GUT Happy

by LCCotter on June 22, 2012

Well, I guess it’s time for an informative post, yes? And what better time than on a spontaneous Friday night. Haha! Winking smile

Actually, I’ve had a few people ask me how my stomach was healing, so I thought I’d share.

It’s getting better each day, and I have nice (natural) supplement line up to thank for it.

Exhibit A:

gut

stats

  • Digestive Enzymes: I use a plant based enzyme to help in carbohydrate and protein digestion. Premier Research Labs has a ton that are very effective, well for me at least. Check out their full line of Gastro Health Supplements HERE.
  • New Zealand brand Colostrum: I got hooked on this colostrum back in 2009 when we were in New Zealand. It was right after I had my first illness from a parasite. I love what it does for intestinal flora. I know they sell other colostrum brands in the states as well. Several at Whole Foods.

Source:

With additional support from the prebiotics Inulin and Oligofructose, Nutra-Life Colostrum Gold helps improve general well being, maintain levels of healthy bacteria in the gut and supports healthy immune function.


Beneficial for:

  • Maintaining a healthy immune system.
  • Maintaining digestive and intestinal health
  • Glutamine- This glorious supplement was recommended by my amazing GUT GURU friend and RD Mel. She’s amazing and knows her stuff. This supplement basically acts like a patch kit for your stomach. It helps repair the muscle in the stomach when under all kinds of physical and emotional stress. See more info about it HERE.
  • HCL (Hydrochloric Acid): And then there is good ol’ HCL. This has been a new one over the past few months. HCL assists the stomach in creating it’s own stomach acid.

Source:

…. assist the body’s natural stomach acids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, especially protein, vitamin B12, calcium, iron and other minerals.
As we age, we typically produce less hydrochloric acid (HCl) which reduces our ability to efficiently absorb nutrients from food. Reduced HCl production affects the amount of protein and calcium we can absorb and can interfere with bone metabolism. Incomplete protein metabolism can imbalance intestinal flora. Betaine hydrochloric acid promotes absorption of nutrients.

  • And last but not least, the most important NATURAL SUPPLEMENT of ALL!

Less stress!!

Taking on less, practicing Yoga, and daily dog walks.

o-matic silly

I’ve still got a ways to go and one more test to complete to make sure we are on the right track BUT…

IT IS PROGRESS

And I am thankful!

Some other good GUT links to check out:

Alright, enough gut talk. Time to enjoy the weekend!

Stress free!

Cheers to Good Guts!

LC

Disclaimer: Although I am a Nutrition Manager, I do not specialize in gastrointestinal health. The supplements above are my personal choice. I am sharing why/how they are working for me.

{ 67 comments… read them below or add one }

Lou June 22, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Oh yes, you have a good little army of supplements there…. I need HCL too, my tum does not make much digesting-juice at all, boo. Perhaps that is why I can swig apple cider vinegar like it is chocolate milk?
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teabagginit June 22, 2012 at 10:23 pm

lady, you’re strong, determined, and a perfect example of inner (and outer) strength. girl, you’ve got guts! :)
teabagginit recently posted..Chocolate Marshmallow Protein Frosting

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:47 am

and you’v got guts of steel! love you for that!

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Abby @ Change of Pace June 22, 2012 at 10:47 pm

That’s awesome you’re feeling better and healing every day! Thanks for the info. That’s really interesting about HCL. I’m going to have to check out all the links.
I like the most important supplement of less stress. Wishing you a stress-free weekend!
Abby @ Change of Pace recently posted..Change the Pace – bike

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:46 am

totally! and i think you’d like the glutamine too. A lot athletes use it for endurance trianing.

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Katie June 22, 2012 at 11:56 pm

I’m trying to streamline my “supplements” to just the stresss less item. I’ve tried all the others and they work, but less stress really is the cure-all.
Katie recently posted..Coffee and tea lovers unite!

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:48 am

yes, and i know we share the same gut happy tactics. How is yours BTW?

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Chuck June 23, 2012 at 12:53 am

I’m so glad to hear you are doing better Lindsay! That makes me happy! Have an awesome weekend and do something that you can only do in Austin! I met someone else who went to UT a few years ago–Cara-but I can’t remember her blog now!

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:47 am

and it makes me happy to hear you are doing the same. Check out the glutmatine, great for endurance athletes.

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Raina June 23, 2012 at 1:40 am

Glad you are seeing some progress, Lindsay. And yes, the less stress part is NICE. Hope you cotters have a GREAT weekend!
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:49 am

I’m flying solo this weekend but we are good. so so good to hear from you, always!

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Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile June 23, 2012 at 6:09 am

My probiotics help my gut a lot. I’m so glad to have them! Definitely checking out the FODMAPS link.
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:49 am

yes, do it. I think FODMAPs diet is good to incorporate from time to time, especially when the body is stressed.

