Your gut guides your overall health - 80% of our body's immunity lies in the lining of the GI Tract so our gut really is the centre of our mental and physical health. Yet it’s extremely common to experience lots of digestive issues that take it's toll on our strength and vitality. If you want better immunity, optimal digestion, improved clarity and balance, you need to work on rebuilding your gut health.
Here are six of my favorite healing tools to repair a leaky gut:
1. L-Glutamine
This amino acid is a big player in nourishing a damaged gut lining. This healing tool may help repair the gut and reverse the effects of leaky gut syndrome. You can find it in animal proteins but these are not as easily digestable as from plant proteins like parsley, raw spinach and red cabbage which is the best source. So dose up on red cabbage.
2. Bone broth
This humble tradition is liquid gold for your gut health. Bone broth is found in fat-soluble vitamins and minerals to boost your overall immune health and digestion. Bone broth is also rich in gelatin, which can heal your gut from the inside out. Bones should be from grass-fed cattle or organic chickens.
3. Herbal remedies
There are many herbs that can help heal gut lining damage. Slippery elm, marshmallow root and Deglycyrrhizinated licorice are some remedies that have been used for hundreds of years to repair the protective lining of your gut.
4. Fermented foods
Your gut is home to more than 100 trillion microorganisms - we are literally a walking vessel for our little friends. Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha provide your gut with trillions of beneficial bacteria. This will help rebuild and balance healthy bacteria levels that are damaged with leaky gut syndrome.
5. Coconut oil
This is another superfood that is applauded for good reason. The healthy saturated fats are an integral part to healing your gut. Lauric, capric and caprylic acids in coconut oil have antimicrobial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. This is a gentle and effective way to gently clean your GI system. Coconut oil should be organic, extra virgin and cold pressed.
6. Intermittent fasting
Giving your body a little rest from digesting food can be very healing - we spend most of our energy on digesting food so taking a break from it gives the body a chance to restore and regenerate itself. Intermittent fasting is not a full on fast, but limiting your daily caloric intake to 500 or 600 a day drinking mostly vegetable broth and vegetable juices. This restriction for a few days will allow your body to repair the gut's lining. The healing foods listed above are good choices to consume during intermittent fasting.