The function of the digestive system is to break food down and turn it into the right chemicals for the body to use. Although the process of food breakdown begins the moment food enters your mouth, the stomach is where the body's breakdown of food really gets serious. This is where an adequate secretion of acids and enzymes is very important. Without them, food particles can not be broken down sufficiently. They begin to ferment and putrefy, causing many of the above symptoms.

But there is more to digestion than just acids and enzymes. For digestion to proceed in a smooth and timely manner there needs to not only be plenty of enzymes to dissolve food, but adequate fiber to stimulate good peristalsis in the intestines, and good intestinal flora to absorb the nutrients into the blood.

A deficiency in any one of these important components:
  1. digestive enzymes
  2. intestinal flora
  3. fiber ...can cause a great deal of distress.

As we age, our stomach produces less hydrochloric acid and fewer enzymes. Besides that, intestinal flora can easily be wiped out by a course of antibiotics, a difficult or prolonged illness, processed foods, even chlorinated water. How can we replenish our intestinal flora and digestive enzymes?

With Megazyme™ and Royaldophilus.™

Megazyme™ is an advanced multi-enzyme complex that promotes complete digestion and assists in the assimilation of nutrients with a high-powered array of digestive enzymes. They help us utilize the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in our food.

As we grow older, our pancreas produces fewer digestive enzymes, and we become less able to unlock the nutrient content, vitamins, and minerals from our food. Enzymes help digest toxic waste and gases from everyday metabolism. Enzymes are vital for breaking down proteins and processed foods, which might otherwise ferment and putrefy in the digestive system. And undigested foods tax our bodies, sap our energy, and encourage the overgrowth of yeast, fungi, and parasites.

Megazyme™ contains: betaine, pancrelipase, pancreatin, bromelain, trypsin, thymus, carrot powder, alfalfa sprouts, alfalfa, papain, cumin, magnesium stearate, and the essential oils of tarragon, anise, fennel, peppermint, and clove, di-calcium phosphate; and stearic acid.

Royaldophilus™

Royaldophilus™ is an outstanding source of Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus cultures critical for maintaining healthy intestinal flora. Our whole-milk acidophilus not only provides unsurpassed culture but also includes plantain to promote the culturing and bioavailability of the intestinal flora. These friendly bacteria are our first-line defense against disease and fungus overgrowth.

The Importance of Fiber

And let's not forget the role of fiber. Fiber is of tremendous importance to a sluggish digestive system.

The job of fiber in the digestive tract is to create better colon hygiene. Fiber helps keep plaque from building up along the intestinal walls and facilitates moving debris through the system - maintaining regularity.

Research shows that a diet high in fiber protects against heart disease and prevents fermentation in the digestive tract. Fermentation contributes to bloating and the growth of candida - a detrimental type of yeast overgrowth that becomes systemic.

Today's doctors are trained to look for serious diseases in the intestinal tract such as infectious colitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, cancer, etc. Few doctors consider the problems of candida and parasites. These two problems go undetected and undiagnosed every day. Yet, the prevention of these two problems could prevent further complications down the road.

"The average person over 40 has anywhere between 5 and 25 pounds of build-up in their colon. Parasites of all sizes thrive in this residue of fecal matter, slowly but surely toxifying the whole body."

--Bernard Jensen, Ph.D., author and nutritionist

As we grow older, we risk suffering greater and greater buildup of chemical contamination in our bodies, as well. As toxins accumulate, we are more likely to suffer lack of energy, poor health, and degenerative changes. We often feel sluggish, tired, and prone to illness.

Nearly everyone suffers from an ever-mounting buildup of toxins, chemicals, bacteria, and parasites. According to Kenneth Bock, M.D. all humans are "walking toxic dumps." He continues,

"The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that from 1980 to 1990, more than 20 million pounds of herbicides were applied to residential lawns and gardens. How many of us have toxins accumulating in our bodies? The scary truth is, we all do."

When we consider the industrial wastes, herbicides, pesticides, food additives, and heavy metals we unknowingly absorb from our food, cosmetics, air, and water, and even mercury fillings, this statement is easy to understand.

And because of our place at the top of the food chain, we are subjected to concentrated doses of potentially harmful chemicals when we consume meat and dairy products. Meats and dairy products move slowly through the intestinal tract and can easily become trapped in its many folds. This becomes undigested debris that ferments, polluting your body with dangerous mycotoxins (some mycotoxins have been linked to serious diseases).

Colon Health = Colon Cleanses

In order to keep up with amount of pollutants we ingest and the food we don't digest, the cleansing of the intestinal tract needs to be continuous. Especially for those over 40, and especially if we eat animal proteins.

Prevention is not that difficult. Colon health starts with regular colon cleanses.

Cleanse the Colon and intestines with I.C.P.,™ ComforTone™ and ParaFree.™

I.C.P. ™

I.C.P.™ contains an advanced mix of toxin-absorbing, intestine-scrubbing fibers which includes psyllium, for the relief of occasional constipation. I.C.P. also includes flax seed, rich in health-fortifying omega-3 fatty acids, and a unique blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Why More Fiber:

• Act as biochemical sponges, absorbing impurities, gases, and toxins.
  
• Speed up the intestinal flow, minimizing exposure to harmful substances.
  
• Protect against cardiovascular disease, especially when combined with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Help loosen and remove encrusted food debris and waste matter from the intestines and colon wall.
  
• Help satisfy appetite by giving a feeling of fullness -- with only minimal calories.
• Help maintain regularity and help with constipation, diarrhea, and gas.
  
• Help balance blood sugar levels
  
• Help reduce the risk of colon and stomach cancer.

