Emerging out of the grey of a slow, cold winter, for many of us rather than feeling the joys of spring, we’re feeling heavy and sluggish and have been sick, actually… really sick.
70-80% of our immunity lies in our gut, so a significant part of staying healthy is about a healthy gut.
Healing the gut is the number 1 focus for healing everything … almost. While it’s not the only consideration, the health of the gut must be the number 1 consideration.
Our kids and I have all been diagnosed with gut issues i.e. leaky gut and nasty parasitic infections, yet without obvious symptoms. My daughter, however, had very bad eczema as a baby and my energy and immune system literally crashed when the children were little ones.
Symptoms I now know were linked to poor gut function and other imbalances.
You might be thinking, ‘I’m healthy! Why have I got gut issues?’
We’re all work in progress, but I reckon I’ve had gut issues for a while, and the health of my gut and my husbands’ has affected the health of our childrens’.
For me personally, the following may have contributed;
Other factors contributing to gut dysfunction;
Unknowingly many children are starting life with compromised gut function. If parents haven’t actively detoxed for heavy metals and rebuilt their microbiome, our kids are inheriting a handsome dose of toxins and an under performing gut flora that can quickly set the scene for gut dysfunction, malabsorption, autoimmune and inflammatory disease.
I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s a reality and far better to know and to do something about it sooner than later.
And there is good news! The gut will heal and so will the body.
Have a listen to my gorgeous client, Callie and her inspiring story. Cal shares how she helped her 3 year old son, Bowen recover from a severe allergy to eggs. How she trusted her mothers instinct and her number 1 tip for creating a healthy home.
When the gut is functioning well, the foreigners i.e. toxins, heavy metals, parasites, viruses, bacteria etc. can pass right on through, while the body naturally does its thing.
Are you dealing with a form of gut dysfunction? Or perhaps you are but you don’t know you are. It’s highly likely.
Other than the obvious gut symptoms e.g. irritable bowel, reflux etc. Other clues / symptoms to consider;
Unless you’ve already identified an issue and taken action to restore it, it’s time to start rebuilding your gut health, gently, gradually, one step at a time and help safeguard your future wellbeing.
It doesn’t have to be difficult and the earlier you take action the better.
Learn more about protecting and restoring your gut health at my next Enriched Living Workshop, ‘Gut Health. Simple steps to healthy digestion & a long life’ We’re going on a fun and informative journey of the digestive system. You’ll learn commonly missed aspects to great gut health, plus lots of ideas for recipes and remedies to begin repairing your gut and your families. Simply. Naturally.
Seats are limited. Register ASAP.
And have a listen to Callie’s story.
… a parasitic epidemic and with it, a war.
Okay that’s a little dramatic, but the reality is many of us are being diagnosed with parasites, ‘an organism which lives in or on another organism (its host)…’ It’s a diagnosis that immediately brings a reaction to eliminate them, all of them, ASAP.
Roughly 50% of Americans carry them and many more without showing symptoms or being diagnosed. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the figures for Australia.
Although, I heard a Western Australian Doctor, who specialises in gut health, referring to it
‘as an epidemic’ in our children.
Why is it such a concern? Parasites get their food from their host i.e. if we are carrying them around, a lot of the food we’re eating is shunted off to keep them alive, potentially leaving us deprived of key nutrients. And importantly they can cause disease in us.
However… humans, like many animals, have hosted parasites forever. Is it really such a terrible thing? Is ‘war’ absolutely necessary’?
Maybe not.
Our Diagnosis.
I first became aware of this ‘epidemic’ when our children and I were diagnosed about 3 years ago, with Blastocystis Hominis and Dientamoeba Fragilis, the terrible two. I was alarmed and absolutely prepared for war too! I did NOT want these freeloaders in our bodies, gobbling up our nutrients, robbing our energy, compromising our immunity and weighing us down (literally).
I was prepared to do whatever was needed… until, after bombarding our systems with potent herbs, I stopped and explored this for myself.
I found 4 reasons NOT to be so alarmed;
It’s a fact that parasites are ruling our health in so many ways, however, we don’t need to panic or go to WAR with these menacing microbes – yet. Here are 4 good reasons why;
‘Phew… I’m healthy’, I hear you say, ‘I don’t experience symptoms’, ‘I don’t need to worry’…
Actually, maybe you do.
The kids and I didn’t experience symptoms either. But… I felt my energy was lagging, and I put that down to being busy as a Mum! The reason being our good flora was especially good and helping to keep the symptoms at bay. ‘So why worry’? Because life changes, especially for our children. They are going to be taking on more responsibility (stress), their bodies are growing and developing and need all the nutrition possibly available to them (not parasites) and … their food choices won’t always be as we’d like!
We are safeguarding them (our husbands and ourselves) for the future. Prevention.
In addition, generally with our modern day, busy lifestyles and eating habits our microbiomes are weakened, we are carrying toxins that acidify our systems and our immune systems are compromised, meaning our terrain (our gut) is wide open and accommodating to pathogens.
While these pathogens have been around forever, historically, I believe our bodies were healthier and more capable of ‘dealing with them’ effectively and naturally.
The symptoms.
They are many and varied, mild and chronic and can include;
Parasites are generally acquired from consuming contaminated food or water but with an imbalance in gut flora, toxins or a weakened immune system we are more susceptible.
How do you know if you have a parasite? Work with your health practitioner and have a stool analysis done. Although it’s hard to know how accurate these are too.
Treatments.
Parasites are highly evolved in their ability to survive. Some can be easily treated – some are not. Common treatments use antibiotics and / or a course of potent herbs.
Herbs and Foods that can help include;
Plus limit all sugars, grains, processed foods that will continue to feed the parasite(s).
It’s critical while doing a parasite cleanse to rebuild the terrain at the same time i.e. our digestive system. As the expression goes, Weed. Seed & Feed. i.e.
Summary.
If you have a diagnosis or a ‘hunch’ that you have a parasite, listen to your body first. How well is it already dealing with it or not? Try the gentle approach above first and then create a terrain that’s not hospitable to parasites in the first place – before ‘going to WAR’.
A gentle cleanse or detox a couple of times a year is a great preventative measure either way.
A Gentle Cleanse with Kate: If you are feeling the need to do a gentle cleanse – as I am. I’m hosting a 3-5 day program in October. Wherever you are you’ll be able to join in with me as it’s all online. It is gentle and NOT hard core and won’t put stress on the body. It includes whole foods, shopping lists, menu plans and loads of supportive info. + WHY. If you’re interested email me your details at kate@katebarnes.com.au.
