A healthy gut is linked to brain function and much more. I’ve struggled with gut issues since I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1998. Now I want to share with you the story of how I healed my gut.
At times my digestion has been good, at others not so much. Dealing with celiac disease has meant enduring a certain amount of IBS. And living with multiple sclerosis has meant that I’ve sometimes experienced sluggish gut motility which is very uncomfortable and can make me a bit cranky! Your digestive system may have suffered from insults like mine above, or perhaps a poor diet, stress, or the overuse of antibiotics. Here are simple steps you can take to heal your gut.
Grain-Free Diet
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in the 1990’s. I followed a strict gluten free diet for a couple of years and did not find much improvement in my digestive system. So I went on a grain-free diet, removing rice, quinoa, and other grain-like seeds, as well as potatoes, corn, and much more. My digestion improved after strictly following this diet for 6 weeks and I’m still on it. Following a grain-free diet is one of the cornerstones of my health plan and has been immensely helpful to me!
All of the recipes on my website are strictly grain-free. For the first few years, I followed the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. For more information on that you’ll want to check out my SCD Recipes page.
Enteromend
I’m absolutely in love with Enteromend, a gut healing product that contains glutamine, aloe vera, and curcumin, among other therapeutic ingredients. When I wake up in the morning I drink a quart of hot water. After that I mix a scoop of Enteromend into 1-2 cups water and drink this mixture on an empty stomach. Along with this incredible supplement I also take two 1 gram capsules of bromelain, which you can find more on below.
A word of caution with glutamine. While it is an incredible amino acid that can tremendously impact gut health for the better, it can also turn into an excitotoxin if it is not properly assimilated and goes down the wrong pathway. For this reason, I started on one-quarter teaspoon of Enteromend and stayed on this dose for several weeks, slowly building up to a full scoop which is just over a teaspoon.
Bromelain
Bromelain is an enzyme used to reduce swelling and inflammation, derived from pineapple. Don’t worry if you’re on a Ketogenic Diet, because this supplement doesn’t contain any sugar. Bromelain is extremely effective in healing tissues in the digestive system. Since bromelain prevents blood clots by acting as a blood thinner, it is important to speak to your doctor if you are going to add this supplement to your healing plan.
Magnesium Supplement
When my gut is sluggish and motility is slower than normal I take this magnesium supplement called H2Go. It consists of magnesium oxide which is not as absorbable as other forms of magnesium, but very effective in stimulating the bowels into moving! When needed I chew 2-6 tablets, which is around 400-1,200 mg. I drink 2 cups of water along with it so that the magnesium doesn’t dehydrate me since it has an osmotic effect, pulling water out of the body and into the gut to be dispelled.
I have tried Natural Calm which contains around 300 mg of magnesium citrate in a 2 teaspoon serving and have not found it to be effective for me in supporting gut motility and reducing constipation. It might work for you though since everyone is different.
Fermented Food
Fermented Foods such as Kevita, Ozuke’s sauerkraut, Bubbie’s pickles, and Nancy’s fermented cottage cheese and yogurt are some of my top choices when it comes to healthy foods rich in probiotics. Not on the menu? Probiotic supplements which I can’t digest and according to this article, may contain gluten, even when labeled gluten-free.
Fasting and Bone Broth
When all else fails, I take a break from eating and do a 1-2 day fast. This is an incredibly helpful pause that helps to reset my gut. If you do not want to cease eating entirely, you can do a bone broth fast. The collagen in bone broth rebuilds the lining of the gut.
Walking
I’ve also found that walking helps to heal my gut. The rhythmic action of moving my pelvis settles my stomach and digestive system. Even when I’m not feeling all that well, maybe even sluggish and tired, a simple 10-15 minute walk, looping around our block can be of great benefit. I generally feel much better after, than I did before.
How I Healed My Gut + Your Tips and Tricks
What are your tips and tricks in keeping your gut healthy? Leave a comment and let me know!
Ester Perez says
Hi Elana! That is so wonderful that you have completely healed your gut! No easy feat! I currently started the Plant Paradox Program to heal my gut. I have removed all lectins from my diet. Two friends have had tremendous progress with his program and I decided to look into it. It is great for auto-immune disease, reducing inflammation and healing the gut. Lectins are the number one trigger at destroying the gut lining. It is the lectins found in grains and beans that are the root cause of leaky gut. Nevertheless, they are also found in certain plants. Nightshades are very high in lectins which is why a lot of people feel so much better after removing them. Also, you can remove lectins in certain foods like cucumbers by peeling and de-seeding them. I am just 2 weeks into this and so far, feeling fine. My friends eczema has been clearing up beautifully on The Plant Paradox Program after trying every other diet out there! Thanks again for sharing your progress! I hope to see progress to reduce symptoms from Hashimotos, Neuropathy and Vitiligo.
