When the skin deteriorates, or abdominal pain or constipation become an everyday occurrence, our gut is asking for help. A gut cleanse can provide relief in such cases. We'll give you practical tips on how to perform a simple gut cleanse at home.
Gut with shame?
Did you know that over 80% of the immune system is based in our gut? If not, you're like most of us. Unfortunately, despite books like "Gut with Charm", the topic of gut cleansing is still associated with shame. Or when was the last time you told your fellow human beings that you haven't been able to properly go to the toilet for days?
If digestive problems also trigger feelings of shame in you, let us tell you: You are not alone! And this is exactly where a gut cleanse can help us.
Gut cleansing and the immune system
A balanced gut flora is an important building block for the immune system and our health. If our gut flora is healthy, it provides reliable protection against viruses and bacteria. It also plays a role in the absorption of valuable substances from food, such as vitamins.
The gut flora consists of various bacteria: the good and the bad. What matters here? A good balance.
The bad guys should not gain the upper hand (as is usually the case). It is important that we do not confuse harmful bacteria, which, for example, cause us a gastrointestinal infection, with our own body's bacteria. So bacteria are not bad per se! Good gut bacteria are rather very small and extraordinarily useful helpers for us.
In a healthy normal state, the gut flora can keep itself healthy on its own. But sometimes it falters a bit: This can happen during particularly stressful times due to infections or after antibiotic therapies. And then you can actively support your gut.
What is a gut cleanse?
Imagine the gut as the long corridor of an apartment. It connects all the important rooms. You always have to go through it, whether you need to go to the bathroom or the kitchen. If the corridor is too full or cluttered, it's difficult to walk through: You keep tripping over objects and get in a bad mood when you pass through.
In such cases, a spring clean can help! And this is comparable to a gut cleanse. We tidy up, throw away what has become superfluous, wipe thoroughly and do ourselves some good in the process.
The goal of a gut cleanse is to bring our gut flora and the interaction of good and bad bacteria back into a natural balance. For this purpose, the gut is cleansed and its activity is revived.
What can a gut cleanse help us with?
A gut cleanse has a positive effect on gut health. In addition, it can have a positive influence on various complaints.
For example, inflammation in the gut can be alleviated and the intestinal mucous membranes soothed.
Through a tidy hallway, you also reach your destination more relaxed. Or not?
A gut cleanse can help you with the following complaints:
- Weakened immune system and recurring infections
- Frequent fatigue, general weakness
- Problems with digestion, such as constipation, bloating, diarrhea or an irritated bowel
- Impure skin or neurodermatitis, general skin problems
- Weight gain
- Frequent bladder infections
- Strain on the gut flora after antibiotic treatment
- Frequent fungal infections or intestinal fungi
As you can see, a good gut flora can have a positive influence on an incredible number of areas of our body. Conversely, the condition of our skin and the quality of our digestion, for example, have a great influence on our general well-being.
You probably know that you prefer to just curl up on the couch when you have a round bloated belly. This is exactly where a gut cleanse and also a subsequent gut renovation can help you.
How do I do a gut cleanse?
There are different ways to perform a gut cleanse. The following 3 options are the most commonly used methods:
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Gut cleanse with psyllium husks
This variant is the gentlest for the gut, as psyllium husks need some time in the gut to take effect. It is therefore a mild way to do something good for yourself and your gut flora.
Psyllium husks contain mucilage, which swells strongly when it comes into contact with liquids. They increase their volume so much that the pressure on the intestinal walls increases and intestinal movement (peristalsis) is stimulated. This means that the gut is activated and stimulated. In addition, the psyllium husks, together with the liquid, can also draw deposits and harmful substances from the gut.
It is important with this variant that you really drink a lot of fluids. To prevent constipation due to the fluid absorption of the psyllium husks, it is particularly advisable to drink enough water or herbal teas.
Psyllium husks can be bought, for example, in drugstores or organic markets. These are stirred into some water and can then be drunk.
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Gut cleanse with laxatives
The effect after using laxatives occurs after only a few hours. These can be, for example, Epsom salts or Glauber's salt, which you can get in pharmacies. These substances are to be dissolved in water and drunk.
Laxatives generally work in your gut by increasing the water content in your stool. Your stool increases, meaning the stool volume increases and the stool becomes smoother. Sounds strange, but it's positive. This ensures that intestinal activity is also stimulated and bowel emptying improves.
However, the use of laxatives should generally not become a habit or be used for weight loss purposes. You can also consult your pharmacist, naturopath or doctor here.
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Gut cleanse with an enema
You can buy the utensils for an enema at the pharmacy.
During the enema, the large intestine is flushed with water that enters your gut through a tube. The tube device is inserted into the anus for this purpose. It takes some getting used to at first, but by the second application, it's not so strange anymore.
By the water entering and then flowing out, the enema achieves an immediate effect. Deposits in the gut are flushed out and intestinal activity is stimulated. However, when cleaning by means of an enema, the small intestine is not cleaned.
The use of an enema can also be recommended to support a fasting cure, during which the gut is spared by omitting food.
Gut cleansing at home
The following tips can help you perform the gut cleanse calmly at home. Because a spring clean, for example, also needs to be well planned and prepared so that no one interferes in the end.
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Preparation
It is best to prepare your body and gut for the cleanse a few days or a day beforehand. You can do this by avoiding very heavy or fatty foods the day before and instead consuming easily digestible food. Steamed vegetables or vegetable soups are suitable for this. This way you already prepare your gut for the upcoming treat.
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Find the right time
Choose a day when you can stay at home for several hours without stress or a guilty conscience. During this time, you can take the necessary time for yourself and your gut cleanse without disturbance.
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Stay at home
It's easiest if you know you can stay home. For example, with psyllium husks, it's not exactly clear when you'll have a bowel movement. To avoid stress, make yourself comfortable at home and near the toilet.
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Drink a lot
This is the best way to support your gut. Brew delicious teas, buy fresh herbs if necessary, or keep fresh water ready as a small reminder.
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Afterwards
Afterwards, also give your gut some rest and don't necessarily challenge it with fries and schnitzel. You can prepare food that continues to be gentle on your gastrointestinal tract and is good for it. Avoid very fatty foods as much as possible and opt for steamed vegetables or soups such as a carrot-ginger soup.
After the gut cleanse, gut rehabilitation can begin
You probably know that feeling too, that during spring cleaning you only really notice how good it has been for you and, for example, your hallway. On the other hand, you only now see that the walls need a new coat of paint and that a renovation might be worthwhile.
Something similar can happen to you with a cleansing of your gut.
You may feel a pleasant sensation in your abdominal area and feel like continuing to do something good for yourself.
A gut cleanse can be an ideal preparation for a fasting cure, a new diet, or even a gut rehabilitation, during which you sustainably build up the gut flora of your gut.
Sources
- Biesalski, H. K.; Grimm, P. & Nowitzki-Grimm, S. (2011). Taschenatlas Ernährung (6th edition). Thieme.
- Horn, F. (2009). Biochemie des Menschen. Das Lehrbuch für das Medizinstudium (4th edition). Thieme.
- Ebermann, R.; Elmadfa I. (2011). Lehrbuch Lebensmittelchemie und Ernährung (2nd edition). Springer-Verlag.
All our articles are written by nutritionists and checked for content quality by experts.
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