What Is Your Gut Trying To Tell You?

[Chakra2]

I recently read a book about health and the mind/body connection by Dr Christiane Northrup. As part of the healing process for many illnesses, she suggests asking yourself "What is this disease trying to tell me?" She suggests that there might be physical answers to that question and also spiritual, emotional, or psychological answers. I'm new to all this and to celiac disease/gluten intolerance. But I have been wondering what the answer to that question might be. Interesting that we have the saying, "trust your gut," for example and that for some people addressing their gluten issues seems to involve a struggle or balance between trusting their inner wisdom about their own bodies vs seeking approval or validation from others (like doctors and family members).

Has anyone meditated on this topic? Willing to share what you think your gut is trying to tell you?

Chakra2

[tictax707]

I think this a very interesting philisophical question and I am glad you posted. can't wait to see what others say too. I too, have thought about this issue. As I have matured, I think I have begun to become more in tune with both my body and my mind. It's not a perfect harmony, and I am not always in tune, but the one thing that I now have a very firm belief in is that I HAVE to trust my gut. (and also, my instincts/"gut"). It's been right even when I was a teenager. As a scientist I always like to have solid evidence for what & why etc, but the gut is still right. And this helps me immensely physcologically.

The same actually goes for my anti-gluten actual gut. When I used to start feeling bad or having symptoms I would deal with the symptoms for a week or so sort of hoping they would go away, which they never did. It's denial in it's basic form. I didn't want to have to admit to myself that I was really different and that I needed extra special care. I didn't want to have to change my eating habits, even though they were gluten and dairy free. Now when I start to feel bad, I immediately go back to my basic foods - gerber rice cereal & alpha ENF meal replacement. Forget what I have in the fridge that may go bad, forget dinner plans, just GET BETTER NOW. And my turnaround is usually much faster and I am happier.

I have learned that this is a complex disease and my body is a complex machine. And there you have complexity squared. Sometimes when I feel bad it can't always be traced back to one issue, whether it be a mental issue or a food issue. Sometimes it's several rolled into one that causes the reaction. And stress of course impacts both those fronts (physical & mental). Sometimes I sort it out and feel triumphant. Sometimes though, I can't. And I am getting better at accepting that will happen sometimes and I just have to move on.

Also - I think that what my gut is trying to tell me is: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! Make yourself a priority! And, relax... enjoy life.

Thanks for the post!

[burdee]

I have avoided philosophical analysis of my gut symptoms after my doc twice labeled my symptoms 'stress'. After I told him I had continued IBS symptoms (despite abstaining from gluten and my other 6 food allergies), he suggested I get tummy massage for my stress related symptoms. A stool test showed that I actually had a Cryptosporidium (a potentially lethal parasite) and candida, which caused my symptoms. Exactly one year later, after I reported new gut symptoms, my doc suggested tummy massage, acupuncture and talk therapy with an eating disorder specialist for my 'stress related' symptoms. A stool test confirmed that I actually had clostridium difficile bacteria (a potential lethal bacteria which easily spreads through hospitals). The next time I had intestinal cramping pain, I just requested a repeat stool test. That stool test diagnosed achromobacter, an opportunistic bacteria, which can spread to the respiratory system, if untreated. The next time I had symptoms I again simply requested the stool test. That test diagnosed dientamoeba fragilis (a pathogenic parasite) and h. pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.

If I consider the philosphical meaning of being diagnosed with celiac disease, 6 food allergies, 5 bad bacteria, 2 parasites and candida within the past 4 years, I can only conclude that I need a new doctor, who will actually consider why I keep getting these gut bugs, rather than discounting or very conservatively treating my symptoms. I suspect low stomach acid has influenced my gut bug history. So this week I'm going to a clinic which tests stomach acid production rate and seeing a doctor who has lots of experience with intestinal parasites and bacteria.

SUE

[Skylark]

Did you see the passage from the Kisari Mohan Ganguli translation of the Mahabharata about the Kali Yuga? (Italics are mine).

"Rulers will become unreasonable: they will levy taxes unfairly. Rulers will no longer see it as their duty to promote spirituality, or to protect their subjects: they will become a danger to the world. People will start migrating, seeking countries where wheat and barley form the staple food source. But then, they will also love their subjects so much that they will sacrifice their lives for them. This is what kaliyuga says."

Maybe our bodies know.

[lucia]

I've found throughout this process that I cannot "trust my gut." I have felt despair over this.

I am a huge advocate of eating unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods as a lifestyle choice that is both healthy and delicious. I went through a remarkable process of healing from fibromyalgia through diet and exercise when I was in my mid/late 20s. I adopted a severely restrictive diet that excluded meat other than fish, diary except for yogurt, all sugar, all wheat flour (but not rye), coffee, and alcohol. I fueled up on fish, nuts & seeds, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies.

At the time, it was agony to give up so many foods (I love to eat!), but I discovered that I came to prefer my new diet. Nowadays, I have no desire for hamburgers or french fries or anything with high fructose corn syrup. It just tastes bad to me. Fresh strawberries, garlic-sauteed bok choy, toasted pine nuts - yeah, that's good stuff!

