So let’s bring it back to basics so we can actually fully understand what the Microbiome is and what it actually does for us.

What is the Gut Microbiome?

The post 101 Gut Microbiome – A Beginners Guide To Understanding Your Gut. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

It’s my favourite thing to do – transitioning into more grounding and heart-warming foods as the temperatures drop, in order for my body to feel more balanced and nourished with the seasons changing.

That said, if you’re an oatmeal lover, you can easily eat this recipe in full-fledged summer.. I’d even go as far as to say that you can actually eat this for lunch or dinner, seeing it’s savoury & it reminds me a little of a “healthified” risotto in some kind of way.

You guys went bonkers for it, when I posted it on my Instagram Stories the other day, so hopefully you’ll get into your kitchens and try to cook this one of the days coming. Maybe it’s perfect for Sunday? In any case, please do let me know, in the comments below or tag me on Instagram, if you do choose to create this little recipe.

If you’re not a masterchef, don’t fret – this recipe is super easy. All you need to make sure of, is that you stir the oats quite frequently so they don’t burn in the bottom of the pan, otherwise I think you should be all good.

This recipe creates enough oats for a small serving for 4 people – as it can be a little dense and we have toppings, you don’t want too big of a portion to weigh you down, especially if you have it for breakfast.

However, it’s easier for your gut to break down the oats, because we’ve soaked it overnight and rinsed them before cooking.

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, sugar free and can be made vegan without the egg.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of soaked-overnight & rinsed steel-cut oats (make sure they’re gluten free)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of coconut-milk (or any milk you prefer)
• 1 grated zucchini
• 3/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 50g vegan parmesan cheese (I used Alternative Dairy Co – but you can use real parmesan, too)
• Salt & pepper to taste (you need a bit more salt than usual for this)
• Hemp Oil (I used Hemple)
• 2 cups of fresh spinach
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 avocado, quartered
• 4 eggs
• Hemp seeds
• Pepitas

Directions:

1. Heat a medium pot on medium-high heat. Add the oats, water & coconut-milk. Wait for it to start to slightly boil.
2. Add the grated zucchini, turmeric, garlic powder & salt/pepper and stir.
3. By now, you would’ve been stirring for about 6-8 minutes.
4. Add the vegan parmesan cheese & hemp oil and keep stirring. Taste with extra salt/pepper as needed.
5. Turn it down to a low heat, and keep stirring. Getting it to the right texture – slightly moist, but not runny or dry. You want a medium firmness of the overall oats.
6. Grab a pan and heat it to a high. Add a bit of olive oil and the minced garlic. Add the spinach to the pan and wilt it for a few seconds, turning the oil and garlic into it. Take off and put on a seperate plate.
7. On the same pan, crack & add the 4 eggs and turn them into fried eggs.
8. Arrange the oats in 4 bowls, divide the wilted spinach among the 4 bowls, add an egg to each bowl along with a quarter of avocado as well. Decorate with hemp seeds & pepitas and you’re ready to eat.
9. You can even drizzle with a bit of hemp oil and add salt/pepper if it needs more.

FIND MORE OF MY RECIPES HERE

The post Savoury Turmeric & Zucchini Steel-Cut Oats. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

Seeing we’re now mid-way through May, I wanted to update you all on my Gut Health Journey so far. You can read about my beginning right here if you haven’t read it already.

For the last 6 months I’ve focused on healing my gut the natural way. I could take the ‘easy’ way out and go on antibiotics to ‘kill’ the bad bacteria in my stomach, but western medicine and treatment are part of the reasons as to why my gut has been ruined in the first place, so it hasn’t been an option I’d like to take.

My motto has been “Food is Medicine” and in the last few months I’ve really realised how true this is. Coming from a past of disordered eating, this has really helped me understand even further that what we put in and on our bodies plays a massive role in how we feel – emotionally, psychologically and physically.

Through this journey, I’ve been confirmed even further in the fact that the gut is the epicentre of our overall health and wellbeing. Everything originates from there, and chances are, if you have anything wrong with you, whether it’d be eczema, psoriasis, cystic acne, hormonal imbalances, mood swings, PMS, arthritis etc., there will be a link back to you gut microbiome and the state it’s in.

My first step has been an elimination diet to starve the bad bacteria in my gut and introduce foods that would promote good bacteria + a 500 billion/day prescribed probiotics treatment. Again, you can read more about that here.

I was following this diet strictly for 8 weeks. Which, in the beginning was easier than what it became. As I wasn’t ‘allowed’ starchy vegetables, grains, dairy, gluten, fructose (fruit) or any sugar at all, it made it very hard to be social and eat out. As you all know, I’m a huge foodie and I eat out multiple times a week. I did find myself retracting quite a lot, and so I discussed these symptoms with my Nutritionist Katherine Hay to come up with a solution that would work for me and my gut, but without being so compromised.

It was important for me to catch this early, as I do come from a disordered eating past and it can still play mind-tricks on me from time to time.

Instead we agreed on that a little bit here and there was better than ruling it out completely for my mental health. It just meant that my gut-healing would take a little longer, but in the overall grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter.

I genuinely cannot express how amazing I felt on this ‘diet’. Cutting down on starchy vegetables, grains & bread (in particular), sugar and fructose made me feel a million bucks. I also quickly realised how addicted I was to sugar and this would go for most people. Without the bread and grains and heavy carbs my energy levels would rise and I wouldn’t feel so sluggish and tired like I used to.

