The holidays (and seasonal weight gain) are upon us! Work parties, class parties, family get-togethers… there’s no escaping the food spreads! And oh, it can be soooo tempting to go back for seconds!
But there’s more than just an expanding midsection at stake this holiday season, did you know that your gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health is the cornerstone to 80% of your overall health? Find out how to promote, maintain and support your GIT health this holiday season – and year round with these tips and tricks.
Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) Health: Cornerstone to Your Overall Health
If your digestive system is in order, it should be filled with healthy bacteria (flora) and enzymes that break down your food while supporting your immune system, nervous system and all of your hormonal functions. Translation: You’ll feel great!
Common body functions/systems a healthy GIT can help support:
- Energy
- Positive Mood
- Healthier Cravings
- Digestion
- Immune System
- Skin
- Vaginal health
- Mental Focus
- Healthy Weight Maintenance
What damages the gut flora lining?
Our gut lining is one cell thick, so supporting its health (and preventing the spread of candida yeast) is crucial. Candida spreads and is hard to kill! The result: a “leaky gut” that allows partially digested foods to flow through the damaged area of the intestinal lining and enter the bloodstream directly (Yikes!).
This leak can cause intolerances and the release of stress hormones. One of these stress hormones, cortisol (produced in Adrenal Glands), further taxes the body, starts to IMPAIR the body's immune system, and promotes WEIGHT GAIN in the mid-section.
Substances that damage the GIT
- Pain Killers
- Poor food choices (processed foods)
- Viruses
- Parasites
- Caffeine
- Alcohol consumption
- Antibiotics
- NSAIDs
- Bad bacteria
The 4 R’s of GIT Health
Support your GIT health by remembering the 4 R’s.
1. REMOVE
God created our bodies and our foods... let's just try to stick to His foods – His plan. Start your journey to GIT health by removing stressors and these unhealthy food choices from your life:
- fake foods that are loaded in toxins (aka “processed foods”)
- strong & excessive caffeine
- sugars
- sugar substitutes
- diet colas & regular colas
- preservatives
- alcohol
- gluten & dairy (test these one at a time to see if your body responds because not everyone is sensitive to them)
Rule of thumb: If there are words on the ingredients list you can’t pronounce, then don’t buy it. And if the ingredients probably won’t be found in your own kitchen ingredients pantry, then don’t buy it.
2. REPAIR
I take Oregano Oil, Copaiba, and Thieves to promote organ health. Organic coconut oil is great for its probiotic power.
Time to take action! Here are 4 steps to help repair your GIT health.
Step 1: As part of an unprocessed diet, be sure to include omega-3s like OmegaGize and vitamins such as zinc, antioxidants (vitamins A, C, & E), L-glutamin, quercitin, aloe vera, and turmeric. Master Formula contains all your vitamin needs, plus oils that research has proven to support organ tissue health.
Step 2: Allow your gut to rest by juicing or fasting.
Step 3: Consume Caprylic Acid, which comes from coconut oil, to kill candida yeast. Longevity contains coconut oil plus essential oils that support healthy cells.
Step 4: Take Oregano Oil, Copaiba, and Thieves to promote organ health.
3. RESTORE
Life 5, a powerful probiotic, is on my DAILY supplement lifst!
Probiotics help restore gut flora. It’s a good idea to take a probiotic daily. On days you are taking antibiotics or are sick, increase your dosage. This is why Life 5 is on my DAILY supplement list!
Life 5 builds and restores core intestinal health by providing five clinically proven probiotic strains including two advanced super strains to enhance intestinal health, sustain energy and improve immunity. Life 5 contains 10 billion active cultures and improves colonization up to 10 times.
Try to also include fermented food & beverages such as greek yogurt (no sugar), water kefir, milk kefir, kombucha, kimchi, or sauerkraut. These fermented foods and drinks are high in probiotics. Go to your local health food store for all of these (or brew your own... or contact me for grains to get started on your own)! I take Life 5 DAILY along with drinking Kombucha!
4. REPLACE
Young Living’s Core Supplement Kit contains EVERYTHING you need for gut health (Master Formula, Life 5, OmegaGize, and Longevity). I would also add in Essentialzyme for the breaking down and absorption of vitamins and minerals from your food!
Help the gut ease back into proper functioning by taking digestive enzyme supplements, such as Essentialzyme. Continue taking Life 5 probiotics for gut health maintenance. Try to eat ½ a plate of vegetables at each meal and also eat something raw at each meal. “Raw” foods provide live enzymes! This could be an apple, mixed salad, or raw cheese.
Young Living’s Core Supplement Kit contains EVERYTHING you need for gut health (Master Formula, Life 5, OmegaGize, and Longevity) and I would also add in Essentialzyme for the breaking down and absorption of vitamins and minerals from your food!
Ask Santa (or Me!) for Help Stuffing Your Stocking with Essential Oils
Holidays can be exciting! Just try to enjoy the company more than the second plate of food! Get plenty of sleep and rest for the gut. And, oh yeah… ask Santa for a stocking full of Young Living supplements and essential oils!
Christie Brooks, Registered Dietitian
Level 1 CrossFit Trainer
Young Living Essential Oils Distributor & Educator #1376241
Website: www.WhyWeightLifestyle.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhyWeightLifestyle
Owner & Educator of the Why Weight Lifestyle Program