Gut Health

Digest & Absorb

We need to have a strong digestive system to support our bone health as well as our overall health. The gut flora needs to be in balance and our gut lining healthy so we can absorb the nutrients our bones need.

Gas, bloating, skin rash and inflammation can be a signs of gut issues.

Food sensitivity test can help you determine if you should be avoiding foods. Someone can have a food allergy which can be life threatening and involves the immune system. There are also food intolerances.  For example, if someone is intolerant to Gluten they may be able to eat gluten without an immediate allergic reaction (Celiac disease). If they are gluten intolerant a reaction occurs that results in inflammation which compromises the lining of the gut. An elimination diet can be one way to help you determine if a food is causing issues.

Work with your health care provider in determining if you have sensitivities to specific foods.

Stress can have adverse effects on your gut health. The Stress Reduction section provides classes to help you reduce stress with meditation, breath practices and restorative yoga.

Prebiotic foods are high in types of fiber that support your digestion and feed the healthy bacteria.

Good sources are: garlic, onions, asparagus, dandelion greens, Jerusalem artichoke, apples, barley, flaxseeds and seaweed to name a few.

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that support your digestive system.

If you have been on antibiotics they can effect the micro biome of your gut. Make sure to support your good bacteria after a round of antibiotics. Some food that have been shown to be helpful are: yogurt, kefir, kombucha tea, fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi.

Plant based diet with lots of fiber helps you to maintain healthy microbiome of the gut.

Some anti-inflammatory foods to include in your diet are ginger and turmeric. Limit your sugar intake. Sugar is inflammatory.

Toxins

Consider not only your environmental toxins but the toxins that make their way to our gut from the foods we eat. Pesticides are used frequently in the growth of our produce. If buying all organic is not available for a cost or availability reason consider purchasing the “dirty dozen” in organic form. This is a list of produce that is typically grown with harmful pesticides. This list is updated every year and can be found at this link.

www.ewe.org/foodnews