No. 10

GI Cocktail

The GI Cocktail is a specialty product designed for individuals with chronic diarrhea as a result of an irritable bowel disorder. This product is available in either 12 oz. or Wholesale 1 pound bulk. 

Contents:  Certified Organic Blend;  Psyllium Husk Whole, Slippery Elm Bark, Marshmallow Root, Apple Pectin, Boswellia, L-Glutamine, Non-Dairy Acidophilus

Irritable bowel disorders may alternate between diarrhea and constipation, such as with Crohn’s or IBS.  Ulcerative Colitis most commonly results in chronic diarrhea especially during a flare.  In cases of intestinal inflammation from gluten intolerance, the GI Cocktail is ideal for gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free, dairy-free or low residual fiber requirements.  Although psyllium is an insoluble fiber, it is gelatinous. The gel combines with a specific mix of therapeutic herbs to calm and soothe the entire track which reduces inflammation. It slows down evacuation as it forms a stool. Slowing the evacuation will result in absorbing more nutrients from food and improve nutrition.

The fiber balance in the GI Cocktail is beneficial to all types of IBD’s but is especially effective for cases of chronic diarrhea which can be much more difficult to overcome than constipation.  In addition to the GI Cocktail, you may also try Colon Cleanse No. 3 which is designed for diarrhea.  If stools begin to alternate between diarrhea and constipation, having the second option of Colon Cleanse No. 3 may be useful in some cases.  For chronic diarrhea, the GI Cocktail is always the first recommendation and likely best for you.

If chronic constipation is your issue, you may also use or combine this product with Colon Cleanse No. 1 or No. 2.

None of our Colon Cleanses are designed to cause diarrhea as a “detoxifer”.  Cleanses that cause diarrhea or “clean you out” so to speak, are NOT advised and are not Colon Cleanses.  These products are commonly used as a weight loss detox program. You are not losing weight or cleaning the bowel by causing diarrhea– this is not fat loss at all but rather a loss of important electrolytes.

The GI Cocktail compliments the gastrointestinal tract by soothing the lining and slowing evacuation.  In cases of diarrhea, the fiber-rich foods associated with good health, unfortunately may have the opposite effect, causing loose stools.  While in a flare or times of excessive diarrhea, aside from the GI Cocktail, eat your vegetables cooked and even peeled and cooked.  Do not eat raw salads and vegetables as this causes more diarrhea.  Your soups should be made using the Bone Broth Recipe Post No. 7 and keep it light.  Limit foods to 2 or 3 items and do not overcomplicate your meal.  Too many combined foods may aggravate the problem.  Include foods that help reduce diarrhea and avoid those which aggravate the problem. At the end these are listed.

The GI Cocktail contains a base of organic psyllium husk.  This insoluble fiber unlike others, is responsive to both constipation and diarrhea.  Because it is gelatinous, it soothes the GI tract while slowing the movement down enough for the herbs to help heal the lining.  The key to the GI Cocktail is the herbal formula which is combined with the psyllium, is high enough to be effective.  These herbs are more expensive than the average colon cleansing mixes, but necessary for the results to be experienced.

The herbs used as an anti-diarrhea will not promote constipation unlike herbs which are laxative will indeed promote diarrhea.  The formula helps to heal and calm GI tissue and reduce inflammation.  Fiber has many side benefits, but for our purposes in the GI Cocktail, it is to improve mucosa so the intestinal flora and friendly bacteria can retain balance and hopefully prevent the acute flare associated with IBD’s.

Product Use

Begin with the smallest dose of GI Cocktail and increase gradually over the next week or two, until reaching the ideal dosage for your body.  Some individuals will need more product than others.  No one can determine this dosage except you. If diarrhea is severe, you may work up to the larger doses more quickly over a 3 day period.  Gradual ensures less gas and bloating or over-using product.  It is important not to start at a high dosage in order to monitor evacuation without slowing it down to the point of bowel impaction rather than forming a stool.  The intestinal flora is going to be deficient when diarrhea is chronic. Taking an active probiotic before bed is also  helpful.  Making the Yogurt listed in Post No. 3 and using the Bone Broth described in Post No. 7 is exceptionally helpful in combination with the GI Cocktail.

Dosing

Begin with 1 rounded teaspoon morning and late day for the first dose.

Increase the dosage from 1 teaspoon to as much as 1 rounded tablespoon 2-3 times per day until a stool forms.

Using Imodium can work with the product so long as it is not taken at the same time since psyllium will absorb medications when taken together.

Over a period of days you will be able to adjust your level of product need to customize what works for your body.  As the diarrhea subsides, cut back the dosage to the lowest level needed to keep things in check.  The dosage will vary from time to time and seldom remains constant.

The product may be mixed with plain filtered water, but mixing the GI Cocktail with coconut water can also be helpful to restore lost electrolytes and reduce inflammation assuming you do not have an allergy or intolerance to coconut.

How To Mix The Product

Add water or coconut water to a SHAKER JAR.  It is important to note that this product is NEVER STIRRED.

