At the very top of the river is what we eat. Based on what we eat, we either set up all of our systems to flourish or struggle. A poor diet makes it very difficult for each of the systems in our digestive tract to operate at optimal performance. When harmful substances go into the river, it compromises the integrity of our gut lining. This is why there is so much talk about adjusting our diet. However, if any of the components of our gi tract are damaged, no amount of food changes will solve the problem.

I want to explain what I mean by zooming in on one essential component of the gut; the small intestine. Tucked into the lining of the small intestine is something called villi. Villi look like fingers that are squeezed together. If you hold up your hand and put your fingers together as tight as you can, it creates a seal. There is still a little bit of room for something to get through those gaps, but mostly it is air-tight. That is a good thing. The villi's job is to absorb good nutrients from our food and send all of the waste on its way to the colon. 

What happens when the gut isn’t working properly?

When you have a leaky gut, that means those villi (fingers) have opened up, which means large, undigested food particles are getting through the lining of the intestines. When the walls of our intestines are compromised, and big food particles get through, our body flags it as a foreign object that doesn't belong in our bloodstream, and guess what happens? We have an allergic reaction to that food.

Your food sensitivities and allergies are actually the results of a leaky gut. So you can remove foods, but here is the deal, if your body isn't breaking things down as it should, and your villi are compromised, you are just going to teach your body a new food to become allergic to! Has that ever happened to you? You remove one set of foods but become allergic to whatever new foods you have introduced. I have chased that tail plenty of times, and let me tell you; it is a road that leads nowhere. This is also why, if you don't address an unhealthy gut, solutions like digestive enzymes and probiotics will only take you so far.

Food allergies are just one of the symptoms of a leaky gut. When our gut is compromised, it can lead to all kinds of terrible things. Some common problems that trace their root to gut dysfunction are inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome. People who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis likely have severe gut permeability. Chronic stress can be the result of porous gut lining. Joint pain, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, skin problems, and ulcerative colitis also arise when our GI tract is inflamed. All kinds of gastrointestinal conditions occur because our gut is damaged. If we don't address the root cause of our symptoms, we will never experience lasting relief from our various health problems.

There is good news, friend! There are many great ways to address the root cause of leaky gut disorders. Download my FREE 30-minute Leaky Gut Webinar to learn more about how the gut functions and the best way to go about healing it. 

I'm not going to lie; lasting healing will take work on your part. Years of harmful bacteria, an unhealthy diet, and nutritional deficiencies won't get reversed in a day. There are some significant lifestyle changes that you will need to make. I can help you figure out the best way to get upstream and determine where we need to target first. I do this using functional labs based on scientific evidence and affirmed by the greater medical community. My motto is "test don't guess"! I partner with medical professionals to design a whole process of healing that involves diet changes and uniquely targeted supplement protocols (not a one size fits all approach). 

Through one of my coaching programs, I will teach you about the gut-brain axis and how chronic inflammation leads to mental health issues. Several recent scientific studies have shown that the brain is inextricably linked to the gut. If you have cognitive processes of shame and self-criticism, your body will have an immune response to that. My coaching program engages the mind, body, heart, and soul. If the gut is the river of our existence, these other elements are the earth, the sky, the mountains, and trees. We will look at the whole person and consider all aspects of your health together. One of the main tools I use in this process is the Enneagram. Click below to download a free Enneagram Subtypes E-book.

We will talk about gut microbiota, the healthy bacteria that our body produces to maintain tight junctions within our gut that protect us from viruses and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases. I will teach you about the role of amino acids and how they maintain intestinal mucosal mass and integrity. We will talk about healthy fats and how they lower chronic inflammation and promote healthy gut bacteria and support the growth of microorganisms in the gut, which raises our immune system.

This may all seem overwhelming, but I once walked in your same shoes. My goal is for you to become your own health advocate and expert. My role is to function as a guide along the way and set you up for long-term success. You've got this! I am here to help.