When you get that gut feeling about something, you should always go with it! As people always say, “I felt it in my gut,” and what your gut is trying to tell you is usually on point. There is loads of research discussing how the gut is our second brain and how it plays an intuitive role in our overall health.
Have you done anything to support your gut or clean out your colon? I generally do two cleanses a year and go for an annual colonic. I have attempted doing an Enema on myself but it wasn’t really my thang…
Our microbiome (gut) contain many microbes (mainly bacteria) that live in harmony with us. The health and function of the microbiome is essential for good immunity, digestion, elimination and neurotransmitter production.
If the gut becomes permeable aka”leaky,” it can cause toxins and undigested food particles to leak through the intestines and enter the blood stream (yuck). This is often referred to as leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut can cause a whole array of health problems as the vast majority of our immune system is found in the gut!
Symptoms of leaky gut consist of:
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- gas or bloating
- food sensitivities
- nutritional deficiencies
- inflammatory bowel disease
- low immune function
Symptoms of leaky gut can cause acute inflammation which can turn into chronic inflammation. With inflammation being the root cause for disease supporting gut function is TRULY integral!
90% of serotonin is made in the gut. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan. It is considered the “natural mood stabilizer,” and low levels have been known to be associated with depression.
Serotonin is also connected to digestion and appetite. For serotonin to be produced efficiently the health of the microbiome needs to be supported! Do you see the connection here!? Pretty crazy right!?
Have you ever felt bogged down or heavy? Want to hear a gross fact? The colon can hold up to 5-10 pounds of waste that just sits in your large intestine. Yup, you read that right 5-10 pounds of pure waste! It’s not uncommon for me to see clients lose the “bloat’ and drop a few pounds when we focus on supporting the gut.
Lastly, if you have taken antibiotics in the last 5 years and have not supplemented with probiotics to restore your microflora levels (good bacteria) your ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria is most likely off! All of these components create the perfect storm for pathogens, dysbiosis and havoc on our health!
So we not only have to support our gut, but we also have to make sure we clean our system out so that it runs efficiently! Below are my top 6 tips!
My Top 6 tips for Gut Health:
- Remove inflammatory foods from the diet (sugar is a big one)
- Take a probiotic supplement
- Eat prebiotic foods
- Eat Gut healing foods
- Incorporate a detox/cleansing protocol 1-4 times a year
- Get a Colonic(s)
Gut Healing Foods Include:
- Bone Broth
- L-Glutamine (amino acids – found in animal proteins and fish – or in supplement)
- Aleo Vera Juice
- Cabbage Juice (supports ulcers)
- Slippery Elm
- Marshmallow Root
Prebiotic Foods (food that feed probiotics)
- Raw chicory root
- Raw garlic
- Raw or cooked onions
- Dandelion greens
- Raw Leeks
- Jerusalem artichoke
Probiotic Foods
- Sauerkraut
- Gut Shots (Farmhouse Culture Brand)
- Kimchi
- Kombucha (watch for added sugar)
- Kefir
- Pickles
Remember The nutritional choices you make at this present time, may not have an acute affect on your health, but it is through longevity where sound nutrition and holistic living shines.
Imagine driving a Ferrari and getting the car constantly washed and waxed, but never taking it in for an oil change and you fuel it with the cheapest gas.
That vehicle may look shiny and nice on the outside but over time it will eventually break down. Whats the point in having such a beautiful and powerful vehicle if it doesn’t function to its full potential? It’s the same concept with your body and health. Most people are unaware of how amazing and capable their bodies could function if they put in a little extra TLC.
Treat your body like the Ferrari it is, by nourishing it from the inside out. Remember it’s the only place you have to live!
