Started feeling out of balance; fatigue, foggy brain, craving sweets and hungry all the time. Seems like overload of yeast to me. Time for a tune up and cleanse. Read the book “Clean Gut” by A. Junger, MD for inspiration and great recipes.
I went on a 21 day cleanse (not a fast) and got off all trigger foods – carbs (all sweets including fruit) dairy, caffeine (Oh no not my chocolate!), alcohol, grains, soy, gluten, and no starch or beans. I ate green veggies, good fats (avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, and protein such as quinoa (a seed not a grain) and animal protein – lean beef, chicken, and fish). (Specifics in “Clean Gut”).
I hadn’t eaten beef for about 30 years. It tasted really good with sauerkraut on top. I am sure I needed the B12. The last time I tried to eat red meat, I broke out in hives.
Took three antimicrobials for the 21 days:
- Oil of Oregano- Has been traditionally used to help provide nutritive support for healthy digestion for the normal flow of bile and for general healthy colon support. It also will kill everything harmful in your gut (one capsule with breakfast and one with dinner, 150 mg).
- Berberine – This is a powerful antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasite herb that will balance the bad bacteria in your gut that is a bit overgrown and taking its toll on your immune system and endocrine system (one capsule three times a day with a meal – 333mg ). I found these to be constipating, took 2 magnesium before bed to compensate and to relax the whole body.)
- Uva Ursi – This will also kill off the bacteria in the gut that is leading to inflammation. Uva Ursi will also affect the kidney bladder system so it may make you urinate more. (I didn’t get this reaction.)
It is a good idea to take a blend of antimicrobials to help kill off the bacteria. But only take them for three weeks. Then follow up with a probiotic and fermented foods to re-build the good bacteria. Take the probiotic before breakfast and after dinner not with a meal. I also took L-Glutamine (500mg) to help repair the gut wall after finishing up the antimicrobials.
I have been taking food enzymes with every meal when I remember to take them, but I decided to include taking bitters with my meals too. My favorite choice is Gentian.
Breakfast: My meals consisted of a glass of water with lemon as soon as I get up. Then I would meditate for thirty minutes or more. After that my breakfast was a green smoothie. (Same recipe on website but without the fruit. I later added blueberries after cleanse.) I used to eat a poached egg for breakfast every morning. That was the only food that would hold my appetite for more than an hour.
Lunch was the biggest meal: protein (lots of recipes in “Clean Gut”) and large salad or green beans etc., no starch.
Dinner: was again protein and greens, but a bit smaller in size than lunch. Sometimes I would do another smoothie with my dinner foods. I always try to eat an early dinner to give more time for digestion.
The whole idea of the program is to give the digestive system a rest and to get off the trigger foods for just 21 days. It is all based on Eastern and Ayuryedic medicine teachings that the gut is your immune system and second brain.
After that you can slowly go back on them but pay close attention to any uncomfortable physical reactions.
This cleanse helps you strengthen your immune system and emotional/mental system. (See references to this in “Clean Gut”.) Expect help with allergies, autoimmune challenges, inflammation, cardiovascular imbalances, depression, gluten-sensitivity etc……
IN TWO DAYS I WAS FEELING AWESOME!!!
MY HEALTH JUST KEPT GETTING BETTER.
COULDN’T ASK FOR A GREATER GIFT.