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STOP…
Don’t take another bite of food until you ask yourself this ONE very important question:
What MESSAGE is this food sending to my genes and microbiome (the “critters” that live in your gut; bacteria, viruses, yeast, etc.)?
I know you’re probably thinking that I fell and hit my head and that something is wrong with me. Who in their right mind would ask themselves this very simple (yet powerful mind you) question before they eat.
You’re probably saying: Look I’m starving and I just want to eat.
Well by pausing for a brief moment and by asking yourself this ONE basic question before you eat you CAN totally change your health for the better IF you’re honest with yourself and willing to say NO.
Let me explain….
The “food” that you’re eating is either sending a message of health or a message of disease?
Food is more than just calories. The vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytonutrients, sugar, etc. in your food selection all send a message to our genes and more importantly to the bacteria that live in our gut.
I say the message sent to the gut critters is more important than the message sent to your genes because of 2 reasons that are demonstrated in the scientific literature.
- Our human cells are outnumbered big time by bacterial cells. It is believed that for every 1 human cell there are 10 bacterial cells. We are outnumbered so “who” is really running the show? Makes you wonder.
- These gut bacteria have a POWERFUL impact on our human genes and our overall health. These bacterial can trigger our human genes to react. So many people are hung up on the notion that they are the way they are because of their genes and there is nothing they can do to change that.
Oh contraire mon frère!
There is plenty you can do to change the way your genes express themselves. It is believed that about 20% of who you are is a direct result of your genes and there isn’t much you can do. The other 80% of who you are is highly modifiable through a process call epigenetics. You can modify your genes by the way you eat, the way you move, stress, toxins, sleep and other lifestyle modifications. A BIG influence on your genes is the balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your gut and how they interact with your human genes.
Currently there is a boom in scientific studies looking at just how powerful our gut microbiome really is and the influence it has on health and disease.
This group of microorganisms is powerful and can quickly adapt and change.
A recent study in Scientific America demonstrated that our gut microbiome can begin to change in as little as 3-4 days.
PAUSE and think about that for a moment.
In as little as 3-4 days by modifying the food that you eat (Yes we really are what we eat) you can create a dynamic shift in the make-up of your gut microbiome and change the course of your health either toward improved health or chronic disease.
The typical SAD (Standard American Diet) way of eating will cause an adverse change in your gut critters and lead you toward chronic disease. The SAD way of eating is full of sugar, grains, dairy and empty calories.
When you shift to eating a whole food style of diet that is rich in veggies, fruit, nuts/seeds, lean protein and healthy fats you cause a positive shift in the make-up of your gut bacteria that will lead you toward better health.
Do not under estimate the importance of your gut microbiome.
The literature has linked these billions of critters to diseases such as irritable bowel disease, colon cancer, type II diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, neurologic conditions, psychological diseases and the list goes on.
These critters are powerful so take care of them!
To improve the make-up of your gut composition (good vs. bad bacteria) you have to learn how to say NO.
Say NO to eating processed foods. They are foods high in grains, sugar, dairy and foods which are deficient in vital health promoting nutrients.
Say YES to whole foods which are rich in fiber, vitamins, mineral, phytonutrients and other health promoting substances.
Here’s a recap from a previous blog entry:
As to how you can create a healthy microbial and intestinal environment by following the 6 “R” approach:
- Remove irritants: remove foods that you may be allergic/sensitive to (wheat, soy, corn, dairy, eggs etc.), avoid alcohol, antibiotics (use only if absolutely necessary), environmental toxins and NSAIDs . If you suspect food sensitivities and aren’t sure what the culprit/s are there is testing available to assist with that.
- Reduce: sugar, processed carbohydrates, saturated fats, dairy, and meats high in antibiotics as well as steroids and stress.
- Restore: proper bowel movement by increasing the amount of fiber and water in your diet
- Replace: enzymes and/or acid needed for proper digestion as well as nutrients that may be
- Reinoculate: add back the good bacteria as needed by using good quality probiotics supplements with good strains such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium to name a couple. Consider the use of healthy products such as inulin that promotes the growth of the good bacteria. Cycle through different quality probiotic products because each product contains different amounts and types of bacteria. No one product contains all of the “good” bacteria needed so be sure to switch them up every 30 to 60 days. Also eat fermented foods (provided you don’t react adversely) that are known to contain high concentrations of “good” bacteria. Some non-yogurt examples include: sauerkraut, kimchi (fermented veggies), kombucha (fermented tea), and kefir (fermented cow’s milk, provided dairy is not an issue for you) to name a few.
- Repair: supplement as needed with items such as L-glutamine, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E and aloe vera, which all help to reduce intestinal inflammation and promote good health.
There you have it!
Want better health?
Ask yourself this one simple question before you take that next bite of food:
What MESSAGE is this food sending to my genes and microbiome (the “critters” that live in your gut; bacteria, viruses, yeast, etc.)?
Is it a message of good health or chronic disease?
If it’s good health then eat it. If it’s chronic disease then pass on it.
Keep your gut bacteria healthy and they will keep you healthy.
As always I hope this information has served you and will take you one step closer to your desired health goals.
Did you like this information?If so please be sure to let me know what you liked by sending me an email at DrKirk@PerformanceHealthandChiro.com or leave me a comment on Facebook. I would love to keep the conversation going.
And if you enjoyed this information please forward it along to your friends and family. More people need good solid information so that they can make informed decisions about their health.
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Until we chat again remember: Eat Well, Move Often and Stay Healthy!