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How To Heal Your Gut

How To Heal Your Gut

In naturopathic medicine, the body is viewed as a whole every system is connected and your digestive system is at the center of a properly functioning immune and hormonal system. Because of this, gut imbalances have been linked to anxiety, depression, autoimmune disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue, headaches, skin concerns like acne and rosacea, as well as a host of other chronic health problems. Beyond these concerns, local signs of an imbalanced digestive system include issues like gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and food allergies or sensitivities.

A key component of a healthy digestive system is having good barrier function that blocks undigested food, bacteria and metabolic wastes, from entering your bloodstream, leading to inflammation. When this barrier function breaks down, gaps develop between cells in our intestinal lining, called leaky gut. The inflammation that ensues contributes to a host of health conditions including heart disease, arthritis and possibly cancer. The basic contributors to leaky gut include

A diet high in refined sugars, processed foods, preservatives, refined flours, and flavorings.

Chronic stress, which suppresses and weakens the immune system.

Any type of inflammation, which can be brought on by low stomach acid (which passes undigested food into the small intestine irritating everything it passes by), yeast overgrowth (Candida), bacteria overgrowth, infection, parasites and excessive environmental toxins.

Medications, even non-prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers for example, irritate the intestinal lining.

As the gateway to health, healing the gut is a critical step in achieving better health. The 4R program is a simple approach to repair the gut and restore overall balance.

Remove the bad, offending foods, infection, irritants (drugs, caffeine, alcohol), etc. This may involve an elimination diet, a comprehensive stool analysis and/or treatment for infection.

Replace the good, essential ingredients for proper digestion, absorption and elimination. This may involve supplements like digestive enzymes, bile acids, fiber, etc.

Re-establish the beneficial, good, bacterial in the gut. This may include a probiotic supplement and a diet high in plant-based whole foods.

Repair the gut lining by providing the essential nutrients necessary for its health as well as herbs that can reduce gut inflammation like slippery elm or cabbage juice.

This simple approach can help reduce many health problems that could stem from gut imbalances. A naturopathic doctor who recognizes the importance of gut health can help you work through the 4R approach in order to restore health.

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