Healthy Gut Equals Healthy Body

Over 80% of all of our cells are bacteria cells. We share a symbiotic relationship in which we provide their environment and they carry out a series of functions for us. They are in charge of over 80% of our immunological memory. They protect us by consuming microbes and yeasts such as Candida Albicans, and help to release vitamin K, biotin, folic acid and B12 from foods. Together with fibre, they also aid in the removal of certain toxins, such as oestrogenic chemicals, nitrosamines and heavy metals. These friendly bacteria love it when we feed them chicory, celery, onions, garlic, asparagus, beetroots, Jerusalem artichokes, seeds and nuts… and are harmed by chlorinated water, drugs, smoking, alcohol, certain GM foods, antibiotics, steroids, sugar…  Our body needs the friendly bacteria because if they are healthy, so are we.  

However, if we permit the fungus Candida Albicans to take over, it can have widespread effects, it mimics oestrogen and affects thyroid function, and it has been linked to cancer, IBS, allergies, anxiety, depression, joint pain, brain fog, constant hangover, headaches, breathing difficulties, skin conditions….  Candida’s greatest culprits are thought to be antibiotics and chemotherapy, which, combined with our addiction to sugar, allow it to thrive and overload your immunity. An alkaline diet, rich in antifungal and fermented foods supports our gut ecology. Dealing with candida overgrowth can rebalance the system, freeing up a lot of energy and greatly decreasing the levels of toxicity.  Let’s take control of our body ecology, be the captain of our ship.  We want a whole civilisation in our gut. 

Eat mindfully, slowly, savour and chew well. There are many conflicting candida diets, with varying degrees of strictness. Essentially go for an alkaline diet which avoids sugars in the form of most processed foods, starchy or high glycemic carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, white rice, alcohol, dairy and even fruit (except nutrient rich, low sugar berries). These all rapidly increase blood sugar levels and feed candida and cancer cells.  As well as all sugars, avoid gluten as this can aggravate the intestinal wall and make it susceptible to invasion.

In addition to candida, most of us have parasites taking up our energy and releasing toxins into our system. They can cause inflammatory responses, use up important nutrients, produce toxins, and raise the chances of dis-ease. 

Parasite and Candida Cleanse:

To boost immunity take Astragalus.
Alternate between taking antifungal and antiparasitic wormwood and green black walnut hull, for one week and olive leaf for the next. 
Garlic – (in moderation as might have neurotoxic effects)
Coconut oil – ideally raw, use internally and externally
You can also take Pau d’arco, however symptoms tend to worsen initially as the parasites die off releasing toxins into your system, so listen to your body’s response and don’t overdo it.  

(Sodium bicarbonate or Lugol’s solution are also often used to rebalance gut ecology)

To help with the die off reaction, clear and flush the toxins out using Psyllium husks and Bentonite.  Aloe Vera is also very cleansing. Drink lots of pure alkaline water and get lots of rest.  Molybdenum can also help with die off symptoms.  Beans (adzuki, lima, black, red kidney...), walnuts, lentils, seeds… are all good natural sources of molybdenum and other nutrients.

Focus on supporting your bacteria friends. As well as the prebiotics mentioned above, you must also consume probiotics.  It is especially important to repopulate whenever you take antibiotics.  To replenish friendly bacteria, you could buy good quality multi strain probiotics, but I much prefer eating fermented foods.  Before fridges and pasteurization, irradiation, increased use of preservatives… we used to eat more fermented probiotic rich foods.

Probiotics from nutritious food sources such as sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, natto, miso, amazake, coconut kefir and natto are thought to be stronger than probiotic supplements, they can survive the stomach’s hydrochloric acid.  Additionally, fermented proteins are more easily digested. In fermented foods everything is predigested.

​The following are some options;

Fermented soy products – miso, tempeh, natto 
Kefir – You can buy some kefir grains cheaply or get some off a friend who has grown some.  Make your own kefir using coconut milk. 
Sauerkraut - Some studies show fermented cabbage has compounds that may prevent the growth of cancer.  Beets, carrots, radishes are also great fermented.

Try making yogurt from bee pollen; 1 litre of almond milk to 10 tbsp of pollen, or make your own cheese from fermented seeds.

Adding alkalising immune boosting superfoods also helps to establish a healthy gut ecology;

Barley grass
Chlorella
Spirulina 
Marine phytoplankton
Pollen 

The following supplements support healing a gut damaged by dysbiosis:

• L- Glutamine
• Colostrum
• Slippery Elm   

​(Excerpt from Cancer, a Catalyst for Consciousness?: Over 100 Ways to Love You Into Blissful Health by Sara Raso ) ​

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