Page 69 - Vegan Food & Living (February 2020)

(weed), introduce more of the positive ones
(seed) and promote their growth (feed).
These protocols are best undertaken with
UT for bugs and give you follow-up on your
a naturopathic practitioner, who can test

response to intervention. There are also
various books and blogs on the topic.
G! wormwood, oregano oil, Pau d’arco
Frequently used ‘weeding’ herbs include
(lapacho) and red thyme oil. Berberine

extracts are also popular and effective.
When re-seeding the gut with benefi cial
bacterial strains, look for billions of colony-
forming units (CFU) in your supplements.

Research on the effectiveness and safety
of probiotics is ongoing. Lactobacillus

acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum

are commonly cited beneficial species.
Good quality supplements will also tell you
the strain used – for example lactobacillus Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) Try going gluten-free for four weeks and see
acidophilus NCFM, where NCFM is the strain. then you will need to choose low FODMAP how you feel. Avoid highly processed gluten-
You can go online for specific research or alternatives, such as kiwi fruit, rhubarb and free products and go for wholefood options

search for your condition, such as irritable moderate servings of cabbage. Which brings like brown rice, quinoa and buckwheat flour.
bowel syndrome (IBS), and the strains that us to another point: L-glutamine is a preferred fuel for cells that
have demonstrated positive effects. Investigate food sensitivities – line the gut. Cabbage juice is rich in glutamine,

FODMAPs, sulphites, salicylates, lectins,
‘Probiotic’ foods are considered best for so can help rebuild the gut and is even
long-term gut populating, so get into fermented phytates and amines – there are a number credited with helping repair gastric ulcers.
foods such as tempeh, miso, kombucha, of food chemicals that could be causing Try digestive aids to take the pressure off

sauerkraut, vegan yoghurt and water kefir. gut issues. The only way to find the foods your digestive organs and get the most from
Choose products that are not pasteurised responsible is to follow an elimination diet and foods. Digestive enzymes such as papain from
or homogenised, as these processes destroy challenge procedure carefully – this process papaya and bromelain from pineapple can be
most of the useful microorganisms. Look for is best done with the support of a nutritional useful, chamomile tea is gut soothing and a

products in the fridge, not on the shelf. therapist or naturopath. Try the below first: mild bitter stimulant for the liver, as well.
Feed the good bacteria – prebiotic Remove all gluten – this is a common
foods for this purpose include leeks, trigger for many people. Gluten increases YOUR EXPERT

onions, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas and inflammation in a sensitised gut, even for Gemma Hurditch is
garlic. A warning though; some of these those who weren’t previously sensitive. You a CNM (College of
foods may actually be problematic for can get lots of resources on coeliac support Naturopathic Medicine)
lecturer. CNM trains

you. Food sensitivities can play a big role websites and apps. Coeliac is a specific auto- successful practitioners in natural therapies, online

in gut inflammation. If you are FODMAP immune disease, but people can be sensitive to and in class with colleges across the UK and Ireland.
sensitive (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, gluten without the auto-immune component. Visit naturopathy-uk.com or call 01342 410505.

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