Dr. Shah recommends these Foods for Gut Health

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know I write a lot about gut health. I help many patients with gut/digestive health problems and it’s truly amazing how many people suffer with some type of gastrointestinal issue. It is estimated to be 25 million in the U.S. alone.

Of course I have patients do specific testing and custom protocols to overcome their GI problems, but I often get asked what are some good foods they can eat on a daily or weekly basis to encourage gut health. Here is my advice:

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is awesome! It has antifungal and antimicrobial properties that make it a great way to eliminate or reduce bad bacteria in the gut, which allows the good ones to grow. You can spread it on toast, pancakes, add to smoothies, and more. Be creative.

Veggies and Fruits

You knew I was going to list these, didn’t you? J Yes, what your mom told you is true, vegetables and fruits are good for you but one of the reasons you may not be aware of is the fiber that they contain. The fiber helps keep the digestive tract in check as opposed to the fiber eaten from non-plant sources.

Garlic

So you may lose some “close” friends if you eat raw garlic on a consistent basis, but at least you’ll help the probiotics in your GI tract to thrive! Garlic is considered a prebiotic, which just means that it provides “food” for the probiotics to feed on. This allows the natural flora of the digestive system to stay in balance and harmony and makes if hard for the bad bacteria to get “the upper hand.”

Fermented Foods

Kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, and other fermented foods/beverages contain beneficial bacteria to help maintain a healthy gut.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Take a tablespoon of this elixir before meals to aid in digestion and improve gastric health. This health food has a plethora of health benefits, but it’s effects on the digestive process make it a regular part of my diet.

With a little bit of planning and changing of your grocery list, you can add these items to your diet each week. Have fun and experiment!

If you need more information on the types of foods that you should be eating please do go ahead and call our office for a health assessment.  If you are having gut issues please do call my office for an appointment.

Dr. Shah, MD