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katie @KatieDid June 23, 2012 at 6:38 am

so happy you’re finding things that work. I’ve never been through something to that extent with gut issues but I can only imagine how frustrating it is to try and figure out. my stomach stays happy with no dairy I’m figuring out lately, even my raw milk I liked so much for a bit. and NO cabbage, sadly… cannot handle that one. happy weekend to you :)
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 6:50 am

i know, i miss my raw milk and cabbage. But thank heavens for goats milk yogurt, which i can tolerate. now if only there were raw goats milk available. Or maybe i just need to buy a goat. haha.

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Brittany @ Delights and Delectables June 23, 2012 at 7:24 am

Love this! I also take Bile Salts from my chinese med dr. to help me to break down my food! It has been awesome! I need new probiotics, so I’m checking yours out!
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:52 pm

oh i have used those before. Such good stuff. I also used to take zypan and choline. Ever heard of those?

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katie June 23, 2012 at 8:20 am

Hi love!!!

Great to hear your “guts” are feeling better : )

I do take probiotics every single day! Fun to see some of the stuff you take, I have heard glutamine is a great supplement to take.

Happy weekend! <3

Less stress is always a good thing!
katie recently posted..A smart {mug} and package overload

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:53 pm

i get less stressed every time i read your blog. <3

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Bre June 23, 2012 at 8:44 am

Glutamine…that is one of the things I keep meaning to start taking and never do. I think I keep pretending that since it’s in the shake mix…that’s enough! ;) I need to get back on taking my supplements…I’ve been slacking so this post was a perfect little kick in the bum!

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:53 pm

girll!!!!! you need glutamine. All celiacs and endurance junkies do!

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Bre June 23, 2012 at 7:56 pm

lol what supplement don’t I need!?!? celiac and endurance junkie = super supplement fest. I think I take more vits/supplements than my grandma! ;) Monday…I’ll add in the glutamine.

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:58 pm

yes yes! its amazing. add it to shakes, yogurt, etc.

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Molly Ritterbeck June 23, 2012 at 11:14 am

So glad you are finding a routine that works!!!
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:52 pm

me too! a good road to recovery!

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Lisa June 23, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Great post Lindsay! I suffer from a lot of digestive distress and we’re trying to figure out the culprit right now, so the info on all this stuff is really great! It’s so hard to figure that stuff out. I’m so glad to hear your tummy is doing better Lindsay!!
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:54 pm

i think anyone that has been through a stomach illness or malnutrition state should look into these. Really, good stuff! but stressing less is the best.

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Jess @ Blonde Ponytail June 23, 2012 at 1:18 pm

I am thankful to hear you are well on your way to healing and reducing stress in your life! Sadie is seems quite happy with the daily dog walks!!
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:55 pm

sadie and i are having a blast! we are waiting for you and Coop to come play!

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Jess June 23, 2012 at 3:13 pm

SO SO glad you are on the mend my dear! xo!
Jess recently posted..A wine country bucket list

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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:55 pm

now i just need a wine retreat with you for ultimate healing. hehe

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Alysia @ Slim Sanity June 23, 2012 at 3:24 pm

stress free is the way to be! so glad things are going well for you
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:57 pm

that and good wine, right? tee hee

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Sarah Kay Hoffman June 23, 2012 at 3:56 pm

Love it! Thank you so much for including me. I’m a huge HCL fan, and everything else you mention of course. I can’t wait to help women with bum tums!

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Tracy @ Commit to Fit June 23, 2012 at 5:03 pm

I started taking a digestive supplement to and have found that it has made a huge different. Glad you are feeling better. :)
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:57 pm

oh good! it’s crazy how much our diet can help or hurt us. Thank goodness for probiotics, etc.

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kalli June 23, 2012 at 5:31 pm

i am so glad you are feeling better! thank you for sharing your supplements. if i was to try just one….which one would you recommend?
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LCCotter June 23, 2012 at 7:56 pm

the glutamine is great for endurance athletes, so you might like that. But the HCL helps absorb nutrients. i would try glutamine first. Good stuff all around!

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Heather @ Dietitian on the Run June 24, 2012 at 7:50 am

Thank you for all of the helpful links! I don’t know as much as I should about this stuff, since most of my clients thus far haven’t required it (GF is another story! :) ). I’ll be reading up more on the supplements – while I usually try to refrain from suggesting that path, it’s good to know what to recommend when needed.

SO so glad to hear you’re feeling on the up, and couldn’t agree more that the most important Rx is to Stress less!
Heather @ Dietitian on the Run recently posted..O.L.B.A – Spreading the Good Words

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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:07 pm

I knew you would appreciate the resources. My RD Mel is awesome at incorporating things like this into diets for athletes, GI problems, etc. I agree, we need to treat food as medicine first, but it’s good to know these are options. Right?
<3

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Heather (Where's the Beach) June 24, 2012 at 9:13 am

So glad you’re getting better! Yep, stress is a mean thing isn’t it?
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Running, Blogger Meetup & Fun Facts Friday: Chatty Cathe

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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:07 pm

just wish i would have realized it earlier. Oye!

