There is a very common saying in Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathic circles, or amongst people who are trying to get healthier, that “all disease starts in the gut”. Perhaps this quote has become popularised from social media memes, but it is generally attributed to Hippocrates, a Greek Philosopher and physician about 2500 years ago.
The trouble is that this quote is wrong!
Or at the very least, it’s not entirely correct in all people.
Diseases of the digestive tract (ie, the gut) can contribute to a lot of chronic health conditions, if the digestive system cannot break down your food correctly, or if you cannot absorb the nutrients from your food, or if you cannot detox or eliminate wastes efficiently. This leads to nutrient deficiencies, toxicity, and chronic diseases.
But does ALL disease START in the gut? No!
I will give examples of other root causes…
There are other non-gut causes of diseases too. Yes, the digestive system function is critical to your overall health, but it is not the initial cause of many (or all) diseases as certain social media quotes suggest! But in a holistic treatment plan for any condition, the digestive system function must be investigated via questioning of signs and symptoms, with any issues improved or treated as necessary. And all other root causes of one’s health conditions need to be investigated and treated too. This is what I do!
The trouble is that this quote is wrong!
Or at the very least, it’s not entirely correct in all people.
Diseases of the digestive tract (ie, the gut) can contribute to a lot of chronic health conditions, if the digestive system cannot break down your food correctly, or if you cannot absorb the nutrients from your food, or if you cannot detox or eliminate wastes efficiently. This leads to nutrient deficiencies, toxicity, and chronic diseases.
But does ALL disease START in the gut? No!
I will give examples of other root causes…
- Stress – this is an external root cause to many health conditions. Stress affects the digestive system by slowing down its function, as stress stimulates the body’s “flight or fight” survival mechanisms. Digesting and absorbing your food isn’t a priority in a survival mode, hence stress over a long time will lead to nutrient deficiencies and disease. Stress also directly weakens the immune system, so you become more susceptible to infections. Stress leads to high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, poor sleep, mental health issues, and plays a part in most chronic diseases.
- Exposure to toxins and chemicals – these are more external factors which can affect your health. These can be absorbed into your body via the skin, lungs, in your food and water or even via radiation. Toxins and chemicals can have widespread effects to cause many health conditions too.
- Your food – What you eat plays the biggest part of any health condition or disease, and is another external causative factor. Your food is far more than just something to prevent hunger! Your food is broken down and built back up into new cells, chemicals, proteins and more. Your food BECOMES you! Hence eating a good quality nutrition intake will mean a better functioning body, or eating junk food will not help your health at all.
There are other non-gut causes of diseases too. Yes, the digestive system function is critical to your overall health, but it is not the initial cause of many (or all) diseases as certain social media quotes suggest! But in a holistic treatment plan for any condition, the digestive system function must be investigated via questioning of signs and symptoms, with any issues improved or treated as necessary. And all other root causes of one’s health conditions need to be investigated and treated too. This is what I do!
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