That Ol' Gut Feeling

That Ol’ Gut Feeling

Ever thought twice about crossing the street or trusting a new neighbour or colleague, or maybe, have you had the sense that something unusual was about to happen? Perhaps, you have read of people who chose not to get on a plane that eventually crashed, because they had a ‘bad feeling’. Or, have you uttered the words, “I’ve had a gut full!” Well, chances are, your belly was trying to tell you something that your brain upstairs could not put into words.

Our digestive system is an intricate cellular matrix of delicately integrated components, recently well documented as the ‘second brain’. It is home to over one hundred million neurons, many more than our spiny backbones. It can provide practitioners with an enormous amount of information regarding a person’s overall health, energy and their emotional responses.

Naturopathically, we first learn how to ‘fix the gut’. Nutritionally, we know that excess junk food makes us feel lousy, and that comfort food cheers us up. But with the right approach, healthy food can actually provide us with an abundance of vitality and energy.

Butterflies, nerves and nausea, even a woman’s intuition, may be a subliminal function of the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). However, the clinical diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome has recently served as a banner band-aid for a belly full of discomforting symptoms, stress-related illnesses, and worse, disease.

The role of the ENS is to regulate the normal digestive activity of the digestive system and prepare it for whatever its future may hold.

Like it’s spiny cousin the Central Nervous System, your ENS is a thriving population of healthy Intestinal Flower Power that loves to transmit and process messages from those diverse and unique bubbling hotspots: cells and circuits, neurons and neurotransmitters.

The stress phenomenon is not specific; it is an all-encompassing umbrella complex that reaches out to every demographic on the planet, and may be triggered by an emotional, environmental or physical response to a wide variety of stimuli. However, stress is also an energetic force that can be turned into a positive, powerful motivational tool when channelled appropriately. It is imperative to remember that stress is predominantly our emotional reaction to a difficult situation that may then manifest in the physical body as a sign or symptom of poor health.

Had a Gut Full?

How stress depletes the body of its vital resources is a complex and intricate mechanism. (Process?) Typically, the neural-transit and hormonal highways are tested to their limits, as they react with their ‘fight of flight’ responses. The bulk of the energy used up in this comes from the adrenal glands, which nestle snugly upon each kidney, and produce the adrenaline hormone. A constant stress reaction will ultimately see a decline in the amount of readily available adrenaline, thus resulting in energy burn out.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this may be diagnosed as ‘Deficient Kidney Yang’. In the West, it earns the unfair nickname of ‘yuppie flu’, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but it is anything but a seasonal virus. Unlike flu symptoms that go away in a few days or weeks, CFS symptoms can hang on, or come and go frequently for more than six months, if not years. You might bear this in mind the next time you reach for your next cup of coffee and accompanying cigarette to manage that deadline... the worst-case scenario may result in you being the dead line!

Beating those Underbelly Blues

Yoga and Pilates has been shown to stabilize the response of the nervous system to stress, removing the constant muscular tension produced by the repeated alerts from the central nervous system, and calming the involuntary symptoms of threat: the racing heart, sweating, anxiety - all roused by the Sympathetic Nervous System.

A healthy nervous system enables muscles, organs and tissues of the body to work at full efficiency, and gives sharper sensory perception. It also creates a sense of vitality and energy. Sub-cortical regions of brain dominate from the slow, yet dynamic and static movements of Yoga and Pilates.

Bundles of fibers form the larger nerves of the body benefit stretching and cleansing with each pose. By clearing toxins from these tissues, the poses benefit neurotransmissions at the fine nerve endings, and at the synapses between the nerves.

• Inverted postures such as shoulder stands have a cooling effect on the body. They also stimulate the Parasympathetic Nervous System,
whose job it is to calm, relax and soothe the mind and body. Here, the spinal nerves leave the cord in pairs from either side of each segment, and branch finely to form the parasympathetic nervous, or the peripheral system. Relax!
• Forwards bends are known for their calming effects on the mind and the nervous system. They encourage relaxation and help to decrease mood swings and irritability.

