4 SOLUTIONS TO TREAT GUT ISSUES

Gut 2

One of the leading causes of gut issues is too much “gut yeast.” 

Here are four effective ways to kill gut yeast.

  1. Eat healthy foods in general – veggies and fruits
  2. Eat foods that have acidophilus (grow your own kefir or make homemade pickles)
  3. Start taking probiotics – but not just any probiotic – purchase one with at least 7 strains of bacteria.
  4. Of course, praying is essential in anything and everything we do.

1. PROBIOTIC FOODS

  • Yogurt has TONS of false claims about them being packed with good bacteria. This is what makes it so frustrating when trying to purchase the correct ones.  Our average yogurt isn’t the best source – but we think it is. If it’s pasteurized it already lost some of the important components in it that we think we are getting.
  • Kefir (what’s this is all about): it’s liquid yogurt – the naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly. It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins. Just don’t get the kind loaded with sugar.
  • Acidophilus milk. This is simply milk that has been fermented with bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. Sometimes it’s labeled sweet acidophilus milk.
  • Or fermented foods (good article here): unpasteurized sauerkraut, miso (fermented soybean) and tempeh made from a base of fermented soybeans, soft cheese like gouda, sourdough bread, and sour pickles.

2. PREBIOTICS

While probiotic-foods have live bacteria, prebiotic foods feed the good bacteria already living in your gut. Try prebiotic foods on their own or with probiotic foods to perhaps give the probiotics a boost.  You can find prebiotics in items such as:
  • Asparagus
  • Bananas
  • Red wine
  • Maple syrup
  • Jerusalem artichokes
  • Oatmeal
  • Honey
  • Legumes

Please let me know if you find this article helps you – I would LOVE to know how well these worked for you.

3. PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS

  • You may have taken a probiotic supplement before, but there are a few problems with some on the market, which makes them not work as well as we hope and then we write them off as not a possible solution.
  • Some come in plastic bottles (remember that bleaching agent in #1 above, it’s also used in plastics).  Scientists are still learning a lot from the way things are packaged.  Until they have the full skinny, glass is best.
  • Different grades of probiotics matter.  Just because you spend big bucks on them doesn’t mean they are awesome.  Here is the consumer advisory guide to choosing a good probiotic. But of course, I’ll give the cliff notes here. PLEASE don’t waste money on the cheaper ones that are not laboratory grade, look for:
    • made in America
    • tested by an independent 3rd party lab
    • tens of billions of Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per serving
    • a variety of different strains (at least 7)

4. PRAYER AND MEDITATION

Still, one of the best practices we can do for health.  Even if the good Lord chooses a different way to heal you, rather than a fast miracle, or right away, spiritual meditation gets our heart, mind, soul, and spirit in a better state.  It connects us with our Creator and brings physical healing in one way or another.  If you don’t know how to pray, use Jesus as a model in the Lord’s prayer. 

Citations/References

*I'm not affiliated with any of these products or websites. I'm a personal trainer and certified nutrition specialist sharing the love of a healthy gut so you can be happy and healthy!
 

WebMD, LLC., http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/probiotics-15/slideshow-probiotics

Pagel, J. F. MD “Excessive Daytime Sleepiness,” American Family Physician, 1 Mar. 2009. Web 13 Mar. 2015 

The New York Times: “Probiotics: Looking Underneath the Yogurt Label.”

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: “The Promise of Probiotic Yogurt.”

Go Ask Alice, Columbia University: “Will Probiotic-Enriched Yogurt Aid Digestion?”

ABC News: “Is Sauerkraut the Next Chicken Soup?”

Mail Tribune, Dow Jones: “Living Food.”

The Ohio State University: “Microbes Help Make Sauerkraut.”

Lipski, E. Digestive Wellness, McGraw Hill, 2005.

USDA: “Nutritive Value of Foods.”

Mullin, Gerard MD. “10 Tips for Combatting Irregularity,” 8 Aug. 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. 

Santiago, L. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, June 1992.

Mäkeläinen, H. International Dairy Journal, November 2009.

Ugarte, M. Journal of Food Protection, December 2006.

“Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics,” Harvard Health Publications, 1 Sep. 2005. Web 12 Mar. 2015. 

“Acne,”American Academy of Dermatology, Jan 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015 [link]

“National Coffee Drinking Trends 2013” National Coffee Association USA, 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. [link]

Hattaka K et al, “Effect of long term consumption of probiotic milk on infections in children attending day care centres: double blind, randomised trial.” The BMJ, 2 Jun. 2001. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. 

Khamsi, Roxanne. “Can Gut DNA Sequencing Actually Tell You Anything About Your Health,” Newsweek, 17 Jul. 2014. Web 12 Mar. 2015. [link]

“The Largely Unknown Health Epidemic Affecting Almost All Americans,” Body Ecology, 1 Dec. 2006. Web 11 Mar. 2015. [link]

Cromie, William. “Genetic Secrets of Killer Fungus Found,” The Harvard University Gaztte, 30 Oct. 1997. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. 

Savino, F et. al. “Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized study,” Pediatrics, Jan. 2007. Web. Mar. 9. 

Virgin, JJ. “America’s #1 Addiction Might Shock You,” Dr. Sara Gottfried MD. Web 10 Mar. 2015. 

Alimentary Pharmabiotic Center – University College Cork, “Early Gut Bacteria Regulate Happiness,” Science Daily, 12 Jun. 2012. Web 9 Mar. 2015. 

Richards, Lisa. “Why Use Probiotics for Candida,” The Candida Diet. Web. 12 Mar. 2015. 

*None of this advice is meant to give a diagnosis of disease or condition. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911