In the summer of 2007, I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. My doctor said my immune system was attacking my thyroid, causing it to be underactive. No matter how much I slept, I would still wake up exhausted. My memory and brain were foggy. I was cold all the time, wearing sweaters even when it was 80-degrees. I drug myself through work and struggled to maintain my exercise. I wasn’t recovering even though I was eating, what I thought was a healthy diet.
That summer began my long road back to health, and now after making changes in my diet and adopting a healthier lifestyle, I no longer take thyroid medication. I have no symptoms and my thyroid functions perfectly.
Along the way I learned that many autoimmune diseases are associated with “Leaky Gut Syndrome,” described as increased intestinal permeability. Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) or toxic substances literally leak through the walls of the intestines and enter the blood stream, creating widespread inflammation and reactions from the immune system.
It’s not just Hashimoto’s that is connected with leaky gut. Medical science has a long list of diseases associated with leaky gut: chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, autism, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, asthma, food allergies, chronic inflammation, obesity and diabetes.
Our diet has dramatically changed over the past 50 years. With the rise of processed “convenience” foods and fast food restaurants, the quality of our diet has severely declined. The American diet is full of hundreds of chemicals, dozens of known toxins, and foods designed in laboratories. This has coincided with the meteoric rise of autoimmune diseases.
It wasn’t until I stopped eating foods that were damaging my gut, inflaming my body and sending my immune system into overdrive, that I started to heal and get my health back. I focused on whole-foods that would heal my gut, restore my immune system and rejuvenate my thyroid. I am now healthy, free of joint pain and stiffness, sleeping soundly, with a clear mind and good digestion, and my workouts are even stronger.
How do you know if you suffer from a leaky gut? Here are the most common symptoms:
- Bloating, gas and intestinal distress
- Cramps
- Chronic or extended periods of diarrheaand/or constipation
- Food sensitivities
- Chronic aches and pains
- Lasting fatigue
- Skin problems
If you have an autoimmune disease or symptoms of a leaky gut, here are some foods to choose and to avoid to begin your healing journey.
| Foods that Heal Your Gut | Foods to Avoid |
| Bone broth (from grass-fed beef, free range turkey or chicken) | Gluten-containing foods and grains: wheat breads, pastas, cereals, flours, couscous, barley, rye, bulgur, seitan, oats |
| Kimchi or unpasteurized sauerkraut Wild blueberries | High sugarfoods and drinks, particularly with fructose: anything with high-fructose corn syrup, sugary beverages, sodas, cookies, candy, pies, pastries, sweets |
| Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar | Alcoholicbeverages: beer, wine, spirits, etc. |
| Avocado | Un-cultureddairy: milk, cheeses, ice cream, cottage cheese |
| Coconut oil | Fast foods and highly-processed foods: foods with long ingredient lists that you don’t recognize |
| Leafy greens: Spinach and Kale | Highly processed fats: canola oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil |
If you’d like to get started healing your gut, I have a recipe for you! I created this delicious and quick Gut Healing Smoothie. Each ingredient is beneficial for gut health as well as packed full of nutrient-dense foods that nourish your body.
Click on the image to download your free smoothie recipe!