Much of one’s overall health is determined by the health of the gut. More than 70% of the immune system is clustered around the digestive tract. The gut immune system is constantly assessing things that are ingested or inhaled into the digestive tract.

The way the immune system responds is impacted by the flora that inhabit the gut. The normal flora, also referred to as the microbiome, help regulate the immune response. When the gut is inflamed, the balance of beneficial versus non-beneficial microbes is thrown off. This results in improper stimulation of the immune response and can cause adverse symptoms.

Providing essential nutrients for healing is a critical factor in creating a healthy microbiome as well as a healthy immune response. Eliminating certain foods decreases inflammation, which allows the gut, and ultimately the immune system, to heal. Additionally, a healthy gut microbiome can be rebuilt by eating healthy whole foods, especially those high in protein, phytonutrients, probiotics, and prebiotics. These foods are the basis of the Elimination Diet.

Support healthy microbiome and learn more about the Elimination Diet.

Features of the Elimination Diet include:

• Identifies food triggers including allergies, sensitivities, intolerances

• Reduces inflammation

• Supports healthy microbiome

• Dairy-free, gluten-free

• Phytonutrients to heal the gut

• Reduces toxic burden

• No calorie restriction

• Promotes body awareness to food

Source: The Detox Challenge, Dietary Guidebook, by Deanna Minich, PhD, in collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine. © 2016 The Institute for Functional Medicine