Spring is right around the corner!  Have you noticed that the sun is rising earlier?  There are already blossoms on the trees, and we have had some exquisitely warm days lately.

The arrival of Spring signals new life and a fresh start, and what better way to embrace this new season than by doing some spring cleaning, not just in our homes (although we will talk about that later on in this newsletter), but in our bodies too.  

This time of year, is perfect to do some kind of reset, and this month we are focusing on GUT HEALTH and how it impacts everything, from our hormones to our skin and even our mood. 

We will also share our top product recommendations for repopulating your gut microbiome, and tips for getting started with a gut reset to feel your best and improve your health.

The Gut and Hormones

Gut health truly is essential because it impacts literally every organ in the body.  Research shows that up to 90% of all diseases can be traced back to the gut and the health of the microbiome, so we really need to be focusing on establishing and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome before doing anything else.

For instance, did you know that you need good gut health in order to have properly balanced hormones?  That's right, you could be doing all the right things to balance your hormones, from nourishing your body to getting daily sunlight in your eyes, but if your gut is off, chances are your hormones will be too.

Every time you have a bowel movement, waste from the food you eat is being removed from your body. 

At the same time, excess estrogen in the body is also being disposed of, so if you suffer from constipation, not only are you not getting rid of food waste, but the excess estrogen in your body can be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream.  This could then lead to estrogen dominance.

The gut also affects how well we can absorb the nutrients we need, so like we mentioned earlier, you may be eating nutrient-rich foods, but if you have an issue with your gut, all the good stuff is really just going to waste. 

Your gut is also responsible for absorbing nutrients like iodine, selenium, and zinc that are needed for thyroid hormone production, and the gut plays a major role in helping to regulate the release of insulin which controls blood sugar levels. 

Higher blood sugar levels can cause weight gain, PCOS and endometriosis.

What Causes Gut Issues?

What causes issues with the gut in the first place?  Environmental toxins, antibiotics, hormones and pesticides in and on the food we eat, chemicals and toxins found in cleaning products, beauty products, feminine hygiene products and even in the water we drink and whether or not we were born vaginally or via C-section, all are contributing factors. 

Even stress and sleep quality can potentially affect and change our gut microbiome.  

When it comes to healing your gut, there are a few products we love and would highly recommend, one being doTERRA's ProBiome, as well as Terrazyme and ZenGest which help restore the gut microbiome and rebuild the gut lining.

We also love the many health benefits that drinking honeybush tea offers.  

Honeybush tea is high in polyphenols which basically feeds the good bacteria in your gut.  It is also anti-inflammatory - inflammation in the gut can set off the immune system and cause inflammation throughout the rest of the body - so drinking honeybush can really help keep inflammation under control.  

We suggest drinking 3 cups daily as a maintenance dosage.

Learn How to Make Your Own Green Cleaning Products…

We love making our own cleaning products using natural products.  

Not only is it better for the environment, but also for you and your family.  

The toxins found in most of the cleaning products we use daily in our homes are toxic, and as mentioned before, extremely harmful to the gut microbiome.

If you are interested in learning how to make your own green cleaning products, join us for a FREE Zoom class on the 12th of September at 20:15.

You can sign up and be notified for this class by joining our WhatsApp group, The Oily Bunch, here.

Switch to Natural Sanitary Pads to Avoid Exposure to Toxins…

If you want to avoid as many toxins as possible, which is so important in the gut healing journey, we also suggest switching to natural sanitary pads so that you can rest assured that there are no toxins or chemicals entering your body through your feminine hygiene products.  

We love hannahPADs because they are made using 100% organic cotton and are also reusable, so in addition to being completely natural, they are also more cost effective in the long run.

Get Started with a Gut Reset!

If you suffer from acne, bloating, joint pain, brain fog, constipation, fatigue, acid reflux, to name but a few, chances are you have an issue with your gut, and we highly suggest taking the time to properly heal your gut so that not only you can feel so much better NOW, but so that you can reduce the chances of developing more serious diseases in the future.

If you are unsure where to even begin, we recommend looking into undertaking an elimination diet (carnivore, GAPS, etc.) so as to give your body a chance to rest from the foods causing inflammation, such as conventional dairy, gluten and sugar.  

During this time, it is important to also give your body time to rest, so avoid doing HIIT workouts, cardio or anything strenuous, and focus more on gentle forms of exercise such as walking and Pilates.

Bear in mind that stress can also play a huge role in the

After a time (and we recommend you consult a healthcare professional or make sure to do extensive research on the exact process of elimination, rest and reintroduction of foods before getting started), you can then start to reintroduce foods and discover which things are a trigger for you.

Something that can be extremely beneficial in the gut healing process, is a 72 hour fast which allows your body to do a complete reset.  This kind of fast allows your body to get rid of dead and decaying cells and break down and reuse old cell parts which will in turn make everything in your body more efficient, including your gut.

If you are interested in the benefits of fasting, we recommend the book Fast Like a Girl by Dr Mindy Pelz to get you started.

We could share so much more on gut health - it is an extremely interesting and complex topic, but we hope you found this a good place to start and that you feel motivated to begin the journey of gut healing and experience the vibrant health and energy that comes from a well-functioning gut.

Have a wonderful month of September!

Don't forget to give us a follow on Instagram and Facebook!

Warmly,

Ms Dotty from Puracy

P.S. If you are interested in stocking hannahPADS/CUPS or Savon soaps in your shop or practice, please email us at info@puracy.co.za