Healing your Gut

Last week I went into detail regarding ‘Leaky Gut’, how it originates and how it affects autoimmunity. I also mention that this week I would go into detail about what to do when you have leaky gut and how to go about “Gut Healing”. Let’s first look at if you need some Gut Healing in the first place!

Who needs Gut Healing Anyway?

I believe that if you have been eating a “Standard American Diet” (processed foods, small amount of veggies, increased amount of sugars, etc) for any period of time, you could use some healing. Eating in this “SAD” way inhibits growth of beneficial bacteria in our guts and promotes growth of harmful bacteria, which can lead to imbalances and overgrowths like Candida or SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).

Also, if you have any abnormal symptoms including: GI symptoms (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea), cognitive symptoms (brain fog, memory issues, headaches), skin symptoms (rashes, acne, eczema), fatigue, joint pain, mood issues or an autoimmune disease, you need some gut healing.

Fixing leaky gut usually involves a long process that unfortunately can take its sweet time. So what does that process look like?

There are many different plans and ‘diets’ you can look up to heal leaky gut or that promote got healing, AIP being one of them. But if you just break down gut healing into its essential steps you will find these at the root of every protocol:

(1) Removal of toxic and damaging foods.

(2) Replacement of these foods with healing, helpful foods.

(3) Re-balancing of the flora with fermented foods and probiotics.

(4) Repairing of the gut with supplements if needed.

Remove

First before doing anything else, we need to remove all of the food or substances that damaged the gut in the first place (aka the ‘elimination phase’ of any protocol). No use in starting a healing protocol if you are still consuming all of the same harmful things, right? This can be really hard for some, I know it was for me. This is also where the specific diets come into play, like AIP, Wahls Protocol, GAPS diet, etc. Each of these were created for a specific population in mind, and help with specific autoimmune issue, and some are more general than others. Following one of the specific diets makes this elimination phase much easier. Overall they eliminate the same groups of foods, gluten, grains, dairy, soy, sugars and processed foods. Again, some diets go into greater detail and eliminate more specific foods as well.

Replace

Usually, eliminating damaging foods and adding in healing foods happens simultaneously, but it doesn’t have to. The process can be slowed down if need be. Eliminating foods sometimes is enough for a few weeks! When you’re ready to start adding in healing foods, some good examples of those are bone broth, pasture raised meats, wild caught seafood, collagen and gelatin and TONS of veggies. Obviously this is not a complete list, but a good list to get you started and to give you an idea of what are considered healing foods. These are considered healing foods because of the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are found in them. For example, bone broth contains collagen and 2 specific amino acids (proline and glycine) that help to heal your gut. Adding foods like these on a daily basis will help heal your leaky gut and improve the overall health of your body immensely.

Re-balance

When leaky gut is present, the beneficial and harmful bacteria that is found in your system is out of balance. Often, the bad bacteria out numbers the good bacteria and has created an environment of dysbiosis, which can lead to a number of G.I. symptoms. In order to balance the good and bad bacteria in your system, you will need to eat foods that contain the good bacteria or take probiotics, or sometimes do both. Foods that contain good bacteria are fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi. Taking a probiotic can be beneficial as well. This is always something to talk to your doctor about before starting but this is the one that I use, Prescript-Assist, it is a soil based probiotic and I think it is very gentle.

**One note about eating fermented foods is that if SIBO is an issue, often times eating ferments will make an individual feel much worse! This is something that can be frustrating (“I’m doing something good, why do I feel crappy?”) and why it’s helpful to work with someone who is trained to recognize these reactions!**

Repair

Sometimes when healing leaky gut, food alone doesn’t seem like it’s going to be enough at first. In these cases supplementation is sometimes necessary. If you feel like this sounds like you, I would recommend working with a medical professional to figure out exactly what’s going on. Some extra supplements that are most often used are digestive enzymes, L glutamine, digestive bitters, ox bile enzymes and licorice root. Again, this is not an exhaustive list, just an idea of things that are out there that help support digestive function.

The whole process of gut healing always seems somewhat vague and like it can take a very long time. Also, how do you know when you’re finished? Will you wake up one day and feel magically cured? Well, I can tell you that through my process of gut healing, I do feel drastically different than when I started. I know that my body is working much better than it was before, but I know that I have a long way to go. I also know that this is the way I choose to eat now. I’m not going to heal my gut, then return to foods that got me in that situation in the first place. That’s not really how this works. I’ve discovered that choosing to eat this way makes me feel physically and mentally much better. So, I’ll keep you posted about the finish line and if and when it shows up. But I have a feeling that even if I cross it, my victory lap is going to look very similar to my first lap.

If you are interested in this process and want more information, contact me here and I’ll be happy to help you!

As always, join the LissMS Community to get my best insights!

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

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Leaky Gut, the Ins and Outs.

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Going Gluten Free?

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This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

20 5

Open

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

20 5

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

26 4

Open

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

26 4

Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??

This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.

Pre orders are open until October 24th!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:

• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

10 3

Open

Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??

This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.

Pre orders are open until October 24th!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:

• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

10 3

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

13 0

Open

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

13 0

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

31 3

Open

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

31 3

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

33 15

Open

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

33 15

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

32 2

Open

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

32 2

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

22 0

Open

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

22 0

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

38 2

Open

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

38 2

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

16 1

Open

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

16 1

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

32 9

Open

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

32 9

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately?

60 8

Open

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately? ...

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