Immune+Gut+Plan+-+Healing+Leaky+Gut+by+Dr +Josh+Axe
Immune+Gut+Plan+-+Healing+Leaky+Gut+by+Dr +Josh+Axe
Immune+Gut+Plan+-+Healing+Leaky+Gut+by+Dr +Josh+Axe
HEALING
LEAKY GUT
Oftentimes, this condition is correlated with problems that begin in the colon or respiratory
system (sinus/lungs) and cause inflammatory bowel disease, inflamed skin, neurological disorders,
chronic pain and/or autoimmune diseases.
During our lives, most of us will eat more than 25 tons of food. In fact, other estimates say that the
average American eats nearly a ton of food each year. That’s a lot of food for our systems to
digest, but the list of what the average American eats isn’t good news. It includes approximately
141 pounds of sweeteners, including 42 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup alone, along with
genetically modified (GM) corn, GM soy, hybridized grains and conventional dairy (including ice
cream and cheese).
The most commonly eaten foods also contain wheat, soy, corn, dairy and additives to which many
people have food sensitivities or allergies. If you are sensitive to any one of these foods, they can
cause chronic inflammation in the small intestine and large intestine — which will eventually lead
to leaky gut. If the vicious cycle continues, your body will begin to produce an immune response
that can lead to autoimmune disease.
In short, those are exactly the kinds of foods we shouldn’t be eating, especially for people with
Immune Gut, who are particularly sensitive to and can have adverse reactions to the toxins,
pesticides (oftentimes multiple pesticides) and more in those foods.
Remember: Food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances are some of the biggest warning signs of
leaky gut.
Now, here are a few differentiators among food allergies, food sensitivities and food intolerances,
so that you will know what to be on the lookout for:
Food allergies are immediate, with severe immune responses to IgE antibodies.
Food sensitivities are milder, with delayed immune responses to IgG antibodies.
Food intolerances are metabolic or gastrointestinal responses caused by a lack of enzymes or
other inability to digest certain foods.
Whether the response is mild or severe, continuing to eat foods you are allergic to, are sensitive to
or are intolerant of can lead to serious health issues such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, depression, anxiety, migraine
headaches, muscle pain, chronic fatigue and more. (Note: For advanced testing for leaky gut
syndrome, please refer to your member's area.)
The best solution currently available is to begin identifying potential sensitivities and then follow
an elimination diet as well as these steps:
1. Eliminate the 10 most common food allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, grains, soy, shellfish,
peanuts, tree nuts, sugar and alcohol) for four weeks.
2. Reintroduce one food at a time for three days (or stay off all of them).
3 Keep a log of how you feel for up to two days after a food is added.
4. Follow the same steps for each food. (If a food causes a reaction — brain fog,
light-headedness, itchy skin, etc. — then eliminate it. Do not introduce a new food for two days.)
Diet
You will want to practice an elimination diet, coupled with a possible diet that features bone
broth and cooked vegetables. Make sure to pay close attention to what foods trigger Immune
Gut symptoms.
Lifestyle
Address the root causes of Immune Gut, such as personality characteristics that include being
self-disciplined, organized, conscientious and independent. Those with Immune Gut can also
feel a lot of grief, insecurity and can lack self-confidence. It’s important to pay close attention to
how your body responds to different foods, knowing that even subtle effects from problem
foods can last for days.
Supplements
Soil-based probiotics, leaky gut supporting-supplements containing L-glutamine, digestives
enzymes and collagen powder.
As you recall, the large intestine functions to absorb water and also contains good bacteria
that help to break down waste to extract some nutrients. In fact, the large intestine
functions to help absorb vitamins made by the good bacteria that normally live in the large
intestine — friendly bacteria called commensal bacteria. There are over 700 species of
bacteria that perform a variety of functions, including producing large amounts of
vitamins, such as vitamin K and and biotin (a B vitamin). If the good bacteria in the large
intestine are compromised, then a person can become vitamin deficient in some
necessary vitamins, so it’s important to keep the good bacteria strong.
The large intestine also helps to neutralize and reduce acidity. In addition, it helps to
protect the body from infections due to its mucosal layer that acts as a physical barrier to
microbial infections and other invaders. The large intestine also plays an important role in
immunity with its lymphoid tissue that makes antibodies, which are active against harmful
bacteria and can help prevent infections.
In treating leaky gut, it’s always critical to find the root cause of the condition. In many
cases, it’s caused from damage that has occurred to the large intestine — which can lead
to Immune Gut.
Egg whites*
Wheat
Soy
Shellfish
Peanuts
Sugar
Alcohol
Herbal teas of marshmallow root, mullein leaf, nettle and yerba santa leaf can also be
supportive of Immune Gut.
Bone broth is loaded with easily digested amino acids — including proline, glycine
and glutamine — that help repair the gut. The ideal meal for someone with Immune
Gut is a big bowl of bone broth soup with chicken and vegetables.
Organic protein in moderation such as chicken, turkey, bison, grass-fed beef and
wild-caught fish are allowed.
Easily digested starches like butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash,
pumpkin and sprouted mung beans.
Fermented foods, including sauerkraut, miso, natto and 24–29-hour fermented dairy,
like kefir or yogurt, if your body responds to it well.
Healthy fats, including extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil and ghee.
Soil-based probiotics can help to bolster the good guy bacteria in your gut, including
your large intestine.
Leaky gut-supporting supplements with L-glutamine serve as fuel for cells in the gut
and support the immune system.
It’s also important to note that those with Immune Gut are often extremely determined,
but also respectful and receptive, which leads to being inspired in their personal
relationships. They honor those close to them and feel deeply connected to quality
relationships. They will most likely find the most success in life by being less opinionated,
more accepting of change and gracefully releasing the past, not holding onto it and/or
grieving it.
The challenge for Immune Gut people is to learn how to become more secure and
self-confident, while expressing grief appropriately. It's common for those who are
emotionally wired this way to put stress on their large intestine and lungs, while being
extra sensitive to the effects certain foods can have on them.
1 First and foremost, immediately eliminate the 10 most common food allergens. By
completely removing these foods, you should see some quick relief. However, you must stay
vigilant because they can turn up even in some unsuspected places.
2 Keep a daily log of what you eat and how you feel. It’s easy to forget everything you’ve eaten
each day, but keeping a daily log will help you know exactly what you eat. Likewise, jot down
how you feel because it may give you clues as to what foods you may be sensitive to. You
can use the Healing Leaky Gut Journal to keep track of the first 30 days on this program.
3 Build joy into your daily life. Since people with immunity problems often tend to prolong
and focus on grief, it’s crucial that they incorporate “fun” activities into their day. Take time
and write down 1–15 of your favorite weekly activities you could start to do. Maybe lunch with
a best friend, an activity such as riding horses or whatever it is you love to do.
4 Know your identity. Take five minutes every morning and say everything you’re grateful for
in your life. Also, there are plenty of great books, but consider readings these books: Crazy
Love, The Power of Positive Thinking, Wild at Heart (for men) and Captivating and Becoming
Myself (for women).
5 Engage in fitness classes, such as dancing, barre and stretching. Since those with Immune
Gut are typically physically strong, it’s important to keep moving, particularly in a flowing,
expressive and responsive way. That can help with not only physical flexibility, but also
emotional flexibility as well as a sense of expressive freedom.
6 Listen to expressive, upbeat music. If you start feeling as if you’re a bit too rigid in your
perfectionism or views, then you may want to balance those out with non-rigid, flowing and
expressive music. And singing and dancing is also recommended!