A healthy gut is the foundation of a healthy body. Unfortunately many of us feel less than vibrant and vital and struggle with digestive issues or food sensitivities and a tendency to catch every cold that passes us by. Interestingly about 70 percent of the cells that make up our immune system are in the wall of our gut. Yet a sluggish digestion, poor diet, stress (a big trouble maker!), environmental toxins and food toxins can really take its toll.
That's when it's time to clean up your act and lighten the load on your system. Making sure to include some gut-cleansing herbs to your diet along with the following gut-cleansing foods can really help boost the cleaning of the gut. The hope is that all this will indeed flush the colon of any toxic build-up, help you lose weight, improve digestive function and re-energize you.
Dark, leafy greens
Consuming green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale will help to clean the colon and protect the digestive tract from different ailments. Green fruits and vegetables are rich in chlorophyll to promote healthy digestion and daily colon cleansing. Fat-soluble chlorophyll adheres to the lining of the intestinal wall and retards bacterial growth, removes putrefied bacteria from the colon, and helps heal the mucus lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Leafy greens are also full of minerals and antioxidants that can help our body protect itself from the toxins we get exposed to. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of digestive issues it might be best to eat cooked vegetables, as these are easier to digest. Try simple soups, sautéing your greens or steaming them. Always add some healthy fat (butter, olive oil or avocado) and acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to support proper absorption of the vitamins in the greens.
Garlic
This spice is not only tasty in foods, but this pungent ingredient is beneficial for cleansing the colon. This root herb has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties, which help to remove toxins, pathogens and parasites from the digestive tract, particularly from the colon. Garlic also acts as an antioxidant helping to reduce inflammation for improved digestion, absorption of food nutrients and elimination of wastes and toxins.
Herbs
There are lots of herbal supplements on the market that can be used to support a gut cleanse, but there are also great 'everyday' herbs you can add to your food that will help support cleansing of the gut. Try fennel seeds, which aid in elimination of mucus buildup and relieves gas. Peppermint is soothing for any digestive upset and helps alleviate bloating. Oregano has both anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. If you suspect you may have an overgrowth of yeast or fungus (a common issue!) it's important to address it by including some herbs to your gut-cleansing plan.
Lemon
Citrus fruits like lemon are good for cleansing the system because lemons can rid the large intestine of waste matter build up and act as an antiseptic, which hinders the growth of microorganisms. A simple glass of lemon & water every morning will help to detoxify and cleanse the system.
Prebiotics
Did you know that we are in fact more microbe than we are cells? Our gut contains 100 trillion microorganisms and these little guys play a crucial role in digestive function, protection against infections, nutrient absorption and immune function. Wow! Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that these microbes feed on. Try leeks, onion, garlic, apples, almonds, bananas, sweet potatoes and yams.
Probiotics
The human digestive system is composed of a vast network of beneficial bacteria that are responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, battling harmful bacteria, and eliminating toxins. When these bacteria get thrown out of balance, digestive health can suffer and the longer this bacterial balance is out of whack, the more severe the damage that can be. Probiotic foods are fermented foods that contain beneficial bacteria. They tend to have a slightly (or intense) sour taste and are also known for helping to curb cravings! Try sauerkraut, kimchi, natural yogurt and kefir! These foods help populate the gut with more good bacteria, giving our gut a stronger fighting power and ability to function well. It's also a good idea to take a probiotic supplement. Switch up the brand (and strains of bacteria) from time to time to give your body a variety of bacteria.
