Shirley Temple (Bright Eyes ,1934) was a health and wellness guru. It took research 85 years to catch up with this pint-sized genius. Even mainstream medicine is beginning to appreciate that “gut” health is connected to cognition, dementia, heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Yes, “If you eat too much ooh…ooh, you’ll awake with a tummy ache” because sugar interferes with the normal microbiome.

Are you sick and tired of hearing about infectious diseases the past 18 months? Well here we are again literally navel gazing to find relief and healing right under our noses. Healthy digestive systems from the esophagus to the stomach through the bowels can improve your immune system and help you fend off disease. For decades we’ve talked about the “colorful plate”, known to include a variety of fruits and vegetables and less red meat and refined starches. Avoid overuse of antibiotics which change the normal bacteria in the gut lining. Maintain a healthy weight improves gut health. Even the brain is impacted by communication with the gut through nerves and hormones.

Nourishing the body is critical to our longevity, but alcohol, processed foods, charred and smoked meats, dairy products contribute to the “leaky gut syndrome” (increased permeability). Tiny villi (think small hair projections) are responsible for digesting everything that you eat then breaking it down, absorbing and nourishing the body. Unfortunately, some insults cause damage, permitting toxins to “leak” into your system and your immune cells must come to your rescue. “But Doc, I take a probiotic!” Not enough of a fix, sorry.

However, they are part of a regimen contributing to “tightening” the mucosal barrier.* Fascinating that our gut is 4000 square feet of absorption space (villi increase the surface area), controlling what gets into your blood stream. Bacteria, toxins, antigens, and even partially digested food (yes those buns really are on your buns) get through and are believed to contribute to several symptoms and diseases: allergies, chronic fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, skin disorders and now being investigated for heart disease and cancers.

What’s a wise disease-adverse person to do? Yes, get off the lollipop ship because sugar is even known to increase wrinkles! Also, avoid process foods, high fat diets, refined carbohydrates, limit gluten, dairy, and alcohol and don’t smoke. Avoid overuse of ibuprofen. Increase fiber fruits and vegetables.

You definitely are what you eat and even six year old Shirley knew that in 1934! For IBD and Crohn’s, see your Gastroenterologist. For stomach and bowel symptoms, bloody stools and abdominal swelling, don’t just pop over the counter meds. Exercise, reduce stress and improve sleep.

So much information about cancer and heart disease is available online and screenings are important for both diseases, but when we know that there is power in our own hands, even when our genes betray us, then you can make appropriate decisions for you and your loved ones to stay strong and healthy. My own full disclosure: my “Happy landing on a cho-o-late bar” needs repairing.

Resources:

Harvard Health Publishing: Leaky gut, Marcelo Campos, MD; Leaky gut as a danger signal for autoimmune diseases, Frontiers in Immunology, May 2017; The intestinal epithelial barrier? Nature Reviews: Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nov 2016; *Protection and restitution of gut barrier by probiotics: Nutritional and Clinical Implications: NCI.gov.