Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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in Digestive Health· Food Allergy and Sensitivity· Hormones and Metabolic Health· Women's Health

Why All Disease Begins In the Gut

While Hippocrates coined the phrase, “all disease begins in the gut” thousands of years ago, current research is finding there’s much truth in this ancient piece of wisdom!

If you think your intestinal tract is only responsible for digestion and waste elimination, think again… your gut also plays a big role in immune system function, the synthesis of essential nutrients, and balancing neurotransmitters important for brain and mood health.

It’s even been referred to as our second brain by experts in the health professional community.

It’s all about the health of our gut

Your intestines are home to billions of bacteria, collectively known as the microbiome. Some of these bacteria are beneficial and some are not, but the balance between the two is really key to normal digestion, proper absorption of nutrients, and promoting a healthy intestinal environment.

The integrity and structure of the intestinal walls is also extremely important when it comes to good gut health – and our health overall.

The gut lining is a permeable barrier designed to allow certain molecules, like broken down nutrients from food, to crossover into the bloodstream for absorption and use in the body. But, the gut lining should also keep harmful molecules, like toxins and pathogens, from being absorbed.

When the gut lining is compromised, it may become thin, inflamed, too permeable, and unable to regulate which molecules should and should not be crossing into the bloodstream. This is known as impaired intestinal permeability or Leaky Gut Syndrome.

A leaky gut allows large food particles, chemicals, and toxins to actually ‘leak’ into your body where they can wreak havoc! Your immune system then swings into action as it identifies these as foreign invaders and launches an inflammatory attack.

This type of inflammation is different than the heat, swelling, and redness you associate with an injury. That’s acute inflammation and it’s pretty obvious when it’s happening.

Instead, we’re talking constant chronic inflammation that, over the course of longer periods of time, is thought to be the root cause of a lot of diseases.

Gut- Hormone Connections

The “root cause” of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may actually be leaky gut and synthetic hormones are one thing that can damage the lining of the gut.

If you are on the pill, it has been shown that certain forms of synthetic hormones can actually increase your risk of IBS. IBS is characterized by:

  • Diarrhea, constipation, or both
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Stool urgency or frequency

Research has shown that hormonal birth control pills that contain drospirenone (a synthetic form of progesterone) may increase risk of developing IBS.

What do you do If you are on the pill and are experiencing IBS symptoms? First, let’s think about all the factors involved- other than just pill use. A number of things can contribute to poor gut functioning, including:

  • An unhealthy diet, high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and unhealthy fats, like fried foods and trans fats
  • Gluten also contributes to impaired gut lining in those sensitive to it
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Long-term use of prescription and over-the-counter medications- especially NSAIDs, like ibuprofen
  • Antibiotics are used to rid the body of bacterial infections, but unfortunately, they do not discriminate and end up wiping out the population of good bacteria too
  • Stress can also cause inflammation throughout the body, including your gut.

Another interesting gut- hormone connection is recurring pregnancy loss (RPL). Research has shown a correlation between RPL and gut inflammation. Authors of this study concluded:

Diagnosis and treatment of intestinal disorders underlying leaky gut might improve endometrial environment and pregnancy outcome…The occurrence of cross-talk between the gut and the reproductive system may be an intriguing hypothesis that could suggest a possible new approach to a specific group of patients with idiopathic RPL. Evidence supporting a role for the intestinal-endometrial axis in the pathogenesis of early pregnancy complications has being slowly accumulating over the most recent years

The first step in healing the gut is to dial in your nutrition. It’s been well documented that our gut thrives when we follow an anti-inflammatory diet. This includes:

  • Eating a diet rich in whole foods, with a focus on fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fats. The best source of omega-3 fats are nuts, fatty fish, like salmon, and pastured animal products. If you don’t eat fish or grass-fed animal products, it’s important to take a good quality omega-3 supplement.
  • Regularly eating fermented foods, like raw sauerkraut and kombucha, can help boost the number of good bacteria in your gut. Probiotic supplements can also help support the number and balance of bacteria in your gut
  • Bone broth or hydrolyzed collagen supplements may help promote an intact and healthy gut lining.

If you are planning to come off the pill with intention to conceive or have experience recurrent pregnancy loss, following an anti-inflammatory diet with leaky gut support is a great way to get your gut on track and set yourself up for balanced hormones and a healthy pregnancy!

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Are you dreaming of sunshine and warmer months? Sp Are you dreaming of sunshine and warmer months? Spring is a good time to clean out the clutter and make way for summer!

Here are some of the top things that I do seasonally to get ready for spring and summer:
🌻 Make sure I am stocked with non-toxic SPF for face and body. I check the expiration dates and throw away any expired sunscreens. Check out the EWG’s guide to sunscreen which rates the top non-toxic brands and products.
🌻 Check on my supplies of natural allergy support supplements. I love to take nettles, quercetin, and vitamin C when the spring blooms start to help manage itchy eyes and runny nose.
🌻 Think seasonally with produce, opting for fresh berries, more salads, lots of fresh green smoothies, and an overall lighter take on eating. 

How do you modify your wellness routines seasonally? Let me know what you’ll be doing this spring in the comments below.
Your body is talking and will tell you what you ne Your body is talking and will tell you what you need to know. You just need to learn to listen. 💙
Was this helpful? Drop a like and follow for more information on conception and planning.
Do you struggle with an underactive thyroid? 🤔 Do you struggle with an underactive thyroid? 🤔 By making a few habit changes, you can support your thyroid.

Here are a few things that support thyroid hormone production:

🏋️‍♀️ Exercising regularly. It doesn’t need to be anything crazy! Just a few moderate workouts per week that increase your heart rate can make a big difference.
😴 Creating a consistent routine for eating meals, going to sleep, and waking up. Having a regular meal and sleep schedule can reduce stress levels, increase mental sharpness, improve emotional well-being, and increase energy levels.
🧀 Consuming foods high in minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iodine. Nuts, seeds, and seafood all contain these nutrients.
🧘‍♀️ Prioritizing restorative activities that reduce stress - this can be meditation, catching up with friends, or journaling. Restoration looks different for everyone!

The other thing to know is that hormones communicate, so when I work with someone who has hypothyroid, we also address adrenal and sex hormones as well. It’s all interconnected!

Let’s figure out what your hormone picture looks like and address the whole you.
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