I want to summarise really efficiently what I’ve focused on the last few months:

• Eating a varied, mainly, plantbased diet with the addition of fresh fish & sometimes chicken.
• Keeping starchy vegetables to a minimum and only having grains once or twice a week. Best options for me is quinoa, a bit of brown rice, and sprouted bread.
• I’ve had a bit of fruit here and there and have tried to keep it at berries, pineapple and low-fructose fruits.
• No gluten and dairy – if I have this, I can feel it the next day instantly. I’m either on the toilet all the time or I can’t go at all.
• Taking the right strain of probiotics is so important for your gut. If you take the wrong one, you could add fuel to the fire if that’s the wrong strain for your gut health.
• Supplementing is necessary for healing. I can’t rely on food only although it’s my approach. Natural supplementing has to take place and in the right manner in order for my gut to heal and function properly.
• Current supplementing includes: Calcium D-Glucarate, Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics, Zinc, GI Powder, Collagen, Adaptogens, Medicinal Mushrooms.
• Topical Magnesium from Abundant Natural Health has been a lifesaver when I’ve been bloated or had stomach cramps & pains. It’s also helped rebuild my gut-lining, making it stronger when it’s come to viruses and bad bacteria. I’ve been using the Gel, Spray & now Bath Soap Bar that is so convenient and easy to carry with me.
• Aloe Vera Juice is amazing for soothing the stomach if I have a stomach-ache.
• Stress is a massive culprit in my life and I know when I let stress get to me, my gut suffers, so remembering my self-care routines like meditation, time alone, walks in nature, cuddles with my dog Archie, intimacy with Pash and so on, is really important for my presence and mindset.

I’m doing another assessment round with Katherine Hay (clinical nutritionist) soon to see what we now need to focus on.

As I’m currently sick with the flu & a chest-infection, I’ve had to succumb to antibiotics as it just wouldn’t budge for 2,5 weeks. Because I’m doing antibiotics and they kill everything in you (unfortunately it doesn’t just pick the bad bacteria), I’m doing another round of the intensive 14-day 500 billion strain probiotics treatment to help my gut recover from the antibiotics.

For me, my goal this year is to continue working on my gut-health, I’ve just started studying Health & Nutrition and am excited about helping others heal. Another goal of mine is also to keep challenging my thoughts and ideas around food and clean out in old thought-patterns around diets and health.

I am so passionate about gut-health and helping others feel their very best selves. I know, from my own journey, that it’s not easy figuring out what’s wrong with yourself and sometimes you wonder if it’s all in your head.

I’m telling you this; it’s not all in your head and if you are questioning your health and if you’re feeling okay, chances are you are not. Don’t delay seeing someone about this, because a happy gut is a happy body.

The average Australian sees about 8-10 specialists and spends thousands of dollars before they’re diagnosed. I know this and my friend and clinical Nutritionist Katherine Hay knows this, so to help you in your journey and getting to the bottom of the root-cause of your health issues, we’ve created a GUT HEALTH EVENT that’ we’d love for your to come along to.

It will be a very informative & intimate 2 hours with Katherine & myself, so that you can walk away feeling supported and knowing how to tackle your gut-health issues moving forward.

We also have an amazing goodie-bag lined up for you worth over $350.

You can get your tickets here

The post My Gut Health Journey Halfway Through 2019. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

The mushrooms I’m talking about, are those of the safe kind & well-studied – also known as Medicinal Mushrooms.

These mushrooms are a special group of mushrooms which have incredible healing qualities. Out of an estimated 5.1 million species of mushroom, 270 species are classified as having medicinal qualities.

Medicinal mushrooms aren’t just another superfood fad, their use extend way back to the Han Dynasty in China. From the performance-enhancing cordyceps to immunity-boosting chaga, each medicinal mushroom brings a unique combination of healing compounds unlike anything else found on earth that can have an incredible beneficial impact on your health.

Personally, I’ve gone in and out with trialling mushrooms over the last few years. I especially incorporate many more when I’m in LA, simply because I feel that quality-mushrooms are easier to buy, as opposed to in Australia, however, that said, a few brands in Australia are really starting to add to the market. I’ll outline those later, so that you can check them out if you’re interested in incorporating ‘shrooms’ into your everyday health-diet.

While much attention in recent years has focused on various immunological and anti-cancer properties of certain mushrooms, they also offer other potentially important health benefits, including antioxidants, anti-hypertensive and cholesterol-lowering properties, liver protection, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties.

If you’ve been using adaptogens, you can sort of compare mushrooms to this.

So, to make this as underwhelming as possible, as I know a new area quickly can take overhand, below is a brief description of the most popular medicinal mushrooms & their benefits:

Lion’s Mane:

Feeling a little foggy or slow? Lion’s mane is most often studied for its benefits on cognitive functions, with new studies pointing to its powerful abilities when used by people who have Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. But it’s also great for gut health! Consuming Lion’s mane regularly can help support digestive health and the circulatory system.

Lion’s Mane can help with:

• Mental Clarity
• Brain Fog
• Concentration
• Promotes Digestion
• Protects GI-tract against environmental toxins

Shiitake:

These mushrooms are particularly good for the heart. Shiitakes contain compounds that inhibit the absorption and production of cholesterol in the liver. These nifty shrooms also contain phytonutrients, which aid in preventing plaque buildup and, as shown in a rat study, maintain healthy blood pressure and circulation.

Shiitake can help with;

• Boosting Immune System
• Cardiovascular System
• Lowering Cholesterol
• Heart Health
• Blood Pressure & Circulation
• Liver Function
• Antioxidant Defences

Reishi:

In Ancient Chinese medicine Reishi is referred to as the “spirit herb”, known for its ability to improve mind, body and spirit. Reishi is also known as the mushroom of long life. The Reishi mushroom contains several bioactive compounds. These compounds include specific polysaccharides, with triterpene being one of the active polysaccharide compounds of Reishi mushroom. It possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic and hypolipidemic properties. Triterpenes from Reishi are associated with cancer cell death as well. Reishi is also associated with toning the blood, reducing phlegm, eradicating coughing and wheezing, strengthening the visceral organs, and promoting restful sleep.

Reishi can help with:

• Boost Digestion
• Boost Immune Function
• Calming, Restful Sleep
• Reduce Anxiety, Depression & Paranoia
• Increase Oxygenation of Cells

Chaga:

Chaga has been used by traditional cultures for its health benefits, for hundreds of years.

This mushroom presents as a hardened, blackened, crusty formation, with the appearance of a bursting tumor on the trunk of a birch tree. Chaga’s most important components, betulinic acid and melano-glucan complexes are derived from the bark of the birch trees the fungus grows on. Chaga is traditionally used as a tea and has been shown to prevent and treat cancer, support the immune system, is anti-viral and reduces inflammation. For those of you that want to fight disease and continue to look and feel young (yes please!) this mushroom is for you

Chaga can help with:

• Mental Health
• Boosting Energy
• Detoxification
• Regulating Blood Sugar
• Strengthening the Heart
• Boost Digestion
• Works as a probiotic
• Immunity

Cordyceps:

Cordyceps fight free radicals (compounds that cause damage to cells and DNA in the body), infection and inflammation. They also help with fighting stress and fatigue. They’re great for those of us with a busy lifestyle – if you workout regularly or are always on the go and maybe feeling a little worn out, cordyceps is for you.

