How to Choose Foods, Supplements, and Herbs to Replenish Your Gut
In East Asian Medicine there is a strong belief that lifestyle, including diet, determines health. All Acupuncturists are trained in identifying areas of the body that require refinement or slight changes in order to resolve a symptom. If we cannot create significant change with acupuncture alone, we will recommend foods, herbs, exercises and changes to your routines that complement our work.
Eating Well + Seasonal Foods
In basic theory of the acupuncture medical system, seasonal changes are taken very seriously and different approaches and techniques accompany each quarter of the year. For example, now that it is summer and the weather is very hot, eating a cold fruit like a melon is appropriate. However, we would never recommend this food in the winter even though it is available for purchase in stores.
Every body and every health goal is different, the ability to digest some herbs or food groups could be difficult for certain individuals. The attention to individuality is the reason why a wholistic practitioner like an herbalist can be a great advantage for you when working toward a specific goal. If you make the commitment to eat well, you deserve to digest well and it is simply not the case for many people.
Vitamins and Supplements
Eating well is only half the battle; it is what you actually absorb inside your gut that really counts. Any inflammation, hormonal imbalance, or recent illness (especially after taking antibiotics) can cause major disruptions to your gut health that limits your ability to effectively use the foods, supplements, or herbs you consume. Always opt to maximize the availability of what you are hoping to use later inside of your body.
In general, taking a multivitamin helps you regulate based on the recommended daily amount values. Multivitamins are not offered a therapeutic dose. This means that if you are already low in Vitamin C or D for example, you may need to take a little extra than what is included in a multivitamin. Vitamin C is very safe to take in higher doses, in the 2,000mg-4,000mg daily range. Vitamin C, as well as curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric), can help lower overall inflammation in your body.
If you have any inflammation in your gut causing reflux, bloat, swelling, pain, or inappropriate bowel schedule an anti inflammatory approach would be helpful to reduce your symptoms.
Another benefit to remember is that when inflammation decreases absorption in the gut increases.
Another helpful supplement to consider are digestive enzymes, taken with meals, especially rich or restaurant meals. I highly recommend this brand.
In the scope of Herbalism, there are many options that can be tailored to your specific dietary requirements and needs within our clinic. We can prescribe and prepare herbal formulas in the clinic pharmacy and have them delivered to you when filled. Most basic digestive formulas incorporate a combination of mint, fennel, licorice, and aromatic ingredients to help you break down and absorb what you eat more effectively.
You can read more about our pharmacy and what we offer on Transformational Herbal Pharmacy’s website.
About the Author
I combine Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, and a patient-centered approach to help individuals achieve lasting whole-body wellness.
