The 6R’s Guidelines to Gut Health Restoration: Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, Repair, Rebalance and Regulate
Since most people aren’t really aware of how Functional Nutrition can help heal chronic health conditions I thought I'd walk my readers through the framework I use as a Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor to foster healing through gut health restoration. It's called the 6-R framework. If you've been following me long enough you now know that digestive imbalances can impact the immune system, sleep, blood sugar balance, metabolism, heart disease, mental health and skin health.
Remove the Instigators:
At the beginning of this process, we eliminate common allergens and recognized stressors. Depending on the client’s requirements and starting point, substances such as processed sugar/foods, caffeine, alcohol, gluten, and dairy might be excluded. Additionally, environmental elements like stress, unfiltered water, chemicals in household items, and personal care products are taken into account. The goal is to eliminate anything that could have a detrimental effect on the microbiome, digestion, or motility.
Replace the Missing Factors:
We Introduce foods rich in essential digestive elements such as fiber, nutrients, and water concurrently. Supporting digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid aids in effective food breakdown and absorption. Emphasizing thorough chewing ensures food is sufficiently broken down for smooth progression through the digestive system.
Reinoculate with Good Bacteria:
Consuming probiotic supplements and probiotic-rich foods can assist in replenishing the colon with beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, prebiotic foods and supplements support the growth of beneficial bacteria by providing them with essential nourishment. Consider incorporating ferments, resistant starch, and foods rich in polyphenols into your diet.
Repair the Gut Lining:
Gut hyperpermeability, commonly known as “leaky gut,” occurs when there are weak connections between the cell walls in the gut lining. These openings can enable tiny particles and waste to pass through the lining into the bloodstream. Maintaining the integrity of these junctions is crucial to address gut issues. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods and l-glutamine can help strengthen the connections, while aloe, slippery elm, and marshmallow are known to soothe the gut tissue.
Rebalance:
To restore balance, we evaluate and tackle the lifestyle factors that can either hinder or enhance digestive function. This includes focusing on sleep, physical activity, stress management, and social connections.
Regulate:
For sustained success we regulate and evaluate what is effective, make adjustments as needed, monitor progress, and repeat the process. It's an ongoing, dynamic connection with our gut. Assess, recommend and track is the motto used in functional nutrition as course correction is often needed when uncovering the roots of what is causing gut mediated conditions.
If you are interested in leaning more about how my functional nutrition 6-R framework of gut restoration can help you feel better contact me for a free consult.
