a barrier (i.e., allow good things in while keeping the bad things out). Probiotics can also reduce inflammation, support nutrient digestion, manufacture vitamins, and protect against pathogens (by crowding them outand possibly neutralizing the toxins they create). TRAVELERS’ PROBIOTIC (by New Roots Herbal) is a unique formula that delivers its beneficial strains of microbes in an enteric-coated vegetable capsule that survives the harsh stomach acids to deliver its contents to the intestines. It includes Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast clinically shown to reduce the risk for traveler’s diarrhea. To give the probiotic a chance to colonize your gut, start taking it daily starting at least 5 days prior to travel and continue taking it for the duration of the trip.
When traveling to an area where there may be concerns about food handling and hygiene, boosting the acidity in the stomach can support the body’s natural defenses against parasites. A capsule of BETAINE HCL taken with each meal will help increase the hydrochloric acid levels and thus acidity in the stomach.
A good digestive enzyme can help breakdown foods and prevent indigestion. For those who are sensitive to gluten or casein, GLUTEN DEFENSE™ (by Enzymatic Therapy) contains Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP IV) from a protease enzyme that digests gluten and casein. This preparation is a complete digestive aid as it also contains enzymes to break down other proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Thorne Research’s BIO-GEST® is a great all-around digestive formula as it contains pancreatin, a source of enzymes to digest all types of foods as well as betaine HCL.
If you still develop diarrhea despite all of your best efforts, DIGESTFORCE from Prairie Naturals combines activated charcoal and ginger. Charcoal, which is well-known for its detoxifying properties is “activated” through a process of exposing it to high heat, pressure, and steam to increase its microscopic surface area. This greatly increases its ability to bind various substances thus neutralizing them. Ginger is traditionally used to help reduce gas, bloating and nausea. This powerful combination can help correct diarrhea from many causes, combat food poisoning and ingestion of toxins and pollutants, reduce intestinal infections, as well as control excessive gas and the associated bloating and cramps. Because DigestForce may neutralize excessive stomach acid (which is beneficial for ulcer and reflux relief), it should not be taken at the same time as anything that contains Betaine HCl as this would be counteractive. It should also be taken away from other medications or supplements as their absorption could be hindered. DigestForce does not negate the need for antibiotics where appropriate.
Be prepared for your trip, but do not let these considerations overwhelm you as stress could lower your immune system. Come talk to us at CLOVERDALE PHARMASAVE to make sure your travel first aid kit is tailored to your needs.
Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-owned and operated Pharmasave in Cloverdale, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore.
