How can you prevent or heal leaky gut? Read on for some simple tricks to try at home!
1. Do more yoga
Did you read the part about stress causing leaky gut? Yoga is a great stress reliever and so good for your body. You will feel more relaxed and your abdominals will say “thank you”. Namaste.
2. Ditch the sugar!
Sugar is one of the most inflammatory foods available. Say goodbye to those sugar cravings and crashes that follow. Inflammation leads to a leaky gut!
3. Increase your veggies!
I feel like a broken record with this one, but seriously you guys, eat more veggies. The veggies are important because they are packed with nutrients and fiber. Don’t worry about eating the right veggies – eat the foods you enjoy, just stay away from white potatoes and corn.
4. Rotate your foods
Do this weekly! For example, I like to rotate the non-dairy milks I buy – unsweetened coconut, then almond, cashew, and flax to provide a healthy variety.
5. Probiotics
A healthy gut starts with healthy bacteria! Be sure to talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about a probiotic that is best for you.
“Probiotics are an attractive therapeutic option in IBS given their recognized safety and by virtue of positive biological effects they can exert on the host.” Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
6. Sleep hygiene
While you are sleeping and resting, your body is working repairing and recovering from a hard days work. Give yourself the opportunity to heal by sleeping at least 7-8 hours per night. Find sleep hygiene tips and natural remedies here.
7. Marshmallow
No, this is not your favorite campfire treats, but the herb Althea Officinalis, or better known as ‘Marshmallow’. This is one of my favorite herbs. Imagine smearing a warm mallow on the lining of your gut – that is kind of how this herb works. It provides healing and protection to the gut. Drink this as a cold infusion tea.
8. L-Glutamine
An amino acid found in our every day foods. There have been several studies showing the benefits of L-Glutamine in treating intestinal permeability and conditions caused by it. Talk to your ND for dosing.
