I have to admit that I haven’t paid much attention to my gut, except to notice that those extra pounds go there first!
But if you do any research, you’ll find many health experts saying it’s your body’s least appreciated, most important organ.
The National Institutes of Health reports that 70 million Americans (about a quarter of us) suffer from digestive disorders: bloating, gas, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, or constipation. And feeling uncomfortable isn’t the only consequence: A growing number of experts from both the alternative and mainstream medicine worlds believe that there’s a connection between what happens in your gut and what happens throughout your body. For example:
– Depression
Again, your gut health is tied to your nervous system health. In fact, 80 percent of serotonin is made in your gut. Your gut and your brain work together and are interconnected.
– Food Allergies
Good gut bacteria can protect against food allergies, and …your immune system falsely triggers food allergens when it’s not healthy.
– Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome has also been tied to poor gut health likely because it’s so closely linked to your immune health.
– Skin Problems
Acne, eczema, and atopic dermatitis are also signs of poor gut health.
For a very complete description of the many, many health problems tied to your poor gut, see this Huffpost Healthy Living article.
Here are some easy steps you can take to improve your gut health:
REMOVE foods and factors that damage the gut. The top foods to remove are sugar, grains that contain gluten, conventional meat, conventional dairy and GMO foods.
REPLACE with healing foods, like:
– Raw Cultured Dairy – contains both probiotics and SCFA’s that can help heal the gut. Pastured kefir, yogurt, amasai, butter and raw cheese are some of the best.
– Fermented Vegetables – contain organic acids that balance intestinal pH and probiotics to support the gut. I’ve started eating sauerkraut, daily.
– Coconut Products – all coconut products are especially good for your gut. The MCFA’s in coconut are easier to digest than other fats so they work well for leaky gut. I cook with coconut oil use coconut beverage in my morning smoothy.
– Potent prebiotic (high fiber) foods like raw almonds, onions, asparagus, beets, cabbage, beans, lentils, soybeans.
REPAIR with specific supplements.
- A good probiotic supplement is a must. The one I use has 10 billion flora from seven diverse sources—plus prebiotics. It’s called Florify, from Melaleuca.
- Healthy fats like fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fight inflammation throughout your body. I take CardiOmega EPA (containing 1000mg of EPA for cardiovascular health) + Omega 3 (containing 660mg DHA for extra brain health), both from Melaleuca.
- Also, I take a fiber supplement, a scientifically balanced blend of seven fiber sources, plus vitamins, antioxidants, soothing herbs, and probiotics, just to keep everything running smoothly. It’s called FiberWise, also from Melaleuca.
Here’s a good article to help you learn more about loving and taking good care of your gut. I hope you’ll take some steps to heal your gut. Let me know how I can help.
Best wishes for a long, happy Life,
Donald
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