by Feeling Great | Gut Health
4 Steps to Healing Leaky Gut
Leaky Gut Specialist Online Australia: Start Your Healing Journey
Leaky gut is a condition where your intestinal lining, which is typically tightly sealed, becomes damaged. This damage allows food particles, bacteria, and toxins to leak into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. Symptoms of leaky gut include bloating, food sensitivities, fatigue, joint pain, and digestive issues.
While the concept of “leaky gut syndrome” is still debated in medical circles, many people experience significant improvements by addressing gut health. If you’re struggling with increased intestinal permeability, it’s time to take action. Here’s a 4-step plan to help you heal your gut.
Step 1: Remove the Drivers of Leaky Gut
Several factors contribute to leaky gut, including:
- Trigger foods: These can vary, but common culprits include gluten, dairy, sugar, and processed foods. Food sensitivities can worsen as a result of gut permeability.
- Chronic stress: Stress increases inflammation and weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off harmful bacteria.
- Bacterial imbalance: Poor gut bacteria, caused by overuse of antibiotics or a poor diet, can fuel inflammation.
- Toxins: Everyday chemicals, medications like NSAIDs, and pesticide exposure all contribute to gut damage.
Step 2: Heal with Nutrient-Rich Foods
Healing your gut begins with the right foods. Try these four gut-healing options:
- Green smoothies: Packed with omega-3 fats, fiber, and anti-inflammatory nutrients, leafy greens promote gut healing.
- Bone broth: Rich in glycine, proline, and collagen, bone broth helps repair intestinal cell walls.
- Fermented vegetables: Sauerkraut and kimchi are filled with organic acids and probiotics that balance your gut’s pH.
- Coconut products: Coconut kefir and other coconut products contain medium-chain fatty acids that support digestion and gut repair.
Step 3: Supplement for Gut Repair
Certain supplements can accelerate your gut healing process. Here are the top 4 to consider:
- Digestive Bitters/Enzymes: They help ensure proper food digestion, preventing undigested particles from damaging your gut lining.
- Zinc: Crucial for stomach acid production, zinc supports digestion, immunity, and gut repair.
- Magnesium: Important for energy, detoxification, and stress management, magnesium helps repair leaky gut.
- L-Glutamine: This essential amino acid reduces inflammation and promotes the repair of the intestinal lining.
Step 4: Rebalance with Probiotics
Replenishing good bacteria in your gut is key to healing. Probiotics can help restore a healthy balance, crowding out harmful bacteria. For best results, incorporate probiotics from both food and supplements. Additionally, prebiotics, found in foods like garlic, onions, and leeks, support the growth of good bacteria.
Need Help Healing Your Leaky Gut?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process or unsure where to start, I can help.
Book a consultation with a leaky gut specialist online and get personalized advice. I’ll guide you through removing the drivers of leaky gut, adding healing foods, and using the right supplements for lasting results.
Click here to start your healing journey today! Feeling Great Naturopath – Julie Smethurst
For more gut information, you can also read this Gut Health and Happiness – Is there a link? or this Explore Natural Remedies for Digestion and Bloating and share with me your experience.
by Feeling Great | Gut Health
Histamine Intolerance – Recognizing the Symptoms and Causes
Do you often experience skin rashes, headaches, or nausea after certain foods or drinks? Maybe you’ve noticed frequent hay fever or diarrhoea that you can’t explain. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with histamine intolerance.
For example, Joanna faced constant red blotches on her skin, along with headaches, hay fever, and stomach cramps. Despite being in her twenties, these symptoms were embarrassing and frustrating. Does this resonate with you or someone you know?
What is Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine intolerance occurs when the body has trouble breaking down histamines, leading to a build-up. This is similar to a clogged sink, where histamines accumulate faster than they can be processed. As a result, you may experience symptoms like skin rashes, headaches, and digestive issues. My goal is to help clear this blockage and restore your balance.
What are Histamines?
Histamines are natural amino acids found in certain foods like aged cheese, smoked fish, and citrus fruits. While histamine is also produced in the body to support immune functions, fermented or preserved foods can trigger an intolerance. For example, red wine and aged cheese can cause hay fever-like symptoms because of the histamine they contain.
Common Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance
Histamine intolerance symptoms often resemble allergic reactions. These include:
- Skin rashes
- Hay fever-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
When Do Symptoms Appear?
Symptoms depend on the histamine load in your body. If you consume large amounts of histamine-rich foods in a short period, symptoms may occur immediately. On the other hand, if you eat smaller amounts over time, symptoms could appear several hours later.
Histamine Intolerance vs. Allergy
Unlike an allergy, which occurs at the mere presence of a substance, an intolerance depends on the amount consumed. Think of it as a bucket—your body can handle a certain amount before symptoms occur. This explains why symptoms can vary from one person to the next.
