TRANSFORMATION – GUT BIOME Reset– Blog #1 Prognosis
Ok, so let’s talk dirty.
I mean real dirty, poop and toilet going and stuff. Maybe you didn’t think you’d be reading any of this on my website! Unfortunately, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that I need major, professional help with my tummy in order to have a chance at a Pain Free life. It seems I have figured a lot of Optimal Living Hacks which I’ve shared in various blog posts. But my digestive issues that have plagued me my whole adult life are yet to be vanquished.
I have tried everything. At 22 years old, living in LA, I discovered nut milks, dropped milk entirely for 13 years. At 31 years old, during my first pregnancy, I looked and felt pregnant the day i conceived, having to wear pregnancy pants 3 months in the bloating was so painful. Two years later, I developed a severe liver disease called Cholestacis of Pregnancy while pregnant with the twins, a condition which thankfully goes away after birth.
The first time I linked stress to unbearable bloating pain was in Colorado at 3000m altitude. Bloating is exacerbated in high altitude (hence the plane ride frights!) but this time we had big family dramas going on at the same time, so my symptoms were out of control. Our son had a virulent virus and very high fever for 7 days while my husband’s father was taken ill half across the world and on his dying bed. The physical pain I was going through had me cry every day on that trip. My deformed body - think that picture below times 3 - prompted me to see a gastroenterologist upon our return to NYC. From that, I stopped Gluten entirely, which has now been three years ago. I still have pain, I still have acne, I still feel taken over by the mess going on down there.
I have decided to share the journey my Gut Biome Reset here with the introduction being a small letter to my little aliens living inside me. Yes, I take it that seriously. Just like a cancer you speak to, I’m speaking to the bad bacteria and the parasites in my lower belly that have been plaguing me my whole adult life.
Dear Parasites,
it’s eviction time. You’ve long overstayed your time in my tummy. I know you’ve made clear that you enjoy living in my small intestine. In fact, you seem very comfortable there. Eating away at the nutrients that your buddies the ‘bad’ bacteria have been gladly feeding you. I know it’s been a party in there. It’s been quite a few years now that you have elected residence in my belly, causing havoc throughout my digestive system. Which naturally caused me pain both physically and mentally. I get it. You’re strong little motherf**kers with sidekicks that are on a 24/7 rave.
But you see, the time has come to flush you out. There’s a wave coming like one you have never seen. The war is on! It comes in the form of antiparasites and supplements and I’m going to starve you to death with a diet you won’t feed on. Oh it’s not going to be pretty, you won’t know what’s happening to you. For the next 8 weeks, I’m not eating anything that you could feast on. All your happy fermentation party in there will be gone, for good. I’m going to win.
Not yours anymore,
ML.
Symptoms include extremely painful and debilitating bloating, acne, mood swings. Consequences include tiredness, brain fog, irritability, crying, tearing up tights under the dress in the bathroom at events, wearing flowy dresses, not being able to wear belts, jeans, leggings, fearing plane rides like it’s a passage of torture, staying home rather than going out to meet friends, not being able to sit at a low table and many more little unpleasantries like needing to know where the restrooms are as soon as I arrive somewhere.
If you remotely relate to any of these symptoms, stick around and we’ll get to the bottom of this together. I’ve enlisted the help of professionals and I want you to benefit from the process.
I’ve done a blood test and a poop test.
Turns out I have 2 parasites, SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth) sprinkled with a little Leaky Gut (lining of the intestine letting through bad stuff), slight thyroid disfunction and bad bacteria over powering any good bacteria.
I’m going to be documenting and explaining as I go along. Today is Prognosis Day.
So, to keep it short and introductory here’s the information I got. And this is me in London one night last May that prompted me to say enough is enough. It’s not vanity, it’s pain.
A Summary of my GI Results:
General Dysbiosis - low levels of several nasty bacteria
Very low levels of ‘good’/friendly bacteria - some important strains are close to extinct
High levels of 2 parasites
Weak digestion - poor protein and fat breakdown
A summary of my 8 weeks regimen:
Take supplements for Thyroid Support, Prebiotic Fibers to boost beneficial bacteria, Probiotics to support beneficial bacteria, to reduce gut inflammation and absorption of nutrients.
Follow a Low FODMAP Diet which is low in fermentable, poorly absorbed carbohydrates. Because this diet removes the foods that feed bacteria in the gut, it helps relieve gas, bloating and other digestive symptoms. Studies have shown a Low FODMAP diet can greatly reduce the symptoms of IBS, Crohn’s, and colitis. Additionally, a Low FODMAP Diet is often combined with the SCD diet as part of a protocol to address SIBO.
Add further meditation.
London May 2020 - It’s not vanity, it’s pain.
I will be documenting my progress here and on my Instagram. I’ll be sharing all my findings, the lexicon and more to help you understand if your symptoms are similar to mine.
Many of you have been asking about the Smoothies I’ve been starting to make every morning and posting. Smoothies that don’t hurt the tummy! That’s new and it’s so nutritious. Stay tuned for my Smoothies recipes:-)
Until next time,
ML.
