Healing Starts in the Gut: What I Tell Every Caregiver and Client
Most people think of gut health as just digestion, but it is so much more than that. Your gut is the frontline of your immune system. It is the root of your mood, your inflammation, your energy. It is where healing either begins, or quietly breaks down.
As a caregiver, a nurse, and someone who has walked through deep healing with my own family, I have learned this: you cannot heal what you are not feeding right.
If the gut is inflamed, overloaded with processed foods, antibiotics, chemicals, or stress, it sends those stress signals everywhere. The brain. The skin. The hormones. The nervous system.
So when someone asks me where to start, I say start here:
My Go-To Gut Healing Tips:
Eat to lower inflammation: Crowd your plate with colorful plants, clean proteins, healthy fats, and high-fiber foods that feed your microbiome. Think leafy greens, berries, cruciferous veggies, olive oil, avocado, and herbs. Skip refined sugar, seed oils, and ultra-processed foods that inflame rather than heal.
Start your day with life: Begin the morning with something that wakes up your cells, like a green juice (you can find my recipe here), smoothie, or warm lemon water. Hydrate first, before caffeine, and choose foods that energize rather than drain.
Support your nervous system: Stress is one of the biggest gut disruptors. Ground yourself daily through breathwork, prayer, stillness, or gentle movement. When your nervous system feels safe, your digestion follows.
Watch your inputs: Healing is not only about what is on your plate, it is also what you consume emotionally and mentally. Be mindful of your media, your conversations, and even your self-talk. Protect your peace the same way you protect your gut.
Consider quality supplements: When used intentionally, supplements can bridge gaps and support healing. Start simple: a high-quality probiotic, digestive enzymes, magnesium, or adaptogens. Choose trusted brands and avoid the “more is better” trap. (We will go deeper on this soon.)
Healing your gut is not about being perfect. It is about paying attention. And once you do? You will see just how much the rest of your body, and mind, start to follow.
