Gut Health

Gut health is very important for optimal health. The gut is also known as the "second brain". Research has found that the gut is full of nerves called the enteric nervous system. These nerves communicate with the brain and other body systems playing an integral part of, not only physical, but mental health as well. It has also been found to play a major role in immune health.

The Gut

The digestive system includes the gut and other organs such as the pancreas, gall bladder and liver. The "gut" refers to the digestive tract and is a key player in the health of the body. From the mouth to the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines and rectum, the digestive tract works together with the other organs and has many roles and functions including alkalizing food, stabilizing blood ph, absorbing nutrients, eliminating waste and toxins, controlling fluid balance and much more.

A Healthy Gut

Knowing that the gut is our "second brain" and plays an integral part in immune health, it is very important to have a healthy gut. This starts with what we put into our gut. If we do not put the proper food into our gut, then we can damage the gut which is the start of all disease processes. We are electrical beings and each cell in our body's main purpose is to create energy. We take in food to fuel our body with the necessary nutrients and elements for the body to absorb and utilize to create energy. Energy production creates biological waste that the body must eliminate. One of the largest waste productions in our body comes from digestion.

The physiology of our digestive tract is long. It is nine times the length of the body and is designed to digest fruit and plants. Our intestines and colon should complete digestion in 12 to 18 hours.

When we eat food that is not meant for human anatomy, the food moves slowly and sits in the colon and ferments. Fermentation is the process when bacteria break down matter. When food starts to decay, bacteria is born out of healthy cells to breakdown the decaying matter. This is called pleomorphism. Pleomorphism can occur anywhere in the body where decaying tissue is breaking down creating toxic waste. Animal products and processed food are indigestible by the body. These foods do not move through the intestines quickly and accumulate and back up the digestive tract. As this accumulation occurs, the disease processes can manifest and can grow into many different ailments within the body. When excess food accumulates, the body starts to store excess toxins and acids as fat all over the body. An enlarged stomach and intestines area is not just adipose fat tissue, but the actual accumulation of indigestible food sitting in the intestines due to slow elimination. This food sitting in the gut damages the lining of the gut reeking havoc on the body including the enteric nervous system and the immune system.

If you are just starting on a plant based journey, it may take some time to clean out the colon. This can be different for everyone depending on how much food is backed up in the intestines. Reducing or removing animal products and processed food while incorporating fruits and vegetables in the diet will start you on your way. The fiber from fruit and vegetables help clean the bowels. Fasting is a good way to speed up the process, but be patient it takes time for the body to clean and repair itself. Eating food that is the natural diet for humans will speed elimination through the bowels and protect the lining of the intestines. A clean bowel will have better absorption of nutrients and will be able to remove toxins from the body much easier. The result is a clean colon and a properly working enteric nervous system. This is why your state of health and happiness go hand in hand.

Food Combining

As noted above, the purpose of food is to fuel the body to create energy, as well as, build and maintain the tissues and organs. In order for the body to absorb the nutrients from food, the body has specific enzymes that are released in response to the specific foods to break it down. The enzymes break down the food into nutrients like monosaccharides, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals which are then released into the blood stream to be transported through out the body to be used. If food is not properly broken down and left to ferment then the toxic waste of bacteria is what is released into the blood instead like different acids, alcohol and leucomaines, basically "poisons".

Different enzymes are used to break down different complex matter. Sugar, starches, fats and protein all require different enzymes and they require a different ph of alkaline versus acidic environment. If at any step of the way the proper enzyme was not released or able to do its job, then the food will not get properly broken down and instead will end up in the intestines to ferment. Eating foods together that counteract or prohibit proper enzyme activity also leads to unhealthy digestion.

It is important to combine foods properly to aid digestion. The more simple the meal and combination the easier it is to digest. Some basic principles to follow include fruit and sweets are best eaten alone, eat starches and protein at separate meals and eat acidic foods at separate meal. By practicing good food combining will help aid digestion and optimal health.

Probiotics, Fermented Food and Enzymes

While microorganisms are an essential part of living, identifying their role is essential for understanding whether or not we should be using probiotics and fermented foods in our diet.

The role of bacteria and yeasts are to break down decaying matter. These microorganisms are born out of healthy cells in an unsuitable or acidic environment. They come to life when there is matter to break down.

Through the fermentation process bacteria and yeasts are born. This is a natural process and in certain food processing like making cheese, yogurt, sauerkraut, vinegar, beer, and kombucha. These microforms are normally considered harmless and they are considered healthy and contribute to the microbiome of the body.

While the ultimate goal would be to keep bacteria and microforms down by preventing fermentation in the gut and body, there is some evidence that therapeutic use of "good" bacteria can help aid decomposition of undigested matter in the gut.

Probiotics are bacteria that are considered friendly and can help breakdown the decaying matter in the intestines. It may be beneficial to utilize probiotics to aid digestion and in the breakdown decaying food in the intestines. Most importantly, it is best to focus on eating the right foods as this will help you to have a healthy intestinal flora and prevent fermentation.

As discussed above, another important way to improve gut health is with enzymes. Enzymes are catalysts that help break down carbohydrates, fat and protein in foods. They also aid in many chemical reactions in the body. Today, our soil and food have been depleted not only of nutrition, but also enzymes necessary for our body to properly breakdown and digest food. Also, heat from cooking food destroys the natural enzymes in food and is another reason why eating raw fruits and vegetables is optimal. Enzymes can also help improve the digestion and cleaning out the gut.

The human body in homeostasis is in balance and has a balanced ph. Eating the right foods is essential to human health and the right foods support the national ph design of the body. Microforms do not exist in an highly oxygenated and or alkaline environment. It is recommended to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to keep the body in alignment and prevents fermentation.

The goal for optimizing health is to nourish the body and quickly remove waste from the body and the gut to prevent fermentation and overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts. Thus, allowing the body to get rid of waste production and toxic build up.

Sometimes simplicity is key and by focusing on eating more plant foods will help improve elimination, clean the gut and restore its natural environment.