🌟 Hiya Gut Foodies! 🌟

I'm returning to basics all around with a whole series about ... what else ... THE GUT! This week ... I'm exploring what a gut actually is ... and why it's so important.

I consider it part of what I call "THE BIG FOUR" organs ... heart, lungs, brain ... and gut ... because it's so vitally important for our immunity, how we feel, and how well we are ... among many other things.

To that end, I give you the basics of my health belief system ... "There IS no magic pill ..." Next ... a primer on the gut microbiome for clinicians ... and now you!

Also ... my fav digestive enzymes from my Good Gut Eliixir supplement protocol, the first of a twelve-part vlog series on ... you know what, continuation of my "Back to Basics" mindfulness series ... taste. And ending with a gut funny.

I invite you ... so appropriate for this issue ... to EAT IT ALLL UP!

GUT-TIP OF THE WEEK:  THERE IS NO MAGIC PILL ...

But COOMMME ON ... Read their whole email and a lot of times they'll say "lifestyle change is hard work". But mostly it's "this thing (insert name of product)" will help you (then a long list that includes) "repair leaky gut, lose weight, support your immune system, beautify you ... yadda, yadda".

COOMMME ON ... this kind of hard-sell is slightly south of a snake oil salesman spiel. Someone who sells fraudulent potions for profit.

You may say that it's just good marketing. And they never say "cure" or anything.

But these are the same BIG people who also hawk "root cause" and "functional medicine" principals at summits. And sending these things just gives our growing alternative influence a bad name.

What This Kind of Marketing Does ...

The first thing that came to mind when I wrote the sentence above is that it hooks people totally back into the medical mindset. The whole idea that ... if we just took a pill ... everything will be aaaallll better.

Look ... I know that many of us hope to go to sleep one night and magically wake up 20 pounds thinner. You know it won't happen. But you can dream ...

So when you get an email that says ONE 30-second "trick" in the morning will make you aaaallll better? It just feeds into that dream ...  And keeps you stuck in a system that just doesn't work.

For you or anyone. Many of these emails lead you eventually to a product (although it doesn't seem that way at first).  A product that you must have because it does something profound ... more profound than a similar product.

So if you just buy this (the email doesn't even tell you to take it), you'll be able to have "optimum health" and "control your genetic destiny"(actual phrases I pulled from actual emails). COOMMME ON ...

Regular medication doesn't even promise that. Although the depression ads are similarly compelling. Maybe ... like the ads ... we should all carry around a happy-face mask to show you how well the pill works. When you think about it ... how fake is that?

The bottom line ... these kinds of notices are almost worse than those medicine ads. Because they focus on one specific treatment to the exclusion of all others.

And are perpetrated by people I respect and have followed for years. When it comes to real alternative healing, this kind of treatment rarely works.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article and learn about a powerful healing using Root Cause/Functional Medicine techniques.

RESEARCH DEETS 

🌟🔬 Welcome to the wild world of gut buddies - where tiny critters 🦠🍄 play big roles in our health and mood swings! 🎢🧠 Explore the gut's bustling city, where a diverse crowd of microbes throws a party that affects everything from how we feel to how we fight off diseases. 🎉💪

In the land of gut science, we're peeling back the layers of complex jargon to show you the who's who of your inner microbial metropolis. 🌆 From the peace-loving bacteria that keep us zen 🧘‍♂️✨ to the party poopers that can throw our system out of whack, it's all about the balance. 🍽️🥦

So, grab your microscope 🔍 and let's zoom in on how these microscopic residents shape our health, from our brain's mood playlist 🧠🎶 to our body's defense squad. 🛡️ And remember, a happy gut is your ticket to a happier, healthier you! 🌈🚀

My Gut-Take: 

"The Gut Microbiome: A Primer for the Clinician" ISN'T a research study but IS a supplement published just this year in the prestigious American Journal of Gastroenterology. And IS exactly what it says ...  "a primer for the clinician".

Brava for the journal. They're attempting to teach doctors ... who know NOTHING about nutrition (read my article of the same name on my website) ... about the gut ... the seat of nutrition.

Made me think that the people who publish this journal think that gastroenterologists   ... and all doctors for that matter ... should know about this. Which means they think it's a really important subject. All I can say to that is ... DUH!

