Why Gut Health Matters,
The Holistic Approach

In the holistic health world, detoxification of the body is a vital, natural component that is assessed, including the gut health, to determine overall function of the body, and in turn balanced health.

Four Organs of Elimination

There are 4 organs and/or systems of the body that need to be functioning optimally in order for the body to be detoxified properly.

• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Skin
• Colon

The lymphatic system also plays a key role in moving these toxins along. And the liver plays a role in sending the body’s waste and natural toxins to these respective organs for them to do their job.

4 Key Organs and/or Systems of the Body

I believe if we take care of these 4 primary organs and/or systems of the body, restore them back to optimal function, using natural approaches, a lot of the chronic degenerative diseases could fall by the way side.

• Adrenal glands
• Liver
• Brain (as in gut/brain connection)
• Digestive System

The colon is just one organ of the digestive system, and it is the digestive system and its vitalness to our health and well-being that I want to talk about today.

The Truth About the Digestive System

In reclaiming your health, an important aspect to address is bringing your digestive system back into balance. The Greek physician Hippocrates declared, “All disease begins in the gut.”

Our body’s digestion actually starts before food ever even enters our mouths. Think about biting into a bright, juicy, yellow lemon wedge—did your mouth just produce excess saliva? Mine did! The thought of food, the smell of food, even the sound of food cooking starts the digestive process going. Next, our stomach starts breaking that food down, getting it ready for the small intestines to pull out all of the delicious nutrients to feed and build our cells. Seventy percent of your immune system resides in the digestive system.

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The majority of the body’s serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) is in the digestive system as well. The digestive system is where all the body’s vitamins and minerals are reabsorbed and sent off to all the other parts of the body where they are needed for life. And of course, without our large intestine, a lot of the body’s waste would not be eliminated—thank God for this natural “garbage can” He built in us.

What Makes Up the Digestive System?

The main organs are:

• the stomach
• small intestine
• large intestine (also known as the colon)

Other organs that contribute greatly to the digestive process are the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Believe it or not, the appendix has a role as well. When any one of these organs, in part or as a whole, are surgically removed, the body and the digestive system, in particular, are forever compromised. So please, seek out ALL of your less invasive options first before having body parts removed.

What Can Stress Our Digestive System?

All kinds of things can take a toll on our digestive system

• poor diet such as processed foods and sugars
• a stressful lifestyle
• hidden food sensitivities like wheat, dairy, gluten
• lack of proper sleep
• lack of exercise
• parasites
• overuse of antibiotics
• medications
• alcohol
• smoking
• drug use
• and the list goes on.

There are a multitude of health conditions directly and indirectly related to the lowered state of our digestive system:

• Irritable Bowel
• Crohn’s Disease
• Leaky Gut
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Hormone Imbalances
• Mood Disorders
• Skin Conditions
• Cardiovascular Conditions
• Autoimmune Conditions

Other autoimmune conditions are tied directly to a poor functioning digestive system as well. Conditions such as:

• Hashimotos
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Lupus
• Almost all others

Lowered overall immunity is also impacted by a digestive system that is not functioning optimally. Seventy percent of our immune system is in our gut. To sum it up, when any and all of these conditions occur, there is inflammation in the gut. When there is inflammation in the gut, there is inflammation in the brain; and hence becomes a cascade of endless possibilities for poor health and disease. No wonder it is a vital organ to heal and protect.

What Can We Do?

First, be sure to determine where the root cause of your health imbalances lies. Then work towards restoring the body back to good health. Not by masking the symptoms with antacids etc., but using natural approaches.

Sometimes when the body gets over-burdened with toxins, it can benefit with some healthy interventions on our part. Depending on what part is assessed as being out of balance, there are a variety of ways that you can assist your body in detoxifying. Last month I shared my favorite liver detox with you. This month’s featured product is made by Biocidin, and the product is Bioclear a Microbiome Detox program. Learn more about this amazing program under the “Featured Product of the Month.”

Other Considerations

• Other Things you can do to take care of your digestive system is to eat primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, lots of legumes, nuts and seeds, and other fibrous foods.
• Drink plenty of water. All 4 of the organs/systems of elimination must have enough water in order to function optimally, including the colon. If the colon does not have enough water for elimination, you become constipated, meaning all of the toxins that were supposed to be eliminated, are still in you!
• Exercise gets the lymphatic system moving, which helps move the waste and toxins along for elimination.
• Minimize Stress and Get Plenty of Sleep. These two go hand in hand and can wreck havoc on our digestive system if we don’t address both.
• Other Tools could be hydrotherapy, herbal cleanses, acupuncture, and even chiropractic care. Without good nerve supply to the digestive system, it is unable to function optimally.

In Summary

Your digestive health is one of your body’s primary leaders and determiners as to the level of our overall health. It is imperative that we take priority with keeping it healthy. To go deeper on many of the ramifications of an unhealthy digestive system, and how you can restore it back to good health, see my book “Are You Being Deceived About True Wellness?”

To book Dr. Jackie for speaking engagements go to: https://jackiemckool.com/schedule-jackie/

See more of these blogs, in case you missed them, for greater insight to the Truth About Wellness:
“Is Wholistic Health Even an Option for Me?”
“What is True Wholistic Health?”
“How Do I Create a Healthy Balance for My Soul?”