The bacteria in our gut accounts for more than 75% of our immune system, and plays an integral part in regulating our metabolism, supporting our gastrointestinal system, and protecting us from infection.
As previously discussed, the over-use of antibiotics (and prescription medication in general) is largely to blame for the compromised gut health we’re now seeing in the 21st century. Although, crappy diets, chronic stress (oxidative and otherwise), and environmental toxins have also played a significant role. Leaving the majority of modern-day city-dwellers with a combination of unbalanced gut flora (dysbiosis) and an increased susceptibility to intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
For some, this presents itself as something that seems relatively harmless like bloating, heartburn, and excess gas, while for the not-so-lucky ones it can mean something more serious like a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin, bowel, or brain. With the latest research clearly showing that a leaky gut is connected to 100’s of ununtreatable (and often unexplainable) medical conditions.
Chances are, that last statement flew over your head – so I’ll restate it:
That annoying eczema, arthritis (1, 2), IBS, asthma (1, 2), or chronic fatigue (1, 2) you’re experiencing is more than likely a symptom of gut permeability.
And sadly, so might that Chron’s, Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Autism, or Parkinson’s. Meaning, your best chance of finally getting it to go away, or at least getting control of it, is repairing the cause (your gut), not treating the symptom (your condition).
Unfortunately, this is usually the part where people get very angry or stop listening. Because if this information is true (which the latest research suggests it is), the underlying message is that your sub-optimal health, or critical illness is your fault. Since the damaged gut is a result of your behaviour; whether that’s choosing to medicate, choosing to eat certain foods, or letting yourself get exposed to harmful things.
But here’s the thing – IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT! Because all you did was listen to ‘the experts’ (doctors, government, etc) and select the options you were given. The same options everyone else has been given, and the same choices everyone else has made – but unfortunately you have a little less genetic-protection on your side. Or perhaps you didn’t have as strong a shot from the outset (ex: vaginal birth instead of c-section, no antibiotic exposure as a child, etc).
You’re not a bad person, you’re not a bad parent, and the fact that you’re still reading this probably means you’re a good one.
What this should serve as, is hope. Because it means you have the opportunity to turn your health around. And for those dealing with (or helping a loved one deal with) an unfortunate gastrointestinal problem (Chron’s, Colitis, celiac, etc), heartbreaking mental disorder (ADHD, depression, autism) or devastating neurological condition (epilepsy, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis), potentially turn your life around!
There’s no guarantee, but the evidence leads us to believe that these problems originate in the gut, and healing the gut (with an anti-inflammatory diet and a gut healing protocol) can lead to dramatic improvements; whether we’re talking about allergies (1, 2, 3) and skin conditions (1, 2, 3, 4), or mental (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and physical performance (1, 2, 3). So, what’s the harm in trying?
The changes definitely won’t happen overnight, but there’s a good chance that they will happen eventually. And for some, a good chance that they will happen quickly.
Stay Lean!
Coach Mike
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