“It was just a gut feeling…”- how often have you heard or used this phrase, too?
When we listen to our gut, we often refer to our intuition. But the saying also acknowledges the importance of what is going on down there and how it affects our overall health and well-being. To put it simply, our gut is the epicentre of physical and mental health. Hippocrates even said that digestive diseases are the root cause of all illness.
The digestive system is the gateway for an abundance of foods that are meant to nourish us and help us grow and evolve. However, if our gut health is in any way compromised, we can eat the best and most nutritious foods on the planet. It will not be digested and absorbed in an optimal way and therefore can’t be utilised by the bodily systems.
So if you ever hear the phrase “you are what you eat” again, you will know that you have to slightly modify this to “eat, digest and absorb”!
When a client comes to see me in my clinic after cancer treatment, for instance, digestion is often the starting point in their protocols. I can assure you that I’ve never had a cancer patient in my clinic who doesn’t have a history of some form of digestive disease. A while ago, I listened to an interview with Dr Rau, whose clinic is based in Switzerland. He is of the opinion that cancer doesn’t exist in a person with optimal digestive health. So confident that he promises free cancer treatment to any cancer patient who has a perfect stool analysis, ie optimal gut flora and health!
If you’re interested in finding out more about Dr Rau’s philosophy, there are a number of Youtube videos in both German and English, for instance this here on gut health:
So many people- not just cancer patients- experience a number of digestive issues such as indigestion, bloating, pain, heartburn, gas, irregular bowel movements or diarrhoea, to name just a few. These symptoms, if they continue over a prolonged period of time, can have a huge impact on our vitality and quality of life.
Unfortunately, most people learn to put up with their health issues- they get used to feeling under par and “just get on with it”.
They forget- or were never really taught- what is actually meant by proper digestion and how food and targeted nutritional supplements can be of benefit, if used appropriately. So much can change when we optimize the functioning of the gut:
Skin irritations clear, colds and infections become less common, lethargy fades to a state of healthy, sustainable energy, sleep improves, hormones normalize, moods balance… you get the idea!
You will see as you read on that digestion is not only hugely important to our overall health but that it is also very complex. In my view, we’re only just at the beginning stages of learning more about the importance of the gut microbiome and what we can do to prevent digestive diseases.
It therefore can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to have digestive system checked out by a well qualified practitioner on a regular basis to ensure you are digesting and absorbing your food correctly. A combination of both natural and- in some cases- conventional forms of medicine in the short term is the most beneficial approach- learn when and how to use them to ensure your body is nourished in an optimal way.
This series of articles will cover the basics of digestive health and what impact it has on our mental health, skin, immunity and general well-being. The goal is to arm you with knowledge how to aid digestion naturally. Simple tips will help you make necessary changes and hopefully encourage you to make digestive health a priority in your daily life!
You can now go on to Part 2 of this series!
