As a functional medicine practitioner, I believe that all disease starts in the gut… and when your digestive health is compromised, your body is feeling the impact as well…
Here are 6 things that are destroying gut health…
💣 Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be necessary at times, but repeated rounds of antibiotics can certainly decimate the good gut bacteria too. This can create a serious challenge to reseed your gut and the bad news is that you may never regain the diversity you once had. But at {{location.name}}, I do advanced functional lab testing to see where you are so we can figure out how to rehab your gut!
💣 Gluten
Gluten is a two-part protein found in grains (most notably wheat, as well as rye and barley) and gives bread its characteristic bounce. Yet our glutenous grains are raised differently today and thus contain a lot higher levels of gluten proteins that people react to – from bloating to brain fog, fatigue as well as neurological conditions such as anxiety. Plus if you have gluten sensitivity and it goes unchecked, it could ultimately result in an autoimmune illness.
💣 GMOs
🌽 Genetically modified crops like corn, soy, or canola are modified to make them more profitable – for example by making them resistant to a specially designed herbicide called Roundup, which contains glyphosate. Many studies have uncovered serious health risks associated with genetically modified food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.
💣 Tap Water
Not surprisingly, a new study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found alarming levels of chromium-6 (the carcinogenic “Erin Brockovich” chemical), high levels of chlorine, cadmium, and in some cases arsenic, and other heavy metals. Depending on how old the pipes are in your city or town, there may also be traces of lead, as not all water pipes have been properly updated!
💣 Stress
Stress messes with your immune system by releasing stress hormones and also tinkering with your gut bugs. There is a lot of communication between the immune system and your gut bugs so when you are in panic mode, your gut bugs may freak out too – turning on genes that aren’t in your best interest. The bottom line is that stress can change the composition, diversity, and number of good gut bugs you have.
💣 Sugar
Eating lots of sugar is just plain bad for you in many ways! Regarding digestive health, sugar feeds the harmful bugs that as a result create toxins that can damage your gut, cause brain fog, and lead to other unwanted symptoms. Giving the bad gut bugs plenty of fuel is also a bad idea because they can crowd out the good guys and take over your gut, leading to SIBO.
Be sure to forward this to a friend that needs this info…
To your health,
Dr. Wanda Bedinghaus, MD, IFMCP
Healing Unleashed
P.S. If you haven’t already, join my free FB Community of like-minded health seekers… or claim your free health consult!
