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I feel your Gut is the core of your well-being. It is considered your second brain and houses your immunity. It is extremely important to have a healthy gut for overall health. The battle for a healthy gut is one that many people my face. Some don’t even realize it. Whether or not you're currently struggling with gut issues, it's important to understand the critical role gut health plays in your overall well-being.
Your gut health journey doesn’t begin when you first experience discomfort. In fact, it starts before you’re even born from your mother’s gut microbiome. That is why it is very important for a to be mom to be healthy. From utero, the foundation of your gut microbiome from mom is being built, and it continues to evolve based on the foods you eat and the environment you're exposed to throughout your life. Even if you aren't currently battling gut issues, learning how to maintain a healthy gut can help
prevent future problems and keep your body functioning optimally.
Gut Health Starts in Utero
As I mentioned, your gut health journey begins long before you take your first breath. The health of your mother directly impacts the development of your own gut microbiome, and it develop in utero. Once a child is born, breast-feeding is crucial for a newborn. Truly it is a perfect food for a baby. If you're planning to have a baby, taking care of your gut not only benefits you but also passes on that health to your future child and the baby you are bringing up. Eat a clean healthy diet.
After a child transitions to solid food and stops breastfeeding, their microbiome continues to evolve based on both their environment and the foods they consume throughout their life. This is why paying close attention to diet and environmental toxins is essential for nurturing gut health. A clean, healthy gut can help protect against mental fog, anxiety, and depression conditions that are often linked to poor
gut health.
America’s Obesity Epidemic
It’s no secret that people are busier than ever, often neglecting their own health in the process. They go for the fast pickup food. Also, they may not even know what their bodies truly needs. It’s disheartening that the United States ranks 12th in the world for obesity, with 36% of adults and 19% of children classified as obese. I learned this from Dr. Joanne Conaway, a Naturopathic Physician in her book, “Why is America so Sick.” What’s fueling this crisis? A major contributor is the consumption of processed foods, which flood our bodies with chemicals, sugars and unhealthy fats, slowing down our system and leading to chronic diseases.
Food Pyramid is the Problem
The key issue with the Standard American Diet (SAD) is its emphasis on grains as a primary source of fiber and nutrition. However, grains, especially those containing gluten, can harm gut health. Gluten, found in wheat, barley, rye, and even oats (which contain a gluten-like protein), damages the villi in our intestines. The villi are responsible for nutrient absorption, but when damaged, they shrink, making it
harder for our bodies to absorb essential nutrients from food, leading to overeating and obesity. Dr. Joanne Conaway points out that we, as humans, don’t have the digestive enzymes needed to fully digest ancient wheat, unlike cows and sheep, who have multiple stomachs for that process. Modern GMO wheat is even more difficult to digest. Consuming gluten can also lead to leaky gut syndrome, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation and further harming your health.
Gluten Plus Sugar Creates a Fire
Gluten not only damages the gut but also causes insulin spikes when paired with sugar, as is common in many processed foods. High insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance, which contributes to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health issues. The combination of gluten and sugar in the diet can also harm and cause a leaky gut, releasing toxins into the bloodstream and causing inflammation in different body
systems. Staying away from gluten and processed sugars is a significant step toward healing your gut and balancing your blood sugar.
Additives, Food Coloring Adds Toxins
Toxins enter our bodies from various sources. We are exposed to pesticides used on fruits and vegetables and contaminants found in processed meats and seafood. Over time, these toxins accumulate, straining our liver and kidneys, organs essential for detoxification that are part of the digestive system. Slowing down your metabolism. Failing to eliminate toxins not only harms the liver and or the kidney, and they also get stored in fat. Toxins in fat complicate weight release and can cause hormonal imbalance. It's interesting many foods containing GMOs, additives, and artificial colors
allowed in the U.S. are banned in the European Union for good reason.
Foreign Parasites Cause Havoc Too
While we can't control everything, we need to stay aware, especially when it comes to parasites. Everyone has some form of parasites, and they originate from various parts of the world. If you're a sushi lover, you're frequently exposed to parasites. Many people are also cautious about the water quality when traveling. For example, Mexico is well-known for issues related to parasites, and other countries have different parasite concerns. When parasites invade, they can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Be mindful of signs like persistent loose bowels and seek professional help immediately. Parasites can be tricky, as their symptoms often worsen or change during full and new
moon cycles.
Our Body Have Multiple Microbiomes
Our bodies host more than just a gut microbiome. Microbiomes exist in various parts of the body, including the skin, mouth (oral), gut (gastrointestinal tract), respiratory tract, vagina, and urinary tract. These areas become home to a collection of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that we are exposed to throughout our lives. Additionally, toxins and other man-made chemicals can disrupt the balance of these microbiomes. Each microbiome is important, with the oral microbiome being a
direct link to our gut microbiome.
