One of the most common complaints we hear from our customers are mental health, digestion/gut and skin concerns. The most common story is as follows visit to the doctor, prescription tablets to treat the symptoms, then back to the Doctor to get another prescription to treat the side effects of the first prescription. This, my friends, is how that vicious pharma dependant cycle begins. Pharmaceutical drugs certainly have a place in society, that’s undeniable, however when it comes to chronic diseases often these can be treated naturally.

We believe by making small, consistent changes to our diet and lifestyle we are treating the CAUSE of these common issues and achieve permanent results that are easy to maintain.

Most common health problems and diseases start in the gut so today we will be delving into leaky gut syndrome, what it is, how it could be affecting you and how to heal it naturally. If you do suffer from LGS or you would like to improve your overall gut health, we highly recommend you follow these steps if you want to see and feel positive changes.

When someone has leaky gut, the lining in your digestive tract begins to weaken and holes begin to form. As it worsens these holes become bigger, so things that normally can’t and SHOULDN’T pass through, now begin to. Some of the things that can now pass through include proteins like gluten, bad bacteria and undigested food particles. Toxic waste can also leak from the inside of your intestinal wall into your bloodstream causing an allergic response.

An allergic response causes inflammation. If this is happening after every meal you are experiencing chronic inflammation, one of the main causes of disease. If chronic inflammation from leaky gut left untreated the likelihood of developing an auto-immune disease increases substantially.

Symptoms of leaky gut syndrome affect individuals differently. Research tells us that leaky gut syndrome is linked to the cause of food allergies, low energy, thyroid disease, slow metabolism and autoimmune conditions (particularly psoriasis and eczema which we’ll talk about in depth in our next blog), skin irritation / rashes, bloating, fatigue, joint pain, headaches, acne, rosacea, mood swings, depression, anxiety and unwanted weight gain, the list goes on.

Over the last 100 years, with the industrialisation of our food supply, our diet has changed dramatically. This highly processed, high-sugar, high-fat, low-fibre diet has substantially altered our gut bacteria, contributing to the epidemics of obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression and many cancers.

The food we eat not only feeds our fat cells, but also determines what kind of inner garden we are growing in our guts. This garden is filled with life (good bacteria) that determine more about your health and your emotional and mental well-being than you ever imagined! Getting your gut bacteria healthy is one of the most important things you can do to get healthy and stay healthy.

The gut is the epi-centre of your entire being, packed with nerve endings that communicate with the brain. Your doctor may call this connection the “gut-brain axis.” Studies have suggested a link between poor gut bacteria and disorders of the central nervous system, like anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. Did you also know that 90% of your happy hormone serotonin is made in the gut.

The gut is also where most of your immune system is made, 70 – 80% in fact!! Therefore, if you’re always feeling sick and run down, it’s time to seriously consider getting your gut health in check, because if your gut is sick, you are sick.

A study undertaken by Oregon State University has come to the conclusion that the role of gut microbes in the immune system “may hold the key to dealing with one of the more significant health problems facing people in the world today”. 

As with any natural treatments and long-term lifestyle changes, there are no quick fixes. But use these 4 steps towards healing your gut now.

1. REMOVE foods and factors that damage the gut and cause inflammation

• Reduce or remove wheat, rice, spelt and soy as they are all high in lectins
• NO GMO. GMO foods tend to be high in lectins, since they have been modified to fight off bugs. Lectins stop the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals in the body.
• Grains containing gluten – Gluten has been proven time and time again to be good for no one. It is a pro-inflammatory food that acts like a glue in your digestive tract which prevents the absorption of essential nutrients.
• Cows milk, particularly the protein A1 casein – our bodies can’t digest casein
• Sugar, as it feeds the growth of yeast, candida and bad bacteria.
• Artificial colours and sweeteners as they kill off good bacteria in the gut

2. REPLACE with gut healing foods that alkalise and reduce inflammation

• Raw cultured non-dairy dairy; these contain probiotics and short chain fatty acids that help heal your gut. Some of the best suggestions are pastured kefir, butter and raw cheese.
• Fermented vegetables; these contain organic acids to balance intestinal pH and probiotics that support the gut. Some of the best suggestions are sauerkraut, kimchi and kvass.
• Coconut products: all coconut products are especially good for your gut. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut are easier to digest that other fats so they work well for leaky gut. Some suggestions include coconut kefir, coconut milk and coconut water.
• Sprouted seeds: these are a great source of fiber that helps support the growth of beneficial bacteria. Suggestions include chia seeds, hemp seeds and flaxseeds that have been sprouted. If you suffer from severe leaky gut getting your fibre from steamed vegetables and fruit would be a good start.
• Healthy fats; consuming healthy fats like avocado, ghee, coconut oil and egg yolks are easy on your gut and promote healing.
• Omega-3 fats; consuming foods rich in omega 3 like wild caught fish, such as salmon, have an anti-inflammatory effect and are easier on the digestive system than red meats.
• Fruit; consuming at least 2 servings of whole fruit is good source of fibre, its great in a leaky gut diet but best to consume in the mornings on an empty stomach.
• VEGGIES, VEGGIES, VEGGIES – green vegetable are your new best friend and one of the best ways to reduce inflammation.

3. REPAIR with wholefood supplements

• A high potency and premium 100% Natural Marine Collagen Peptide Supplement will supercharge the healing process by helping to repair and strengthen the collagen fibres that break down in the gut lining. Marine Collagen is absolutely essential when healing the gut because gut lining is made of 80% collagen. When this collagen breaks down, your gut lining is weakened and compromised, increasing your risk of leaky gut, or exacerbating an already leaky gut.
• Some nutritionists and naturopaths believe that adding collagen to your diet can attribute to 50% of the healing process of leaky gut. We recommend Australian Owned best-selling Youth Elixir Marine Beauty Collagen with added Vitamin C to enhance absorption and fight free radicals, creating the ultimate gut healing supplement.

4. REBALANCE with probiotics

• Multi-strain Probiotics – These will help replenish good bacteria and crowd out bad bacteria. Probiotics in the GI tract help to reinforce the barrier function of the intestinal lining, lowering the chance of bacteria in the intestines entering into the blood stream. It’s ideal to get your probiotic intake from both natural food sources and in high potency capsules.
• Organic Raw Bee Pollen is another fantastic wholefood supplement as it is jam packed with digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, good bacteria and essential fatty acids, all essential to promote a healthy functioning gut. This will ensure the breakdown and digestion of food, minimising the risk of partially digested food particles passing through intestinal walls.
• Herbal Teas such as: Artichoke, Dandelion, Ginger, Slippery Elm Bark, Milk Thistle, Peppermint, also stimulate digestive enzymes for efficient breakdown of food.

 

Now you know how important the role of the gut is and how powerful diet and lifestyle can be as a tool to heal the gut and improve overall health and wellness. Take advantage of these do’s and don’ts to get started on your gut healing journey and make the commitment to a healthier gut for a happier you.

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