When it comes to your overall health and wellness, keeping your gut health in check should be the top of your priority list. Along with reducing your toxic load, it is the single most important aspect of enjoying a happy life with a positive outlook free from pain and discomfort.

 

What most people don’t realise is that our gut is our abdominal brain and it is the central communication system of the body – think of it like our internal Air Traffic Control Centre.

 

Your abdominal region houses a very sophisticated nervous system and this mass of cells in your abdomen are connected to the mass of cells in your skull and to the rest of your nervous system. Like the spinal cord, neurons cover your intestinal wall where they send information throughout your body. The gut is so important in terms of receiving and sending messages to the rest of the body that it has more neurons than our brain and spinal cord combined.It influences – amongst other things – the production of chemicals, including serotonin and dopamine. In fact when you release toxic material from your gut, toxic emotions (like sadness and anger) leave as well. These emotions are extremely aging, so eliminating them helps you feel more cheerful and serene.

 

*Our Inner ecosystem*Within each of us lies this miraculous inner ecosystem and most of us are ignorant to its existence, but it is vital to our health, immunity, and longevity. You see our gut is where 80% of our immune system lies and our inner ecosystem plays the biggest part in determining in which direction our health can go. Put simply if you nourish and feed the good bacteria in this ecosystem your health will sore, however, destroy the good guys and let the bad bacteria flourish and watch as your health plummets.

 

You see our gut contains 10 times more health-determining bacteria than the rest of our body. These bacteria protect us from infection, support our metabolism, and promote healthy digestion and elimination.

 

Unfortunately, the majority of the population has inadequate beneficial (good) bacteria, excessive damaging (bad) bacteria, and a lack of bacterial diversity. Largely because of a poor diet and stress (which comes in many forms) such as:

 

* Over-Medicating – with antibiotics, birth control, NSAID’s, anti-depressants, antacids, etc
* Chronic Stress – which can alter digestive secretion, gut permeability, blood flow, sensitivity, and even change bacterial composition
* Exposure to Environmental Toxins – notably pesticides, PCBs, herbicides, arsenic, BPA
* Inadequate Bacterial Acquisition at Birth – C-section birth, parents gut health, and mothers diet and toxin exposure during pregnancy, infants transition from breast milk to adult food, etc* Current Health & Body Composition – Poor overall disease statu
s

 

This is ultimately leading to unbalanced gut flora which is referred to as a gut dysbiosis, and increased susceptibility to intestinal permeability more commonly known as leaky gut. Since the same things that destroy our gut flora can compromise our gut barrier; the fungal infections and bad bacteria that prosper instead can do the same.

 

For most people, this presents itself as something that seems relatively harmless at first such as bloating, heartburn, IBS, and excess gas, while for the not-so-lucky ones it can mean something more serious like a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin, joints, bowel, or brain and nervous system. 

Unfortunately, this is usually the part where people get very angry or stop listening because if this information is true, which the latest research suggests it is, the underlying message is that your sub-optimal health or chronic illness is your fault. Since the damaged gut is a result of your behaviour; whether that’s choosing to medicate, choosing to eat certain foods, or letting yourself get exposed to harmful things.

 

But here’s the thing – it’s not your fault!

 

All you did was listen to the ‘experts’ (doctors, government, etc) and select one of the options you were given; the same options everyone else chooses from. Unfortunately, you (or those you love) may have a little less genetic protection on your side. Or perhaps you didn’t have as strong a shot from the outset, for example, your mum having a c-section instead of a vaginal birth, having antibiotic exposure as a child, etc.

 

You’re not a bad person, you’re not a bad parent, and the fact that you’re still reading this means you’re a good one!

 

This news should serve as hope! It means your health and happiness are up to you and your destiny is in your hands.

 

If you are dealing with (or helping someone deal with) an unfortunate gut problem such as Crohn’s, colitis, celiac, or IBS or maybe a heartbreaking mental disorder such as ADHD, depression, autism or even a devastating neurological condition like epilepsy, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, you have the potential to turn your life around!

 

I want to say that obviously there is no guarantee, but the evidence leads us to believe that these problems originate in the gut, and healing the gut with an anti-inflammatory diet as well as the many other protocols perform on the Revive Total Gut Health Revival Program can lead to dramatic improvements; whether we’re talking about gut issues, allergies and skin conditions or mental and physical performance.

