@nootropicguy: How to Repair Your GutTHREAD...

How to Repair Your Gut

THREAD

Disclaimer: This is NOT medical advice. I am NOT a doctor. Always consult with a qualified physician before starting any health regimen or taking any dietary supplement, herb, or drug. Research all supplements, herbs, or other interventions before using.

It's impossible to be in optimal health without a healthy gut

Gut issues can cause or contribute to:

- chronic fatigue
- autoimmune disease
- hormonal dysregulation
- psychiatric/neurological disorders
- cardiovascular disease
- & many more

This thread will touch on:

- possible root causes
- diagnostic testing
- elimination diet
- anti-microbial regimen
- microbiome revitalization

Note that the optimal treatment will vary for each individual depending on their diagnostic testing results & health profile

0) BACKGROUND ON GUT ISSUES

Most "gut issues" are some combo of:

- SIBO
- Candida
- Parasites
- Intestinal permeability ("leaky gut")
- Insufficient digestive horsepower

There is significant interplay between these and usually more than 1 is present

1) DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Sometimes it's possible to identify the issue via symptoms though this isn't always accurate

If you can narrow it down, consider getting one of the cheaper condition-specific tests to confirm

White tongue = candida

If you have no idea, the Genova Diagnostics GI Effects Comprehensive profile is the gold standard for overall gut health

Less expensive tests include (but are not limited to):

SIBO:
- Hydrogen/methane breath tests

CANDIDA:
- Candida Antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM)

PARASITES:
- Genova Parasite Add-On

LEAKY GUT:
- Lactuose/mannitol (urine)
- Antigenic permeability screen

LOW STOMACH ACID:
- Heidelberg test
- Chloride blood test

2) TEMPORARY ELIMINATION DIET

REMOVE:
- Soy, corn, grains/oats, gluten/gliadin
- Dairy
- Added sugars & artificial sweeteners
- Artificial & "natural" flavors
- Legumes, nuts, & seeds
- Seed/vegetable oils
- Alcohol
- Tap water

REDUCE:
- Coffee
- Nicotine
- Blue light

Other key points:

- Avoid non-organic foods (esp GMO)
- Opt for low FODMAP fruits & veg
- Severe cases may require carnivore
- Increase sun & red light exposure

Keep a log of all food intake and corresponding symptoms and remove additional foods/ingredients as needed

3) DIGESTIVE HORSEPOWER

Some gut issues can actually be caused by low stomach acid or digestive enzyme insufficiency, which means:

- suboptimal food breakdown
- poor nutrient absorption
- pathogen overgrowth

This is especially relevant if you've ever had reflux issues

Solution: Betaine HCL & Digestive Enzymes

The following may also be helpful:

- Thorne BioGest
- Digestive Bitters
- Pepsin

Use carefully and research prior to use

Take before eating

4) FIX LEAKY GUT

The elimination diet will reduce inflammatory triggers and allow our intestinal lining to heal

To expedite this process, we can add

- 5-10g L-Glutamine (1-2 weeks max) or Kettle & Fire bone broth daily

Use caution when using L-Glutamine (ammonia production)

- 1.2 to 2.4g Butyric Acid as Sodium Butyrate

- 3.0g Goat milk colostrum

Note that goat milk is generally much easier to digest than cow's milk

If you react poorly to colostrum, remove it or try taking it with digestive enzymes

The following herbs are also helpful for leaky gut:

- Slippery elm bark
- Marshmallow root
- Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root
- Aloe vera (preferably in juice form)

There's a product called DGL Plus with all of these

Organic Throat Coat tea also contains most of these

Highly recommended adhering to the elimination diet & leaky gut protocol for 2+ weeks before starting any anti-microbial protocol

Also recommend working with a skilled practioner for these next steps, which aren't always necessary

Diet + leaky gut repair often does the trick

4) ANTI-MICROBIAL REGIMEN

This regimen will vary by situation

Make sure your selections are geared toward the right pathogens

Recommend 3+ anti-microbials

Binders like bentonite clay or zeolite may also helpful depending on your situation

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Additional Notes:

In extreme scenarios, ivermectin & LL-37 may help but work with a doctor

Check for interactions b/t each agent and existing agents/conditions

The pathogen "die-off" may cause flu-like symptoms

Be strategic in your selections based on pathogen type

5) REPOPULATE MICROBIOME

Generally, the anti-microbial protocol is ~4 weeks with occassional "off days" but this can vary

You'll need to repopulate the microbiome during and after your anti-microbial regimen

That said, I'd be cautious with probiotic agents if SIBO is present

You can start probiotics during anti-microbial regimen

Choose at least 2:

- Seed Probiotic
- Visbiome VSL #3
- Goat Kefir (minimal lactose if any)
- Caprobiotics
- Thorne Floramend

For candida, Saccharomyces boulardii is especially helpful

My favs: Seed, Visbiome, & Kefir

Seed is very intentional about the strains they've included and has research suggesting it can reach the right parts of the gut

Visbiome is extremely well-respected and has tons of clinical trial data supporting efficacy

I would refrigerate even if it doesn't come that way

Note: Don't take probiotic agents at the same exact time of day as the anti-microbials; space out intake

For SIBO especially, consider targeted supplementation with:

- magnesium
- thiamine in the form of TTFD
- sublingual methyl B12

6) FOLLOW NOOTBRO

The visual version of this will be live on my new instagram: @nootbro

First substack email is going out tonight

nootbro.substack.com

Any questions? Feel free to reply to this thread

Also open to suggestions for the next thread

Lastly, I'd love a RT if you found this helpful!

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