The main health benefit from cordyceps is increased energy because they help to deliver oxygen to the body at a cellular level. Due to their ability to increase metabolic efficiency, many athletes utilise cordyceps for increased efficiency of energy metabolism.

Cordyceps can help with:

• Boosting Energy
• Low Libido
• Anti-Fatigue
• Kidney Function Improvement
• Adrenal Health
• Immune Defence
• Increased Oxygen to Cells

Turkey Tail:

Turkey tail mushroom is best known to stimulate immune function and reduce inflammation. It has a long history of use in Asia among practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, who used formulations of turkey tail to promote general health, strength and longevity.

It’s been used as early as the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty in China. The Japanese, who reference it as kawaritake or “cloud mushrooms” due to an image of swirling clouds, have been well aware of the benefits of this super, power-filled mushroom, with researchers noting its health benefits, particularly in boosting the immune system. In fact, the cloud-like image symbolises “longevity and health, spiritual attunement and infinity” to these Asian cultures.

Turkey tail is high in the protein-bound polysaccharides PSK and PSP, which is thought to explain its ability to elevate both surface and core immunity against dangerous pathogens

Turkey Tail can help with:

• Prevent & Treat Common Cold & Flu
• May help combat cancer (consult with your Specialist)
• Boosting Qi (chi)
• Supports Bone Health
• Improves Gut Health
• Stress Management
• Liver Function

It’s easy to incorporate these mushrooms into your diet. They normally come in powder or liquid form – don’t worry, you won’t be chewing on a mushroom as per say :)

I like to have mine throughout the day, usually in warm tonics like coffee or a hot cacao, because it’s another way to also help me to sit down and take a ‘breather’. You can even add them in smoothies, on your cereal, in your porridge, soups, stews or sprinkle on salads. The ideas are endless.

Below are some brands for you to check-out if you’re wanting to try medicinal mushrooms:

• Lifecykel
• Superfeast
• Orchard Street
• Shoku Iku
• Four Sigmatic

Hope you’ll love incorporating medicinal mushrooms as much as I do

Anna xx

The post The Healing Power of Medicinal Mushrooms appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

I’m so sorry I haven’t been putting out much new content this week on the blog, but it’s been a crazy busy week for me, all good things though, but it’s meant that I haven’t had much time to actually sit down to write for all of you.

However, today, I’m dedicating to getting at least one article out, which will be this one on my favourite supplements that I’m currently lusting & loving for my body and, in particular, gut-health. It’s so requested, so I thought I’d actually give you all a collective overview of what I’m taking for my health, currently.

I love supplements, and I believe they’re a vital part of my health-regime in overcoming my gut-health issues. Although supplements can never outdo a bad diet, they are incredibly powerful if you incorporate them alongside a tailored, balanced & healthy diet that’s suitable for you and your internal gut-health.

Let’s get right into it..

Calcium D-Glucarate 500mg:

Calcium D-Glucarate is the calcium form of D-glucaric acid, a substance produced naturally in small amounts in the body. Glucaric acid is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Scientific studies have found that Calcium D-Glucarate can facilitate complete detoxification and elimination of certain metabolic waste products and environmental compounds from the body. By supporting the body’s natural cleansing mechanisms, Calcium D-Glucarate may help to maintain normal cellular function and promote liver, prostate, and breast health.

I take this because I have an enormous amount of excess oestrogen in my gut (shown through testing). Calcium D-Glucarate (3 x day) helps to metabolise this oestrogen and discard it from my body so that normal hormonal-levels can eventually be restored in my gut.

Digestive Enzymes:

All enzymes are catalysts that enable molecules to be changed from one form into another. The digestive enzymes definition is “enzymes that are used in the digestive system.” These enzymes help break down large macromolecules found in the foods we eat into smaller molecules that our guts are capable of absorbing, therefore supporting gut health and making sure the nutrients are delivered to the body.

Digestive enzymes are split into three classes: proteolytic enzymes that are needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates.

How do digestive enzymes work? Digestion is a complex process that first begins when you chew food, which releases enzymes in your saliva. Most of the work happens thanks to gastrointestinal fluids that contain digestive enzymes, which act on certain nutrients (fats, carbs or proteins). We make specific digestive enzymes to help with absorption of different types of foods we eat. In other words, we make carbohydrate-specific, protein-specific and fat-specific enzymes.

Digestive enzymes aren’t just beneficial — they’re essential. They turn complex foods into smaller compounds, including amino acids, fatty acids, cholesterol & simple sugars. Enzymes are synthesised and secreted in different parts of your digestive tract, including your mouth, stomach and pancreas.

I take enzymes 3 x daily. Morning, lunch & dinner after each meal.

Probiotics:

Probiotics are bacteria that line your digestive tract and support your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and fight infection. Your body contains about the same number of gut bacteria molecules as it does cells for the rest of your body, so it’s no wonder your gut is so important to your health.

Your skin and digestive system alone host about 2,000 different types of bacteria. Probiotics benefits have been proven effective in supporting immune function, reducing inflammation, promoting healthy digestion, as well as maintaining beautiful skin, especially when combined with prebiotics.

Your good gut bacteria is also responsible for:

• Producing vitamin B12, butyrate and vitamin K2
• Crowding out bad microbes
• Creating enzymes that destroy harmful bacteria
• Supporting immune function

Probiotics are in our systems from the moments we are born. When a newborn is in the birth canal of the mother during delivery, the baby is exposed to the bacteria of his or her mother for the first time. This event starts a chain of events inside the baby’s gastrointestinal tract, and the infant’s GI tract starts to produce good bacteria.

Nearly everyone can benefit from probiotic supplements, but they can be especially beneficial for those who aren’t getting at least a few servings of fermented foods in their diet. Additionally, those with an autoimmune disease, digestive issues or other health problems may also want to consider investing in a high-quality probiotic supplement.

