8 Ways To Help With Digestion & Gut Issues

Poor gut health leads to all sorts of problems, from IBS and poor digestion to even affecting the chemicals released from our brains!

We need our digestive system functioning properly as it protects us from a lot of toxins, and aids the liver in detoxifying our bodies.

Regardless of what gut ailments you suffer from, here's 8 things that might be an issue (and what you can do to resolve it!)

1. Avoid Glyphosate - Glyphosate is proving to be one of the most toxic chemicals known to humans, and unfortunately is sprayed on the majority of our non-organic crops. It creates major leaky gut issues, demineralizes the body, and is heavily linked to non-hodgkin's lymphoma as well as other cancers. Avoid this substance as much as humanly possible!
2. Avoid Gluten and wheat - While some people are actually intolerant to wheat and gluten due to celiac disease, most people aren't actually intolerant to gluten. Its the gliadin or WGA in gluten and wheat products that creates major inflammation which then results in pain, bloating, cramping and gas. If wheat is prepared the right way then most people probably can eventually enjoy without the symptoms. Check out the book "The Plant Paradox" for more information about how wheat and gluten are affecting your health.
3. Utilize a low FODMAP's Diet - FODMAP's stands for Fermentable, Oilgo- Di- Mono-saccharides And Polyols. Basically these foods are sugars that we don't digest well and end up leading to bacterial overgrowth within our digestive tracts. When trying to work out the cause of your gut symptoms, following a low FODMAP diet after a 4 week detox or cleansing diet will help you work out if this is an issue for you.
4. Improve or increase digestive enzymes - The bigger the proteins in a meal, the more digestive enzymes we need. So if you struggle after eating a steak or other heavy meals then try taking digestive enzyme supplements before eating.
5. Improve your gut bacteria - We must constantly nurture the bacterial ecosystem within our gut. Not enough good bacteria leads to leaky gut and a lot of health issues. Too much of a certain bacteria results in microbiosis - an overgrowth of a particular bacteria. This is where fermented foods, prebiotics, and probiotics come into play, especially if you're taking medications. Most medications (pain medication in particular) act like a napalm bomb and wipe out the ecosystem in our guts.
6. Get checked for yeast, fungus, or parasitic infections - Many healthy people who start suffering from gut issues would never suspect that they could have some kind of infection going on within their digestive tract. Direct labs has some great stool testing if you suspect you might have an undiagnosed infection.
7. Increase your stomach acid production - The far majority of people who suffer from heartburn or GERD are prescribed acid limiting medications. But the science is showing in the FAR majority of cases, people are actually not producing enough stomach acid. Try adding a shot of apple cider vinegar every day, as well as adding garlic and fiber to your diet. If you eat seeds or legumes make sure they're soaked and sprouted. Add more high quality fats like coconut oil, and avoid refined carbohydrates as much as possible.
8. Avoid foods that create an intolerance or sensitivity - While this seems simple, if you know a certain food causes reactions in your body, try your best to avoid it altogether. But, if you must eat it, do so occasionally in only small amounts.