Healthy Histamine Metabolism
Normally, diamino oxidase (DAO), an enzyme found in your gut, breaks down histamine. However, deficiencies in DAO can lead to histamine build-up. Alcohol, certain medications (like antidepressants), and poor gut health can affect DAO levels, exacerbating histamine intolerance.
How to Manage Histamine Intolerance
To manage histamine intolerance, it’s important to:
- Avoid high-histamine foods
- Address gut dysfunction caused by stress, infection, or dysbiosis
- Support DAO production with vitamins B6, C, zinc, and copper
- Balance your gut microbiome by reducing harmful bacteria
- Consider natural compounds, such as quercetin, which support histamine metabolism
Reintroducing histamine-rich foods should be done gradually, once your gut health and histamine tolerance are restored.
By following these steps, you can improve your quality of life and better tolerate foods that once caused discomfort.
Understanding and knowledge can help you feel empowered to regaining your health, but can feel overwhelming if you didn’t major in biology or biochemistry.
Need help applying all this knowledge to your body in an easy and doable way? I’m here if you need a guiding hand or have any questions. Click here to book online.
I want to share this information with you as well! the Feeling Unwell and Tired all the Time and the 3 Ways to Kick Your Sugar Cravings for Good and If you know anyone who would benefit from this information, please share it.
Julie xo (Feeling Great Naturopath, Mt Martha)
by Feeling Great | Gut Health
3 Ways to Kick Your Sugar Cravings for Good
Struggling with Sugar Cravings?
Do you find yourself constantly craving sugar? Or maybe it’s turned into a full-blown addiction? You’ve decided enough is enough—it’s time to take control.
I see it all the time. Amazing people like you choose to cut back on sugar and focus on better health. You want to enjoy life and retirement without being weighed down by health problems or expensive insurance costs.
What does turning 65 and beyond look like for you? You can’t buy back your health, so now is the perfect time to put a plan in place.
But here’s the challenge: The moment you declare, “I’m never eating sugar again,” your brain starts obsessing over it. Suddenly, sugar is everywhere—at the supermarket, coffee shop, and even the petrol station.
How did that happen? Your brain and subconscious don’t recognize negative statements. Instead of saying “I won’t eat sugar,” try a positive approach:
- “I will eat mostly vegetables, fruit, meat, nuts, and seeds for the next 30 days.”
Now that sounds doable and empowering! With a clear focus on whole, nourishing foods, it’s time to clear out the sugar-loaded foods from your home. That includes lollies, chocolate, soft drinks, alcohol, and refined grains like bread and pasta.
Now, let’s dive into three powerful ways to end sugar cravings for good.
1. Reset Your Sweet Tooth
If you’ve been eating too much sugar, your gut bacteria are likely out of balance. The bad bacteria thrive on sugar, making cravings stronger. But the good news? You can reset your taste buds!
- Start by swapping sugary treats for healthier options. Instead of milk chocolate, try a raw cacao mousse. Replace toast with a green smoothie.
- With every smart choice, your body will adjust. Over time, you’ll be shocked at how sweet your old favorites taste.
- Need extra support? A 30-day gut reset program can make the transition easier. I offer one-on-one sessions (in-clinic or via Skype) or group programs for a more affordable option.
2. Nurture Your Gut Health
Once you reset your gut, it’s essential to keep it balanced. Here’s how:
- Minimize processed foods – Whole foods keep cravings at bay.
- Limit antibiotic use – Stay healthy to avoid medications that harm gut bacteria.
- Get outside daily – Being in nature (green spaces) and near water (blue spaces) helps diversify your microbiome.
Your gut health plays a massive role in controlling sugar cravings, so protect it!
3. Make Yourself Sugar-Craving Proof
Low energy is one of the biggest reasons we reach for sugar. When you’re tired, your body craves a quick energy fix—and sugar is an easy target.
- Instead of sugar and caffeine, focus on fixing the root cause of low energy.
- Common culprits include poor sleep, food intolerances, adrenal fatigue, medication side effects, thyroid issues, and hormone imbalances.
- I specialize in getting to the root of what’s draining your energy and providing long-term solutions.
Need help breaking the cycle? Book an appointment or schedule a call via Skype or phone.
Final Thoughts
Slaying your sugar monster takes one step at a time. The journey is easier when you reset your taste buds, heal your gut, and manage your energy levels.
If you need support, I’m here to help. Let’s kick sugar cravings for good—so you can feel energized, healthy, and in control!
For more interesting information, you can read this Histamine Intolerance – Recognizing the Symptoms and Causes and share with us your thoughts!
Loads of health & happiness,
Julie XXX
📍 Naturopath, Pharmacist, Life Coach
📧 Email: julie@feelinggreatnaturopath.com.au
by Feeling Great | Gut Health
Craving Sugar? Here’s What Your Body Really Needs
Your Gut May Be Controlling Your Cravings
You may already know how important your gut microbiome is for overall health. This complex ecosystem of bacteria helps with digestion, immune function, and even mental well-being. But did you know that your gut bacteria might be influencing you craving sugar?
