Hello my gorgeous people. (Monica here) I'm back with another easy "must try" recipe!
I'm going to kick this off with a super-duper invasive question - Are you ready?
HOW OFTEN DO YOU POOP?
If your answer is anything except, "At least 1x/day", we gotta have a quick chat.
Why does pooping matter?
It's the best way to get rid of toxins and bad bacteria
Pooping regularly (1-3 times a day) is the most efficient way to remove endotoxins from your body. It stops your body from recycling estrogen back into your body.
Too much estrogen can be responsible for overactive adrenals, DHEA, DHT and inflammation.
SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) is known to cause constipation. A buildup of this bacteria can also contribute to breakouts, chronic fatigue, and reduce your ability to to absorb important nutrients according to this study.
A super easy way to fix your gut and poop schedule.
Introducing my BFF -
Dr. Peat's Raw Carrot Salad
Here's your recipe
Carrots (not pre-shredded or baby)
Apple Cider/White/Rice vinegar (your pick)
Salt (remember the adrenal cocktails? Use the same salt!)
Coconut or MCT oil
You're going to:
Shred or chop your carrot
Add a dash of vinegar
1 - 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or MCT oil
Salt to taste
Mix it up and enjoy
I try to eat 1 - 1.5 cups every day. And let me tell you, I have no issues having regular poops.
It will stay good all week so I keep 8 cups of carrot salad in a large Mason jar in my fridge.
Start slow and then increase your intake. It can take your body a couple of days to get used to it.
I've found that eating this salad actually helps when I eat foods that bother my stomach. It has a settling effect that takes away my pain, discomfort, and gurgling.
But why does this work??
Carrots go through your intestines and act like scrubber brushes to clear out bacterial overgrowth, endotoxins, estrogen, and more. This study found that carrot extract was an effective aid for digestion. The carrots' antimicrobial properties are also effective in eliminating SIBO.
The coconut oil and vinegar also have antibacterial products that assist the carrots as they do their work.
And the salt helps with taste but also has key minerals your body needs.
All together, the salad ingreadents create an effect that lowers inflammation in the intestines by
Removing toxins
Removing extra hormones
Reducing cortisol levels
What if you're allergic to carrots or hate the taste of this salad?
Good news, this raw carrot salad isn't the only thing out there that helps you have regular poops!
Cooked White Mushrooms
Bamboo Shoots
Both of these veggies can be used to have the same positive impact on your body!
What about oxalates?
Some people are sensitive to plant toxins because they lack necessary nutrients.
If you struggle with this, simply peel your carrots first as the plant toxins are typically within the outer layer to ward off bugs etc.
What about beta- carotene?
First, beta-carotene is not vitamin A in bioavailable form. It needs to be converted into retinol for the body to use. If you are low on copper and magnesium, you may notice your calluses, feet or fingers getting an orange tint.
You can simply rinse the carrots first to remove some beta-carotene. You could also switch to white carrots or eat cooked mushrooms until your body balances out.
What if I'm bored with the salad or don't like the flavor?
Here's a few things you could add to spice it up
Shredded Ginger
Boiled egg
Bacon
Turmeric
Apples
Cheese
A splash of your favorite honey
A splash of your favorite vinaigrette dressing (with the vinegar/oil/salt combo)
Until next time my warriors!
Monica
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For more information on hormones and gut health, check out these resources:
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/three-hormones.shtml -Progesterone Pregnenolone & DHEA
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/estrogen-age-stress.shtml - Estrogen and brain aging in men and women
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11036910/ - Endotoxin research
These sites compile studies with short summaries:
https://www.functionalps.com/blog/2011/11/20/endotoxin-and-liver-health/ - this is a small library of research about endotoxins and your liver health.
https://www.functionalps.com/blog/2011/11/21/protection-from-endotoxin/ - More endotoxen research.