Natural Foods | Health | Gut

My Go-To Natural Practices for Improving Gut Health

Gut health is the key to overall health. — Kris Carr

It’s a fact that many people are chronically deficient in gut-healthy substrates.

Probiotics

Healthy carbohydrates

That’s not surprising, given how nutrient-poor most of our food is these days.

Many natural ways to boost your gut microbiota include mushrooms, prebiotics, fermented foods, and a low-processed diet.

The following are the top 6 ways I incorporate into my diet to enhance my gut health naturally.

What about fermented foods?

Fermentation may have been a better invention than fire. — David Wallace

A wide range of fermented foods provide essential components for a healthy gut.

These include fermented vegetables, such as kimchi (which is made with cabbage and seasonings), sauerkraut or pickles (which are made with cabbage, carrots, radishes, etc.), and fermented fruits (such as pickles).

I am a huge fan of probiotic yogurt.

I don’t think I ever miss a day without eating yogurt.

There are also many other types of fermented foods, and they are highly versatile and can be added to many recipes.

What about processed and high-sugar foods

Processed foods cause inflammation, a source of most chronic illnesses as well as stress. — Kris Carr

I try my best to stay away from processed foods.

If it’s possible, I would love to eliminate it completely from my meals.

There is a strong link between consuming processed foods and gut inflammation.

It is because when you eat processed foods, you consume a lot of inflammatory omega-6 fats from vegetable oils, genetically modified ingredients, and refined sugars.

In contrast, regular prebiotics, fermented foods, nuts, seeds, and healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes are all associated with reduced inflammation in your body.

Eat for nutrition and food value. Emphasize natural foods, avoid processed foods and eliminate junk entirely.— Vince Gironds

The worst part about most modern diets is that they consist primarily of highly processed carbs.

What about gluten

Yet an estimated 99% of people who have a problem with eating gluten don’t even know it. They ascribe their ill health or symptoms to something else-not, gluten sensitivity, which is 100% curable. — Mark Hyman

There is growing evidence that celiac disease is actually an autoimmune, inflammatory response to wheat and other gluten-containing grains.

Strong evidence suggests that non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is also a form of a systemic inflammatory response to gluten.

So, unless you have a medical condition resulting from a deficiency in gluten, consider avoiding it altogether.

The following book will help you understand the intricacies of a gluten diet.

Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar by David Perlmutter, MD

What about healthy carbs?

Here is a thing: suppose you’re not getting enough healthy carbohydrates.

In that case, your gut bacteria will start consuming or breaking down lipids in the bloodstream, like cholesterol and triglycerides, which will contribute to severe cardiovascular disease.

The key is to consume a wide range of healthy carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, yams, beans and legumes, fruits, vegetables, and tubers.

6 Best Foods To Clean Out Your Colon

What about prebiotic fibers

Prebiotic fibers are natural substrates that feed the “good” gut bacteria and promote a healthy gut microbiota.

These include Jerusalem artichokes (also known as sunchokes), onions and garlic (part of the allium family), leeks, bananas, oats, nuts, and seeds.

I love to buy artichokes from Costco in bulk.

Fruits such as blueberries, cherries, and apples also contain good prebiotics.

What about antibiotics

I grew up on antibiotics. Every ailment — sore throat, earaches, flu — warranted a trip to the doctor and, in most cases, some kind of prescription. — Carre Otis

Although it’s very common for people to take antibiotics, research has found that antibiotic use is linked to the development of severe and even fatal intestinal problems.

The reason why these drugs have such a negative effect on the body is that they kill both beneficial and harmful bacteria in the same way.

While this may seem like an advantage initially, it disrupts our balance of microorganisms in the gut.

I try my best to avoid antibiotics by living an active life, but I also listen to my physician.

Takeaways

The road to health is paved with good intestines! — Sherry A. Rogers

A healthy diet should consist of plenty of prebiotics, such as fiber from vegetables and fruits, probiotics from fermented foods, and a moderate amount of healthy carbohydrates.

However, avoid processed foods as much as possible and try to consume more prebiotic fibers for healthy gut microbiota.

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