Yes, it’s true! The microbes in your gut can impact your food choices, sometimes pushing you toward sugar, fats, or other specific foods.
Craving Sugar or Fat? Your Gut Bacteria Could Be the Reason
A fascinating study published in BioEssays suggests that gut bacteria may influence cravings. While we know that diet affects the microbiome, researchers believe that bacteria may also shape what we eat.
- Sugar-loving bacteria encourage cravings for sweets.
- Fat-loving bacteria push you toward high-fat foods.
- Different microbes thrive on different diets, meaning they might try to influence your choices.
How Does This Happen?
While scientists are still uncovering the details, one theory is that gut bacteria release signaling molecules into the digestive system. These signals can then affect the immune system, hormones, and even the brain, influencing our food choices and cravings.
But here’s the good news: you can take control! Your diet directly shapes your gut microbiome, and changes can happen within just 24 hours of adjusting your food intake.
Take Back Control of Your Cravings
If you find yourself craving sweets or fatty foods, remember—it might not actually be you. Your gut bacteria could be steering your choices.
To shift the balance in your favor:
- Eat a fiber-rich diet to support beneficial gut bacteria.
- Consume probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
- Reduce processed sugars that feed sugar-loving microbes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Your microbiome is adaptable, and with the right dietary choices, you can influence your cravings for the better.
Here’s another helpful blog you can read! The How to Stop Food Cravings Naturally and this 3 Good Reasons to Eat Seasonally what are your thoughts? Have you noticed how your cravings change based on diet? Drop a comment below!
BOOK HERE I’d like to hear from you, book a consultation now to a feeling great journey!
by Feeling Great | Gut Health
Vegetables in Season Melbourne – 3 Good Reasons to Eat Seasonally
Why Eating Seasonal Vegetables Matters
Eating fruits and seasonal vegetables that are in season is good for your health, your wallet, and the environment. It makes no sense to eat cooling fruits like watermelon in the middle of winter when your body craves warmth. Transporting out-of-season produce over long distances is also costly and unsustainable.
So, why should you choose seasonal produce? Here are three great reasons!
1. Save Money on Groceries
Seasonal produce is often more affordable because it grows in abundance. When supply is high, prices drop, making it easier to fill your fridge with fresh, healthy foods without breaking the bank. According to The Herald Sun, smart shoppers can reduce their grocery bills just by buying what’s in season and shopping around for the best deals.
2. Enjoy Better Taste and Nutrition
Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables have superior flavor and texture. When food is picked before it’s ripe and shipped long distances, it loses taste and nutritional value. Chilling, transport, and storage all reduce its quality. By eating locally grown produce, you get maximum freshness and the full range of nutrients.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Processing
Imported fruits and vegetables often undergo treatments to extend shelf life. These include irradiation (to kill bacteria), wax coatings (to prevent dehydration), and preservatives (to slow spoilage). Seasonal, locally grown produce, on the other hand, requires less handling, making it a healthier and safer choice.
Seasonal Produce in Melbourne – Winter Guide (June–August)
Melbourne’s winter offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Fruits
Apple, avocado, cumquat, feijoa, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, nashi, orange, pear, persimmon, quince, rhubarb, tamarillo, tangelo
Vegetables
Asian greens, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, fennel, kale, leek, mushrooms, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, silverbeet, spinach, sweet potato, turnip
Herbs
Ginger, coriander, dill, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Find Fresh Produce at Local Farmers’ Markets
Looking for the best seasonal produce? Visit these farmers’ markets in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula:
- Mornington Main Street Market – Wednesdays, 8 AM–3 PM
- Mornington Farmers’ Market – 2nd Saturday of the month, 8:30 AM–1 PM
- Mt Eliza Farmers’ Market – 4th Sunday of the month, 8 AM–3 PM
- Peninsula Fresh Organics – Farm gate open Fri, Sat & Mon (Baxter)
- Bryants Organic Farm – Farm gate open Thurs–Sat, 9 AM–12 PM (Cape Schanck)
Grow Your Own Fresh Produce
If you have space, consider planting herbs or vegetables at home. A small herb pot near your kitchen, a backyard garden bed, or even a few leafy greens in pots can make a big difference. Fresh homegrown herbs add amazing flavor to meals and are easy to maintain.
Eating seasonally benefits your body, your taste buds, and the planet. So next time you shop, choose local, in-season produce—it’s a win for everyone!
Here’s another blog you can read GREEN SMOOTHIE TIPS or this Gut health information about Craving Sugar? Here’s What Your Body Really Needs tell us and share with your friends what you think about it!
Have we missed any Vegetables in Season Melbourne? Get in touch and let us know!
