1:24 PM
A properly functioning digestive system (gut) is
critical to good health. In fact, 60 -80% of our immune system is located in
our gut, and 90% of our neurotransmitters (chemicals responsible for regulating
mood) such as serotonin are made in our gut.
Problems in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract can
cause more than just stomach pain, gas, bloating or diarrhea; they can be the
root cause of many chronic health problems. Gut imbalances have been linked to
hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and
hashimotos thyroiditis, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety,
depression, eczema and rosacea… just to name a few.
So, how does one heal their gut and heal themselves?
In functional Medicine a simple approach can be
used that is the 4R program – Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, and Repair.
- Remove the bad. We have to get rid of things that
negatively affect the environment of the GI tract such as inflammatory foods
(gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs and sugar can lead to food sensitivities),
infections and gastric irritants like alcohol, caffeine or drugs.
A comprehensive stool analysis is key to determining the levels of good bacteria as well as any infections that may be present. Removing the infections identified, which may require treatment with herbs, anti-parasite medication, anti-fungal medication or even antibiotics.
- Replace the good. Add back in the essential ingredients for proper digestion and absorption that may have been depleted by diet, drugs (such as antacid medications), diseases or aging. This includes digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and bile acids that are required for proper digestion.
- Restoring beneficial bacteria to reestablish a
healthy balance of good bacteria is critical. This may be accomplished by taking a probiotic supplement that contains beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species.
Also, taking a prebiotic (food for the good bacteria) supplement or consuming foods high in soluble fiber is important.
- Providing the nutrients necessary to help the gut repair itself is essential. One of the supplements is L-glutamine, an amino acid that helps to rejuvenate the gut wall lining. Other key nutrients include zinc, omega-3 fish oils, vitamin A, C, E as well as herbs such as slippery elm and aloe vera.
No matter what your health issue is, the 4R program
is sure to help you and your gut heal. There has been many dramatic
reversals of chronic and inflammatory illnesses in a very short period of time
by utilizing this simple approach.