Your Guide to Strong Digestion With Natural Gut Health Solutions

Summary

Dr. Livinggood provides solutions for various GI issues, explaining that the GI system's main functions are to absorb nutrients and keep toxins out. He outlines a systematic gut healing process: first change the diet to anti-inflammatory, then flush toxins out via cleanses. Next repair gut lining with healing nutrients like collagen and marshmallow root. Finally, repopulate good gut bacteria with soil-based probiotics. He also gives specific nutrient advice for conditions like ulcers and diverticulitis. The goal is to heal and repair normal GI function so there is potentially less need for long-term medications.

Takeaways

• 😃 The main functions of the GI system are to absorb nutrients and keep toxins out.
• 👩‍⚕️ Issues with the GI system can absolutely go away as it is resilient and repairable.
• 🍎 Dietary changes like low-carb or anti-inflammatory diets can help stop fueling GI problems.
• 💧 Flushing the system with juices or cleanses helps remove toxins and irritants.
• 🔨 Repairing the gut lining by adding healing nutrients like collagen and marshmallow root seals the gut.
• 😊 Replenishing good gut bacteria with soil-based probiotics repopulates the microbiome.
• 🌾 Reintroducing eliminated foods slowly checks for sensitivities.
• 💊 Medications only treat symptoms short-term; lifestyle changes aim to heal long-term.
• 🧠 The gut is connected to immune health, inflammation, and even mental health.
• 👶 Probiotics and digestive enzymes can also help kids' digestive issues.

Q & A

What are the main functions of the GI system?

The main functions of the GI system are to absorb proper nutrients, keep toxins out, pull nutrients into the bloodstream, and prevent leaks so that only appropriate substances enter the bloodstream. If the gut lining is damaged, it can cause leaky gut, which leads to inflammation and autoimmune issues.

What is the step-by-step process for repairing gut health?

The step-by-step process is: 1) Stop eating inflammatory foods, 2) Do a juice cleanse to flush out the system, 3) Repair the gut lining with healing nutrients like collagen and marshmallow root, 4) Repopulate healthy gut bacteria with probiotics, 5) Reintroduce eliminated foods slowly to test for sensitivities.

Should you take probiotics if you have SIBO?

No, you should not take probiotics if you have SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). Probiotics can feed the wrong bacteria with SIBO. It's better to follow a low FODMAP or carnivore diet first to address SIBO symptoms.

What helps strengthen a weak digestive system?

Ways to strengthen a weak digestive system include: chewing food thoroughly, eating slower, taking digestive enzymes to help break down food, taking bile salts if you lack bile, giving the digestive system a break with cleansing.

How can you help soothe ulcers in the stomach?

To help soothe stomach ulcers, aloe vera is recommended rather than apple cider vinegar. ACV would further irritate the ulcers. Aloe vera can provide soothing relief and promote healing of the ulcers.

What causes diverticulitis and how can you treat it?

Diverticulitis is inflammation in the small intestine. It's treated by removing inflammatory foods, cleansing, taking anti-inflammatory nutrients like omega-3s and turmeric, repairing the gut lining with marshmallow root and glutamine, adding digestive enzymes and probiotics.

How can you calm down irritable bowel syndrome?

Ways to help calm IBS include cleansing/fasting to give the digestive system a break, avoiding carbs/grains which can further irritate, staying hydrated with electrolytes and fluids, doing a collagen cleanse to provide easily digestible protein for repair.

Can children take probiotics and digestive enzymes?

Yes, children can take probiotics and enzymes but the dosage should be reduced proportionally to their size compared to an adult. About 25 billion CFUs of soil-based probiotics per day is recommended for kids.

Why get off reflux medications if possible?

Reflux medications like PPIs are only studied short-term so potential long-term side effects are unknown. PPIs have been linked to kidney damage over time. It's ideal to heal the root cause through diet and natural agents so drugs are no longer needed.

What foods are most likely to cause digestive issues?

Carbohydrates, dairy, gluten, and certain plant foods high in lectins are most likely to cause digestive issues in sensitive people. An elimination diet that removes trigger foods can help identify personal sensitivities.