Probiotic dosage is measured in “colony forming units,” or CFUs. Guidance lines says to aim for at least 5–10 billion CFUs per day for children and 10–20 billion CFUs each day for adults. However, the recommended dosage may vary based on individual health concerns, so discuss with your health professional for personalised guidance as needed.

I take a good quality probiotic supplement every night before bed.

Zinc:

Zinc, which is actually a type of metal, is an essential trace element. Zinc is needed in small amounts every day in order to maintain health and perform important functions each day. Zinc benefits the body in many ways: helps with hormone production, growth and repairmen; improves immunity and facilitates digestion.

Zinc benefits also include its ability to act as an anti-inflammatory agent, therefore zinc may have significant therapeutic benefits for several common, chronic diseases.

Zinc is actually present within all bodily tissue and needed for healthy cell division. It acts like an antioxidant within the body, fighting free-radical damage and slow the ageing process. Zinc also has a big impact on hormonal balance, so for this reason, even a small zinc deficiency can result in hormonal complications, especially for women.

Without enough zinc present in your diet, it’s possible to experience negative reactions like frequently getting sick, feeling like you’re always tired and run down, poor concentration, stunted growth, and the inability to heal wounds.

You can find zinc through many foods, but you can also supplement with a good quality zinc-supplement to help you reach your advised zinc-levels everyday.

Gastrointestinal Lining Support:

The primary purpose of the gastrointestinal tract is to break food down into nutrients, which can be absorbed into the body to provide energy. Firstly, food must be ingested into the mouth to be mechanically processed and moistened. Secondly, digestion occurs mainly in the stomach and small intestine where proteins, fats and carbohydrates are chemically broken down into their basic building blocks. Smaller molecules are then absorbed across the epithelium of the small intestine and subsequently enter the circulation. The large intestine plays a key role in reabsorbing excess water.

In the case of gastrointestinal disease or disorders, these functions of the gastrointestinal tract are not achieved successfully. Gastrointestinal problems are very common and most people will have experienced some of the above symptoms several times throughout their lives.

Therefore a healthy gastrointestinal lining is essential for proper digestion, immune function, and overall health.

I take a GI-Support Supplement 2 x daily.

Collagen:

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. Collagen benefits are so striking because this protein is what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. When it comes to our joints and tendons, in simplest terms, it’s the “glue” that helps hold the body together.

Collagen is often referred to as a “complex protein,” which is not surprising considering it contains 19 different amino acids. These include a mix of both nonessential (also called conditional) and essential types. Collagen is a particularly great way to get more conditional amino acids, like arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline.

Collagen is composed of three chains. Proline and glycine are the primary types of amino acids found in collagen chains. Both proline and glycine are two important amino acids that aren’t abundant in animal meats, which is where most people eating a “Western diet” get the majority of their protein from. This means that people are lacking these amino acids in their diets — since they regularly avoid eating some of the natural sources.

Nonessential amino acids are actually pretty important. Under normal circumstances they’re produced by your body. However, when you’re sick, under a lot of physical or emotional stress, or otherwise unhealthy, your body may not be able to produce enough of these amino acids on its own. The body then needs help from outside sources, mainly your diet or supplements, to get its fill.

The biggest digestive benefit of consuming more collagen is that it helps form connective tissue and therefore “seals and heals” the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Poor gut health — including changes in the gut microbiome and permeability in the gut lining — allows particles to pass into the bloodstream where they can kick off an inflammatory cascade & lead to gut-problems.

Adaptogens:

Adaptogens enclose a wide variety of different natural medicines from all corners of the globe that have a few things in common: They are safe and they have a balancing effect on something called the hypothalamic-pituitary-endocrine axis. This is the delicate balance between your brain and hormone system.

Your brain-adrenal axis, brain-thyroid and brain-gonadal axis (I know, huge words!) are needed to work in perfect harmony for a healthy mood, metabolism, energy, immune system, and sex drive. When your HP axis is imbalanced it leads to hormone problems like adrenal fatigue, thyroid problems, and low to no libido at all. All the things that aren’t fun..

This is where the power of adaptogens comes in handy. While they all have a hormone-balancing quality to them, they all have their own unique strengths as well. The inhabitants of the adaptogen world work brilliantly by themselves or in synergy with other complementary adaptogens. You can mix these into your morning coffee, make a caffeine-free tonic, or blend them into your daily smoothie – whatever takes your fancy.

Adaptogens I use:

Mucuna Pruriens: This bean extract is packed with L-DOPA, which is the precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Great to lower stress, but also to support your ‘happy hormones’.

Ashwagandha: Since it has the ability to regulate cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, this is a powerful tool to have on hand.

Chaga: This superfood mushroom is loaded with antioxidants that help fight free radicals to keep skin youthful.

Maca: absolutely amazing for an instant energy-boost and very accessible. Fits great into a smoothie.

He Shou Wu: This herb helps to increase sex drive in those with low libidos.

Holy Basil (Tulsi): Start incorporating this into your wellness routine if you struggle with brain fog, as it works to increase cognitive function. One reason holy basil may be effective in improving stress response is the presence of three phytochemical compounds. The first two, ocimumosides A and B, have been identified as anti-stress compounds and may lower blood corticosterone (another stress hormone) and create positive alterations in the neurotransmitter system of the brain. The third is also able to lower stress-parameters.

Lion’s Mane: The nerve growth factors (NGFs) found in this mushroom can help regenerate and protect brain tissue.

Licorice Root: Licorice root can increase energy and endurance, plus help boost the immune system. It may affect blood pressure and potassium levels, so traditional licorice root is typically recommended in cycles of 12 weeks, although this isn’t the case when taking DGL licorice, which is considered safe for long-term use.

Be careful taking adaptogens, however, as they are very potent and strong, although they don’t look of much in their powder-form, they pack a punch!

Read more about Natural Remedies For Soothing & Preventing
Stomach Cramps, Bloating & Abdominal Pain.

Anna xx

The post The Natural Supplements I’m Currently Using To Restore My Digestion & Gut-Health appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

Everything in your body is linked, and your gut has a huge influence on your health. I think we’ve established this already?