• Spinal twists and backbends stimulate the kidneys and adrenals and provide alternate sources of estrogen in the body.

• Pelvic floor exercises tone and increase circulation to the entire pelvic floor. They can also trigger the contraction of the transverse adominus muscle, the deep underbelly corset that is the foundation of core stability and lower back strengthening.

Important Foods To Calm A Nervous System

Oats are prized for their high levels of magnesium, the anti-stress mineral, and their slow releasing, carbohydrate qualities that provide the body with energy throughout the day.

Carrot, beetroot and cucumber juice is a highly alkalising blend that enhances nervous function, while also supporting the kidneys by clearing excess acidity that is typically associated with increased stress levels.

Mung Beans, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, has healing properties that are highly detoxifying and cleansing. The Chinese revere them even more for their medicinal prowess than their culinary capacity, especially in decreasing the levels of triglycerides from the blood. Mung beans provide support for the body's cardiovascular system and reduce overall toxicity.

Turkey contains tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid that helps the body produce the B-vitamin niacin, which in turn, helps the body produces the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is a calming agent in the brain.

EFA’s Essential Fatty Acids, most importantly, Omega 3, are found in oily fish such as: tuna, salmon, sardines, and flax seeds.

Pecan Nuts provide an abundance of organic pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), essential for the pathways to serotonin release and nervous system health. Eat 10-15 Pecan nuts each day.

Lecithin is a fundamental building block of brain and nerve tissue.

Wheatgrass possesses highly concentrated enzymes such as super oxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that can slowdown the effects of potentially carcinogenic molecules and help to neutralise free radical exposure on the cells.

Recipes

Winter

Lentil, Pumpkin & Coconut Curry Serves 4
2 tablespoons oil
1 tsp. mustard seeds
½ tsp. cumin seeds
1 x Spanish onion, diced finely
225 gm “Le Puy” or brown lentils
1 x tin 400ml coconut cream/milk
1 tsp. tomato paste
2 x green chilies, seed removed, chopped finely
200gm pumpkin, skin & seed removed, cut into 2cm dice
¼ tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp ground cumin
2 x cup water
2-4 x handfuls spinach leaves, washed & dried
½ bunch coriander, washed and dried

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the onion, mustard seeds & cumin seeds until they pop.
• Transfer cooked onions, cumin and mustard seeds into a thick-based large casserole pot.
• Add lentils, tomato paste, coconut cream, ground spices, chillies, diced pumpkin.
• Add water and bring to the boil then simmer 20-25 minutes until the lentils and pumpkin are cooked.
• Once the lentils are cooked, taste for salt and gently wilt the baby spinach in the lentils, taking care while mixing not to break up the pumpkin.
• Serve with spinach and lots of chopped coriander.

Spring
Spring heralds renewal and cleansing. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), it represents liver energy and the primary function of the liver is detoxification. Your liver’s job is to cleanse and filter the blood and promote the elimination of toxins, hormones and to facilitate digestion. The liver governs fat metabolism by releasing lipids and associated toxins into the blood for elimination. Circles
under the eyes, headaches, weight gain, nausea, mood swings and bad breath are all signs of an overloaded liver. An annual cleanse will enhance circulation and clear these toxic substances from our body.

Zenergising Beet Top Tea

If your livers’ a quiver, this tonic will deliver!

2 beetroots, washed and cut up
1 lemon, washed with the rind only removed (keep the pith)
1 cup of alfalfa sprouts, rinsed and dried
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled
1/4 chili
1-2 teaspoons of honey
• Place beetroot, lemon, alfalfa, chili and ginger in a vegetable juicer and process. Stir in honey and enjoy.

Beets have strong detoxifying properties, as they are high in chlorine, which assist in the cleansing of the liver, kidneys and bloodstream. They are also rich in potassium, which balances the metabolism, and in Vitamin C, vital for efficient alcohol breakdown in the body. Beets contain betaine, which promote the regeneration of liver cells and the flow of bile, and have a beneficial effect on fat metabolism.

