Surface microvilli in the small intestine are highly regenerative. Microvilli are finger-like projections that create a large surface area in order to optimize nutrient absorption. If given a total rest from everything that irritates them, they can repair themselves in four to five days. If damage is extensive there will be deep tears in the intestinal wall and healing will take much longer. Healing needs to be total before overall health can be restored.
A leaky gut cannot process large protein molecules, so they need to be avoided. Starches and disaccharide sugars (sucrose, lactose) are also to be avoided because a damaged intestinal wall is unable to produce the final enzymes to break them down.
The sugar most compatible with healing a leaky gut is fructose. It does not require digestive enzymes to be absorbed and is not released into the bloodstream as quickly as glucose.
FOODS TO AVOID:
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Dairy
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Grains
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Legumes
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Starchy Vegetables
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High-glycemic fruits
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Sugars
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Alcohol
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Nuts and Seeds
DIET – PHASE 1 (3 weeks):
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Smoothie: Hydrolyzed/pre-digested protein (amino acids) 50%, gentle fibre (psyllium or vegetable) 30%, fructose 20%
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Whole fruits – as much as you want
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Non-starchy vegetables – as much as you want
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Olive oil, 2-3 TBSP/day taken with non-starchy vegetables
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Honey, 1 TBSP/day between meals or with fruit
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Beverages: Purified water, decaf coffee/tea (not herbal)...drink half your weight in ounces/day, eg. 100 lbs = 50 oz/day
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Condiments: Lemon/lime juice, vinegar
Products should be fresh and preferably organic. Have the largest meal at noon, wait 3 hours after any meal containing olive oil before consuming anything else, wait 30 minutes after fruit or protein formula before consuming a meal with olive oil.
If the smoothie causes gas, take 25 billion live cells of probiotics/day. Homeopathics can be taken, but no vitamins, minerals, herbals or glandulars.
DIET – PHASE 2 (3 weeks):
Same as Phase 1, except that nuts (blanched/without skins), seeds, herbs, spices, eggs, fermented soy, fish and poultry may be consumed. Every time animal protein is eaten, a digestive enzyme with HCl is to be taken. Proteins can be combined with the non-starchy vegetables and olive oil, but not with fruits or the smoothie formula. Vitamins, minerals, herbal and glandular supplements are taken during this phase as well. The smoothie can be combined with fruits or vegetables, but not with fruit juice.
REPEAT:
Return to Phase 1, then back to Phase 2 and repeat for up to six months to heal the most stubborn cases. It is strict and challenging but is needed to heal the small intestine in the shortest time possible. If the program causes hardship, modify it by adding supplements to Phase 1 or by shortening the time spent on Phase 1 and lengthening the time spent on Phase 2.
Dairy, grains, legumes, starches, and disaccharide sugars are the enemies of intestinal healing. If you must consume them, do so infrequently. Your body can more easily handle a large quantity consumed once in awhile, than small amounts daily.