They begin by saying, "Over the past decade, we have gained an appreciation for the vital role of microorganisms in the maintenance of health and disease." I guess when they say "we" they mean the people who publish the journal. Because even my own doctor won't really acknowledge it.

I love that the primer explores functional foods like prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics. And says that they produce friendly anti-inflammatory bacteria and by-products. But it also says that this science is in its infancy (true) and that we should do more exploration (also true).

If you're wondering why I chose this ... because it's not really research ... it's because I thought it appropriate for an issue where we're just starting to look at the gut as an uber-important part of our bodies. And ... if you're interested ... here's the whole primer for your perusal.

SUPPLEMENT TAKES: FERMENTED DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

My Gut-Take: 

Digestive enzymes are absolutely golden when it comes to boosting your digestive powers as they literally break down foods more easily so that they can be used by your body. And I gotta tell you that ... for MY 78 year-old body .. they're a several-times-a-day buddy.

So why is this particular supplement a crucial part of my  Jill's Good Gut Elixir protocol? The truth is ... I've never seen anything like it!

Most digestive enzymes offer just that. And this has THAT in spades ... even enzymes whose names I haven't seen since I studied the things over 30 years ago in school. 

Not to mention fiber-digesting enzymes that facilitate the digestion of oligosaccharides (which means they're also helpful for histamine intolerance). By breaking down these compounds before they reach the colon, it helps avoid gas and bloating often associated with high-fiber foods, aiding in smoother digestion and nutrient absorption.

AND ... also included are probiotics and botanicals. You can't wish for a better well-rounded supplement. And something I'm ordering after my current bottle of enzymes is used up. 

But ... listen up ... I wouldn't recommend this for those that have SIBO, parasites, or any other form of overgrowth as a probiotic-containing supplement is often contraindicated. Or for immune-compromised or multi-conditioned individuals ... all this goodness is just too much for the body. 

So much for all those emails touting one supplement as a be-all and end-all panacea. And ... I'm sad to say ... that they're often probiotic blends just like this.

And ... it's got a lot of ingredients ... so you have to read the label if you think you're sensitive or allergic to any of them. And ... like most supplements ... it's not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and children under 18. 

But ... if all is well and good ... you might want to try it. I have a simpler digestive enzyme alternative in the protocol if you'd like to try that. It's already on my next supplement shopping list. Oh ... and don't forget ... it's also fermented!

GUT VLOG OF THE WEEK

🌟🎬 Kicking off my vlog series "Your Gut Health Journey" with a bang with "Unmasking the Mysterious World of Your Gut"! 🚀 In our first episode, I'm taking you on a whirlwind tour of your gut ... yes, that's right, we're getting up close and personal with your very own digestive superstar 🌈👀. 

Ever wondered what the gut's all about? Spoiler: it's not just about what you ate for lunch! 🍽️

We're talking small intestines, big roles, and why your gut is the unsung hero of your health 🦸‍♂️💪. Expect to see some funky diagrams and illustrations that'll make learning a hoot 🎨😄

. 

I'm here to show you why your gut deserves the same VIP treatment as your heart and lungs. It's home to your immune system, after all! 🛡️❤️

Stay tuned as we dive into the mysteries of leaky gut, the wonders of the "Marvelous Microbiome," and how to spot and fix gut health issues 🕵️‍♂️🔍. Each episode is a treasure trove of knowledge, expert wisdom, and hands-on tips to guide you towards gut nirvana 🧘‍♀️✨. 

Let's journey together towards a happier, healthier gut and a vibrant you! 🌟🚶‍♀️

MICRO-MINDFULS: 

BACK TO BASICS  with my all-time-fave Miicro-Mindful ... TASTE! Being such a foodie ... this one not only heightened my enjoyment of food ... it was crucial for my ... and my eating-disordered clients' ... recovery from our lousy relationships with food.

Because most of us eat mindlessly. And this script (and audio) mindfully reacquaints you with the joy of food.

For this exercise, you actually need a table ... hopefully your kitchen or dining room one ... to reacquaint you with your eating at a certain place ritual ... so important for those of us that stuff or starve in secret. If you're wondering why I'm asking you to do this ... read The Ritual of the Kitchen Table.