Lemon juice promotes liver function and contains essential healing nutrients, while alfalfa sprouts help to breakdown toxicity in the liver by alkalising the blood. A pinch of fresh chili will activate peripheral circulation to get things moving again, and the honey neutralises alcohol, and sweetens the mix.

Other foods to enjoy

Lemon Juice: In water, lemon juice has a slightly laxative effect and stimulates the digestive juices. Squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink immediately after rising in the morning.

Artichokes: Contain plant compounds known as caffeoylquinic acids, which increase the flow of bile and help to digest fats.

Onions and Garlic: Both are rich in sulphur- containing compounds, which help to eliminate harmful heavy metals from the body.

Protein: This is required by the liver for the detoxification process.

Summer
Shoots and seeds are the epitome of a new life, unadulterated, innocent and unblemished. When they sprout, they are living organisms, so by ingesting such vital or living energy, we are consuming a whole food that has not been through the trauma of process; it is still alive, and thus, contains the maximum potential for nutrient content.

Summer salad of shoots, seaweed, nuts & leaves
400 grams of roquet leaves, washed and dried
200 grams of mung bean sprouts, washed and dried
100 grams of bean sprouts, washed and dried
1 toasted Nori sheet, finely sliced
1 tablespoon of black sesame seeds, toasted
1 tablespoon of Hijiki seaweed, soaked and drained
50 grams of raw almonds, roughly chopped
50 grams of raw cashews roughly chopped

Dressing

1/3 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup of Balsamic Vinegar
1 lime- zest and juice
• Combine the sea vegetables, sprouts and leaves with almonds, cashews and black sesame seeds. Whisk dressing ingredients together well, and add to salad. Toss well.

Black sesame seeds are one of the highest sources of calcium and are considered a good tonic in Chinese medicine as they are lubricating to the intestines and major organs, while the paler seeds have a general tonifying effect on the body overall, and are especially
helpful in treating dry coughs and asthma. In general, they can have a calming effect, and are a folk remedy for graying hair.

Sunny Sunflower Whip
1 cup of sunflower seeds
1/2 cup of lemon juice
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup of tahini
1-2 tablespoons of tamari
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
Pinch of cayenne
• Put all ingredients through a food processor and mix to a paste.

Autumn
Figs

Figs are one of the sexiest fruits on the planet. These plump, soft, sweat, luscious beauties come from one variety of the Fichus tree, which probably originated in Asia Minor. It is one of the
oldest, edible plants.

Serve figs with sliced melon or pears and prosciutto as an appetizer.

Autumn Rolls of Fig and Rhubarb with Rhubarb Puree
12 medium ripe figs, quartered
100ml. pear juice concentrate
1.5 cups of water
Zest of 1 lemon
1 bunch of fresh rhubarb
Spring roll wrappers or Filo pastry
Extra figs for garnish, if desired

• Preheat oven to 200 C
Combine pear juice concentrate, zest and water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat, add figs and poach for about 10 minutes.
• Remove figs from syrup with slotted spoon. Continue to reduce syrup for 30 minutes on low heat to about 2/3 cup until it coats the back of a spoon.
• Wash rhubarb stalks and discard poisonous leaves. Slice rhubarb into 3-cm. pieces, and add to reserved fig syrup. Place lid on saucepan and simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes until tender.
• Add 1 cup of rhubarb to the fig mixture to bind. Blend remaining rhubarb puree with a little reduced syrup, and process until smooth enough to pour.
• Place a dessertspoon of fruit in the corner of a spring roll wrapper or a 10-cm. square of Filo pastry and roll up diagonally, tucking in the sides as you go. Seal with a little syrup or rhubarb puree to keep in place.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes, until golden. Serve three rolls per person with a drizzle of rhubarb puree. Serves 4.

Therapeutic Notes

• Figs are a natural laxative and their tiny seeds assist the colon in processing toxic waste. Prized for their sensuous properties, this sweet and luscious fruit come from a variety of the fichus tree and are one of the oldest edible plants.

• In Chinese medicine, rhubarb is considered a bitter ‘fire’ food which tends to dry the system, balance excess dampness and promote elimination.