If you are new to following me, then you might not know that I’ve been dealing with poor health and, gut-health in particular, for about 14 years. I’m now on the road to recovery and continuing to unveil & discover more as to why I’ve been feeling & acting a certain way for years, due to the destroyed natural flora in my microbiome by doing much more testing and working together with dedicated gut-health specialists.

You can read more about that here..

The Brain-Gut Connection:

Your gut is not only responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food, but everything, really. Incredibly, your gut has neural tissue and neurotransmitters in the gut-lining-walls, that make and release hormones such as serotonin (happy hormone). Your gut microbiome is just as fascinating: the colony of bacteria cells that live in your colon actually outnumber the entirety of your human cells by 10 times.

Your gut and brain communicate in two main ways:

• Through the vagus nerve – it’s the longest nerve in your body, extending from skull to your stomach. The vagus nerve is communicates both sensory information and movement commands. As it lines such a large section of your body, the vagus nerve has many functions, including the stimulation of the muscles in your heart to make it beat. But the vagus nerve also stimulates the movement of your gut in order to digest food.
  Your gut also uses the vagus nerve to send information up to your brain. The brainstem of the vagus nerve interacts with your hypothalamus and limbic system which then controls the regulation of your emotions. This is why there are studies done on anxiety & depression being higher in people with gut-health issues.

• Through hormones. Your gut microbiome also has a say in triggering the release of hormones or producing them. The bacteria can communicate with your nervous system, and certain types affect your production of serotonin. By reducing your serotonin levels, the gut bacteria can interfere with your sleep. Your brain and your guts can enter a vicious circle when it comes to sleep, as poor sleep can have a bad effect on your gut health.

As you can see, the gut-brain-sleep connection goes both ways. If you have a few days of bad sleep it will ultimately start to impact your gut-health and, if continuous, spread to your overall health. Likewise, if you’re dealing with poor gut-health you might find that your sleep is lacking as well. This can be the start of a never-ending cycle that will only continue to worsen unless you become aware of it and take action.

How to improve your gut-health & sleep:

1. Eat foods that support a healthy microbiome & aids in the production of melatonin (the hormone that helps us fall asleep:

What to eat: Walnuts & almonds, green leafy vegetables, fish & seafood, variety of good fats, bone broth, Vitamin D supplement
What to avoid: refined sugars, caffeine, dark chocolate (because of the caffeine), heavy & greasy food, alcohol.

In order for us to produce melatonin, we have to produce serotonin which is an important building-block in melatonin itself. And as we’ve learnt, serotonin is the ‘feel-good’ hormone that is also produced in the gut. It’s all linked.

2. Regulate your circadian rhythm:

As humans, we work on an internal body-clock. This clock or righteously, Circadian Rhythm, is what determines our sleep, wake-up times, when we eat and even our cognitive skills (memory, orientation, attention etc.).

Interestingly, research is now beginning to show that our microbiome has a cycle of its own, which is generally synced up with our circadian rhythms. Disruptions in our own rhythm, in turn, affect the rhythm of our microbiome. This can impact the balance of our microbial friends and cause gut disturbances.

What to do:

– Shut off your TV & Phone at least an hour before bed. The light from the screen of your computer, tablet or phone is blue spectrum light, and it’s particularly dangerous because it tells the brain to stop producing melatonin.

– Create a peaceful bedroom where you can relax and rewind. Keep phones out of the bedroom if you’re one of those who have a hard time letting it go, and sleep with only light blinds so that the sun can naturally wake you up as it rises.

– Use the help of lavender – either fresh or as an aromatic oil – to make you feel relaxed. Or have a warm tonic of some relaxing Ashwaghanda or Holy Basil (adaptogens) to help you de-stress before bedtime. Chamomile-tea will do the trick too.

3. Relax your stressed brain & gut:

Chances are you’re a bit of a stress-head, but then again, who isn’t in this day & age we live in? It’s sometimes hard to get it all done, and as emotional beings, we take a lot of stresses home with us.

What to do:

– Have a magnesium bath & use magnesium gel to help you relax. Magnesium is absorbed much more efficiently through the skin than taking it orally, so combining a magnesium bath + a magnesium spray afterward on your gut can really do wonders for a good sleep.

– Write down your worries & concerns and then leave them in your diary. Ask yourself; will this really matter if I don’t deal with it right now? Alternatively ask yourself; will this really matter or have an impact on me in 1, 3, 5 years time? We tend to get too caught up in the moment, so take a breath and realise that (most) things aren’t as important as we make them out to be in our heads.

– Go for a light walk around the block after dinner. It can really help your mind to connect with nature but it will also help your digestion to move a bit around before bed-time. If we eat too much and our digestion is a bit sluggish, sleeping with an overfull tummy won’t help our sleep. So, if you can, walk barefoot around the block, and give yourself time to breathe.

– Have an evening-meditation, breathing exercise or stretch. Sitting in stillness and/or stretching your body lightly before bedtime can help reduce stress and bring your heart-rate down enormously. Incorporating a few yin-poses before bedtime can even help signal to your brain that it’s time to hit the ZzZz-button.

Happy Snoozing xx

The post Why Sleep & Gut-Health Impacts Each Other + Tips To Improve Both. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

A lot of you have frequently asked me what I’m eating on this Gut-Health Diet I’ve been on for 2,5 weeks now, so I thought I’d share a collective look into my ‘Day On A Plate‘, but just the Gut-Health Version.

Remember that I’m working together with a qualified Clinical Nutritionist & Gut-Health Specialist on this, so if you are experiencing gut-health issues or other health issues, then I suggest you liaise with a professional first and draw inspiration from this.

Morning:

As I wake up I start my day with Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar + 1/2 Fresh Lemon + Water & drink that before heading off to training. With me I bring a 500ml water bottle with 15ml Chlorophyll.

Breakfast is by far my favourite meal of the day, and I enjoy cooking it at home.

For breakfast I have:

• 2 free-range eggs fried in coconut oil. (If your stomach is really sensitive try to cook the white completely)
• Steamed veggies seasoned w/ salt&pepper, turmeric, flaxseed oil & pepitas/hemp seeds (zucchini, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, green beans)
• 1/2 avocado
• 3 roasted cherry tomatoes
• Small pieces of smoked salmon-fillet
• 1 tsp Hummus (some tummies might not like this, so be careful)

This breakfast will keep me full for about 3-4 hours, but we’re all different, so please eat when you’re hungry. Some days I’ll eat more, some days less. My aim is to eat mindfully and intuitively.