And ... YOU NEED SOME FOOD ... YUMMY FOOD! If your relationship with food is still halfway lousy (or worse) choose one that is still yummy but doesn't trigger MORE disordered eating rituals.

Once you have both of these things ... sit down ... put the food close ... and turn on the audio! Or ... if you prefer to hear your own voice ... use the script below to record and play back.

And don't forget these mindfulness tools ... put “breathe” signs on your mirror, kitchen cabinet, or dashboard to remind you to breathe, mindfully and deeply (and tell yourself out loud using your name ... i.e. "Breathe, Jill"). 

In stressful situations and/or emergencies ... when you find yourself starting to feel tense, anxious, or in pain, use your breathing to calm you ... take 3 to 5 mindful breaths ... but even one can make a difference. 

You'll find this on the "My Micro-Mindfuls" page of my website by clicking on the button below. I'm designing these to use anywhere you feel stressed ... even if you're standing in a long checkout line or when you feel overwhelmed at work.

So download this one (BASICS SIX) on your phone or other device so that you can use it whenever and wherever you’d like. I created a playlist on my phone music app and am downloading these weekly.

And … as more and more free mindfulness (and also guided imagery) snippets become available … you can pick and choose what resonates with you to create your very own playlist. So let’s begin …

Savor Every Bite 🥑👀 

Begin by settling yourself at a lovely-decorated table🌸🎨… you can even light a candle 🕯️ and use colorful cloth napkins 🌈🍽️… in front of one of your favorite foods 🍇🧀… one that’s luscious but that you feel comfortable eating 🍽️❤️.

Now take a moment to feel your feet on the ground 🦶🌍 and notice how you feel right at this moment. Notice any thoughts 💭, sensations 🌀, or emotions 💖 you are experiencing…🍃

Now take three deep breaths in and out… breathe in 😮‍💨… and out 😌… breathe in 😮‍💨… and out 😌… breathe in 😮‍💨 and out 😌…

Now tune into the awareness or sensation that you have in your body of feeling hungry 🤤… What is your body hungry for? Dwell on this for a few moments 🤔…

Now, bring your attention to the item on the table and imagine that you are seeing the food for the first time. Observe with curiosity as you notice its color 🎨, shape 🔵🔶, texture 🍂, and size 🔍.

Is there anything else that you notice, sense or feel when you do? Dwell on all this for a moment 🕰️…

Now place some of the food between your fingers and feel its texture… temperature 🔥❄️… smoothness 🌟… stickiness 🍯… fluidity 💧… anything else. Again… notice if you have any thoughts 💡, sensations 🌈, or emotions ❤️‍🔥 at this time.

Now return your focus to your breathing… being fully present in this moment of awareness of the sensation of the food between your fingers 🤲.

Take part or the whole piece of food and bring it toward your nose and smell it with your full awareness 👃. Notice if you have any memories 📚, sensations 🎇, or reactions in your body about it. BREATHE…

When you’re ready… with full awareness of your hand moving toward your mouth bring all or part of the food to your lips and note how it feels between them 👄. Now place the food into your mouth without chewing or swallowing it. Just allow it to be in your mouth… roll it around to different parts of your mouth and tongue 👅.

Notice its flavor 🍓🍫 and texture… the physical sensations that may arise within your body… especially your mouth. Continue to breathe as you explore the sensation of having this food in your mouth.

Next…. take just one bite and notice the flavor… the change of texture. Then very slowly begin to chew this piece of food, and notice the parts of your mouth that are involved in chewing 🦷.

Notice the sound 🎶 and movement of chewing… and the sensations that arise… When you’re ready… swallow this item and notice the sensations that follows it from your mouth and throat into your stomach 🌀👇.

Notice the sensation and taste that may linger in your mouth 🍃. Now focus again on your body and your breath… and notice the sensations right at this moment 🧘‍♂️.

Continue in this way as long as you’d like… perhaps taking more bites of food as mindfully as the first. Don’t forget to keep breathing…

Then… whenever you want… get up from the table… put the rest of the food away… and go about your day with the taste of the food and the sensation of the experience lingering in your consciousness 🚶‍♂️💭🌟.

GUT FUNNY