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What do you do to try and get your gut flora smiling again--as fast as possible? I realize it's generally not a quick process...but what will optimize the healing?

I've had some stressful days dealing w/family (aging family--this is episodic not an ongoing chronic problem) and I was worrying a lot for unavoidable reasons--mortality, care issues etc. I was going to bed at 1am and only sleeping till 8am or so--not enough.

I kept my diet pretty good (I'm strict these days--trying to lose fat--eating ONLY meat, greens, onions, mushrooms, eggs, non-starchy veg's, and some decaf iced tea w/lemon). I think a crucial error was drinking a couple iced decaf coffees the last 2 days--my gut has a history of quibbling with those yummy dark beans.

I've either regained some weight I lost earlier this summer or I'm bloated from poor digestion. I suspect the latter but not really sure. I can feel my belly is sticking out more. And it's just uncomfortable. Bammed and bumped down there, like a car body after a Texas hail storm.

Yesterday I drank some apple cider vinegar before meals to help digest better but still feel funny in the gut this morning. I also noticed my feet were a bit itchy last night which is usually a sign of yeasty bacteria acting up.

I thought I might add some sauerkraut but wondered if I need to pay special attention to timing and food combos right now. (Lose the 'shrooms? I am def ditching the iced decafs coffees.)

What kind of hostage negotiator do I need to keep the peace? Any any tips for cleaning up after a rough spell?!

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5 Answers

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Gelatinous bone broths and fermented foods will be two of the best options for keeping your gut on track.

Go hard core on limiting n6 (ie no pork or chicken for a bit). Focus instead on seafood and ruminant land mammals.

Veggies only cooked or fermented.

Minimal/no nuts.

Sufficient magnesium for keeping calm.

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1 
 Awesome answer. Pretty much what I would go with – ben61820 Jul 16 2011 at 16:04
GREAT ideas! Totally forgot about bone broths--and to keep the omega 6's down. That's a hugely helpful reminder. I'm having fish for lunch! – ladyp Jul 16 2011 at 16:24
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I feel for you! What I find to help after a particularly belly-stressful situation is a day of fasting. I feel it eases my intestines and gives them a break. That being said, sometimes the idea of fasting is more mentally stressful than helpful, in which case I do what is mentioned above. Belly love!

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Totally agree-that fasting is sometimes very useful. I fasted til 3pm today, hopefully it helps. – ladyp Jul 16 2011 at 20:19
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oh. i so feel you. the stress bloat and tightness. the sleepless belly. totally get it.

it sounds like your foundation is solid, especially since you can pinpoint exactly what happened and why, so my gut says balance will quickly return.

for me, i don't have to do much special except calm down. don't push exercise right now, unless it's stress relieving..

i tend to go a little more heavy on the butter and ghee..it may be just a psychological comfort, but i think it helps soothe my guts and has a calming effect on me.

i take a little more vit. d and lay in the sun.

breathe...and start talking gentle peace treaties rather than hostage scenarios. :)

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i guess i find the cycle of 'fixing' and throwing all sorts of new stuff at the stress belly, doesn't really help. it's just more and more stress. – MKS Jul 16 2011 at 15:15
Yes, I'll work on more peace and love metaphors! Def. And yes, you're right, some deep breathing is in order too. Many thanks. – ladyp Jul 16 2011 at 16:29
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Home made kombucha is my go to, works every time :)

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If anything, I do TOO much homemade kombucha! It's a crutch! – ladyp Jul 17 2011 at 2:21
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I favor intermittent fasting as well. Not sure what it does to the gut flora, however!

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