IC and the GAG Layer: 5 Ways to Protect and Rebuild It

Biologically the mindbody simultaneously coexists as both an energy field or a matter(molecular) field  If I put on my energy field glasses I see the mindbody as an energy field and I speak about it in terms of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha  In so thinking about the mindbody as both energy and matter there obviously should be a transparency about what we are discussing  If I speak about the molecular aspects of the mindbody I should be able to find its equivalency  in the energy field model  This is true for the GAG(GlycosoAminoGlycan) layer molecular concept and the Kapha energy pattern  In IC research it’s thought that the GAG layer is in some way altered in this dis-ease and therefore maybe the underlying molecular reason why IC occurs in the first place

Kapha is energy of stability in the physiology  It keeps our mindbodies strong and well put together physically  It’s psychologically grounding for us and is also responsible for our immune system working properly since it is the immune system  You can think of Kapha as a protective energy that keeps the mindbody strong  Any large structural molecule such as chondroitin(joints), cholesterol, or immunoglobulins are molecular expressions of the Kapha energy pattern

In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) one of the hypotheses in its molecular cause is that the protective GAG layer in some way becomes damaged and loses its integrity  This layer which is produced by the underlying epithelial cells is thought to be a protective mucous layer and so by what we have just said this would be a Kapha like protection from invasive bacteria but also from the acidic characteristics of the urine itself

Every tubular lining(aka mucosa) that has a connection to the outside world has a GAG layer  For example the lining of the respiratory system has its associated protective GAG layer which traps foreign materials so they don’t interfere with respiratory function  The GI tract and reproductive tracts has GAG layers as well  So GAG layers are not unique to the urinary tract but are part of the universal system of protection that is the Kapha energy pattern

GAG Layer Protection and Repair

There are many reasons why GAG layers get damaged but one of them is inflammation  In energy science terminology that means that Pitta is being increased due to blocking by Kapha and in the matter science it means that acidity breaks down tissue  Knowing this there are energy science ways to help prevent the GAG layer from being broken down or getting repaired if broken down

Aloe vera  There’s a reason why aloe as a herb works wonders in the IC bladder pain syndrome  It molecularly provides mannose which is an often biologically unavailable essential glucosaccharide  This provides the building blocks for the mindbody to rebuild the protective Kapha GAG layer  Energetically aloe reduces Pitta heat and pacifies overactive mobile quality of Vata

Reducing Vata and Pitta in nutritional formats  It follows from our conversation that if having increased inflammatory Pitta molecules around then preventing them from entry into the mindbody would be good therapy  The same holds true for Vata molecules that produce movement in the physiology

Reducing Vata and Pitta in incompatible food combinations(IFC)  In general IFC’s are inflammatory and increase Pitta so avoiding these is Pitta pacifying

Herbs that reduce Pitta  Both acacia and psyllium absorb Pitta from the small intestine so in small volumes these herbs are valuable in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome

Herbs that reduce Vata  Vata is composed of space and air as an energy pattern which are both composed of qualities  When you pass gas from the rectum you’re passing Vata energy  Since Vata is air if it’s increased in the mindbody physiology it can increase Pitta  Think about fanning a fire with pushing air across the fire that you’re trying to get going  Vata herbs like  ashwagandha, bala, and vidari are good at reducing Vata