Heal Your Gut | Why Cleansing Is Your #1 Weapon For Tackling Digestive Problems Naturally

Digestive Health Author Marc McLean Reveals Hidden Root Causes Of Gut Problems

As you read these words, someone is being diagnosed with a gut health condition. 

There are around 3.2 million people in the UK suffering from IBS today, and millions more with similar inflammatory bowel conditions such as gastritis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s Disease.

In the US, digestive diseases lead to a quarter of all surgeries and more Americans are hospitalised with digestive health issues than any other condition, according to gastroenterology organisation the GI Alliance. 

It’s fair to say that we’re witnessing a digestive disorder disaster in society these days.

But why are so many people struggling with problems when previous generations never had it quite so bad? (This article will provide an answer…and it might surprise you).

Are There Natural Ways To Heal Your Gut?

Are there any natural steps you can take to heal your gut, or at least improve symptoms if you’ve been dealing with the likes of constipation, painful heartburn, or food intolerances? 

My answer – a resounding YES.

But why listen to me? My name is Marc McLean and I’m author of the book More Than A Gut Feeling: Natural And Simple Steps For Tackling IBS And Ulcerative Colitis.  

I’m a health and wellness journalist and, after first being diagnosed with IBS in 2010 and severe ulcerative colitis later, I was told by medics that I’d have to take medication for the rest of my life and “learn to live with it”.

Aged just 28 and popping pills for the next 50 years just to be able to go to the toilet properly? Not a chance.

Instead, I embarked on a long/painful/costly journey to recover my health naturally – but ultimately discovered that there are numerous natural ways to improve your digestive health (once you properly understand what the root causes of these conditions are).

Gut Conditions With Different Names, But With The Same Dilemma…

While gut conditions have been given different names in the medical world, the very nature of IBS, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease etc is inflammation of the gut and colon. Each of these conditions is essentially a different degree of severity of inflammation.

• IBS 

A lower level of inflammation that affects the large intestine (colon). Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.

• Ulcerative Colitis

Affects the innermost lining of your large intestine and rectum. However, as the chronic inflammation has progressed over a longer period, ulcers/sores also develop. Along with similar symptoms of diarrhoea, constipation, gut pain etc, UC often leads to mucus and blood being passed when going to the toilet.

• Crohn's Disease

The level of inflammation in Crohn’s can involve different areas of the entire digestive tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.

If you address what’s causing the inflammation in the digestive tract, then it’s possible for you to ease and even reverse your painful symptoms. 

The body has a tremendous innate capacity to heal – if you support it properly.

There are various ways to reduce inflammation in the gut naturally, but what’s causing that inflammation in the first place? If we target the fire-starter there’s a chance we can put out the flames for good.

Want To Heal Your Gut? Cleansing The Body Is Essential

For most people living in the Western world, our bodies are under attack every day – because we live in a toxic environment.

The planet has changed dramatically over the past century and our bodies are exposed to many more harmful substances than our grandparents and great-grandparents ever were.

Whether it’s the perfumes or aftershaves we put onto our skin, the detergent we wash our clothes in, the shampoo massaged into our scalp each day, the car fumes in the air outside, even the scented candles in our homes…all can contain harmful heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides.

Health researcher Cory Gerlach, from Harvard University in the US, said: “There are currently more than 85,000 chemicals in the US that make up the products in our daily lives and few, besides medications and pesticides, have been assessed thoroughly for safety.”

When these toxins accumulate over time they overload the body, our liver becomes overburdened, and our system gradually begins to break down. The health of your liver directly impacts the functioning of your digestive system.

When the liver becomes stagnant and sluggish due to too many toxins, it fails to produce enough bile which is essential for the breakdown of fats and proteins. The body then tries to overcompensate by producing more hydrochloric acid, however the stomach glands become worn out over time and fail to produce enough stomach acid, according to American health expert Medical Medium Anthony William.

At this point, undigested food rots in the digestive tract, pathogens and bacteria proliferate, sparking ongoing inflammation which leads to the development of gut health conditions.

For a more in-depth explanation, and to learn more about root causes of various chronic illnesses, I’d highly recommend reading Anthony William’s book Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic And Mystery Illness And How To Finally Heal.

What he teaches is that every digestive disorder is rooted in a sluggish/stagnant liver crying out for help.

Bottom line: if we clean out our bodies, we can clean up our health. 

That means detoxing…and we know the best possible way to do just that.

Help Your Body Repair And Restore Through These Two Detox Practices

It’s essential to cleanse/detox the body in our 21st century world. When we clear out these harmful toxins, and then flood the body with nutrients we give it the best possible chance of cooling the inflammation, repairing and replacing damaged cells, and bringing about balance.

One extremely powerful method is juice cleansing – and this is why PRESS offer a full range of cleanses.

Celery juice in particular is a powerhouse drink for tackling gut health issues because it helps optimise your stomach acid levels, it clears out pathogens, cools inflammation, and much more to support digestive health.

Another highly-recommended detox method is spending 10-20 minutes in a sauna a couple of times per week. 

There’s a mountain of scientific evidence supporting the many health benefits of sauna, but it supports your digestive health as it helps excrete harmful chemicals and heavy metals that are a root cause of gut inflammation.

Give your body the TLC it needs through these natural detox practices. It doesn’t require a complete life overhaul. You can always start slow, drinking freshly-pressed juices a couple of days per week (in the morning on an empty stomach for best results), and perhaps going for a 10-15 minute sauna at the weekend.

Your gut (and liver) will thank you for it.