ComforTone™

An all-natural, herb-based colon cleanser that includes an advanced mix of pure essential oils. Supportive of normal peristalsis (the wave-like contractions that move food through the intestines), ComforTone is designed specifically for cleansing the colon and counteracting bloating, gas, and indigestion. Waste products and gases in the colon may have a high concentration of toxic by-products that may leach into the organs and tissues.

Contains: German chamomile flowers, cascara sagrada, bentonite, diatomaceous earth, psyllium seed, fennel seed, burdock root, garlic, barberry root bark, echinacea purpurea root, ginger root, apple pectin, licorice root, cayenne pepper, and essential oils of rosemary, tarragon, peppermint, ginger, anise, mugwort, tangerine, German chamomile and gelatin.

What About Parasites?

Parasites usually go unnoticed until they begin to cause fatigue, poor health, and digestive difficulties. Leading parasite specialist, Dr. Ross Anderson, states, "I believe the single most misdiagnosed health challenge is parasites. I realize this is a brave statement, but it is based on my 20 years of experience with more than 20,000 patients."

ParaFree™ is an advanced blend of some of the strongest essential oils studied for their antiparasitic properties. It creates a climate that is hostile to parasites. ParaFree contains the essential oils of black cumin, thyme, clove, anise, nutmeg, fennel, vetiver, Idaho tansy, melaleuca alternifolia, and laurus nobilis in a base of sesame seed and olive oil.

Di-Tone™ is an excellent companion to ParaFree, ™   ComforTone and JuvaTone. This blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils is noted for its soothing effects on digestion. As a dietary supplement, Di-Tone is an invaluable digestive aid.

Di-Tone™ contains:

• Tarragon - antiseptic.
  
• Ginger - soothes upset stomachs and motion sickness.
  
• Peppermint - highly regarded for soothing digestion. Reduces nausea and vomiting.
  
• Juniper berry - detoxifier, cleanser. Promotes normal kidney function.
  
• Anisum - antispasmodic, antiseptic, stimulates increase of bile. Helps soothe indigestion and intestinal distress.
  
• Fennel - antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulating.
  
• Lemongrass - supports the digestive system.
  
• Patchouly - antiseptic; beneficial to digestive system.
  

While you are cleansing your body of parasites, debris and toxins, you'll especially need to replenish your electrolytes. Fast, urgent bowel movements often deplete the body's reserve of minerals and electrolytes instantly. Replenish them quickly with Mineral Essence.™

This balanced organic, ionic mineral complex contains more than 60 different minerals. Without minerals, vitamins cannot be properly assimilated or absorbed, nor can the immune system and metabolism function properly. Mineral Essence™ also contains a natural, highly bioavailable electrolyte balance, which absorbs quickly.

Cleanse and Renew the Liver

The liver performs over 5,000 complex chemical functions. It purifies the blood and is key in converting carbohydrates to energy. It's one of the most important organs in the body. An overtaxed liver can affect our energy, digestion, and skin. Fats and bile within the liver can easily become oversaturated with oil-soluble toxins, synthetic chemicals, and heavy metals. As toxins build, the liver becomes taxed and stressed, resulting in aggravating skin conditions, rashes, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, digestive disturbances, pallor, dizziness, irritability, mood swings, and mental confusion.

JuvaTone™ is a powerful herbal complex designed to support the liver. It contains choline, inositol, and the powerful antioxidant dl-methionine -- which have been researched for their ability to convert oil-soluble toxins into water-soluble compounds that may be excreted. Methionine helps recycle glutathione, one of the body's most important natural antioxidants that is crucial to normal liver function. JuvaTone also contains Oregon grape root, recognized by Native Americans and pioneers for its ability to cleanse and support liver tissue.

The liver performs over 5,000 complex chemical functions. It purifies the blood and is key in converting carbohydrates to energy. An overtaxed liver can negatively affect our energy, digestion, and skin. Fats and bile within the liver can easily become oversaturated with oil-soluble toxins, synthetic chemicals, and heavy metals.

As toxins build, the liver becomes stressed, resulting in aggravated skin conditions, rashes, fatigue, muscle aches, digestive disturbances, dizziness, irritability, mood swings, and mental confusion.

Ingredients: Choline bitartrate, dl-methionine, inositol, L-cysteine, echinacea purpurea root, parsley, alfalfa sprouts, beet root, sodium copper chlorophyllin, raw dandelion root, Oregon grape root, bee propolis, copper citrate, the essential oils of German chamomile, geranium, lemon, rosemary, blue tansy, and myrtle. (The oils listed above are also contained in the blend JuvaFlex, the perfect topically applied companion to JuvaTone.)

JuvaFlex™

An Ideal Companion to JuvaTone™ is JuvaFlex.™   It is a combination of oils that have been studied for their beneficial effects on the liver and digestion.

Contains: Fennel, geranium, rosemary, Roman chamomile, blue tansy, and helichrysum in a base of sesame seed oil.

Supporting the Immune System

Very often, those who have suffered digestive problems or those who are undergoing colon cleanses have compromised immune systems. ImmuPower™ is a powerful blend for building, strengthening and protecting the body, and supporting its defense mechanism - the immune system.*

ImmuPower™ is an excellent oil to diffuse or apply topically, especially during the cold and flu season.

ImmuPower contains the powerful oils of cistus, frankincense, hyssop, ravensara, mountain savory, oregano, clove, cumin, and Idaho tansy.

There is no need to endlessly suffer with unresolved digestive problems. Young Living Essential Oils has excellent, highly-effective products for all your digestive system needs. To learn more, read: Parasites? Not Me!