Elana says
Ester, it’s so nice to see you here again! I’m sure you already have my latest book, Paleo Cooking which is 100% nightshade-free, in addition to being grain-free. Here’s the link for those that might not have it:
http://amzn.to/1VBWPN4
I’m so glad we are on this healing path together and I hope you’ll keep me posted on your progress with this diet and the Hashi’s, neuorpathy, and vitiglio.
Take care!
Elana
Cathy Chester says
I am at the beginning of this journey. This year I was diagnosed with acid reflux, hiatal hernia, SIBO & a bout of diverticulitis. I’ve had MS for 31 years. I am now gluten, sugar & dairy free but still feel like crap. I look to you for advice, information and relief. I’m so tired of being sick. Thanks so much for all your wisdom.
Elana says
Cathy, thanks for your comment and sorry to hear about all that you are dealing with. Here are a couple of things for you to look at that may be of help to you:
https://elanaspantry.com/natural-treatments-for-multiple-sclerosis/
https://elanaspantry.com/are-cell-phones-dangerous/
I hope you’ll keep me posted on your progress!
Elana
Anna says
Do you have mercury fillings in your mouth? If you do, you have mercury poisoning. Metals cause autoimmune issues and make us more susceptible to electro magnetic and radio radiation (dirty electricity, cell phones, wifi networks, cell towers). You may want to look at what you are exposed to… do you have lots of wireless networks where you live or work, do you have antennas or towers where you live?
Elana says
Anna, thanks so much for pointing this out! Here’s a link to another useful post for folks looking to heal:
https://elanaspantry.com/new-approaches-to-neurological-conditions/
Enjoy and take care!
Elana
Maty Calderon says
Hi Elana,
It’s so encouraging to see you doing so well on your path to wellness. I met you years ago in Denver and you were so gracious and beautiful. I follow you for my son who is on the spectrum and has a very limited diet and for myself. Thank you for sharing your recipes and for the health updates. You’re helping so many people out there who have lost hope.
Sincerely,
Maty
Elana says
Maty, thanks for your wonderful comment! I’m so glad we met and that we are on this healing path together :-)
Sue says
Just wondering if you cut out paleo treats made with coconut sugar, maple syrup or honey while healing your gut? Also, what about Cocoa? Thx!
Elana says
Sue, I have had good success with a low-carb diet and the dishes on my Keto Diet Recipes page do not contain coconut sugar, maple syrup or honey:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/keto/
I do like to eat dark chocolate 88% or higher works well for me.
Enjoy!
Elana
Glenda Lee says
Thanks for this informative article
Elana says
Glenda, you’re very welcome!
Vicki B. says
Thanks Elana. I spent the summer working with a local functional medicine physician and am now taking many of the supplements you discussed above. That and eliminating eggs and dairy which I discovered I’m highly allergic to. All these changes have made my gut feel so much better! Love your advice and recipes!
Elana says
Vicki, I’m so happy to hear you love my advice and recipes! Your comment made my day :-)
Krista V says
Hi Elena! Thanks for all your wonderful recipes, first of all. It is clear that you have put your heart and soul into perfecting them! I have suffered for a long time with inflammation and indigestion and kept trying different combinations of foods to avoid to see if that would help. I’m currently having a lot of success following the Paleo diet based on your book. I never in a million years thought that I could take out grains, dairy and sugar and still find something to eat. But I feel so much better and your delicious recipes make it much easier. Thanks for all that you do!
Elana says
Krista, I’m so happy that my latest book is of such great help to you! Yes, I truly do put my heart and soul into perfecting my recipes and I really appreciate that you’ve noticed this :-)
Christine Robinett says
I have tried many things over the years since the 80’s with marginal success or even worse symptoms and spent a ton even with professional discounts. I recently started using Black Seed Oil with low nexpectations. Much 5o my amazement, I felt GI improvent within 24 hours. I plan to increase my dose very soon. I also experienced improved peripheral nerve and facial nerve sensory functions.
Elana says
Thanks Christine!
Leigh Gronet says
Hi Elana, I’m a fan! I recently discovered that most of my gut issues stemmed from a mycoplasma infection, creating IBS, SIBO, and a lot of other *!?#$!! acronyms. My cure: Megaspore/Bravo probiotics, intermittent fasting, yoga, dynamic cupping with silcone cups, and staying within a low carb diet without nut butters, gums or anything that would trigger contraction. As I heal am able to tolerate more cruciferous veggies and the nuts. Well wishes, Leigh
Elana says
Leigh, thanks so much for sharing your tips!
Ericka says
Leigh-
I also have been diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumoniae from extremely high Antibody numbers. I would love to ask you some additional questions. I’ve gone through a couple of treatments that haven’t budged these numbers. I’m now focusing more on gut and have gone keto. What didn’t work for you?
Kelly Wilkerson says
Thank you, I am now having gut problems also and have noticed that diet helps a lot but not completely. Of course I’m fixing a lifetime of bad eating habits. I also have issues with my liver. I’m hopeful that healing my gut will also lead to healing my liver as it’s all connected… thanks for your recommendations, I’m gonna try some
Elana says
Kelly, you’re very welcome! I hope you’ll keep me posted :-)