I have a friend who is nursing her wounds, today, from taking her positive living, inspirational blog into the realm of politics-with-humor, yesterday. Her feel-good readers didn’t all feel good about what she wrote and let her know with a barrage of criticism. She has written a warm and candid response and will go on to write another day. Read Pam Grout’s Blog here
But, in her actions, she has inspired me to do what Spirit has been nudging me to do for quite some time now – to use my platform, Radical Harmony, to write about food.
Yes. Food. Believe me, it’s every bit as controversial as politics and a lot more up close and personal.
But with Pam as Chief Role Model and Inspirer, here I go.
I’ve had a health issue – double vision – that was originally infrequent, but the last 3-4 years has become nearly constant, with brief remissions. I have long felt it had to do with my eating, and with stress – as well as the metaphysical side: “What are you not willing to look at?” Or more accurately, “Are you seeing two worlds, instead of One?” or something….
My desire to heal completely from this is passionate. Yes, I’ve had the MRI (nothing), the blood tests (nothing of consequence) and regular doctors shaking their heads.
Fast forward. About 6 weeks ago, I declared that I was going to follow my intuition and learn all I could learn about my gut and what is going on down there. I ordered books from Amazon and from my library and began to read, and slowly, implement what I’m learning.
My eyes got better, fast. And other symptoms too – like small painful cracks in my fingertip skin. And then, they got worse. But, this time, more predictable. I’m keeping records of what I’m experiencing and of the way I’m eating.
The story is too long for here, but here’s the nugget: in your gut – intestine – live trillions of microscopic bacteria which digest your food, govern your appetite, influence your mood, and so much more.
It’s called the MicroBiome. By numbers and by influence, it is way more powerful than “you.” And yet, we don’t even know it’s there, much less learn how to manage it well so that we can live happy healthy lives.
Author and MD Dr. Raphael Kellman likens it to Dr. Seuss’s “Who-ville,” and himself to Horton, who can “hear” this tiny world (Remember Horton Hears a Who?). My husband Stan (Slaughter) is a long-time compost/soil educator and he knows very well the secret microscopic world of the soil – from which our plants – our food – get their nutrients, or not. So he and I have lively discussions about what will best benefit our personal Gut Gardens.
Know what else? This huge-tiny world of bacteria can change entirely within hours – depending on what you are feeding them. Each little guy (bacteria) may have a life-span of only 20 minutes. So when you feed the “good guys” you get more of them reproducing more buddies like themselves. When you feed the “bad guys” – the ones who produce inflammation and allergic responses – they also multiply, and then demand more of the foods they want you to eat. Yes, they influence our appetites.
So to those who say “I can eat anything!” I say, “Fine! You and your microbiome are doing well – at the moment. Enjoy.” But to anyone listening, I say… omg. This is an astonishing and powerful world within… a world that can produce healing – or disease.
Hippocrates said “All disease begins in the gut.” He must have known something about the microbiome.
