Have you ever considered what part of your body is the most important? Most people agree the brain and heart are the most important. But did you know your gut is significant to your overall health!
Oh sure, we all hate it when we have occasional digestive issues like bloating, cramping, diarrhea, or constipation? Or when we have a stomach virus.
But if you have any or some of these symptoms MOST of the time, it’s not normal. It’s not the way your body is supposed to work. Many of my clients have had these symptoms so long they come to see me thinking it’s common – that it’s normal to feel bad after eating with cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. There’s a big difference in what is common and what is normal.
And you may have been diagnosed already with gastrointestinal issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) or colitis. Or maybe you have no diagnosis.
But did you know there are also more subtle symptoms that can be gut related such as foggy thinking, headaches, fatigue, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, skin rashes, poor focus, low motivation, insomnia, and joint pain?
Your gut (AKA digestive system from the mouth to anus and everything in between) is now being called the second brain. Dysfunction in the gut can often lead to disease in other parts of the body. Did you know that about 80% of your immune system resides in your gut? And many neurotransmitters are produced or partially produced in your gut such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and melatonin.
So if you have a toxic gut, what happens to the neurotransmitters? They aren’t produced in the quantity we need for optimal health.
Did you that there is both good and bad bacteria and microorganisms in your gut? This is your microbiome. The good bacteria is key for digestion and helps to destroy the harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that sneak in there. In addition, the gut friendly or good bacteria produces some vitamins like vitamin K. But if you have too much of the harmful bacteria and not enough of the friendly bacteria, an imbalance occurs called dysbiosis which has been linked to insulin resistance, weight gain, inflammation, poor immune health, obesity, IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease), and even colorectal cancer.
And I know you don’t want any of that. So don’t continue feeling like your symptoms are normal. Do something today.
So what can you do?
First, test don’t guess. See a medical practitioner and get tests done. And if your practitioner does not take you seriously or offers only medication without also asking about your diet and nutrition, lifestyle, possible environmental toxins, agreeing to run parasite tests, etc., get a second opinion. (And you may have to see a functional medicine or integrative medicine practitioner.)
How else can you help yourself? Try my 4-S simple program:
*Stop eating sugar and junk foods such as refined, processed, sugar-laden foods and beverages. All the sugar and unhealthy ingredients in processed food can cause more destructive bacteria (and decreases good bacteria) which causes inflammation and nutritional deficiencies which leads to your current symptoms and may cause long-term inflammatory diseases.
*Slow down eating – This allows the digestive enzymes to activate to begin breaking down the food and gives you time to realize you are full rather than overeating. Allow yourself at least 20 – 30 minutes to eat a meal (and sit down).
*Sleep and rest – When we sleep, our body can rest properly and build and repair new cells in all areas, including the digestive system. And too little sleep increases our cortisol levels as well as the hunger hormone which makes us want to eat more which can cause bloating and weight gain. And there are many reasons the good Lord said to rest once a week. He knew we needed it, and we know it as well. Take a warm bath or shower before bedtime.
*Stress management – We all have stress, but it’s how we react to it that matters. Too much stress causes more gastric distress because your body may produce too much stomach acid or too little or not enough digestive enzymes. Use mindset techniques, be thankful, pray, and find joy in life.
*If you have tried all of the above steps for several months and don’t find your symptoms are any better, I’d recommend digging deeper with food sensitivity tests or tests for possible parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Or even ruling out SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or SIFO (Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth). So get that second opinion if you did not already and ask for these tests.
I hope that helps you realize the symptoms you may be experiencing that I mentioned above are not normal, but instead they are warning signs your body is using to tell you to seek help. So don’t continue ignoring them. Seek help today.
And if you’d like help with your gut issues or other symptoms and want help from someone who has not only walked this path personally but also helped other clients successfully, I’d love the opportunity to work with you. You can schedule a FREE 20 minute discovery call by clicking here. As a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and as someone who has used both conventional and holistic strategies, I really do understand. So reach out to me today. — Leah Cheshire, NBC-HWC