After my breakfast I have my Calcium-D-glucarate + Glutagenics + Enzymes.

Lunch:

For lunch I like to keep the majority of my plate full of vegetables and normally without animal-protein, however sometimes I do have some tinned salmon if I feel like it.

Again, I’ll try to focus on the good vegetables that I can have – I cannot have starchy vegetables or grains at the moment, so I fill up on cruciferous veggies a lot which I adore.

I like to make a stirfry of:

• 1/2 zucchini, sliced
• 3 florets of broccoli
• 3 florets of cauliflower
• 2 mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 red capsicum, sliced
• 1/4 cup of red cabbage, sliced
• 1/4 cup of white cabbage, sliced
• 3 stalks of kale, torn
• 5 snowpeas, sliced
• Homemade Guacamole or Avocado
• Sesame Oil & Sesame Seeds
• Spices of choice
• Salt & Pepper
• Coconut Oil
• Lemon

Just add coconut-oil to a hot pan and stirfry it all until soft, but with a bite to it. Add your preferred herbs; I like turmeric for anti-inflammatory properties & fennel-seeds. Add to a bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds, sesame oil, add avocado & lemon.

After this I’ll have another round of Calcium-D-glucarate + Enzymes.

Afternoon:

This is normally when my cravings set-in for something sweet or hearty. As I am also trying my best to cut out sugar & fructose I’m a little bit limited, however that said, if I really crave it, I’ll have something like Pineapple, an apple or a piece of 100% raw Cacao which you can get from a good health-food shop (make sure they don’t add fruit-sweetener or anything artificial)

I also like to take myself up to Orchard Street and treat myself for a cup of Raw Cacao + Espresso tonic with some herbs that’ll be made on homemade cashew & coconut milk (without any sweetener).

Sometimes I’ll make a raw cacao at home, myself. All you need is 1/2 cup of nutmilk, 1/2 cup of boiling water, 1 tbsp raw cacao, liquid stevia & 1/2 tsp maca. Heat the milk and add to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients and blend on high for 5 seconds. It’ll be nice, creamy & thick. Perfect treat to enjoy.

Night:

For dinner I keep it simple again. This diet is really about dialling it back to basics. It’s about cutting out processed & shelf-stable items that just aren’t fresh and in a whole-foods format.

I normally cook up a stirfry again or make a green salad with a piece of crispy-skin salmon or crispy-skin barramundi. I always buy fresh fish from the fish-butcher and I always buy it on the day I’ll eat it. I can also have something like tempeh, tofu, chicken or meat, but I don’t really like meat & chicken much, so I stick to fish or plant-based meals all together.

That said, I do like a bolognese sometimes, so the other night I cooked Pash and I a bolognese and made zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti as I can’t have gluten, starches or grain as I mentioned before. I am also completely dairy-free.

I always make sure I have good fats for dinner as well as I find myself being more satisfied and I sleep better without feeling heavy.

Notes:

• I add ACV to most of my meals and splash it on top of food as it helps to my digestive system break down the fibre easier.
• For snacks I also have lots of nut-butters, nuts and tahini.
• I completely avoid eating raw vegetables as its too harsh for my digestion.
• I drink chlorophyll throughout the day
• I enjoy teas like Earl Grey, Peppermint, Chamomile, Licorice etc.
• I’ve started having a tiny bit of starches like 1/4 cup of sweet potato or cooked quinoa if I really crave it.
• I incorporate lots of bitter vegetables to encourage hydrochloric acid production (stomach acid) to help breakdown the food I’m are eating for proper digestion and absorption.

You can read more about my Gut-Health Supplements here & about my ACV Ritual here.

Love, Anna xx

The post My Day On A Plate – Gut-Health Reset Version. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

Apple cider vinegar is a fermented liquid made mostly of apple juice. Most people don’t know how wonderful vinegar is. Its cleansing properties are known to aid digestion by stimulating the flow of enzymes and saliva in the mouth. It’s used to reduce inflammation & detoxify. Yeast is added to turn the fruit sugar in the apple juice into alcohol, which is what is known as fermentation. The bacteria in the alcohol then becomes acetic acid, which gives the vinegar its strong smell and sour taste & makes it full of raw enzymes, potassium & nutrients.

It’s an incredible supplement to incorporate into your diet if you’re suffering from digestive issues & are trying to restore your gut back to a balanced level of bacteria in your microbiome.

Just make sure you buy the Raw Unfiltered ‘With The Mother’ Apple Cider Vinegars as otherwise you wont reap the benefits.

Let’s take a look at some of the Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar:

1. Keep a healthy pH balance in the body for proper digestion and function. Homeostasis or proper equilibrium is what the body is constantly working on to keep everything just right, ACV helps allow the body to do this.
   This process takes most of its energy during digestion and other processes in the body
2. Low stomach acid is a common contributor to SIBO and heartburn. SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, looks a lot like irritable bowel syndrome, and may occur alongside of it.
   A dilution of apple cider vinegar before a meal helps relieve these symptoms by increasing the acidity in your stomach. Apple cider vinegar also contains prebiotics — indigestible carbs that help balance your gut microbiome and keep bad guys like H. pylori in check.
3. Acetic acid can increase your ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium from your food. This is especially beneficial when your nutrients come from whole foods. Reap this benefit by adding vinegar to your meal or sipping an apple cider vinegar tonic.
4. Because of its antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar makes an effective home remedy for sore throats.
   Sipping or gargling a diluted ACV tonic can help relieve pain, but make sure to rinse your mouth with water to protect your tooth enamel as it’s pretty harsh on teeth otherwise.
5. The ability of ACV to help maintain normal blood sugar is actually one of the most well-studied apple cider vinegar benefits. ACV may also increase insulin sensitivity. Insulin is the hormone responsible for transporting sugar from the blood to the tissues where it can be used as fuel. Sustaining high levels of insulin can cause insulin resistance, which reduces its effectiveness and can lead to high blood sugar and diabetes.
6. ACV doesn’t just help with your internal health; ACV has also been shown to treat acne and reduce scarring. Certain strains of bacteria often contribute to the development of acne.
   Vinegar is well-known for its antibacterial properties and has been shown to be effective against many strains of harmful bacteria.
   ACV also contains specific components like acetic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid and citric acid, all of which have been shown to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, the specific strain of bacteria responsible for causing acne.
7. ACV works to detoxify your liver for better overall health and bodily functions. Also, it helps build a healthy lymphatic system that nurtures proper circulation of lymph. This is the body’s garbage disposal.

