A properly functioning digestive system (gut) is essential for good health. In fact, 60-80% of our immune system is found in the gut, and 90% of our neurotransmitters (chemicals responsible for regulating mood), such as serotonin, are made in our intestines.
What you need to know to heal your intestine
What you have to know to heal your gut is almost like relearning how to eat the right way. Because gastrointestinal (GI) problems can cause more than just stomach pain, gas, bloating, or diarrhea, they can be the cause of many chronic health problems. Intestinal imbalances have been linked to hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, eczema, and rosacea. Just to name a few.
So how can you heal your gut and heal yourself?
In functional medicine a simple approach is used that consists of 4 important steps: elimination, replacement, renewal, and repair.
1. Elimination of foods to heal your gut
Remove the evil. The goal is to get rid of things that negatively affect the environment of the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammatory foods, infections, and gastric irritants such as alcohol, caffeine, or medications. Inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and sugar can lead to food sensitivities. An elimination diet and IgG - food sensitivity tests are recommended to determine if any food is a problem for you. Infections can be from parasites, fungi, or bacteria. A comprehensive stool analysis is key to determining the levels of good bacteria as well as any infections that may be present. Removal of infections may require treatment with herbs, antiparasitic medications, anti-fungal medications or even antibiotics.
2. Food substitution
Add back ingredients essential for proper digestion and absorption that have been depleted by diet, medications (such as antacid medications), disease or aging. This includes digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, and the bile acids that are required for proper digestion.
3. Bowel renewal
Restoring beneficial bacteria to restore a healthy balance of good bacteria is critical. This can be accomplished by taking a probiotic supplement that contains beneficial bacteria such as the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli species. 25-100 billion units per day is recommended. Also, taking a prebiotic supplement (food for good bacteria) or consuming foods rich in soluble fiber is important.
4. Intestinal repair with omega 3
Providing the necessary nutrients to aid intestinal repair itself is essential. The amino acid L-glutamine, is a supplement that helps to rejuvenate the lining of the intestinal wall. Other essential nutrients include zinc, omega 3 fish oils, Vitamin A, C, E, as well as herbs such as elm and aloe vera.
No matter what your health problem is, this program is sure to help you have a cure for the intestine. I have witnessed dramatic reversals of chronic and inflammatory conditions in a very short period of time using this simple approach.
If you've ever watched a weight-loss commercial, you have been told over and over how easy it is to lose weight: just take this pill, follow that diet, or buy this piece of equipment, and everything will melt away like magic. Literally billions of dollars are spent each year on weight-loss products and services, and yet millions remain overweight.