And healing the gut can seem overwhelming. But when we break it down, we can see that the basic premise is this: Get rid of what you don’t need and what’s not working. Then get more of what you do need and what will help you heal.
ʀᴇᴍᴏᴠᴇ – nutrient-depleted food, processed foods, poor-quality fats and oils, parasites, heavy metals, infections, toxins and any foods that are causing inflammation.
ʀᴇᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ – processed foods with whole, nutrient-dense foods, water, electrolytes, nutrients, digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, bile salts.
ʀᴇᴘᴏᴘᴜʟᴀᴛᴇ– the gut microbiome with beneficial probiotics and prebiotics form food and supplements.
ʀᴇᴘᴀɪʀ– the intestinal lining and GI tract using foods/nutrients that support healing – bone broth, collagen, essential fatty acids, glutamine, fiber, licorice, marshmallow root, aloe, quercetin.
ʀᴇʙᴀʟᴀɴᴄᴇ – your lifestyle with adequate rest and recovery, mindful movement, stress management, positive thinking, and a supportive and healthy community.
While we often address the 5 R’s in order when working to heal the gut, these steps need to be revisited often to ensure that you are keeping your gut functioning at the level it should for optimal health.
