6 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Gut Health

By Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio 

Lyme patients may experience gut issues while on antibiotic, antimicrobial, or supplement protocols to combat a multitude of infections. Things like bloating, pain, loss of appetite, difficulty digesting food, constipation, and diarrhea are common complaints.  

Thankfully, there is good news! Using some simple dietary and lifestyle changes, you can minimize gastrointestinal discomfort and keep your belly happy during treatment. Plus, a healthier gut will improve the function of your immune system and reduce inflammation.  

6 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Gut Health

1. Drink Bone Broth Daily

A fresh, homemade cup of slow-cooked bone broth contains an array of easily digestible, gut-friendly nutrients and is relatively inexpensive to make. The gelatin in the broth helps heal the gut lining and amino acids such as arginine, glycine, and proline reduce inflammation in your body. Bone broth is high in histamine, however, so some people may find that a meat stock cooked for just a few hours will still provide ample health benefits and be easier to tolerate. 

2. Increase Your Intake of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, pickles, and kefir are some of the best foods to maintain gut health. They provide the body with useful probiotics and a bounty of enzymes and vitamins that protect you from a variety of pathogens. Furthermore, fermented foods can reduce overgrowth of candida – an ongoing fight for some people. Fermented foods are also high in histamines, so start with just a few bites to ensure you’re able to tolerate it.  

3. Give Juicing a Shot

Did you know that juicing vegetables and fruits helps rebuild your gut and purge your body of toxins? That’s right! Like some of the other foods already mentioned, juices are full of minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. Additionally, since juicing requires little to no digestion, these vital nutrients are quickly absorbed and ready to nourish your healing body. 

When making your juice, it’s best to use low-sugar fruits such as apples and kiwi to help sweeten your drink. A favorite combination of mine is to blend apple, celery, romaine lettuce, and lemon into a tasty and refreshing summer beverage. To maximize nutrient absorption, drink your juice within 15 minutes of juicing it.  

4. Try a Comprehensive Digestive Enzyme Before Meals

Many factors inhibit the body’s natural production of digestive enzymes. Supplementing with these enzymes assists your body with the breakdown of food, so you can utilize it for fuel. When choosing a digestive supplement, you should look for one that contains hydrochloric acid (HCL) to aid protein digestion, amylase to aid carbohydrate digestion, and lipase to aid fat digestion. 

A word of caution about digestive enzymes: If you have a history of stomach ulcers, please consult your doctor before taking a supplement that contains HCL. Should you need a digestive enzyme, there are plenty of products on the market that don’t contain HCL.  

5. Take Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that replenish the healthy gut flora often destroyed by antibiotics or other medications. Long-term use of antibiotics and antimicrobials can leave the gut imbalanced. Therefore, probiotics are a must-have for anyone undergoing these types of treatments. In addition, the valuable bacteria from probiotics aid in our digestion, allowing our bodies to take advantage of the vitamins and minerals we take in. 

If you are new to adding probiotics into your protocol, it’s best to ask your physician for advice. They may have a preferred brand that they want you to take for the best results.   

6. Use Castor Oil Packs

With its potent healing properties, the topical use of castor oil dates back to ancient times. As a child, I remember using it as a hot pack on my swollen glands when I had a sore throat. Years later, I am once again enjoying the restorative properties of castor oil for gut health. When a castor oil pack is applied to the abdomen, it encourages the flow of lymphatic fluid, lessens inflammation, and diminishes pain.  

Here’s how to make a quick and easy castor oil pack: 

• You need a wool flannel cloth, available online or at most health food stores. 

• You’ll want to purchase a bottle of pure, cold-pressed castor oil. 

• First, saturate the flannel with the oil and place it over the abdomen or areas of tenderness. 

• Next, cover the flannel with plastic to protect fabric, clothes, and linens from the oil. I typically use kitchen plastic wrap. 

• Finally, apply heat using a heating pad to facilitate absorption. 

• You can leave the pack in place for up to an hour. 

• When you’re finished, make a paste of baking soda and water to remove the excess oil from your skin. Rub the paste over your abdomen and rinse it off. 

• You can store the flannel in a sealed bag in the refrigerator for 25-30 uses.  

This list just scratches the surface of the variety of options you have to protect your gut throughout the course of your treatment. With some trial and error, nearly everyone can find ways to optimize their digestive health during the road to recovery. Please remember it’s always best to consult with your health care provider for more individualized recommendations.