Is Your Supermarket Making You Sick?
Twenty years ago, after being diagnosed with colon cancer, I realized I needed to make significant changes to my diet. I wasn't just aiming to eat healthier; I was already adhering to the USDA food pyramid and nutrition guidelines. The real change was eliminating the plethora of chemicals that food manufacturers add to our food. Back then, research on the gut microbiome was still emerging, but it was clear to me that if preservatives were designed to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, they could also harm the beneficial bacteria and fungi in our gut. Later I realized that they were harming not only the microbiome itself, but also our gut mucosa layer.
The Intestinal Mucosa: Our Gut's Guardian
The intestinal mucosa layer is vital for gut health in two crucial ways. Firstly, it serves as the "soil" for our gut microbiota, the diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that help us digest food, fight infections, produce vitamins, and balance serotonin levels among other tasks. A healthy mucosa is essential for a thriving microbiome. When this layer is compromised, it leads to a decrease in the diversity and numbers of these beneficial organisms, resulting in a microbiome imbalance linked to conditions like multiple sclerosis and cancer.
Secondly, the mucosa layer acts as a barrier, keeping the contents of our intestines separate from the rest of our body. This barrier ensures that toxins, whether natural or synthetic, are managed appropriately. Our liver detoxifies these substances, or they are excreted. However, when the mucosa is weakened, it can lead to increased gut permeability, allowing harmful substances to enter our bloodstream and trigger chronic inflammation. This inflammation is associated with various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic syndrome, and even cancer.
Energy Healing and Gut Health
In my energy healing sessions, gut health is a recurrent theme. Many complex health issues my clients face are linked in part to inflammation from a leaky gut, often caused by a weakened mucosa layer. The good news is that through energy healing techniques, these weakened areas can be repaired, and the microbiome can be replenished. However, maintaining a healthy mucosa and microbiome requires ongoing care and attention.
Practical Steps for a Healthier Gut
One of the most effective ways to protect your gut health is by being mindful of the food you consume. Reading labels and choosing products without harmful additives can make a significant difference. By avoiding these additives and focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, you can support your gut health and overall well-being. Here are some ingredients to avoid and their associated health concerns:
Emulsifiers:
Emulsifiers are additives used in processed foods to stabilize mixtures and improve texture by preventing the separation of ingredients such as oil and water. Common emulsifiers include lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, polysorbates, and carrageenan.
Impact on Gut Health:
Emulsifiers have been linked to negative impacts on gut health, particularly concerning the intestinal mucosa, which is the protective mucus layer lining the gut. This layer plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier and protecting against pathogens. Emulsifiers can disrupt the mucus layer by interacting with the mucin proteins that constitute the mucus, leading to a thinner and less effective barrier. This can increase intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut".
Alteration of Gut Microbiota: Emulsifiers can alter the composition of gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms living in the intestines. Some studies suggest that certain emulsifiers promote the growth of bacteria that can degrade the mucus layer, further compromising gut integrity
Common Emulsifiers and Their Effects:
Polysorbate 80: Linked to gut inflammation and disruption of gut microbiota in animal studies.
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC): Shown to promote metabolic syndrome and alter gut microbiota, leading to a thinner mucus layer in animal models.
Carrageenan: Associated with gut inflammation and potential exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease symptoms.
Artificial Sweeteners
Examples: Aspartame, sucralose, saccharin
Health Concerns:Artificial sweeteners have been shown to disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis. This imbalance can increase intestinal permeability and inflammation.
Studies have also linked artificial sweeteners to glucose intolerance and metabolic syndrome, which are mediated through changes in the gut microbiota. They’ve also been linked to neurological diseases, like Alzheimers, so best to stay away from these for many reasons.
Titanium Dioxide
Health Concerns: Used as a whitening agent in many foods, titanium dioxide nanoparticles can alter the gut microbiota composition, potentially leading to dysbiosis (imbalance of microbiome).
Studies also suggest that titanium dioxide can impair the function of the intestinal barrier, increasing permeability and potentially leading to inflammation and other gut-related disorders.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
Health Concerns: High intake of HFCS can alter the gut microbiota, promoting the growth of harmful bacteria and contributing to gut inflammation and metabolic disorders. HFCS consumption is associated with increased intestinal permeability, which can lead to systemic inflammation and other health issues.
Nitrates and Nitrites
Examples: Sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite
Health Concerns: These preservatives, commonly found in processed meats, can alter the gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis and potential gut inflammation. Nitrates and nitrites can form nitrosamines in the body, which are potent carcinogens and can damage the gut lining.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions or think your medical issues could be related to inflammation, feel free to reach out. Balancing gut mucosa and microbiome has been the key to many of my clients’ remarkable recoveries from years of mystery symptoms, fatigue and pain.
