Give Your Gut Some TLC
Did you know; if the gut isn't healthy you won't be healthy?
The digestive system is directly responsible for keeping your immune system healthy and strong.
If the process of absorption is disrupted you can not benefit completely from your nutrient intake. If your nutrient intake is interrupted, you have something missing that your body needs!
Then, there is Leaky Gut Syndrome. A common occurrence today. The topic of Leaky Gut Syndrome will certainly be in future posts. For now, here, I focus on helping you give your gut some tender loving care.
What Can You Do For Your Gut?
Chew your food well. Chewing is one of the first processes of digestion. Chewing produces enzymes needed for digestion. If you don't already, then chew, chew, chew.
Stop eating chemicals and processed foods. Have you read the words on the labels? Just as one example; why would you want to eat butylated hydroxyanisole or BHA for short ? What does your body do with that? I shutter to think about it! Chemical laden junk food is hard on the stomach and will irritate the lining, causing inflammation. Besides, processed foods have been stripped of nutrients, so what good are they? Processed foods like white bleached flour, hydrogenated oils and white sugar not only inflames the gut but can cause food allergies, causing further inflammation.
Eat as close to nature as possible. Eating this way gives your body what it needs to live. How could anyone not want that? Eating close to nature not only provides you with needed nutrition, it feeds your gut microbiome. Fresh cabbage juice is excellent and has been indicated as healing ulcers! Bone broth is extremely healing and is an ultimate nutritional support for your gut.
Depending on your circumstance you may have to give a few things up, besides the junk food. Liquids that cause your stomach to produce higher amounts of acid are problematic and the top culprits are coffee, soda pop, and alcohol. If you already have symptoms it would be extremely beneficial to stop these. At least consider reducing your coffee to 2 cups a day. Would you pour acid or alcohol on an open cut? NO! So why would you drink acid and alcohol on an inflamed stomach? Once your symptoms are gone it will be fine to drink coffee in moderation, organic, of course. If you do consume some alcohol, such as at an occasional special event, always drink 12 ounces of water for each drink. Drinking the water will prevent dehydration and help flush out the toxins.
You might consider discontinuing certain over the counter medications, like aspirin, Aleve, Advil and Motrin. All of these can cause GI burning, nausea, diarrhea, cramps, gas, bloating and even bleeding. Of course when it comes to prescription medications you should discuss that with your doctor.
Discontinue artificial sweeteners. Lot's of problems here...(a future post). Artificial sweeteners will prevent healing of the gut. Use honey, maple syrup, yinnie rice syrup, stevia or one of many natural sweeteners. Cane Sugar, organic and unbleached is way, way, way better!
You could possibly have food allergies. Dairy, gluten and eggs can be common . If your nose runs while eating or your stomach hurts after eating; you are probably at least sensitive to the food if not down right allergic. You need to stop consuming that food, at least for now. (More on food allergies in the future).
Stay hydrated. Drink a glass of water upon waking in the morning and then continue through out the day. Water assists in flushing out our toxic metabolites and benefits the microbiome and mucosal lining of the gut
Last but not least is the fact that our gut and brain is so connected that it has been said that our gut is our second brain. What happens to your stomach when you focus on a negative thought or your stressing about something? You probably find that you can't eat, or you feel like you need to use the restroom, or you just have a weird feeling in your gut. Did you know the microbiome in our gut communicates to our brains and visa - versa? If your brain is upset your stomach will follow. Interestingly, our gut produces 90% of our serotonin and 50% of our dopamine. It is actually the gut that produces all our neurotransmitters! This means if your giving your gut some TLC you will being doing it for your brain as well. This is where exercise and meditation come in, both will decompress your mind and stabilize your mood, resulting in happier micorbiome.
There are supporting herbs like ginger and peppermint and supplements that can aid a symptomatic gut and give you some relief. In fact, a simple practice of chewing on Fennel sees after a meal may give you some relief when needed.
Below you'll find a list of some supplements and herbs that are well known to aid in gas, bloating, cramping and healing. These will support your gut.
Yeast Fighter: Kyolic Deglycyrrhized licorice (DGL) Fennel Seeds
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