Leaky Gut and the Simple 5 R Gut Healing Framework

You may have heard of the 5R Gut Healing Framework.
No? Maybe you’ve heard of ‘leaky gut.’

The 5R Leaky Gut Healing Framework

is a method of gut-healing that rebalances your gastrointestinal system. How would you know that you need this?  Several symptoms can reflect this condition, but a doctor can help you diagnose the problem.  People have found relief from a range of symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain and headaches, medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, asthma, autism, ADHD, and chronic skin conditions.

We have so much bacteria in our digestive tract that’s there to break down food.  This complex system can get out of balance from antibiotics, stress, the wrong foods, not enough sleep, etc.

Some people believe that how healthy the gut is, is a reflection of how healthy the body is. I have found this framework to provide considerable benefits to my patients, of course, altered to fit their specific needs and lifestyle.

The 5R Gut Healing Framework works like this:

• REMOVE
  This portion focuses on removing any problematics foods and foods which cause inflammation to one’s system. You will find that foods most likely to cause inflammation are the most common food allergies.  This list includes cow’s milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, and fish.  It all depends on your diet and the common allergens. We also focus on eliminating pathogenic fungus, parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may be present in the gut, causing an unbalanced gut microbiome. A lab test can identify these problematic bugs.
• REPLACE
  Here we look at adding enzymes and digestive aids to allow for the body to completely breakdown food and further reduce inflammation in the gut and aid in proper digestion. We want to replace any of the digestive enzymes that have been lost. Again, a lab test can show the current status of digestive enzymes.
• REINOCULATE
  This step adds good bugs, or beneficial probiotics and flora, to the gut to push out pathogenic bacteria or dysbiosis. An imbalance can be caused by antibiotic use, poor diet, or a gut infection. These good bugs can be affected by everything from stress to lifestyle, like not getting enough rest.  So we want to be sure to add back in some of these. Prebiotics and probiotics improve balance.
• REPAIR
  Now that the microbiome is becoming more healthy and harmful bugs and inflammation have decreased, we can begin repairing the gut lining. The gut restoration is done by specific nutrients that regenerate the mucosal barrier and heal “leaky gut”.
• REBALANCE
  The final step is my favorite. We get to look at sustainability and holistically looking at one’s life and how healthy changes can fit in a way that brings joy and energy. Here we get to problem solve together and plan for grounding, stress reduction, and that elusive balance to be sure the healing sustains. This step is all about balance and finding where your life has gotten out of balance helps get, and keep, your gut healthy.

Remember restoring gut health takes time; this is not a short-term solution.  If you have had ongoing problems, they aren’t going to be solved overnight.  However, by following the steps above, you will be on your way to healthier living.

Happy to answer any questions! Feel free to reach out to our team at https://shiftfunctionalmed.com/contact/

Learn even more about leaky gut here.

ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25599185

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