That’s the question I kept asking myself five years ago. It wasn’t just the bloating. There were other symptoms too. Flatulence, reflux, and severe migraines. Nothing that anyone wants to experience long term – those migraines were horrible!
My tummy had always been flat (except for the three times I was pregnant), so when it started to look like I was six months pregnant and it sounded like I had an alien growing in there I knew I needed to do something about it.
What did I do?
Step one – get tested
I had my bloods tested with a naturopath, which identified that I had an imbalance in my microbiome (good gut bacteria versus bad gut bacteria). I also had a high rate of candida in my gut – damn those chocolate Easter bunnies – which was contributing to my microbiome dysbiosis.
Hippocrates – the source of all cleverness – claimed that all health issues start from the gut. Today we understand that he wasn’t far off. Research has shown that many chronic diseases begin in the gut, including:
End result? I was diagnosed with Leaky Gut. It sounds yuk, doesn’t it? But it’s no laughing matter. Leaky gut is caused by damage to the lining of the gut. Think of a knuckle sandwich, then pull your fingers apart slightly. Those gaps between your fingers, or in this case the gut lining, allows bad bacteria to enter the blood stream and cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation triggered my hypertension and severe migraines.
It was time for a serious overhaul!
Step two – cleanse time
The only way I was going to get better was to start being kinder to myself in a my body is my temple kinda way. I started a six months’ cleanse – yep you heard right – six months! I needed to eliminate all inflammatory foods to allow my gut to heal itself.
I stopped eating/drinking
- Fruit – (fructose is a type of sugar which breeds candida)
- Wine (oh no!)
- Chocolate (double oh no!!)
- Sugar
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Starchy vegetables – potatoes, sweet potato, carrots etc.
- Processed foods
- Fried foods
- Soft drinks
I started eating/drinking
- Lots of nutrient rich leafy greens
- Berries (these were allowed)
- Lean meats (before I turned vego)
- Fermented foods – sauerkraut, pickles etc.
- Anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger, rosemary and turmeric
- Apple cider vinegar
- Herbal teas (I always drink these as I rarely drink coffee)
Step 3 – Supplements
Once I got my diet sorted, I added supplements to help the healing process. The ones that worked for me were:
- A good probiotic – promotes healthy gut bacteria
- Glutamine powder – helps to heal the gut lining
- Fish oil – anti-inflammatory
- Gutright – supports gut health
Result
Doing the six months’ cleanse was tough but sooooo worth it! I did not have a migraine for two years after I completed the cleanse and when I did I knew it was time to take another look at any naughty nasties that had snuck their way back into my diet. My bloating, flatulence and reflux also stopped. I now hardly ever have a bloated tummy and I feel more energetic than I ever did.
Key points
- Bloating in the gut is your body’s way of telling you things are not normal down there. Listen to it and do something about it!
- Poor gut health leads to a whole heap of other diseases. If you don’t get your gut checked you could end up with IBS, hypertension, or even cancer.
- What you eat is your number one contributing factor to poor gut health. You’re in control of what you put in your mouth. When you reach for the soft drink and fries, go for the salad and water instead.
Information provided on this site or its social channels is not a substitute for direct, individual medical treatment or advice. It is the responsibility of you and your healthcare providers to make all decisions regarding your health. Ever Young Wellness recommends you consult your health care practitioner before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.