For a starter dose, use about 6 oz. of liquid to 1 rounded teaspoon of product.  Add the water first so the product doesn’t stick in the shaker jar, and then add the GI Cocktail dose.  Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15 seconds, drink immediately.

Do not set the product aside, it MUST be consumed immediately or it will gel to a solid state and have to be discarded.

Quickly drink the product down and follow with an 8 oz. glass of water.  Drink this required follow-up water immediately after the product dose which is critical to how the product works successfully.  If your product is initially too thick, add more water and shake briefly to mix.  This mixture will be thick but should not be too thick to drink quickly down or uncomfortable in any way.  Because it thickens as it sets, simply shake and drink, follow with more water, coconut water, fresh made juice or Bone Broth.

Repeat 2-3 times per day.

Increase your dose gradually until finding what works for you.  Reduce the dose once balance is established and increase the dose during times needed.  To start use small doses and increase to a maximum dose if needed.  This will take 3 days to as long as 1-2 weeks depending upon your response.

Water intake depends upon level of product taken and is increased with higher doses.  Daily water intake regardless of dosage, recommended is 1/2 gallon.  You may take in more than 1/2 gallon, but DO NOT take in less.

Fiber without water can impact or stick together so as to develop a blockage or impaction in the bowel.  In cases of diarrhea this is generally not of a concern but rather the opposite.

Crohn’s has problems with the small intestines, stricters, and impactions.  If you have Crohn’s, ask your GI doctor how to most effectively use the product if you have stricters or problems with impaction.  Water is essential to the product working properly as it passes through the stomach, small intestines, colon and out of the body.

Constipation in the large intestine is the result of the stool being dry and hard.  Water softens the stool and helps to overcome constipation.  Water alone is not enough to overcome constipation, fiber is necessary.  The two together are completely synergistic.

The water needed each day includes filtered water, tea, coconut water, and Bone Broth, combined.  Avoid coconut water if you have either an intolerance or allergy to coconut.  The amount of liquid needed to mix the product is dependent upon how much product is used.  The more product you use, the more liquid you need to mix it.  Always drink 8 oz. of liquid AFTER you take the GI Cocktail.  This is in addition to the amount of liquid you use to mix the GI Cocktail and follows after. Even when increasing the dosage, the follow-up water remains 8 oz.  The liquid used to mix the GI Cocktail increases with the amount of product taken.

MIXING EXAMPLE— When taking a teaspoon of GI Cocktail, you do not need more than 6 oz. of fluid to mix, followed by drinking 8 oz. of water or other liquid immediately following.  However, when taking  a rounded tablespoon of product, you need to  increase mixing fluid to 10-12 oz.  This is again followed by drinking the same standard  8 oz. glass of water or other fluid.

Remember, the GI Cocktail or any product containing psyllium, is taken ONLY using a shaker jar in order to remove air bubbles from the liquid which otherwise can cause choking by sticking in the throat.  ALL psyllium products on the market come with this warning.

Persons with stricters and impactions in the gastrointestinal tract should not use this product without guidance from their GI doctor. This product is not intended for pregnant or nursing women.  Check with your pharmacist or doctor for cross complications of any medication with the herbs included within this product.

Variations To Mixing the GI Cocktail

1. Standard mixing as described throughout this material-  easy and fast
2. Prepare a smoothie using 1 or one-half banana + coconut water or water, after blending add GI Cocktail dose to the smoothie and blend an additional 5 seconds to mix
3. Prepare fresh juice removing all pulp, using foods such as carrots, cabbage, celery, cucumber, ginger root (not with bowel bleeding) green or red apple, greens, or other vegetables;  Use this juice as the liquid base in the shaker jar, add product and shake 15 seconds as usual
4. Load empty capsules with the GI Cocktail powder (using 00 size) and take 5 capsules per 1 teaspoon of product as a measurement.  Drink the same water allowance as described within this material including both the mixing amount of 6 to 12 oz. and follow-up 8 oz.  This method requires waiting a full hour after taking before eating food. Taking 1-2 pills with each meal can also be helpful for everyone.  This helps the food slow down through the track and enable your body to extract more nutrients.  To make capsules you will need the 00 empty capsules and a 00 capsule machine- See Accessories and Equipment for these.
5. Mix small amounts of the GI Cocktail into soft foods like mashed potatoes, pureed vegetables or fruits, and applesauce. Product mixes easiest with cold or room temperature foods. People who do not prefer to take pills often find mixing the powder into soft food another option.

Foods To Help Reduce Diarrhea-

White Rice

Gluten Free Crackers/Bread

Applesauce or Apples (peeled and/or cooked)

Cooked Root Vegetables

Bone Broth Post No. 7

Plain High-Probiotic Yogurt Post No. 3

Oily Fish-  Salmon, Halibut, Sardines (in olive oil or water only), Mackerel, Anchovy

Tuna

Banana

Pears (peeled)

Mashed Potatoes

Chicken, Turkey, Cornish Game Hen