When I studied nutrition, the knowledge of how the gut works and the microbiome was scarce.  Microbiology was a subject, but it was never about the gut and microbiome.  It was a fact (medical) that the gut could not leak, and there was no such thing as a leaky gut.  When I studied, many doctors believed that what you eat has nothing to do with your disease and sadly these are words still spoken in Doctors and Specialists offices.  As the decades have passed by our knowledge of the gut, the microbiome and the functions of the gut have surpassed any nutritionist’s wildest dreams. It’s an exciting field.

The gut and it’s residents is not only a source of digestion and assimilation but also an incredible manufacturing plant, monitoring and defense centre, eliminator, rehydrater, feedback loop system, nourisher and second brain to name a few of its tasks for human health.

Its roles are enormous and therefore if the GUT and it’s residents are not working to their best capacity then neither will the human body.

Gut healing is essential in any disease both physically and mentally.  First, we must eliminate any dysbiosis (parasites) in the gut, then heal the gut lining, then replenish the keystone parts of the microbiome and continue to nourish it and not put anything into it that may cause excessive intestinal permeability (leaky gut) or disturbance of the microbiome.

This is easier said than done.  This is because we live a modern life in a modern world with all the perks and all the downfalls.

Things that disrupt the gut and its residents include modern agriculture, ultra-processed foods, any food with a man-made emulsifier such as soya or sunflower lecithin, stress, lack of sleep, not enough sunshine, no movement, dysbiosis, parasites, molds, fungi, antibiotics and other medications like antacids, PPI’s and some vaccinations.  Other things that people don’t suspect can be cleaning agents in the house, personal care products, mouth washes; that new sofa or new car smell? You guessed it. The list is endless.

With that in mind creating the best environment and food sources that we can, will mitigate severe GUT issues and thus severe health issues.  Hippocrates said “All disease begins in the gut”. So, it’s very important we do the best we can to keep it healthy or get it healthy and in good working order.

At Changing Habits, we have tools to help including our amazing probiotics, seaweed salt, organic spices, organic dehydrated broths, (chicken, beef, and vegetable) Nature’s Mineral Boost and Peak Performance.  All of these have the ability to heal and nourish not only your gut and its residents but you as well.

Here are three initial steps to get you going.

1. Clean up your food supply to be organically or regeneratively grown.  Buy seasonal, local, and get back into the kitchen to feed and nourish your family.
2. Clean up your lifestyle, good sleep, drink quality water, ground, move and connect with loved ones.
3. Clean up your makeup, personal care products and home cleaning products.

If by doing these steps, you still do not get better, then a rigorous gut healing protocol may be what you need.  GAPS, Kultured Wellness and Corrective Culture all have programs, some you will need help with others you can do on your own, it just depends on the depth of healing that needs to be done.