 

Sure, not every single disease is the result of a leaky gut, and not everyone will develop a leaky gut. However, with the evidence we have to-date (over 10,000+ papers) proving that this 100-year old hypothesis is no longer quackery, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be doing everything you can to improve the integrity of your gut lining, encourage a positive bacterial environment, and optimise the overall function of your gut health so you can digest, metabolise, absorb and eliminate foods and toxins properly as well as have increased energy, clarity and a more positive mood and outlook on life. 

Although we’ve said all that, and addressed the fact that gut health is getting more popular, it seems people still don’t know where to start when it comes to increasing the health of their inner ecosystem, so I thought I’d give you a helping hand.

 

Bacteria in your gut might sound like a bad thing, but your gut actually uses bacteria to process food into energy. We call these helpful bacteria probiotics. Most people have heard the term in shameful yogurt adverts, but that’s about it.

 

*What are probiotics and what do they mean to your body?*It all starts in your gut, the system in your body responsible for digestion. Proper digestion is essential to your health and probiotics are essential to your gut. When bacteria are out of balance, as we mentioned previously, it can cause problems such as:

 

* Gas
* Bloating
* Diarrhea
* Constipation
* Abdominal pain and cramping
* Autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and diabetes
* Neuromuscular diseases* B12 deficiency

 

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to get your gut health back on track. Here are five awesome tips for promoting your gut health and well-being.

 

1. Lower Your Stress Levels
Stress is the overriding factor in all disease. It’s why I put it at the top of this list. Stress contrary to popular belief doesn’t just come from your job or family life, stress comes from poor food choices, poor quality water, toxic skin care, EMF frequency etc.As I mentioned above, much like the spinal cord, neurons cover your intestinal wall where they send information throughout your body. The existence of the brain/gut connection makes it clear that stress can be linked to gut health. When stressed, your brain sends messages to your gut in the form of chemicals. These chemicals affect how well your gut works and can kill off sensitive beneficial bacteria.

 

2. Take a Quality Probiotic
In 1907, Nobel Laureate, Elie Metchnikoff introduced the concept of probiotics. He published a groundbreaking study that linked longevity with consuming fermented milk that contained Lactobacilli, a bacterial strain that produces lactic acid and helps maintain healthy intestinal microflora. Today, probiotics supplements are available at health food, grocery, and online stores.

 

When choosing a probiotic, look for these qualities:

 

* Probiotic supplements should contain 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units).
* Encapsulated pills are better than most liquids because they help the bacteria survive the acidic stomach environment.* Multiple strains of bacteria (different strains offer different benefits — some help with digestion of fiber, some help with vitamin absorption, some help promote bowel regularity).

 

Bio Kult, Seed, Bioptimisers, Body Biotics, and Body Ecology are all brands I recommend.

 

3. Avoid Overuse of Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill bacteria. They completely wipe out your gut flora. Although that includes the bad bacteria that can make you sick, it also includes the good bacteria your body needs to thrive. This disruption of intestinal harmony can cause a lack of diversity among bacteria that are sure to affect your health.

 


4. Incorporate Fermented Foods Into Your Diet

Fermented foods can introduce good bacteria to your gut but know that it’s better to make your own. Store-bought options can be pasteurised, which kills good bacteria, so always look for raw and unpasteurised options.

 

Some of the best fermented foods for promoting gut health include:

 

* Sauerkraut
* Yogurt
* Kefir
* Kimchi
* Soy Sauce
* Tempeh
* Fermented Tofu* Kombucha

 

5. Eliminate Sugars And Processed Sugars
Sugar is the most addictive substance on the planet bar none. It’s more addictive than heroin and cocaine. Among the many problems caused by refined sugar such as inflammation, weight gain and hormonal imbalance, it also promotes the growth of bad bacteria and upsets gut flora balance. Sugar feeds fungus and pathogenic yeast as well as being the fuel of choice for cancer cells.

 

6. Limit your exposure to toxins and GMO’s
Toxins come in many forms such as heavy metals, fragrances, pesticides, chlorinated and fluoridated water, conventionally-raised meats and other animal products etc. Processed foods, for example, are typically loaded with refined grains, which turn into sugar in your body. Wheat, in particular, has also been implicated in psychiatric problems, from depression to schizophrenia, due to Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), which has neurotoxic activity.

 

The majority of processed foods also contain genetically engineered (GE) ingredients (primarily corn and soy), which have been shown to be particularly detrimental to beneficial bacteria. Eating genetically engineered Bt corn may turn your intestinal flora into a sort of “living pesticide factory,” essentially manufacturing Bt-toxin from within your digestive system on a continuing basis.

 

Beneficial gut bacteria are very sensitive to residual glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup). Due to mounting resistance, GE Roundup Ready crops are being drenched with increasing amounts of this toxic herbicide. Studies have already confirmed that glyphosate alters and destroys beneficial gut flora in animals, as evidenced by the increasing instances of lethal botulism in cattle.

 

This is why reducing your exposure from toxins from food, water, fragrances, skin care etc is so important. In today’s world, we are under constant attack from toxins and they all deplete your health and kill off your beneficial bacteria. Unfortunately, by doing the things mentioned above in numbers 1 to 5 you’ll go a long way to increasing your gut health and limiting your toxin accumulation.

 

7. Drink Your Food & Chew Your Water 
Simple, inexpensive and something you can do right now to improve your digestion & overall health, this is an ancient principle that should be followed if you want healthy digestion.

 

Along with slowing down, taking 9 deep breathes before we eat, and relaxing with our food, making sure we chew our food is essential. Remember you have no teeth in your gut, and people are constantly swallowing huge pieces of food then wondering why they are having crippling gut pain.

 

When you look at the phrase, ‘“chew your water and drink your food”, what it really means is that we should incorporate as much of our saliva with our food, so that we can mix the amylase present in saliva to begin the process of digestion.

 

This is why very starchy foods such as rice may taste sweet, as the amylase breaks down some of the starch into sugar inside the mouth.

 

Foods that can be difficult to digest such as meat and offal are particularly in need of extra mastication.

 

If the food isn’t broken down sufficiently, the stomach acids have to work harder to break down large chunks of food. If the food hangs around in the hot climate of the gut, food can ferment because of the delay in digestion.People often have digestive problems and food allergies, that can been cleared up simply by chewing to a liquid consistency. Even with water, I recommend that you hold your water in our mouths for a few moments before swallowing so that the liquid is injected with our Chi or body’s energy.

 

This will allow the energy of your life force to be injected into the food and water. By chewing adequately the liquid food is welcomed by the body as a friend, not rejected by the immune system as an invader. This all helps to make life easier for your stomach, your small intestine and your colon to be able to do their jobs in an efficient way, infusing you with more health and vitality.

 

*5 Tactics to Reduce Stress and Support Gut Health*

 

1. Meditation
It’s amazing how much better you can feel about things if you just take some time to stop, breathe, and concentrate. It today’s world we are constantly on the go, and we take no time for much-needed introspection which is vital for not just gut health but your overall health.If you need to use an app or YouTube clip go for it!

 

2. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy harnesses the power of plant-sourced essential oils. Many people attest that this ancient, traditional practice helps them manage stress.

 

3. Exercise
Physical activity affects stress and mood. If you’re feeling stressed, being active can help you overcome it! Many studies have shown the benefits of exercise contributing to optimal health.

 

4. Diet
What you eat can have a significant impact on your gut health. Stress-relieving foods, probiotics, fermented and cultured foods as well as eating an anti-inflammatory diet can help.

 

5. Laughter
Laughter can relieve stress by producing endorphins and lowering the stress hormone cortisol. Find a funny friend or turn on a comedy to produce a relieving chuckle. Your gut will thank you!

 

Bonus: Cleanse and Nourish Your Gut

 

Supplements are an excellent option for maintaining a healthy gut. You can find individual supplements based on your specific needs.

 

As well as probiotics and fermented foods, spices, and herbs such as Turmeric help your colon heal itself at a cellular level. Regularly adding Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to your water or salads will increase the good bacteria in your gut and promote regularity and aid in detoxification.

 

I hope this has helped. If you have any tips you’d like to share on keeping the gut healthy then let me know.

 

Health & Happiness

 

Ryan

P.S. If you have been struggling with your own health issues and would like to see if or how we could help you then click the link here, fill out the form and Ryan or one of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.