3 STEPS TO STRONG IMMUNITY AND GUT HEALTH
Ok we have to talk poop. I am sorry if this makes you uncomfortable.
But...
In functional medicine we care a whole lot about your gut health!
Why?
Because 70% of your entire immune system resides there!!
If you want a healthy and strong immune system, free of excess inflammation and able to fight infection... You need a healthy gut.
Your gut needs the following factors to be healthy...
Your microbiome ("good guy" gut bacteria) must be happy and diverse.
Nothing should bother those microbes like foods, stress, toxins or other "bad guy" microbes.
Your gut lining must be intact and free of inflammation.
How do you do this?
Manage your stress.
Eat a diverse whole foods diet.
Live a non-toxic lifestyle.
Stress, the sick food system and excess toxicity in our environment are creating a bad scenario for our digestive tracts which means our whole body is affected especially our immune system.
Simple Solutions…
1. Practice a form of stress management.
nature walks
journaling
meditation
art
gardening
It does not matter what you choose. All that matters is consistency.
2. Diversify your diet. Eat the rainbow.
The more types and colors of plants in your diet the more nutrients are available to feed your microbes and heal the gut lining. The following plant foods are top contenders in feeding your “good guys.” (pro tip: if you don't tolerate raw veggies your gut is likely in need of some major help... talk to us!)
Stewed apples with skin + cinnamon
Banana
Asparagus & Artichoke
Blueberries, Raspberries, blackberries
Lentils
Mushrooms, Garlic, Onions
Green Tea
Dark Chocolate
Get help if any of these foods cause you digestive distress!
3. Avoid toxins in your household products, foods and cosmetics.
Check out the Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) for more information on how to live a non-toxic life. Exposing your body to toxins can destroy the diversity of microbes in your gut working for you and your immune system. Consider the following…
Essential oil and vinegar based counter spray
Water filter that filters chlorine and fluoride
Find out what the Clean 15 and Dirty 12 are
Hepa air filters - Merv 13 or higher for your home HVA system
Remember that a healthy gut gives you at least a 70% boost in immunity!