I felt like I was in touch with what my body needed. YET, I still was unable to identify that gluten was making me sick. It took becoming aware of Western medical research on the subject of celiac/gluten intolerance for me to know I needed to dump gluten. Then, when I stopped putting gluten into it, my body had a severe withdrawal reaction. Even though eating gluten has very bad consequences for me, my body got really sick when I stopped eating it.

It feels like a learning process to go through this. I'd rather believe that I can listen to my body and it will tell me what I need, that I am in control of my health. What I think is actually true is that this illness that I have is random. It was encoded into my genes before I was born. I'm grateful that I stumbled into the medical knowledge that can make me well.

Good topic. Important. To reference Maslow's hierarchy, our psychological needs around this come after our physical needs, but they're still a huge part of this process. Thanks for your post.

[lucia]

Did you see the passage from the Kisari Mohan Ganguli translation of the Mahabharata about the Kali Yuga? (Italics are mine).

"Rulers will become unreasonable: they will levy taxes unfairly. Rulers will no longer see it as their duty to promote spirituality, or to protect their subjects: they will become a danger to the world. People will start migrating, seeking countries where wheat and barley form the staple food source. But then, they will also love their subjects so much that they will sacrifice their lives for them. This is what kaliyuga says."

Maybe our bodies know.

Skylark,

That's a fascinating quote. Do you mean that our bodies are reacting to the terrible chaos of Kaliyuga?

[Skylark]

That's a fascinating quote. Do you mean that our bodies are reacting to the terrible chaos of Kaliyuga?

Isn't that an interesting quote? I was so fascinated when I was learning about Kali Yuga and read that. It's always a trick juggling my scientific training and learned skepticism with my inclination to Eastern spirituality.

If you are born into Kali Yuga and your soul remembers better times, is it really any surprise that a food that is supposed to be the hallmark of Kali Yuga makes you sick?

[lucia]

Isn't that an interesting quote? I was so fascinated when I was learning about Kali Yuga and read that. It's always a trick juggling my scientific training and learned skepticism with my inclination to Eastern spirituality.

If you are born into Kali Yuga and your soul remembers better times, is it really any surprise that a food that is supposed to be the hallmark of Kali Yuga makes you sick?

Maybe only the oldest souls get celiac?

[rain]

I've found throughout this process that I cannot "trust my gut." I have felt despair over this.

I am a huge advocate of eating unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods as a lifestyle choice that is both healthy and delicious. I went through a remarkable process of healing from fibromyalgia through diet and exercise when I was in my mid/late 20s. I adopted a severely restrictive diet that excluded meat other than fish, diary except for yogurt, all sugar, all wheat flour (but not rye), coffee, and alcohol. I fueled up on fish, nuts & seeds, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies.

At the time, it was agony to give up so many foods (I love to eat!), but I discovered that I came to prefer my new diet. Nowadays, I have no desire for hamburgers or french fries or anything with high fructose corn syrup. It just tastes bad to me. Fresh strawberries, garlic-sauteed bok choy, toasted pine nuts - yeah, that's good stuff!

I felt like I was in touch with what my body needed. YET, I still was unable to identify that gluten was making me sick. It took becoming aware of Western medical research on the subject of celiac/gluten intolerance for me to know I needed to dump gluten. Then, when I stopped putting gluten into it, my body had a severe withdrawal reaction. Even though eating gluten has very bad consequences for me, my body got really sick when I stopped eating it.

It feels like a learning process to go through this. I'd rather believe that I can listen to my body and it will tell me what I need, that I am in control of my health. What I think is actually true is that this illness that I have is random. It was encoded into my genes before I was born. I'm grateful that I stumbled into the medical knowledge that can make me well.

Good topic. Important. To reference Maslow's hierarchy, our psychological needs around this come after our physical needs, but they're still a huge part of this process. Thanks for your post.

Lucia, Thanks for your post. Your story sounds very similar to mine. I share your sentiment - I cannot only trust my gut and that this illness is part of my genetic code. I do think there is a higher wisdom in living out this process and doing it as well as I can, then facing the next development, though I also find that disappointing. I'd rather believe that linear success existed somewhere.

[mareahf]

I recently read a book about health and the mind/body connection by Dr Christiane Northrup. As part of the healing process for many illnesses, she suggests asking yourself "What is this disease trying to tell me?" She suggests that there might be physical answers to that question and also spiritual, emotional, or psychological answers. I'm new to all this and to celiac disease/gluten intolerance. But I have been wondering what the answer to that question might be. Interesting that we have the saying, "trust your gut," for example and that for some people addressing their gluten issues seems to involve a struggle or balance between trusting their inner wisdom about their own bodies vs seeking approval or validation from others (like doctors and family members).

Has anyone meditated on this topic? Willing to share what you think your gut is trying to tell you?

Chakra2

I found out had celiacs because I listened to my body. I would crave potatoes and chicken broth when I was sick and bread made me gag. When I went online to try to find out why I was so sick I came across celiacs and it started to make sense. I try to listen to my cravings and give my body what it needs. However I do get anxiety when I get glutened and I think it adds to my symptoms. It is hard to get past both the physical and mental toll the disease requires, but I just think of the days to come when I feel healthy.