Your Gut Health is the Link to Better Cycle & Metabolic Health

Gut Health, Cycle & Metabolism

Small changes, Big rewards

Gut health can support a healthier metabolism, a healthier ovulatory cycle and better hormone balance for those of us who are not cycling!

When your gut function is healthy, the more stable your blood glucose, the less you crave sugar and the less insulin you release. However, an unhealthy gut can lead to insulin resistance. When your body's energy cycle doesn’t work properly, this reduces your ability to burn fat.

An unhealthy gut promotes unhealthy bacteria that can change your levels of ghrelin (your hunger hormone) and leptin (your satiety hormone). It can also impact the food you crave and your taste receptors.

An inflamed gut may also make your stress response more easily triggered. Some studies have shown that taking probiotics can actually help settle this response and lower cortisol levels.

Improving Nutrition

High cortisol levels interfere with estrogen - this interference can be a cause of ovulatory dysfunction.

Signs your gut may need some nurturing:

Bloating, food sensitivities, joint pain, fatigue, headaches, weight changes, food cravings, thyroid conditions.

Over 15 years ago when I first heard about gut health I kind of rolled my eyes. But as the emerging science kept being published - I read it. What intrigued me is that I had been plagued with "random" stomach aches and constipation for most of my young adult life (college and into my early 30s) could be related to gut health?!?

I began removing refined sugar and diet soda first... and to my amazement things began to change - and in a big way! I was sleeping better, pooping (sorry, TMI!) better and I wasn't so "moody"!

Some of the common diet irritants to gut health are: refined sugars, alcohol, caffeine, conventional eggs and dairy, wheat and gluten and most conventional meat.

Feeling better, I began to add and replace some things in my diet like:  

+ Cruciferous vegetables: cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage. 

+ More fiber rich foods: Lentils, spinach and beets

+ Bone Broth (I like this recipe)

+ Cultured Dairy like: kefir, organic cheeses and grass-fed butter

+ Fermented foods like: Sauerkraut and fermented vegetables

After a year of improving my nutrition and eating slower - when we don't chew our food completely there aren't enough digestive enzymes released from your mouth to mix with your food which is what your body needs to digest nutrients effectively! I also began supplements like magnesium glycinate, zinc, and B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, B12). Slippery Elm & Psyllium Husk helped as well - these are to be used very carefully to help constipation.

During this season I also began to exercise regularly (I had become a "runner"). This change provided even more healing: physical, mental and emotional! 

Sisters, gut health is something that you CAN improve with a consistent movement, a nutrient dense diet, a daily prayer habit, and hydration (without caffeine and/or alcohol). 

If you need help with your gut click here & let's book a "Gut Check."