Why All Disease Begins In the Gut

While Hippocrates coined the phrase, “all disease begins in the gut” thousands of years ago, current research is finding there’s a lot of truth in this ancient piece of wisdom!

If you think your intestinal tract is only responsible for digestion and waste elimination, think again… your gut also plays a big role in immune system function, the synthesis of essential nutrients, and balancing neurotransmitters important for brain and mood health.

The digestive system has even been referred to as “our second brain” by experts in the health community.

It’s all about the health of our gut 

Your intestines are home to billions of bacteria, collectively known as the microbiome. Some of these bacteria are beneficial and some are not; it’s the balance between the two that is key. Normal digestion, proper absorption of nutrients, and promoting a healthy intestinal environment all depend on a microbiome filled with good bacteria. 

The integrity and structure of the intestinal walls is also extremely important when it comes to good gut health – and our health overall.

The gut lining is a permeable barrier designed to allow certain molecules, like broken down nutrients from food, to crossover into the bloodstream for absorption and use in the body. But, the gut lining should also keep harmful molecules, like toxins and pathogens, out of the bloodstream.

When the gut lining is compromised, it may become thin, inflamed, too permeable, and unable to regulate which molecules should and should not be crossing into the bloodstream. This is known as impaired intestinal permeability or Leaky Gut Syndrome.

A leaky gut allows large food particles, chemicals, and toxins to actually ‘leak’ into your body where they can wreak havoc! Your immune system then swings into action as it identifies these as foreign invaders and launches an inflammatory attack.

This type of inflammation is different from the heat, swelling, and redness you associate with an injury. That’s acute inflammation and it’s pretty obvious when it’s happening. 

Instead, we’re talking about constant chronic inflammation that, over the course of longer periods of time, is thought to be the root cause of a lot of diseases.

Not every single disease can be traced back to gut health, but a lot of them can. Heart disease, type 2 Diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, and mood disorders like depression are all linked to inflammation and poor gut health or a compromised gut lining. 

What type of things are harmful to gut health?

A number of things can contribute to poor gut functioning, including:

• An unhealthy diet, high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and unhealthy fats, like fried foods and trans fats 
• Gluten also contributes to impaired gut lining in those sensitive to it
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Long-term use of prescription and over-the-counter medications 
  • Antibiotics are used to rid the body of bacterial infections, but unfortunately, they do not discriminate and end up wiping out the population of good bacteria too 
  • Frequent use of NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can impair the lining of the stomach and intestines
• Stress can also cause inflammation throughout the body, including your gut.

How to care for your gut health with diet

Care for your gut and your gut will care for you! 

It’s been well documented that our gut thrives when we follow an anti-inflammatory diet. 

This includes:

1. Eating a diet rich in whole foods, with a focus on fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fats. The best source of omega-3 fats are nuts, fatty fish like salmon, and pastured animal products. If you don’t eat fish or grass-fed animal products, it’s important to take a good quality omega-3 supplement.
2. Regularly eating fermented foods, like raw sauerkraut and kombucha, can help boost the number of good bacteria in your gut. Probiotic supplements can also help support the number and balance of bacteria in your gut.
3. Bone broth or hydrolyzed collagen supplements may help promote an intact and healthy gut lining.
4. You can learn all about anti-inflammatory diets and more healthy ways of living, plus receive support while you are doing it, in the Midlife to Great Life program

Immunity Boosting Bone Broth Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 Whole Chicken Carcass (about 2lbs of bones)

1 Carrot (peeled and chopped)

1 Yellow Onion (sliced)

2 Stalks Celery (chopped)

3 Garlic Cloves (halved)

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tsp Sea Salt

1 Cup Parsley (chopped)

6 Cups Water

DIRECTIONS

Place the bones in the slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients. Set slow cooker to low and let cook for at least 12 hours.

After 12 hours, strain the broth through a strainer or mesh sack. Discard the vegetables that you strained out. Allow broth to cool. once cool, remove the layer of fat taht forms on the top and discard or save it for future cooking. Freeze broth until ready to use.

NOTES

Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Serving Size: One serving is approximately 1 to 1.5 cups.