Intestinal cleansing – when the gut returns to balance

The gut is an often underestimated organ in our body. What many people don't know is that the gut is, among other things, the control center of our immune system. It's no wonder, then, that many illnesses, discomforts, and other ailments may originate in an imbalanced gut flora.

This text will tell you more about gut cleansing and its benefits for overall well-being. You will also learn more about the process and the dos and don'ts regarding nutrition.

What is a gut cleanse?

This treatment method is used when the goal is to restore a disrupted gut flora. Indications often include symptoms such as bloating, a feeling of fullness, increased susceptibility to infections, or even the need for antibiotic treatment.

While not yet fully recognized as a form of therapy in conventional medicine, it has many followers in naturopathy. The testimonials of many patients also attest to the benefits of this therapy. The treatment is carried out in several steps. These steps are as follows:

• Colon cleansing
• Breakdown of toxins and pollutants from the intestinal wall
• Rebuilding the gut flora, often with the help of probiotics
• Further recovery with a healthy nutrition plan

Why a gut cleanse makes sense

This therapeutic method is beneficial for several reasons. As mentioned earlier, a healthy gut is essential for a functioning immune system. Therefore, gut restoration can be helpful if you suffer from increased susceptibility to infections. However, other illnesses can also be linked to an imbalanced gut flora. General malaise or even depressive moods can be associated with an imbalanced gut flora.

These include, for example, mental illnesses. Depressive moods are often linked to an imbalanced gut flora. Of course, the gastrointestinal tract itself is also frequently affected. Bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a feeling of fullness also indicate a poor gut environment.

Causes of a disturbed gut flora

If the gut flora is disrupted, there are various causes. A common cause lies in today's diet. For example, if you consume too much meat and processed meat products, or a lot of sugary foods, this can negatively affect your gut health. The oral flora is also disrupted, which in turn can potentially have a negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract.

Another reason is gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If these symptoms are present, it's obvious that the gut flora is out of balance and should be restored. Last but not least, psychological problems and stress can also disrupt the gut flora. In the truest sense of the word, things then "affect your stomach."

Antibiotics as a cause of disrupted gut flora

Many people are unaware that taking antibiotics can also negatively affect their gut flora. The use of so-called broad-spectrum antibiotics, in particular, can play a significant role. The reason for this is obvious, although those affected often don't consider it:

Antibiotics have an antibacterial effect. This is both a blessing and a curse. The antibiotic does its job and fights the harmful bacteria. However, it cannot distinguish between harmful and beneficial bacteria. Therefore, the beneficial bacteria are also killed.

As a result, the gut flora becomes unbalanced. This also explains why many patients struggle with problems such as diarrhea after antibiotic treatment.

When is a bowel cleanse advisable?

It's impossible to make a general statement about this. It always depends on your personal well-being. For example, if you frequently suffer from symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and exhaustion, it may be time to take action. Recurring infections are also a possible indication.

However, the therapy can also help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Important: Before undertaking any bowel restoration program, consult your doctor!

Probiotics for intestinal cleansing

Probiotics are an effective remedy. However, you should know that probiotics alone are often not enough to restore a healthy gut flora. But what exactly are probiotics? They are lactic acid bacteria that help to establish healthy bacteria in the gut. Examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Even though probiotics play an important role, more effort is usually required – as already mentioned. The treatment process involves several steps.

Instructions for a three-step intestinal cleanse

• The first step is bowel cleansing. This requires completely emptying the bowels to flush out harmful substances and toxins. This can be done either with an enema or by taking laxatives. Since no water is extracted from the food during this process, the stool will be very watery – similar to diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of fluids in the form of water, tea, or broth.

• Once the bowel cleansing is complete, the next step is to improve the intestinal environment. This is achieved with foods containing prebiotics, such as artichokes, bananas, onions, and garlic. This lays the foundation for the next step.

• Now it's important to rebuild a healthy bacterial culture. This is where the probiotics described earlier come into play. Probiotics are found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, sauerkraut, and kimchi. You can also take high-dose probiotics with Lactolux forte. These are perfectly balanced and contain over 40 billion active bacterial strains per capsule.

How long does a gut cleanse take?

The question of the optimal duration cannot be answered definitively. The length of treatment depends, among other things, on how quickly the symptoms improve. You should notice the first positive changes after about two weeks. On average, it takes up to four weeks to complete the treatment.

It's important to approach this with realistic expectations. This means you shouldn't expect to see a positive effect within just a few days. In fact, the first few days might be quite difficult and could involve changes in your skin's appearance (due to the elimination of toxins).

What dietary plan is recommended during intestinal cleansing?

The diet plan isn't the most important factor, at least initially. The focus is first and foremost on cleansing the intestines and rebuilding a healthy gut flora. Nevertheless, you should still give some thought to a good diet plan.

If you don't eat a healthy and balanced diet, this naturally has a direct impact on your gut flora. Therefore, you should make sure to adjust your diet afterward to prevent a recurrence of discomfort and symptoms. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and foods rich in probiotics. These foods are also good for building a healthy oral flora.

Fasting cure or change in diet?

A fasting regimen can sometimes be suitable to support the positive effects. Important: A fasting regimen is not absolutely necessary. A change in diet can also have a positive effect. For example, reduce your consumption of meat and sugar and ensure a good balance.

Home remedies for intestinal cleansing

There are several home remedies that can help. Flaxseeds, for example, are popular. Especially when used during a bowel cleanse, they have the ability to absorb toxins from the intestinal wall and eliminate them with the stool. Healing clay is also suitable for this purpose. With the help of healing clay (bentonite and zeolite), you can also loosen toxins such as heavy metals from the intestinal wall.

Among the simplest home remedies are water and exercise. Exercise generally stimulates bowel activity. Furthermore, it's important to maintain a balanced fluid intake. Drinking plenty of fluids is especially crucial during a bowel cleanse. Freshly squeezed juices like apple or lemon juice also have a positive effect on intestinal health.

An overview of some home remedies

• Water
• Movement
• Healing clay
• linseed
• dried fruit
• Fresh juices
• sauerkraut
• Ginger
• Apple cider vinegar

Intestinal cleansing in animals

Of course, not only humans can benefit from this form of therapy. Small animals such as dogs and cats, as well as larger animals like horses, also respond positively. It should be administered to animals over a period of several weeks.

In animals, it's also advisable to start after deworming, as this can disrupt the balance of the gut flora. Just like in humans, gut restoration is recommended for animals after antibiotic treatment, since antibiotics have the same effect on the gut flora.

Conclusion

A gut cleanse can help restore balance to the gut flora. Indications include digestive problems such as diarrhea, bloating, or constipation. Psychological problems, fatigue, exhaustion, or a weakened immune system can also be caused by an imbalanced gut flora.

The therapy consists of several steps. First, the intestines are cleansed, then a healthy gut flora is rebuilt, and subsequently maintained through a balanced diet. In addition to numerous foods, probiotics such as those from Lactolux have proven effective in rebuilding the gut flora.

The duration of the treatment is not fixed, but initial positive effects should be noticeable after about two weeks. Adequate fluid intake is particularly important during bowel cleansing.

It is also important that you consult your doctor before starting treatment. They may recommend a stool sample for laboratory testing to rule out other conditions.