The Importance of looking after your gut – Part 2

In the last article of ‘The importance of looking after your gut’, we explored what foods support immunity and how you can adapt your diet based on different intolerances.

My interview with Ricky Singh, Founder of Supply Life continues, discussing how certain foods can help protect us and minimise the challenges of some diseases. Ricky shares his response below to the questions in this interview which was also broadcast on national television in the UK on the Sikh Channel (Sky Channel 768).

How does the health of our stomach or gut help ensure we minimise our risk of diseases such as cancer and type two diabetes?

There are some medications which are causing side effects such as diabetes, unfortunately, people get stuck in the circle taking the meds and eating the same food. So potentially you are increasing the chances by taking the medication and then also eating foods which are causing you to bloat.

So, to minimise chances of getting chronic diseases like irritable bowel disease (IBD) bowel cancers and others, you should look to minimise gut inflammation.

You can search online which foods to avoid minimising these diseases, the common foods are dairy, grains, gluten, sweetcorn or you can take a food intolerance test to find out specifically what is causing you gut inflammation which is the start to it. 

If we aim to reduce gut inflammation, you are more than likely to be consuming foods your body can breakdown, meaning your gut is working like it is designed to work. This will then fuel your body to have a stronger immune system, improve quality of sleep. All these help rest, repair and support your body. If you were doing the opposite then you struggle with the quality of sleep as the stomach is in pain so you cannot relax, the body is not getting fuelled so it cannot heal efficiently, putting more stress on the body and the immune system.

How effective is pea and soya protein compared to hemp seed and pumpkin seed protein for digestion?

First, I would want to know if you are intolerant to pea or soya, as if you are then more than likely it is causing you more damage than good. Pea intolerance is becoming common, switching to soya protein may be an option but it is good to know that soy acts like a natural oestrogen, which is a female hormone. Proteins like hemp seed, pumpkin seed and brown rice proteins will not have the side effects like soy. Always try to mix the hemp seed or pumpkin seed with rice protein to get all the amino acids. This will help support the breakdown and absorbing process.

With an increase in people turning vegetarian and vegan, this has led to exploring different sources of protein supplements when food is not readily available, especially when travelling or during a working day.

Why is it important to minimise consuming products with artificial flavours, sweeteners, and preservatives?

Anything we consumed that been processed has an impact on our digestive system, let’s look at processed meats, it is known to cause bowel cancer which comes down to the nitrates and other preservatives. I am using this as an example, you will find that you cannot even pronounce some of the word found in the ingredients.

And if we don’t understand what we are consuming, we will not know what damage it is causing short term and long term in the gut.

What else can you advise on developing optimum health of the gut or stomach and improving digestion of food?

“People need to vary their food and vegetables daily intake rather than eat the same foods all the time.”

Through Indian cooking, the nutrients and vitamins from vegetables can be diminished from excessive heat and ghee in the food preparation, so look at ways how you minimise that.

Let’s try to add variation to our diet, if you are doing roti (chappatis) every day maybe change to having ‘besan’ (chickpea flour) or rice flour. 

• Try taking probiotics to add good gut bacteria in a tablet form
• Aim to eat fruits every day, and if life is a little hectic mix them into a smoothie
• Switch the ghee to olive oil
• Maybe try to add a multivitamin to support your overall health
• Try to avoid dairy, it is becoming more common as this is causing gut inflammation and is related to cause migraines too. 

To find out more on how Supply Life can help you with food intolerance testing, please click the icon below to visit their website

My interview with Ricky was extremely well received. To give ourselves the best chance, it isn’t just about exercise. I am a big believer in how health is driven by what we eat, and even simple changes can support our immune systems and help us with our health journey.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how a nutrition plan can support you with your gut health and any intolerances that are getting in the way of your training goals, contact me and I can consult and advise you on how to support you.