There are many approaches to supporting gut health. We all want a quick fix, especially when living with uncomfortable symptoms. A lot of people go in all guns blazing, hitting their fragile digestive system with copious amounts of ‘healing’ food and supplements, more often than not this approach tends to do more harm than good. At uni we were taught the ‘weed, seed and feed’ protocol. Weed out the ‘bad’ organisms with a strict elimination diet and bombing type supplements. Then seed the gut with microorganisms mainly through probiotic type supplements. Finally feed those organisms with a standard ‘healthy’ diet. After 2 decades of working in this field, my experience has shown me that a slow, measured approach focusing on inclusion more so than elimination, tends to be more effective and sustainable.
This week I created a little gut nurturing package for the Dad of one of my dearest friends. He’s been very unwell for many years and on loads of heavy duty medications and antibiotics.
He has lost a lot of weight, despite eating my friend’s (his daughter) lovingly prepared delicious meals. He is also chronically fatigued.
My friend asked me for assistance in restoring his gut and helping him gain some vitality.
My brain was flooded with so much that could help him however this is a very fragile body that needs a very gentle, slow step by slow step approach. Taking his constitution and temperament into consideration, I felt the best way to start is with a light chicken broth made from a whole chicken not just bones/frames, milk kefir and stewed apples.
When I make broth it is unseasoned and unflavoured so that it can be easily added to all meals - savoury and sweet (cold).
I like to freeze some of it in ice cube trays and add the frozen cubes when cooking meals. I’m not really a fan of drinking cups of it as a beverage however if you enjoy it, go for it and season/flavour it before serving. He is starting slow with the equivalent of a cup a day and increasing as tolerated. My aim is to get him on to red meat broths which I feel are more nourishing and restorative to the digestive system.
The copious amount of medications and antibiotics my friends Dad has had over the years, will have not only wiped out his gut microbiota, it will also have damaged the gut lining and decimated all the beautiful micro vili, essential to a well functioning gut. To me milk kefir is up there as one of the gold standards in food probiotics. He will start with a tiny amount and as tolerated, will increase the dose daily.
Stewed apples with a little cinnamon is such a comforting and simple yet, incredibly beneficial addition in supporting gut function as well as supporting many other body systems with anti-inflammatory, immune modulating, prebiotic, insulin lowering and antioxidant effects. Obviously organic is best and as the peel contains many nutrients it is best to leave it on however, in people with obviously fragile digestive systems I like to peel the apples initially. Down the track we may add some other foods/flavourings to the apple for added health benefits and nourishment.
My approach is very individualised. I take into consideration a persons symptoms, what caused the gut damage, the persons constitution, their likes and dislikes and what is realistically doable for that person and their life circumstances. I may utilise different foods, suggest energetic therapies or not deal with diet at all while we tweak lifestyle first.
I hope this information is helpful.
Consider that a consultation for guidance might be a valuable first step in ensuring a successful outcome in improving your gut health
These are my views, from my experience, my beliefs and my research that sit well with me at this time.
They are only provided as ‘food for thought’..
The bones, joints and cartilage is where the gold is
Liquid gold