THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM HEALTH IS KEY
The health of our digestive system is imperative to optimal health. Often, clients come to us with stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, inflammation, high blood sugar, rashes, blood pressure issues, and the list goes on.
It’s important to highlight that issues in the digestive tract (or gastrointestinal tract) may underlie chronic health problems. These chronic health problems may seem unrelated, but digestive issues manifest into autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes, skin problems such as eczema and acne rosacea, and heart disease—and that’s the short list!
GETTING TO THE ROOT
So, how do we get to the root of these chronic health problems and deal with the symptoms people experience? We look to the gut and we use the 5R Protocol to take a step-by-step approach to guide our clients to optimal health and healing.
Let’s break it down!
REMOVE
The first R stands for REMOVE. In this phase, we remove stressors we get rid of the things that negatively impact the environment of the digestive tract (aka GI tract). This includes foods that people have allergies to, as well as food sensitivities, parasites, and potential problematic bacteria or yeast infections.
This might involve using a temporary “elimination diet” to find out what foods are causing GI symptoms or it may involve taking supplements or herbs to eradicate a bacterial overgrowth or a parasite.
REPLACE
The second phase is REPLACE. In this phase, we replace what the digestive tract is lacking. We supplement with things like digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, and bile acids that are required for proper digestion and that may be compromised by diet, medications use, diseases, aging, or other factors.
REINOCULATE
The third R is REINOCULATE. There are trillions of bacteria that reside in our GI tract that are part of a healthy normal flora—also known as the microbiome. Several factors that can negatively impact the health of the microbiome include polluted air we breathe, inadequate rest and recovery time, use of medications and over-the-counter drugs, and most important of all, stress!
Reinoculate means we want to help beneficial bacteria proliferate by ingesting probiotic foods and or supplements that contain the “good” GI bacteria such as the bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species. Also, by consuming foods high in soluble fiber (prebiotics), they provide the good bugs (probiotics) the fuel they need to flourish.
In today’s medical world, antibiotics are often overprescribed for bacterial infections—instead of allowing the body’s natural immune system to take over.
It’s important to understand that the use of antibiotics kills BOTH good AND bad bacteria. Probiotics in the form of supplements or food are needed to help reestablish a balanced gut flora. Fermented foods, such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut are good food sources of PRObiotics.
Prebiotics are food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria that already exist in the colon.
Simply put, PREbiotics are the food source for PRObiotics.
Prebiotics are found in many foods that contain a fiber called inulin–like Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, leeks, onion, and chicory.
Barley, flax, oats, green bananas, and chia seeds are also good sources of PREbiotics.
REPAIR
During the fourth phase REPAIR, we continue to assist in healing the lining of the GI tract. The GI lining needs to let nutrients in while eliminating toxins and waste products through the feces. The cells in the lining are constantly regenerating and repairing themselves. That repair process requires proteins, fibers, vitamins, and minerals to keep each cell wall healthy and to keep it from becoming a leaky tube that allows toxic compounds to be absorbed—aka LEAKY GUT.
The key nutrients that are often in short supply in a compromised gut are zinc, antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, and E), fish oil, and the amino acid glutamine.
REBALANCE
The final R is Rebalance. At MOVE FULLY NOURISHED we view our clients through a holistic lens and ask our clients about their sleep patterns, exercise habits, and stress. It is so important to address these lifestyle factors as well because they can all greatly affect the health of the GI tract. Balancing those activities is important to an optimally functioning digestive tract.
If you are someone dealing with a chronic health condition and have tried to find your solution without luck, it may be time to take a look at you’re the health of your gut!
If you are looking for 1 on 1 support on your journey to find your root cause, we’d love to learn more about you and help you find your solution.
Check out this video for more information!
Your Online Dietitian Coach, Ashley Anderson MS, RDN, LDN, CPT, PN1
Your Online Dietitian Coach, Rachel Brown, RD, IBCLC, CDECS, MBA
***Click I’M READY to fill out our coaching application to schedule a complimentary discovery call TODAY! A healthier you is just a call away!***
Resources:
- 5R framework for treating digestive disorders by Vincent Pedre, MD. The Institute for Functional Medicine. https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/5r-framework-gut-health/
- IFM 5R Gut Restoration Program* (handout)
- Metagenics. 5R: Getting the Gut in Balance – Metagenics Blog. blog.metagenics.com. Accessed April 7, 2022. https://blog.metagenics.com/post/2018/06/04/5r-getting-the-gut-in-balance/
