Strategy number 4 of our Top 12 Strategies for staying healthy is to pay attention to our digestive health. It is estimated that 70% of our immune system originates in our gut, directly influencing our ability to respond to health invaders. Poor digestive health can show up in intestinal distress, of course (diarrhea or constipation), but can also trigger headaches, eczema, heartburn, reflux, joint pain, arthritis and even anxiety. When we experience these health issues on a regular basis, we need to pay attention.
Food intolerances are the biggest cause of intestinal distress and we may not even realize it. When we regularly eat foods that we don’t tolerate, it causes inflammation in the lining of the gut, compromising our immune system. Keep a food log to determine if there is a reaction pattern to specific foods, also making note of any incidents of headache, indigestion, heartburn, reflux, etc. Try eliminating trigger foods for two weeks and see if reactions subside.
Down the road, if we want to try adding back a food, eat a spoonful 2-3 times during one day and allow 24-48 hours to note any reaction. Eliminate the food again for 3-5 days and then test it one more time. If a reaction occurs again, it is most likely that we are intolerant to that food.
Once we have eliminated trigger foods, healing our gut flora is extremely important. We do that by healing our gut lining with prebiotics, probiotics and other healing foods. These include: fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, asparagus, pineapple, onion, garlic, bone broth, apple cider vinegar and ginger. Grass fed gelatin and collagen peptides can be helpful in gut health, as well, so add some to your smoothie or even your morning tea.
So go with your gut and listen to what it is telling you.