How do I take ACV?

There are so many ways, but how I like to take it, is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to help with upping my stomach acid production and help with my digestive system for the day ahead.

It’s very easy, all you have to do is dilute 1 tbsp ACV with 50ml of hot water & 1/2 squeezed lemon. Sip on it with a straw to protect your enamel, and rinse your mouth with water after you’ve finished.

You can also add it to your stir-fried veggies, salads or meals to help breaking down the nutrients more efficiently as ACV contains raw enzymes. It’ll help take the heavy load off your digestive system, especially if you’re finding it hard for your body to process whole foods or are in the midst of healing your gut.

Read more about Natural Remedies for Bloating & Stomach Cramps here.

The post Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits & Why You Should Take It Daily. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

Today, I want to share more about BLOATING, STOMACH CRAMPS & PAINS stemming from a poor gut and what you can do to help ease these symptoms by using natural remedies because, as you’d know by now, I’m not much into non-natural products, however in some areas, of course, it serves its time & place in some cases (western medicine).

But, for now, please stop reaching out for the painkillers and read this post if you want help with healing your gut naturally and gently.

So, let’s dive into it.

1. Heat-Packs:

When heat over 40 degrees is applied to the skin, heat receptors deeper down, where the pain is, are switched on. The heat receptors in turn block the effect of chemical messengers that cause pain to be detected by the body.

The heat doesn’t just provide comfort and have a placebo effect – it actually deactivates the pain at a molecular level in much the same way as pharmaceutical painkillers work.

For quicker relief of pain & discomfort caused by gas and bloating, lie down with a hot heat-pack across your stomach. Allow its heat and weight to help the gas leave your body and the pressure to subside. It also aids digestive organs with a soothing circulation boost – just lie back, preferably with a pillow under your knees, and relax for at least 10 minutes.

2. Peppermint:

Whether you have it as a tea, essential oil rubbed on your stomach or as a supplement, peppermint can be really beneficial for stomach discomfort, and help soothe your digestive system quicker.

Peppermint has relaxant and antispasmodic properties and can help relieve cramps and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct and gallbladder. This will help improve the passage of food through the digestive tract, allowing them to go through smoothly and without pain or discomfort.

The volatile oils in peppermint also stimulate the gallbladder to release bile that your body uses to digest fats.
The flow of bile to the liver can also be increased by the compounds in peppermint tea. A well functioning liver is another key element & vital to overall digestive health and therefore reducing bloating & stomach problems.

Please buy real peppermint-tea and not a product that has artificially flavoured peppermint in it as it won’t have any benefits to your health.

3. Magnesium:

Magnesium is a mineral that is naturally found in your body, as well as in several different foods. It’s a required element of energy production, and it is also present in over 300 enzyme systems in your body. This mineral plays a vital role in almost all of the systems in your body. It helps keep your bones strong, regulates your digestive system, protects your brain from oxidative stress and stimulates energy production.

You’d have seen me absolutely rave about Magnesium before, and I’ve been a big believer in Magnesium for many, many years. However, it wasn’t up until about 6 months ago that I started using Topical Magnesium and I cannot tell you how many beneficial effects it’s had on my body and how diverse it is in its usage-methods.

You see, your muscles need magnesium to relax. Without it, you get a buildup of lactic acid, which causes cramping. This goes for your digestive system, too.

For women, magnesium spray can reduce cramps, migraines and symptoms of PMS like bloating and moodiness.

And, did you know, Magnesium Spray is absorbed better topically through the skin than it is when you take it orally? Mindblown, right?

I use Abundant Natural Health Magnesium Sport Spray & Magnesium Ache Gel on my stomach – it’s 99.9% natural, certified organic, contains Australian salt & cucumber and is Australian made.

You can try a free sample here and use my code CAROLINE15 for 15% off.

4. Digestive Enzymes:

Your pancreas can secrete up to eight cups of pancreatic enzymes each day, and these enzymes are vital in helping your body break down and process carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Lipase breaks fat molecules down so your body can absorb them. Protease breaks down proteins and helps regulate bacteria levels. Finally, Amylase works to break down starch or carbohydrates so your body can absorb them more quickly.

And, if you’re suffering from Leaky Gut then your digestive tract experiences a lot of inflammation. Researchers performed a study that showed having adequate amounts of pancreatic enzymes in your body can help heal inflammation. It does this by taking a lot of strain off of your intestines by breaking down the nutrients so your body can absorb them better.

5. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

DGL has many medicinal properties that can help you internally and I love and swear by this, especially if I have a bit of reflux and heartburn as well, I’ll pop a DGL pill (I find the chewable version best) and swallow the rest with some water.

One trial took 17 participants with various digestive issues and had them take DGL a few times a day for a period of six days. The patients that got DGL reported less pain and irritation in their symptoms. DGL is important for helping your body maintain the mucosal lining in your stomach and intestines, as well as soothing irritation and inflammation.

6. Stop Stressing:

One of the biggest factors that plays a significant role in whether you will feel bloated & with a painful stomach or nicely balanced after a meal is.. STRESS.

It can be about little or big things, but as soon as you bring further stress and frustrations into your body with every bite you take, you stomach will immediately react. I’m a big supporter and believer of the gut-brain connection and a lot of our food-patterns are grounded and rooted in our emotional subconscious mind. This can manifest itself in the stomach and cause stress-induced pain & bloating.

To soothe your stress and racing mind, try to add in some stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, calming herbs like Ashwaghanda, listening to a podcast, reading a book or even exercising or a walk to get your digestive system moving.

Remember, the mind-body connection goes both ways – I know that when my gut feels healthy & thriving, my mind will be a lot happier as well. This is because 90% of your overall serotonin (the happiness hormone) is found within your intestines, along with 50% of your dopamine, which is involved in your motivation.

