The Power of a Healthy Gut

Hippocrates’ reputation as The Father of Medicine makes him an exceptional figure in history. Now, 2,500 years after his death, western medicine is catching up to the words of this genius.

“All disease begins in the gut.”

What is a healthy gut and what does it mean? A healthy gut consists of bacteria and enzymes that coat the intestinal walls, helping to digest food. These beneficial bacteria and enzymes allow our body’s to absorb nutrients. The gut affects all parts of the body and has the strongest connection to the brain and the immune system. Although, It’s not just nutrient absorption that’s in play. We are also ingesting bacteria that helps our body fight off scary infections. We now have evidence that poor gut health leads to diseases like diabetes, allergies, digestive disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

An unhealthy gut is caused by poor diet (sugars, GMO, processed and non-organic foods), stress, and antibiotic use, especially when taken at a young age. It is also caused by food sensitivities that cause inflammation and damage to the gut over time. Some of the common criminals are gluten, corn, eggs, soy, nuts, and dairy.

When trying to identify an unhealthy gut, look out for these symptoms:

· Digestive problems such as gas, constipation, heartburn, and diarrhea

· Nutritional deficiencies or food allergies

· Skin conditions like eczema or keratosis pilaris (chicken skin)

· Low energy or trouble fighting infection

To restore gut health, it’s no surprise that you should avoid foods that cause inflammation and upset the balance in the gut. Also adding nourishing foods will build the best environment for optimal health. By paying attention to foods that we eat, we can build a healthier gut and reduce the risk of diseases.

Try adding some of these gut-healing foods to your diet:

Bone broth – The gelatin in bone broth attracts and holds digestive juices to heal and seal intestinal lining. Check out my recipe here.

Fermented foods – Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and, kombucha are easily digested and contain probiotics created during fermentation.

Probiotic supplements – These supplements contain live bacterial cultures, and like fermented foods, they aid in digestion.

Foods with magnesium – Magnesium is found in more than 300 enzymes in the body. Some of these enzymes are responsible for digestion. Try eating a variety of leafy greens, fish, and avocado.