You’ve probably heard of the elimination diet, but maybe you’re wondering how you’d ever do this type of diet. There are many reasons for doing an elimination diet. If you have any type of autoimmune disease, thyroid issues, adrenal insufficiencies, or digestive problems like Crohn’s, Celiac’s disease or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) you might find this diet beneficial.
When patients begin the elimination diet, we’re really trying to heal the gut. Leaky gut is a digestive condition that decreases the ability to absorb food. When we can’t digest and absorb our food the nutrients don’t get to the rest of our body. This is when our body breaks down. Many of us try to fix the symptoms we are experiencing with medications, but the true cause could be that the gut is not functioning properly.
Over time, the gut lining can become damaged by several things such as:
- Stress
- Emotional Issues
- Environmental Toxins
- Processed Foods
- Lack of Sleep
- Inflammation
These types of things are going to decrease our guts’ ability to function and thrive. Ideally, the lining of the gut is designed to be very tight. When we have a really tight system, we have the digestive enzymes and the ability to digest our food and those chemicals pass through the bloodstream. Since the lining of the gut is very thin, added stressors that cause inflammation make the cells swell causing permeability or gaps in the gut lining. This is when food doesn’t get digested and can slide out into the bloodstream. Our immune system then sees this food as a full protein, which is also how it sees a virus. At this point, it goes into full attack mode.
Stressors and inflammation in our body create a cascade of illness. We find ourselves getting more colds, having asthma, and digestive problems – gas, bloating, stomach pain. These things are all coming from not having the appropriate immune system or appropriate function in the gut. With the elimination diet, we can heal this issue. Basically, you are letting things rest and repair by removing stressors.
In my practice, I have brought many patients through the elimination diet. I feel that people do much better and are able to get the outcome they’re looking for when they have guidance throughout the diet. The diet itself is not difficult, however, there are pitfalls that can occur. By working with someone trained in this you have the support and advice you need to succeed.
Would you like to learn more about the elimination diet? Are you looking for someone who can guide you along the way? If so, please contact me at danielle@battlebornhealth.com. I’d be happy to teach you the easiest way to get through the diet, and how to heal and seal your gut. Let’s work together so that you can get back to the life you enjoy and be stronger than yesterday!
YouTube Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So-lD7Msk-E&t=2s
