So for the last 3 years since my appendix ruptured and I was put on high dose anti-biotics I’ve been dealing with various gut issues that have been both the greatest challenge as well as growth and learning opportunity that I’ve had in my almost 23 years on the planet.
Since, enrolling at IHN and studying holistic nutrition in more depth I’ve gained a new appreciation for what is truly involved in the process of re-building optimal digestive function as well as how crucial gut health is to overall health and how one cannot be attained without the other.
We break it down into 4 steps:
1. Remove – getting rid of pathogens, yeasts, parasites etc
2. Replace – ensuring proper levels of stomach acid and digestive enzymes – usually with supplementation for a period of time.
3. Reinoculate – cultivating the gut microbiome with healthy strains of bacteria and yeasts that were present before the anti-biotic exposure.
4. Regenerate – rebuilding the cells along the GI tract to seal up a leaky gut and allow for optimal breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
I have done many months of the removing and reinoculating through things like candida and parasite cleanses but have never completed a thorough regeneration protocol. So for the last 5 weeks I’ve been following the digestive healing formula which consists of high dose vitamin A,C,E, fish oil, zinc and magnesium (citrate forms).
Along with these nutrients you incorporate things which are known to help rebuild the intestinal mucosa such as aloe vera, slippery elm, and L-glutamine.
After about 8 months on very low carb I heard Paul Jaminet – the author of the perfect health diet – discussing the need for carbohydrates in order to produce mucous secretions and because of this I’ve increased my intake from maybe 1 serving of fruit daily to 1-3 servings of fruit usually coming from melon, berries or peaches since those are in season and abundant right now. I top it off with some raw honey and have been feeling much better as of late.
Anyway what I really wanted to share was the delicious, cooling, soothing recipe I made that is perfect for anyone who is working on or interested in reducing inflammation and healing their gut as well.
Anti-inflammatory Muskmelon and Aloe smoothie:
2 cups chopped muskmelon
1-2 inch chunk of aloe fillet
1-2 tsp cinnamon
1-2 tbsp raw honey
5-10g L-glutamine
water for desired consistency
Throw all the ingredients into your blender and enjoy
So there you have it, a delicious, refreshing summertime smoothie. I drink it immediately after exercise to put the carbs to good use but it could also be a good desert before bed, especially on exercise days where your body can use some more carbs.
I would imagine that mixing some coconut milk / cream would make a nice touch as well.
Anyway just be sure to enjoy, experiment and let me know how it goes.
Peace,
Bryan
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