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Jan June 24, 2012 at 9:22 am

Glad you’re feeling better! I am definitely going to look into some of those supplements.
Jan recently posted..Treadmill or Dreadmill?

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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:06 pm

oh do it. and let me know whatcha think.

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Kierston June 24, 2012 at 11:26 am

I’m so happy to hear you are getting better each day!

Thanks for sharing this gut happy post, very informational :)
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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:05 pm

yes, i got on a science tangent. tee hee. Happy sunday!

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Tara June 24, 2012 at 11:30 am

It’s good to here things are going well! Isn’t it amazing how much stress takes a toll on our bodies? It always surprises me how much of a difference it makes when I eliminate a lot of negative stress!
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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:05 pm

definitely! how are you friend?! I need update on life, running, future college!

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jobo June 24, 2012 at 1:20 pm

Oh I am so happy to hear this progress!! It sounds like you are feeling much better and I can just tell by your posts, and your tone that you are. Not that you ever sounded BAD, (never! not even if you tried!) but I know it’s been a tough few months. XOXO!
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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:04 pm

i think you and jess were part of my stress free healing. <3

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Casey (The Hippie Health Nut) June 24, 2012 at 2:46 pm

I could not do without my HCl! Glad you’re healing and a big hooray for less stress. :)
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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:04 pm

FOR REAL! and Glutamine! Hey, what’s the move update??

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She Rocks Fitness June 24, 2012 at 4:23 pm

High-Fives to a happy GUT, lots of yoga, and less stress! Glad to see all this good stuff going on woman! xoxo
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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 6:04 pm

Yes, YOGA to the rescue! xxoo

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melissa June 24, 2012 at 8:09 pm

I can’t wait to get my ALCAT and Metametrix tests back on July 10, hopefully I will then understand some of my gut issues more.

I take glutamine, mostly for muscle recovery, since I have issues with that as well. My new hormone Dr seemed pleased with it, since it’s good for the gut too. What dosage is yours?

I really need to work on the stress thing. Especially since I already know I have cortisol issues.

thanks for sharing!
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LCCotter June 24, 2012 at 10:02 pm

and 3-5mg a day i think. Keep me posted on your results!

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Sara @ Nourish and Flourish June 25, 2012 at 1:09 am

Thanks SO much for this post, Lindsay! It brings me joy to hear that you’re beginning to feel better! Stomach distress is no fun. I started taking an HCL + digestive enzyme supplement in April, and it has helped me *tremendously.* After reading about the other supplements you listed, I think I might try incorporating a few into the lineup as well. Do you think the glutamine has made a difference?

Cheers to less stress and happier tummies! <3

p.s. when are you coming to DC?!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish recently posted..Peanut Butter Protein Egg White Puffs

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Miz June 25, 2012 at 5:06 am

THANK YOU!!
Im sending this to my sister right now.
Miz recently posted..Walk with me (NAKANO splash it on/step it up challenge).

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Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run June 25, 2012 at 8:06 am

Ugh. Stress. It sent both my good friend to the hospital with stomach issues (now has chronic colitis) and my Dad to the hospital with a TIA a few years ago. I’m doing everything I can to avoid stress. More planning, less saying “yes”. More yoga. I need to do more yoga. lol SOOOOO glad your stomach is on the mend, friend. I know that the moment I find myself battling issues there, I’m all out of whack…I can’t imagine what you’ve had to go through.
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LCCotter June 25, 2012 at 12:24 pm

It’s crazy how we ignore stress too, ya know? I know you are striving for balance and that is so important. Okay, i am going to go disconnect, you go reconnect. haha, k?

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StoriesAndSweetPotatoes June 25, 2012 at 4:42 pm

I’m glad you’re doing a little better. I take all those supplements except for HCL which I actually should look into. Glutamine is so great for the stomach AND the muscles…win win ;)
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Laura @ LauraLivesLife June 26, 2012 at 8:24 pm

Love this list – thank you for posting! I definitely want and need to try some natural remedies to help my gastrointestinal struggles!
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LCCotter June 26, 2012 at 9:27 pm

keep me posted on if you try them! How are the extra calories coming? Been reading but my computer is in the shop and can’t comment from phone.
xxoo

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Sarah @ The Healthy Diva June 30, 2012 at 8:46 pm

Glad to hear you are feeling better my friend!!! I can only hope things keep going in that direction. I just ordered some similar supplements and can’t wait to try them out :)
Sarah @ The Healthy Diva recently posted..Monday Madness!

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LCCotter July 1, 2012 at 12:17 pm

definitely check out the NZ colostrum! it has done wonders! how are you feeling these days?

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julie July 1, 2012 at 5:04 pm

wow this was so informative! I’ve been thinking about picking up some glutamine! i read about it somewhere but i couldn’t remember why exactly i wanted to purchase it haha but you kind of reminded me why i might want some! Great post mama!
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LCCotter July 1, 2012 at 8:52 pm

DO IT!!! Especially for weight lifting. You will love the benefits of glutamine juls!

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