So you completed a “cleanse”….now what? Last blog we talked about the importance and benefits of cleansing. Such detoxes allow us to remove possible irritants in our diet such as gluten, dairy, eggs, corn and soy. When we remove these foods we are able to detoxify our systems and thus, start from scratch again.
Through the “cleanse,” we remove many of the bacteria in the gut, AKA the “microbiome” which includes both the good and the bad. So after cleansing, we must restore the good bacteria by replenishing the gut with good bacteria found in prebiotic and probiotic foods and supplements.
What is the microbiome and why is it important?
As defined by Medical News Today, the human microbiota consists of a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other single-celled animals that live in the body. The microbiome is the name given to all of the genes inside these microbial cells. Recent research suggests that the makeup and overall health of our microbiome as a whole determines whether we fight disease or contribute to it within our bodies. Our gut microbiome regulates everything from our immune system to our skin…this includes how we absorb nutrients, our sleep and mood as well as how we handle inflammation and infection.
You’ve finished your “cleanse” and detoxed from all the inflammatory foods, now what?
After our “cleanse,” we carefully and systematically reintroduce the common food allergens or sensitivities and see how our body reacts. This is the best indicator of what kind of effect a particular food has on your body. For instance, if you notice a rash, acne, swelling, sore throat, constipation, fatigue, bloating, gas, headaches, these are signs that a food does not agree with you.
In fact, I just finished a 12-day juice cleanse and as I started to reintroduce different foods back into my diet my entire back broke out. This was a clear sign that I ate something that my body is allergic to but I never knew. With a little detective work I figured it out…walnuts! So sad as these nuts have so many great health benefits, but clearly my body doesn’t like them and eating them must have created a ton of inflammation in my body. Glad I figured that out!
Now comes the good stuff….introducing the healthy bacteria into your gut in the form of prebiotics and probiotics.
Most people are severally deficient in pre and probiotics. This is due to the fact that the good bacteria are killed off by prescription medications, meat and poultry raised on factory farms, pesticides in food and beverages and other environmental toxins.
Prebiotics are foods that promote the growth of the beneficial microbes in the gut. They are foods high in special types of fiber that support digestive health. Many fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain prebiotics. The best prebiotic foods include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, raw honey, seeds, berries, bananas, apples, cocoa, flaxseeds and seaweed.
Probiotic foods already contain the beneficial bacteria your gut loves. Top probiotic foods are yogurt and kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kvass, natto, miso, kombucha, raw cheese from goat’s milk or sheep’s milk and any other naturally fermented food. Almost everyone can benefit from a probiotic supplement as well, please reach out to me for more detailed information tailored to your specific needs.
How can JOYVIAL help you with your gut health?
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