Steps to Health

Optimize Digestion and Absorption

The gastrointestinal tract starts from the mouth and ends in the rectum. In colitis, the inflammation in the large intestines causes a deficiency in minerals and nutrients normally absorbed in those areas. The inflammation also speeds up the entire digestive tract and undigested foods move through without being fully broken down and absorbed in the small intestine. Frequent diarrhea containing mucus or blood means more nutrients is being depleted. Therefore, it is vital to support the digestive process and absorption of nutrient. Below are some steps that can be taken to address digestion and absorption:

• chew food thoroughly
• do not over eat
• choose foods that are natural, seasonal, local when possible
• choose foods that are easy to digest
• avoid allergenic foods
• avoid inflammatory foods 
• more

Reduce Inflammation 

Inflammation is a way for the body to signal something is wrong. When the immune systems responds inappropriately causing inflammation and damage, it becomes autoimmune disease. Addressing and suppressing the inflammatory response will relieve some of the symptoms of colitis. Nutritionally, this means avoid inflammatory foods and increasing anti-inflammatory ones.

Heal the Gut 

The damaged gut, aka "leaky gut" means the tight junctions of the epithelial tissues of the intestine is allowing undigested food particles to pass through its membrane, travel into our blood stream and cause an inflammatory response. This is possible because dysbiosis is present, where the number of bad bacteria out numbers the good. Below are some steps to look at dysbiosis nutritionally:

• Eliminate stimulants
• Kill bacteria
• Replenish with probiotics

Here are some general tips that are good for healing the gut.

• cabbage juice
• healthy fats - omega3
• turmeric, ginger
• glutamine, liquorice, slippery elm, aloe vera

Stress Management 

Stress plays a huge role in health and wellness. When we are stressed about a presentation, we may feel that queasy feeling in the stomach. Stress activates our sympathetic nervous system, releases cortisol and sugar into our blood stream to prepare for "fight or flight". During early stages, high levels of cortisol suppresses the immune system and is anti-inflammatory. However chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue and burnout. When the adrenals can no longer produce enough cortisol, it can not regulate a proper stress response and the anti-inflammatory effects are no longer there. The immune system becomes prone to developing inflammatory cytokines that lead to inflammatory disease. Some steps to support our adrenals and manage stress include:

• Eliminate stimulants and alcohol
• Control blood sugar 
• Small frequent meals
• Food combining, snacks with protein and fats
• Adrenal Support Protocol
• Calming supplements
• Camomile, lavender, mint, passion flower, lemon balm, kava, hops, valerian
• Moderate exercise
• Deep breathing