Seal Those 'Leaky Gut' Holes
Have you heard the term Leaky Gut? ‘Leaky Gut’ has become a common digestive catch-all term used by many. For years this condition was not acknowledged by the medical establishment, but today, this label is well known and commonly applied to represent many symptoms. A short list includes diarrhea, irregular bowel movements, nausea, bloating, gas, cramping and stomach pain. It has been linked to headaches, allergies, fatigue, anxiety, depression and even epilepsy, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Here is why.
The intestines are approximately 15 feet of porous tubing that facilitate the processing of foods from the stomach to the rectum. The pores are small holes that allow nutrients to pass into the blood. When the digestive tract experiences inflammation, the intestinal pores may become enlarged. Larger holes permit undigested large molecules and proteins to cross the intended barrier. This condition is called a ‘leaky gut’ because the wall of the intestines is letting uninvited morsels to leak into forbidden areas. These opportunistic intruders trigger white blood cell attacks and massive inflammatory battles that cause seemingly non-related maladies. This is the process that is partially responsible for causing allergies and sensitivities, which leads to a circuitous process and never ending cycle of repeated complaints. In addition, neurotransmitters are produced in the intestines, so mental and psychological disorders are prevalent with impaired gut function. For years the pharmaceutical companies have been working on developing medications to band-aid the problem, but in the natural health realm we have a simple solution that helps in a few days and for extremely low costs. It’s called bone broth.
Bone broth contains a predominant and powerful substance called collagen. Yes, the same collagen that prevents wrinkles and mends injuries also rebuilds intestinal walls. Remember grandma telling us to eat chicken soup when we were ill? Chicken soup made with Bone broth is the prescription best suited for the job of healing. As Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride coined the phrase “heals and seals the gut”, the soothing fuel of homemade, non-pasteurized bone broth is the single best offering one can use to heal any inflamed body part.
I have to derail for a moment and share one of my favorite sotries about how a famous, “older” professional basketball player astounded his fans with his swift recovery by consuming bone broth. During a game in 2015, Kobe Bryant endured a severe ankle injury. He was swept off the court while sportscasters predicted he would be out for the rest of the season. Kobe’s doctor apparently knew all about the value of bone broth and immediately ordered two cups of it from the adjoining hotel. There was no account of how much broth he drank during the next several days, but after two games, he was back on the court playing again for the duration of the season. If you’re interested in reading the story, I’ve attached a link to an article I found here. My point in sharing this story is to reiterate the value and healing power of this nutrient-dense, collagen-filled elixir.
Returning to the main topic of resolving a leaky gut, consuming around 4-ounces of broth before each meal for 3 days will help restore a healthy gut lining. For chronic issues, you will want to maintain this regimen for weeks or months, but for some of the above symptoms mentioned, you may notice improvement within days.
The basic recipe I use for making bone broth is:
Put a whole chicken into a crock pot full of water
Add 3 tablespoons of Himalayan salt
10 whole peppercorns
1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Once the water starts to boil, keep the setting on low for 48 hours.
Use oxtail, chicken feet, fish, pork or any other meat you choose. Muscle meat is the least advantageous for creating healthy soup, whereas bones are best. Play with any of the above ingredient portions. Feel free to add other herbs, spices, or tomato sauce if you desire. Included any vegetables especially during the last hour for more substance and taste. Freeze the excess for later and enjoy your medicinal potion.
Dr. Julie Wilson 6009 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL. 60646 773-481-9988
http://drjuliewilson.com