By Jessah Shaw, Adv Dip (Nut Med)

There has been a lot of hype recently about the importance of gut health and cleansing, and for good reason. 70% of our immune system is in our gut, this includes our microbiome (gut bacteria) which consists of good bacteria and pathogenic (bad) bacteria. As long as there are more good gut bugs than bad gut bugs we are in the clear;however, when dysbiosis (an unhealthy balance of bad bacteria) occurs, that’s when things can go pear-shaped. Dysbiosis has been linked to bloating, indigestion, food intolerances/allergies, flatulence, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction and obesity, just to name a few.

There are many factors that can lead to dysbiosis such as diet, toxins, drugs and pathogens, and one of the most influential is diet. With the typical Western diet consisting of processed, takeaway foods that are high in carbohydrates and loaded with sugar and gluten, it’s no surprise that there is an array of health issues in today’s society.

A cleanse involves replacing these high-carb foods with gut friendly foods like fresh vegetables and fruits, good quality proteins, and good fats. A cleanse is like giving your body a spring clean, and you are likely to notice a huge reduction in digestive symptoms from eliminating problematic foods and replacing them with foods that are high in fibre, antioxidants, prebiotics and essential vitamins and minerals. Dr Cabot’s 15-day Cleanse includes healthy delicious meals in conjunction with three daily therapeutic powders to heal the gut, boost liver detoxification and improve overall health.