Can You Trust Your Gut?

Can you trust your gut? If Hypocrites is right and “all disease begins in the gut” then it’s probably safe to say that no matter what illness you may be tackling, strengthening your gut may be the first step.

Twelve years ago I walked into a health food store and spoke to the owner (or more realistically cried to the owner) who was extremely knowledgeable about anything relating to health and supplements, about the state of my health.  I had just had my fourth sinus surgery two weeks prior and my infection was already back.  She told me in order to heal my sinuses I would need to heal my gut.  She said the problem is not just a sinus problem, or a fatigue problem, or a heart problem (I was having arrhythmia’s daily back then). She said I could throw antibiotics and anti-fungals at my sinuses all day long and I would still not get better.  I walked out of that store feeling hopeless because I thought that was the worst advice I had ever heard.  I could not reconcile the horrendous state of my health having anything to do with my “gut”.  She planted the seed, but it would take another year or two, any many many more antibiotics before I could wrap my mind around that concept and healing could start to begin.

Like a detective I had to back track and see where and how my health had gotten so off track.  It started with mold in my environment which lead to infections which lead to countless courses of antibiotics.  Even just one round of antibiotics has the potential to throw your whole gut “eco-system” out of wack, yet I had been on over 100 courses trying to get rid of infection after infection.

Once I realized the cycle of events that occurs: antibiotics lead to depleted good bacteria in gut, which opens the door to fungi like candida, which leads to intestinal permeability (leaky gut or dysbiosis), which leads to inflammation and food allergies, and if left unchecked for too long opens up the door to auto immune disorders like chronic fatigue, food allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, etc.  Antibiotics are not the only thing that can cause our gut to be compromised.  The typical American diet is full of processed foods, additives, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.  Certain medications and too much alcohol can also lead to dysbiosis.  So what is the best way to go about healing your gut?   I have listed the best supplements and foods below.  With a strict diet eliminating sugar and grains, along with the right supplements, intestinal permeability can be healed in 1-3 months.  Happy healing!

Beneficial Supplements for Leaky Gut:

Probiotics – probiotics add good bacteria back into the intestines especially after a course of antibiotics.

Colostrum (I use sovereign laboratories colostrum)– this actually should be the very first one since colostrum is actually proven to heal and seal leaky gut, it’s also recommend not taking probiotics for 4-6 weeks until your gut is healed.  This product hands down was one of the most important pieces to healing my sinuses.  I had a stubborn pseudomonas infection which kept returning no matter what antibiotic I took.  Personally, I believe it has something to do with the lactoferrin it contains, as lactoferrin is supposedly something that can penetrate the bio film of pseudomonas. It’s a little on the expensive side but so so worth it, and I figure I spent over $30 dollars a month on pepcid AC and Nexium back in the day!

Natural anti-fungals like citridrops (I put these drops in my water as well as irrigate my sinuses with them) oil of oregano, caprylic acid , garlic, etc

L- Glutamine – helps repair the lining of the intestines

Digestive Enzymes– help digest your food

Beta Glucan Allergy Formula by NSC is great if you have food allergies.

DGL – Licorice Root – supposed to be great for leaky gut and even for reflux but I have tried to use this twice and have had allergic reactions so start slow.

Binder such as  charcoal, bentonite clay, and psyllium husk can help you gently detox.

To see a full list of supplements I currently take click here. 

Foods That Help Heal Leaky Gut:

Yogurt and Kiefer (plain no sugar added)

Fermented foods like sauerkraut

Juicing fresh vegetables

Bone Broth-if you don’t like the idea of making your own, many health foods now have them ready to go, I am also seeing bone broth in powdered form now which can be added to soups and smoothies.

Sprouted seeds – I have been tossing Chia seeds in baked goods and smoothies.  It helps support the good bacteria you are trying to grow in your gut

Disclaimer- I am not a physician, I cannot help individuals with a personal plan or advice, I can only write about my experience.  Please consult your physician when starting any new diet or supplement, and never forgo seeing your doctor in in lieu of internet advice. I was not compensated for this post, but there are affiliate links in which I get a percentage on sales of products I use myself. But again only on the products I am using. Opinions are all my own, and I would never recommend any supplement or brand I didn’t personally love, use,  and have benefited from.