Bacteria Communicates along the Oral-Gut Axis
I recently learned from Dr. Joanne Conaway that bacteria from the oral microbiome can communicate with the bacteria in the gut through a process called quorum sensing, a method of bacterial communication. They do this via a complex network known as the oral-gut axis, with pathways like saliva and the bloodstream connecting the gut-brain axis to the central nervous system. As noted in an article from South Dakota Dental Dental, maintaining a balance of good and bad bacteria is crucial for
gut health. Disruptions in this balance are linked to conditions such as IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic gut infections, allergies, and more. The blog also references a study from the journal, “Cancers,” which found that oral and gut microbiomes can regulate "physiological functions and pathological processes" ; The study explains how microbial transmissions can "shape or reshape" both habitats, potentially leading to the development of diseases. There’s far too much to cover here, but it’s important to be aware, as these imbalances could even contribute to mental health issues.
The Gut-Brain Connection
An equally important aspect of the mind-body relationship is the gut-brain connection. When our gut is unhealthy, it can lead to a host of issues, including mental fog, lack of concentration. Many people have experienced the sensation of "butterflies in their stomach" during anxious moments, highlighting the intricate link between our emotional state, brain and gut health. Hence the gut is often referred to as
our "second brain" because it contains a vast network of neurons and communicates directly with the brain through the vagus nerve.
Survival Mode Drains You
Stress and negative emotions can activate the body's survival mode. Feelings like fear, frustration, and doubt slow down your body's systems, as well as your mind and soul. The body's reaction to these emotions leads to a rapid heartbeat, mental fatigue, and adrenal exhaustion. This physiological response not only drains your energy, it depletes essential nutrients and disrupts sleep patterns, further complicating cortisol regulation and overall well-being.
Chronic stress can cause an overproduction of cortisol, the stress hormone, which wreaks havoc on overall health, including spiking insulin levels. This cycle of stress and gut dysfunction creates a vicious loop, where emotional turmoil affects gut health, metabolic issues and other hormone issues, which in turn exacerbate emotional struggles. When your mind and body are overwhelmed, your soul—your inner being—becomes exhausted as well.
Maintaining gut health through proper nutrition, hydration, good sleep, and stress management techniques, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing, is essential for our physical, mental, emotional and overall well-being.
Importance of Good Nutrition
As I mention in all my articles, maintaining a clean, non-toxic diet is crucial. Being gluten-free by avoiding wheat, rye, barley, and oats is important, as oats contain a form of gluten protein. Removing gluten from your diet can help lengthen your villi, allowing for better absorption of the foods you eat and the medication you take. It may lead to consuming less food and potentially reducing medication or the need for it. This change can promote the dropping of pounds and improve overall health. Additionally, nutritional supplementation is necessary to fill the gaps left by the lack of minerals and nutrients in our soil in turn with our produce and meats. Supplements can support your entire body system, as it's challenging to consume enough food to achieve a balanced nutrient intake.
Remove Bad Foods
Remove processed foods and sugar from your diet. You will have less inflammation and chronic diseases. By doing this, you also eliminate dyes and additives that often accompany these foods. Since sugar is a processed ingredient, consider using natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or honey instead. Be sure to remove all GMO produce, including corn, soy, and, of course, the wheat previously mentioned. Opting for organic produce is advisable, as it is more likely to be free from toxins.
Additionally, focus on consuming cleaner protein sources, such as grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken and eggs, and wild-caught salmon.
Choose Your Water Wisely
Avoid drinking tap water due to the potential presence of chemicals and parasites in certain countries. Instead, opt for filtered water, hydrogen-infused water, or bottled spring water. Be cautious about leaving water in plastic bottles in hot cars and try to minimize your use of plastics whenever possible. Given the prevalence of plastic in product delivery, this can be challenging. You might consider investing in a water filtration system for a cleaner option. If you need ideas or recommendations, feel free to
contact me.
You are Not Alone with Battle of the Gut
I have personally battled gut health issues over the years, and through this experience, I have fine-tuned my approach and learned a great deal. My health has maintained its vitality thanks to my ongoing growth and positive mindset. You are welcome to reach out to me for guidance. I can provide you with a list of good and bad foods. My goal is not only to educate but also to revitalize people’s health – mind, body and soul.
Meet the expert:
Debi Voris' transformation of releasing 70 Ibs. and becoming a half-marathon runner inspired her to become a Certified Wholistic Health Coach. She is passionate about revitalizing people's health and empowering them to break through their beliefs of impossibility. Through her coaching, she guides individuals to discover and embrace wholistic solutions for a healthier lifestyle.
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