7. ACV & Lemon:

When the body is unable to produce enough stomach acid, it is unable to digest protein molecules and key minerals. These partially digested protein molecules get into the small intestine and create significant stress on the pancreas to produce adequate enzymes to metabolise the protein effectively.

If this occurs repeatedly over time, it will wear down the pancreatic enzyme storage and cause stress and irritation to the intestinal lining.

When we digest our food poorly it leads to increased inflammatory activity which depletes key minerals and anti-oxidants throughout the body. This mineral depletion leads to an inability to form stomach acid and the vicious cycle of poor digestion and chronic inflammation continues

So, start your day, on an empty stomach, with Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother), Lemon Juice & warm water. Drink it with a straw so it doesn’t ruin the enamel on your teeth.

This will help your body to have the resources it needs to produce adequate stomach acid in the future.  When you improve stomach acid levels, it makes a huge difference on your overall health.

As I always say; we’re all different. We have different bodies, we live different lives. No human being contains the exact same cells as another human and so our diets and approach to health should be tailored to suit us.

I hope you can find inspiration to help soothe your bloating, stomach pain and cramps naturally, but please remember to go see someone about your overall gut-health if symptoms persist and you continue with pain and discomfort.

Lots of love, Anna xx

The post Stomach Cramps, Pain & Bloating? Use These Natural Remedies For Soothing & Prevention appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.

Thanks for tuning in once again to keep me company on my – what seems – never-ending journey to restoring my gut back to a healthy, functioning and pain-free state. Something that I’ve been chasing for many, many years and many, many moons, but now, it seems we might have a breakthrough.

About 1,5 months ago I was led to a beautiful woman called Katherine Hay. She was recommended to me through a dear friend of mine, but naturally, I was hesitant because I’ve been through the mill of medical professionals and natural therapists through the years and my hope was swindling by the day.

However, I was still determined to give it another go, to try and speak with Katherine to see if she could help me figure out why I’m lethargic, fatigued, hormonal, anxious, depressed, bloated, in pain and so much more.

From the instant I met Katherine – on FaceTime because she’s in Byron and I’m in Sydney #YayTechnology – I felt at ease, safe and very connected with her energy and beliefs.

After our consult I felt like I potentially could figure out what was wrong with me, and for the first time – maybe ever – I had a person who believed in my symptoms, who believed my pain and wanted to help me.

The Test:

Fast forward a few weeks, and I did a stool-test. It’s very easy and I did it in the comfort of my own home. Basically the lab, in which Katherine had booked in my stool test at, sent me a home-kit and it all goes through the mail (don’t worry, it’s not that gross) – 3 weeks later you have your test-results back.

Now, I’m not at the liberty to be able to do extended blood-tests and more tests purely because I just can’t afford the money-aspect of it. The stool-test itself was already $390AUD, however, truly all the money worth (and more!).

I received a comprehensive analysis from the stool-test that showed a multitude of things like; whether I had parasites, candida or yeast (negative), overgrowth of certain bacterias (positive), remnants of food in my stool (positive), poor digestion (positive), not producing stomach-acid (positive), re-cycling of hormones (massively positive!) and much more.

By looking at these results, we could now actually target the problems within my gut and body.

For the first time in 14 years, I felt relieved. Relieved that it wasn’t only on my head that I was “sick”. Relieved that someone believed in me (Katherine), relieved that I potentially could be pain-free and live a free life. I balled my eyes out most of that day. It was tears of happiness though.

So, how do I heal my body?

Well, I’m glad you asked.

Katherine and myself both wholeheartedly believe in ‘Food is Medicine’ and want to treat my body that way. Antibiotics, and conventional medicine played a large role as to why I’m even like this in the first place, so the thought of having to go back to that isn’t appealing to me what.so.ever.

Because of the different overgrowth of bacteria in my gut and how they literally feed of certain types of foods – even healthy foods – I’m having to be on a bit of a restricted diet for the next 6-8 weeks.

The restricted diet means:

• No Starchy Vegetables (carrot, sweet potato, potato, peas, corn, beetroot, pumpkin, parsnip etc.)
• No Grains (bread, rice, barley, oatmeal, millet, pasta, crackers etc.)
• No Fructose (basically all fruits, honey, cane sugar, pastries, lollies etc.)
• No Dairy
• No Gluten

What CAN I eat:

• Loads of vegetables, especially those that are bitter as they’ll help produce more stomach acid for me (radish, endive, rocket, watercress, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale etc.)
• Protein (fish, seafood, lamb, chicken, red meat, eggs – although I’ll mainly keep it at fish, seafood & eggs as I’m not a fan of red meat & chicken much)
• Extremely limited Fruits (I can have a handful of berries here and there but very limited – blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
• Sweets (chia seed pudding with nut-milks)
• Extremely limited grains (I can have about 1/2 cup of quinoa every 2nd day if I really need to)

Supplements I’m on:

• Probiotics
• Glutagenics (heal, seal & repair the gut)
• Enzymes (tablet after every meal to help with digestion)
• Calcium-D-Glucarate (to decrease the enzyme beta glucaronidase from my gut that re-activates oestrogen.)
• Collagen, Ashwagandha & Mucuna Pruriens (I’ve added these myself)

I’ve slowly eased into this diet last week, and I had my 1st day yesterday on this diet fully & wholeheartedly committed and last night; well, I had so much energy I couldn’t sleep (mindblown)

Katherine has mentioned that my tummy might get really bloated or it might not, but it’s a potential as the good and bad bacteria have a bit of a fight in my stomach whilst we basically starve out the bad bacteria that was previously being fed by the starch, grains, fructose etc.

***DISCLAIMER: I wan’t to reassure you that there is nothing wrong with grains, fructose and starchy vegetables if your body is thriving on them. I would like to re-introduce some of these items once my gut is hopefully healed and back to normal. That is my hope and wish for myself, to live a life fully free from being ruled by food, but I also want to feel the very best me and heal, hence why this diet is currently necessary for me.

Thank you for following my journey. I’ll continue to share my learnings & how I’m feeling,
what progress or set-backs I might have, as I go along the way.

Also, you can see more about Katherine here.

Love your GUTS, Anna xx 

The post My New Gut Health Journey – Part 1. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.