Fixing gut health problems safely and effectively
(Naturalhealth365) According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly three million Americans currently suffer from irritable bowel disease, or IBD. Unfortunately, many of these people are not told that gut health problems can compromise immune function and set the stage for life-threatening conditions like, cancer and autoimmune disease.
Shocking, but true: IBD-related health problems like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have increased by a substantial 33 percent since 1999. And, IBD is not the only disease with rising prevalence – chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disorders, allergies and autoimmune diseases are also on the upswing in the United States. (And, all of these health problems are intimately associated with digestive disorders)
It’s time to take action. Discover a natural way to resolve digestive disorders – even if you’ve ‘tried everything’ and nothing seems to work for you. On the next NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour, Jonathan Landsman and functional medicine practitioner Dr. Michael Ruscio discuss proven nutritional and lifestyle solutions for leaky gut and other gut health problems. If you or a loved one has been struggling with symptoms of chronic fatigue, depression, GI disturbances, weight gain or even “brain fog,” you won’t want to miss this life-changing show.
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Gut health warning: Do NOT overlook the problems associated with “leaky gut”
In leaky gut – otherwise known as intestinal permeability – the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, inflamed and porous. The resultant small holes in the intestinal lining allow undigested food particles and pathogens to invade the bloodstream, where they can trigger the immune system and cause widespread inflammation.
Symptoms of leaky gut include bloating, food sensitivities, fatigue, joint pain and headaches.
Leaky gut is associated with a long list of chronic conditions, including depression, joint pain, Crohn’s disease, food allergies, psoriasis, asthma, autoimmune disease and more. Just imagine how many less drugs would be needed – if we just fixed gut health issues.
In addition, leaky gut can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients, including zinc, iron and vitamin B12.
Dr. Ruscio notes that leaky gut can be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic stress, improper nutrition (a diet high in processed foods, fats, sugar and gluten) and certain medications, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics and antacids.
In addition, viral and bacterial infections – as well as environmental toxins – can also set the stage for leaky gut. And, finally, deficiencies of important nutrients – such as vitamin D and glutathione – can have a negative impact on your digestive system.
But, like most chronic health problems, there is hope! Dr. Ruscio addresses gut health problems with ancestral health principles of diet and lifestyle changes. To learn more about how Dr. Ruscio helps his patients – don’t miss the next NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour, hosted by Jonathan Landsman.
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The low FODMAP diet offers relief from leaky gut
One important technique for treating leaky gut is the ‘low FODMAP diet.’
Although beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract play an important role in maintaining health, Dr. Ruscio maintains that it’s possible to have too much gut bacteria. In this case, eating foods that nourish gut bacteria – even healthy foods like asparagus – can be problematic.
FODMAPs – an acronym for Fermentable Oligo-Di- and Monosaccharides and Polyols – are a collection of short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols, including fructose and lactose. If these are not effectively absorbed in the small intestine, they are fermented by bacteria in the large bowel – causing bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence.
To address this – and to reduce the food sources available to the gut bacteria – Dr. Ruscio advises a low FODMAP diet, a temporary nutritional regimen that eliminates grains, fruit, dairy products, sugar and some cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. The low FODMAP diet relies heavily on seafood, meat and selected vegetables such as carrots, squash and pumpkin.
Calling the low FODMAP diet a “powerful and safe tool,” Dr. Ruscio says it effectively decreases bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation – and helps to treat leaky gut, calm the immune system and repair the intestines.
After four to eight weeks on the low FODMAP diet, Dr. Ruscio recommends re-introducing foods to tolerance – in order to try to obtain the broadest diet possible. Discover more – with us – on the NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour – details below.
Discover the many natural ways to dramatically improve gut health without toxic drugs – Sun. Nov. 19
This week’s guest: Dr. Michael Ruscio, gut health specialist and functional medicine physician
Dr. Michael Ruscio is a clinical researcher, author and health enthusiast plus practices Functional Medicine with an emphasis on natural and nutritional solutions. He received his B.S. degree in Exercise Kinesiology from University of Massachusetts, attended Life Chiropractic College West, and has undergone post-doctoral Functional Medicine study with educational organizations such as The National College of Naturopathic Medicine, The Institute of Functional Medicine and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Dr. Ruscio has lectured at UC Berkeley and appeared on many podcasts talking about the importance of gut health. Currently, Dr. Ruscio is the lead researcher in a clinical study on IBS and will soon be releasing his new book on gut microbiota.
Sources for this article include:
About the author: Jonathan Landsman is the host of NaturalHealth365.com, the NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour – a free, weekly health show – and the NaturalHealth365 INNER CIRCLE, a monthly subscription to the brightest minds in natural health and healing.
Reaching hundreds of thousands of people, worldwide, as a personal health consultant, writer and radio talk show host, Jonathan has been educating the public on the health benefits of an organic, non-GMO diet along with high-quality supplementation and healthy lifestyle habits, including exercise and meditation.
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