Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Self

I understand today how all of my varied illnesses were tied to my gut. Depression, bipolar disorder, hypothyroid, adrenal insufficiency, chronic migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, lyme disease and co-infections. These were all the consequence of poor gut health. Once I focused on healing the gut all of these ” dis-eases”  just kind of melted away.

“All disease begins in the gut”
Hippocrates

Hippocrates statement was certainly true in my own case. Looking back to childhood I never had proper gut function. I suffered from intestinal pain, foul-smelling stools,  gas, bloating and chronic constipation my entire life. I was lucky if I had 2 or 3 bowel movements per week. I accepted this as normal. I had no way of knowing that it was not healthy. I remember taking my share of antibiotics as a young girl. Poor absorption and chronic infections contributed to nutritional deficiencies.

A healthy lower intestine should contain at least 85% friendly bacteria to prevent the over colonization of microorganisms like E. coli and salmonella. Our bodies can sustain healthy states with 15% bad bacteria, but unfortunately, most have that balance reversed. There is a war between the good and bad flora that rages 24 hours a day.

Symptoms of an unhealthy gut include excess gas, bloating, nausea, constipation and diarrhea. Many of us with chronic fatigue/Lyme also have persistent parasite infections that we had a very difficult time eliminating.

Healthy gut flora is responsible for normal gastrointestinal function, protection from infection, regulates metabolism and comprises more than 75% of our immune system.  This is very important for those with chronic illness.  I have outlined the steps I took to correct gut function.

Remove the Bad Stuff

1. Processed foods and sugar- This was easily done by eating a clean Paleo Diet. I don’t eat anything that is in a package. All meals are made from scratch without sugar and all of the additives, preservatives, dyes, artificial flavorings (MSG), emulsifiers, hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup, to name a few. Eating sugar and other junk is like throwing gas on the pathogenic fire. All of these alter the gut flora in favor of the bad guys.
2. Foods that create allergy or intolerance – most common are gluten, dairy,  soy, corn, eggs, shellfish and nuts- I am intolerant to gluten, grains, dairy and avoid soy, corn and eat shellfish sparingly. It is really important to get tested for food allergies. It takes the guesswork out of what will cause harm.
3. Amalgam dental fillings– This is one of the worst offenders that so many of us are having to deal with today. These were replaced after a couple of years into my diet change. I had them removed properly by a biological dentist.  The expense was worth it and I would highly recommend this to everyone that has amalgams. You can read more about it here. 
4. Drugs that kill the good flora. Antibiotics wipe out the good and the bad flora, like clear-cutting a forest. Once this happens, it is never the same again. I chose not to use antibiotics to treat Lyme disease.  I researched extensively and found that many persons were healing from Lyme and co-infections using herbal preparations. There are other drugs (in addition to antibiotics) that damage gut flora such as antidepressants containing fluoride compounds.  I understand today why I felt so bad while taking these drugs. They were destroying my gut terrain over a period of 14 years. Research the drugs you are on to see if they are noted for killing gut flora.
5. Chronic infections- Candida, parasites, bacteria, fungus and viruses – I treated these with powdered and some fresh herbs only. I did have some ozone treatments but these were ineffective in treating the intestinal infections and I relapsed shortly after.  I had complete success with the herbs alone. Had I not been so comfortable using herbs, I would have consulted with an herbalist. You can find my herbal parasite recipe here. 
6. Chlorinated or fluoridated water– We purchased a filter for our drinking water that removes about 98% of the chlorine. We are fortunate that our local water doesn’t contain fluoride.

Add the Good Stuff

1. Exercise- Do whatever you enjoy. Just do as much as you can. Here is a good article on the benefits of exercise for chronic illness. 
2. Bone broth- We make large pots of bone broth that we simmer for 48 hours. This broth can then be used in soups, stews or just as a warm healing drink. It is one of the best foods for healing the gut. This is an important food for healing the intestinal lining.
3.  Probiotics- Homemade fermented foods like beet kvass, sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha are the best. Many of the store bought fermented foods are no longer teeming with probiotics. Many of these have been heat-treated to make them shelf stable. Fermented foods are easy and inexpensive to make. I know that when I eat some of these every day I feel stronger and have a lot more energy. There are a few good probiotic supplements that you can buy at the health food store. I like to use these when I travel.
4. Sea salt and Sea Vegetables- Sea salt is needed for the production of hydrochloric acid. Sea salt and sea vegetables are important as the body needs iodine. Many today are iodine deficient. I use Celtic Sea Salt and kelp. Some are afraid of ocean pollution and prefer to supplement with Lugol’s for iodine instead of sea vegetables.
5. Digestive Aids– Betaine Hydrochloride for low stomach acid. This is an often overlooked problem. This acts to sterilize your food and kills any new harmful parasites or bacteria from entering your system.  This is crucial for those battling parasites. Stomach acid is important for the breakdown of food and absorption of important minerals like iron, sodium and magnesium.
6. Nutritionally packed organic Real Food Diet that provides all of the essential nutrients for great health- This will provide all of the healing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that the body needs for repairing and rebuilding. I am on a Paleo Diet. 
7. Drink water- 6-8 glasses per day- We are designed to drink water. It is the best form of hydration. Y0u can read more about the healing benefits of drinking more water here.

Be patient!
It takes time to heal the gut!  It takes many years for the gut to descend into such a sickened state that it will take time to heal and rebuild. I have been in complete remission from all illness since November , 2014 and in the best health of my entire life.  I am listening to my gut now more than ever.

Blessings and Best of health!

Brenda♥

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