Protein

August 23, 2005

Hi Rich,

Don't know how to thank you for your interest in this subject and typing all

this info.

> ***I think that weak muscles could explain this. There are also

> nervous system issues that could be involved. I'm going to type in

> the section on " Defecation " from pp. 236-237 of Guyton's and Hall's

> book on Medical Physiology. Perhaps you can figure out what part of

> this does not seem to be working properly in your case:

>

> " Most of the time, the rectum is empty of feces. This results partly

> from the fact that a weak functional sphincter exists about 20 cm

> from the anus at the juncture between the sigmoid colon and the

> rectum. There is also a sharp angulation here that contributes

> additional resistance to filling of the rectum. When a mass

> movement forces feces into the rectum, the desire for defecation is

> normally initiated immediately, including reflex contraction of the

> rectum and relaxation of the anal sphincters.

>

> " Continual dribble of fecal matter through the anus is prevented by

> tonic contraction of (1) the internal anal sphincter, a several-

> centimeters-long thickening of the circular smooth muscle that lies

> immediately inside the anus, and (2) the external anal sphincter,

> composed of striated voluntary muscle that both surrounds the

> internal sphincter and extends distal to it [toward the anus]. The

> external sphincter is controlled by nerve fibers to the pudendal

> nerve, which is part of the somatic nervous system and therefore is

> under voluntary, conscious, or at least subconscious control;

> subconsciously it is usually kept continuously constricted unless

> conscious signals inhibit the constriction.

>

> " Defecation reflexes:

> Ordinarily, defecation is initiated by defecation reflexes. One of

> these reflexes is an intrinsic reflex mediated by the local enteric

> nervous system in the rectal wall. This can be described as

> follows: When feces enter the rectum, distention of the rectal wall

> initiates afferent signals that spread through the myenteric plexus

> to initiate peristaltic waves in the descending colon, sigmoid and

> rectum, forcing feces toward the anus. As the peristaltic wave

> approaches the anus, the internal anal sphincter is relaxed by

> inhibitory signals from the myenteric plexus; if the external anal

> sphincter is also consciously, voluntarily relaxed at the same time,

> defecation occurs.

>

> " However, the intrinsic myenteric defecation reflex functioning by

> itself is relatively weak. To be effective in causing defecation,

> it usually must be fortified by another type of defecation reflex, a

> parasympathetic defecation reflex, that involves the sacral segments

> of the spinal cord, as shown in Figure 63-6. When the nerve endings

> in the rectum are stimulated, signals are transmitted first into the

> spinal cord and then reflexly back to the descending colon, sigmoid,

> rectum, and anus by way of parasympathetic nerve fibers in the

> pelvic nerves. These parasympatheteic signals greatly intensifiy

> the peristaltic waves as well as relax the internal anal sphincter

> and thus convert the intrinsic myenteric defecation reflex from a

> weak effort into a powerful process of defecation that is sometimes

> effective in emptying the large bowel all at once all the way from

> the splenic flexure of the colon to the anus.

I think I have multiple problems. One of them seems to be at this point.I

think I am not being able to detect

that feces has moved in rectum.Not always but most of the time.No need to

defecate.But I am not sure which one of these reflexes is mal functioning.

> " Also, the afferent defecation signals entering the spinal cord

> initiate other effects, such as taking a deep breath, closure of the

> glottis, and contraction of the abdominal wall muscles to force the

> fecal contents of the colon downward and at the same time cause the

> pelvic floor to relax downward and pull outward on the anal ring to

> evaginate the feces.

>

Second problem is here. I can not force the contents downward even if I wish

to do so.Sometimes I feel rectum is full but I can not help it a bit.

> " When it becomes convenient for the person to defecate, the

> defecation reflexes can sometimes be elicited by taking a deep

> breath to move the diaphragm downward and then contracting the

> abdominal muscles to increase the pressure in the abdomen, thus

> forcing fecal contents into the rectum to cause new reflexes.

> Reflexes initiated in this way are almost never as effective as

> those that arise naturally, for which reason people who too often

> inhibit their natural reflexes are likely to becocme severely

> constipated.

>

> " In neonates and in some people with transected spinal cords, the

> defecation reflexes cause automatic emptying of the lower bowel at

> inconvenient times during the day because of lack of conscious

> control exercised thorugh voluntary contraction or relaxation of the

> external anal sphincter. "

>

So,it seems that I have both neurological and also weak muscles problem.

Don't know which started first, which is more important at this point.

Rich,

Again thank you very much for helping me in this subject.I have learned a

lot from you on this subject.

Best wishes.

July 6, 2006

Jerky. If it is not all chemicals, it is a wonderful raw source of protein.

What about tofu?

Adrienne

Protein

I'm not able to cook. What are some other raw foods (besides nuts)

that have a lot of protein? Also, would it be okay to eat protein

bars or soy protein shakes? Thank you!

Sue

This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

July 7, 2006

Cheese

mjh

" The Basil Book "

http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/

July 7, 2006

On Jul 6, 2006, at 6:43 PM, sb2boys wrote:

> I'm not able to cook. What are some other raw foods (besides nuts)

> that have a lot of protein? Also, would it be okay to eat protein

> bars or soy protein shakes? Thank you!

If you haven't checked yourself out for food allergies, you might

want to do this before ingesting large quantities of soy. Many of us

have highly reactive immune systems, and find ourselves sensitized to

certain foods. The most common ones are wheat, dairy, eggs, and soy.

The best way to find out if these foods are an issue is to eliminate

wheat from your diet for 2-4 weeks, and see if you start feeling

better. Then do the same with milk products, then eggs, and then soy.

It will take some time, but the odds are good you'll start feeling a

bit better when you eliminate at least one of them. Take the hint.

The disease can also have a dramatic effect on the thyroid. If you

know or suspect you have thyroid issues, eating soy is

contraindicated because the proteins are very hard on thyroid function.

As a side note: a large number of us also categorically avoid

aspartame (Nutrasweet), and MSG and other glutamate food additives.

And it's pretty common to find PWCs who have either given up caffeine

entirely, or only use it " medicinally " as a wake-up drug when it's

absolutely needed to function.

Sara

July 7, 2006

There's a very good site about soy that might interest some of you. It's

difficult to disregard all the hype, but this is a must read I think.

soyserviceonline.co.nz

Best...Edy

Mercuria <mercuria@...> wrote: