The 5 Step System for Repairing a Leaky Gut

Good digestion is a prerequisite for good health.

As we continue living with chronic stress in our life, an abundance of toxins in our environment, poor diets, bacterial imbalance, and gastrointestinal issues are becoming more and more common. One of the most common issues we see with adrenal fatigue sufferers is intestinal permeability.

What is Leaky Gut Exactly?

Intestinal permeability also known as "leaky gut" is a condition when essentially, the intestines become damaged and are unable to protect foreign invaders or larger food particles from the digestive tract, from leaking into the bloodstream. The intestines are typically lined with tight junctions that carefully protect what makes it through to the rest of the body.  When damaged, these loose junctions begin to let bacteria, incompletely digested food matter or waste through to the blood, setting off an immune alarm in the body. Cortisol and histamine surges are part of this alarm.  This scenario leads to increased food sensitivities, digestive issues, auto immune conditions and a plethora of symptoms. 

Click here to learn more about the symptoms of leaky gut and why it's important to adrenal fatigue recovery

The symptoms of leaky gut are vast, and the truth is that gut health issues could very likely be a root level cause behind many of today's common health issues. 

Just like the symptoms of leaky gut, figuring out the cause can be quite complicated. 
Luckily, the body has an incredible ability to heal itself if you provide the right environment for it to do so.  

When it comes to repairing a leaky gut, there are 5 steps, that when followed correctly will support creating an optimal environment for healing to take place. 

THE 5 STEPS TO REPAIRING A LEAKY GUT

1. REMOVE

Remove anything that is creating to inflammation or negatively affects the digestive tract. 
This starts with removing problematic foods, any common or known allergens, processed foods and excessive sugar.  It also includes removing unwanted microflora like yeast (candida), parasites or unfriendly bacterial overgrowths. 

2. Replace

This stage begins with replacing problematic foods in the diet with nutrient dense, whole foods. 
It also includes restoring the naturally occurring digestive aids that may be lacking, things such as hydrochloric acid, bile acids and digestive enzymes.

3. Repair

In this phase, the focus is on restoring the mucosal lining of the G.I. tract.
Food plays a large role here, focus on eating foods that are easily digestible like smoothies, soups and cooked vegetables and quality proteins. Foods that are high in healing vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, zinc and other antioxidants, along with fatty acids like omega 3. Bone broth is a particularly gut loving food and is a wonderful addition to a restorative diet. Supplements can also be used to help repair the lining more quickly, to help protect and soothe the lining and help ensure there are no nutrient deficiencies that could be slowing down the recovery process. 

Wondering the top healing foods you can eat and where to start with supplements? We're breaking it all down in this week's freebie! Grab it below! 

4. REINOCCULATE 

In this phase beneficial bacteria are re-introduced. Ideally, this is done with a high quality probiotic supplement, but naturally occurring probiotic rich foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha can be consumed to help support this via food as well. 

The correct balance of healthy flora supports more than just digestion. 
Click here to learn how our microbiome affects the brain, behavior, mood, and more.

5. REBALANCE

The rebalance phase is one that is on going, one that will help support a healthy and happy gut long-term.
This phase largely correlates with general good health practices such as mindfulness practice, sleep, healthy exercise, good food, and finding time for fun. 

When combined and worked on consistently, these 5 steps will guide you well on your way to abundant energy, easy digestion, a flat tummy, glowy skin and so much more.  Leaky gut recovery does not need to be a lot to swallow- it comes back to changing the GI environment and creating one that allows the body to recover, repair and come back into balance. 

Knowing the steps to healing your gut is one thing, but implementing them is a WHOLE OTHER THING...So, if you want SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE implementing these steps into your life, you need to know about this training: http://bit.ly/2iRSQAT

Increase Your Nutrient Absorption with Adrenal Fatigue

Ever wonder why you eat well, but still don’t feel well? Most likely poor nutrient absorption is the culprit. When you have poor nutrient absorption you can’t access the nutrients from your food or supplements. This is an issue because adrenal fatigue happens to be a condition of depletion. You need extra nutrients right now and this nourishment is essential for recovery. So if you want to stop wasting your money on expensive foods and supplements, that you aren't benefiting from, you need to understand this. Poor nutrient absorption is a result of poor gut health. How does our gut health become poor? There are several reasons why and we want to share those with you now.

You must rule out these issues or address them, to heal your adrenal fatigue. So here we go:

1. Poor Digestion

Do you have poor digestion? Why is digestion such an issue for adrenal fatigue sufferers? Here's why. When we are in a stressed our bodies actually push blood and energy to the muscles in our arms and legs to fight or flee. That doesn’t leave much energy for digestion. For tips on improving digestion naturally check out this vlog.

Years of poor digestion harms the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to poor gut health.

2. Leaky Gut

Leaky gut is a condition that occurs when the lining of the intestines becomes permeable. Bacteria, toxins, incomplete digested proteins & fats, "leak" out of the intestines and into the blood stream. When these substances "leak" out into the bloodstream this triggers an autoimmune reaction. This leads to a myriad of gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity. Learn more about Leaky Gut here...

3. Dysbiosis

Dysbiosis is a condition in the digestive tract. The most common contributing factors are parasites or candida overgrowth. Do you wonder if  you might have a parasite?

Have you done a lot of international travel? Have you been suffering from chronic digestive symptoms since then? I don't recommend trying to treat parasites without testing.  The test I recommend is a comprehensive parasitology and stool analysis x3.

As for Candida, Candida lives naturally in your intestines but when it overproduces it can lead to dysbiosis and leaky gut. Candida overgrowth can be the reason for intense cravings for sweets, chronic allergies, white coating on the tongue, brain fog, hormone imbalance, and so much more.

Well there you go, now you know what is keeping you from absorbing nutrients critical to your healing, poor gut health. And you know the 3 causes of poor gut health. To improve nutrient absorption and heal your adrenal fatigue, you need to rule out or address these 3 causes;  poor digestion, leaky gut and dysbiosis.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What do you believe is standing in your way of absorbing nutrients? Have you been told you have leaky gut, a parasite, dysbiosis? What remedies have you tried? Or share some advice about how you’ve dealt with these obstacles. We are a healing community and your share will support others on their healing journey. So take a moment to drop us a line below.

Love,
Dr. Holly German

For more great health tips check out our friends at https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/

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Improve Digestion With Adrenal Fatigue

So most likely if you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue you have experienced poor digestion at one time or another. Maybe you've even had to give up certain foods because you have developed food sensitivities or allergies? That was me just a few years ago. And if you have poor digestion you know how uncomfortable it can be. And to make matters worse, poor digestion can have many other side effects like toxic buildup, poor gut health and poor nutrient absorption, so it’s not something you want to ignore. I will be sharing 5 simple ways to improve digestion with adrenal fatigue. So, lets dive in!

1. Chew slowly and chew well!

So simple right? You might not know this but the process of digestion starts right away in the mouth. An enzyme, amylase in saliva helps the initial digestion of foods, particularly starches.

2. Add Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans are found in things like bone broth and gelatin. They help build healthy nutrients for the gut.

3. Eating Fermented Foods Regularly & Consider a High-Quality Probiotic

Fermented foods include natural probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria you need in your digestive tract in order to properly digest your food and help with nutrient absorption.

If you’re like me and grew up taking antibiotics, that kill beneficial bacteria in the gut, most likely you lack these beneficial bacteria critical for proper digestion. Of course antibiotics have their place, but it just means we need to be proactive about adding the good bacteria back in. We recommend taking a high quality probiotic at least 2-3x/week.

4. Add in Resistant Starches

Resistant starches are a type of dietary fiber naturally found in many carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes, grains and beans.  Resistant starches increase your body's ability to burn fat, fills you up and reduces overall hunger. Its health benefits are truly impressive as well. Studies show it improves blood sugar control, boosts immunity, and may even reduce your risk of cancer.

5. Drink Warm Lemon Water or Apple Cider Vinegar Before Meals

Lemon juice is similar to the digestive juices found in the stomach. When you drink lemon juice the liver produces bile, which helps food move through your gastrointestinal tract easily.

Apple cider vinegar is loaded with raw enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria we just talked about that promote gut health and healing.

So I’ve just given you 5 simple ways to improve digestion with adrenal fatigue.

Now I would love to hear from you in the comments below. What is your burning question? Or what has been the most helpful way you’ve improved your digestion? This is a healing community and your comments could be just what someone else needs to hear. So please take a moment to drop us a line below.

Love, 

Dr. Holly German

For more great health tips check out: https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/