Avoid a Gut Infection – A Healthy Gut for Healthy Travels with Hashimoto’s
Sometimes you just need a getaway holiday to wind down and recharge the batteries. The last thing you want, however, is a bad case of traveller’s diarrhea or vomiting to give you the opposite effect. When have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism this can be doubly risky as your gut is more sensitive to the challenges associated with travelling, like a gut infection, so preparation is key in these instances.
To ensure a smooth trip, some planning and knowledge of gut health and what’s important to it is essential. Knowing a little bit about gut infections and what supplements can protect your gut could be the difference between a healthy trip and being stuck in the bathroom for days on end.
HCl: the Primary Defence Against Stomach Bugs
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the most abundant acid within the stomach, and can be supplemented in the diet. This may seem counter intuitive at first what with the popularity of antacid supplements with the opposite effect; however HCl is the first line of defence against invasive stomach bugs. Ensuring sufficient HCl content in the gut is even more important when you have Hashimoto’s, as this can actively lower stomach HCl content.
Many adults are low in stomach HCl. This is especially true for people who experience acid reflux and take antacid supplements for relief. This acid reflux initially occurs due to low HCl content resulting in improperly digested foods, which do not reach the intestines and instead ferment in the stomach. It’s this fermentation that causes the burning reflux feeling. Taking an antacid may relieve this sensation, but does not address the underlying problem of HCl deficiency.
HCl does not just digest food; it also serves to kill bacteria, yeasts and harmful pathogens. As such, a low concentration of HCl weakens these defences. If you are travelling in a country with markedly different dietary options and possibly lower hygienic standards, your vulnerable gut system may fail you and render your holiday limited to the bathroom.
If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, managing your HCl content is important for overall gut health. This will in turn further manage your autoimmune conditions.
Probiotics to Boost Beneficial Gut Bacteria
Your existing beneficial gut bacteria represent another digestive force worth promoting. The importance of gut bacteria for mental, immune and digestive health is becoming increasingly recognized in the scientific world, with recent research providing further support for this. This is doubly true if you are managing Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Taking probiotics during your travel is a good idea; however an even better option can be to begin taking these supplements a few months earlier. That way, you will have a robust population of gut bacteria firmly established before travelling.
Vegetables are a primary source of nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria. Making vegetables a part of every meal, even breakfast, can be hugely beneficial, while incorporating cultured food and drinks (such as kimchi and kefir) into your diet will only add to this effect.
This “inner garden” of gut bacteria will serve you well if you take care of it, and will play a big role in helping better manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Prevention is always better than dealing with a problem after it arises – and the best way to prevent traveller’s diarrhea is to maintain a healthy intestinal environment. Not only that – beneficial gut bacteria populations underpin energy levels to enable a rewarding holiday experience.
The best steps to take include ensuring sufficient stomach acid, repairing any leaky gut conditions, cleansing bad bacteria and yeasts, eating lots of vegetables and whole foods while avoiding processed foods and sweets. Contact my office if you are interested in getting help with your health. Have a wonderful day!
