There's an old saying about people who do brave things or have the courage to do something risky, heroic, or that others wouldn't consider normal, "It took guts to do that!" They also call it "intestinal fortitude". As I was developing this particular post I wanted to use that concept as we consider the importance of the health of our guts and how it affects the rest of our overall well-being, as well as recognizing that it may take courage to pursue any steps toward healing which may be outside "the norm" of mainstream "medical care".
So, let's get right to it. How is your intestinal health? Have you ever thought about it possibly being the root cause of whatever illness, disease, or symptoms you are experiencing? I know I didn't have a clue about the importance of a healthy intestinal biome, heck! I didn't even know there was a biome in my gut! Unfortunately, due to my lack of knowledge and understanding of how wonderfully amazing my body is and how every system works together to keep me functioning at full capacity, I have suffered for many years of unexplained sickness, disease, and symptoms that have taken a toll on my body. If you are curious about what kind of sickness and disease I'm referring to, here's a list. Perhaps you can relate to some of them:
Seasonal Allergies (mine were constant through every season)
Skin problems - acne, unexplained rashes (many skin issues)
Motility issues - constipation and gas
Painful bloating
SIBO, Chron's disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Hormonal imbalances, irregular periods
Moodiness, brain fog, anxiety, and depression
Fibromyalgia (it also causes other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Hashimoto's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and celiac's)
Unhealthy Thyroid function
Sleep disorder, chronic fatigue
Can you relate to any of the above symptoms? A properly functioning digestive system is critical to good health. Problems in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract can cause more than just stomach pain, gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea; they can be the root cause of many chronic health problems. If your intestinal wall has been compromised, and you have leaky gut syndrome, you’ll likely experience these symptoms and more. I would suggest that getting your intestines healthy is just as important as correcting your spine and may be the first place you want to start to find the root of your dis-ease.
If you are like me in that you have no idea about the delicate biome of our gut, I want to give you a brief explanation of how amazing and important it is. Living inside each of our bodies is a mixture of trillions of microorganisms made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other life forms known as the microbiome. Having the correct balance of all these microorganisms is crucial to the overall health and function within each of the 9 major body systems and each organ that keeps us alive and healthy. The gut microbiome influences all other systems and can, unfortunately, be easily disrupted by diet, medicines, toxins in the environment, vaccines, and other factors. Several diseases are now believed to be directly influenced by an unhealthy gut biome including cancer, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, and autism.
Over the past two decades, research has led to a greater awareness of the need for healthy digestion which led to various companies capitalizing on the need for products to bring about healthier guts. The top products are yogurt, fiber, and probiotics. It wasn't until very recently that research also showed the equal importance of pre-biotics as well. The problem with most yogurts is the sugar content because sugar feeds "bad bacteria". Probiotics are not created equal and if your digestive system needs certain strains and you just take the "top-selling" product, you may end up simply adding fuel to the fire as I did which caused a condition referred to as SIBO - Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. SIBO is a very painful condition and can easily be confused with irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulitis. And both of those intestinal diseases can also be caused by an unhealthy, or imbalanced, gut microbiome. Fiber is good for motility but, again, the wrong kind of fiber can lead to more problems or an unhealthy reliance on it in order to have a bowel movement. Good fiber, on the other hand, acts as a cleanser as well as a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria.
I hope this helps you gain a better understanding of the importance of a healthy, well-balanced gut, and I hope you are encouraged to do more research to find the solution that will help your situation. Remember, everyone's body is unique and there is not a "one size fits all" approach to healing. Ask questions, read A LOT, and listen to your instincts. You know your body better than anyone. There are some great products out there that can help heal your gut and keep you on the road to healing.
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