Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS, author of Eat Dirt, is interviewed on the Anxiety Summit by host of the Anxiety Summit, Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist, author of The Antianxiety Food Solution.
Anxiety: The Stressed and Toxic Gut
- An overview of leaky gut, the causes and the 5 gut types
- Symptoms of the stressed gut and how it impacts the adrenals
- Leaky gut and glutamine as a fuel source
- Healing licorice root, rhodiola and ashwaganda
- How frankincense fights inflammation and protects the tight junctions of the gut
- Signs of a toxic gut, soil-based organisms and what we can learn from the Yanomami tribe
Here are some gems from our interview:
So imagine your intestines as a net or your gut lining is a net and it’s sort of the barrier in between your intestines and blood stream. If that little net, if those little holes get tears in them then things that are too large start passing into your bloodstream such as undigested food particles such as gluten, toxins, bad bacteria. When those get into the bloodstream that sets off an immune response in the body and really causes system wide inflammation. And just to let you know, I want to go over some of the biggest warning signs that someone has leaky gut, which you’ll see these were often times anxiety and toxicity and other issues, but bloating and gas are big warning signs that you have leaky gut. Any type of food sensitivity, if you don’t tolerate certain foods like gluten that probably means you have leaky gut. Thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, adrenal fatigue, joint pain, headaches, skin issues like rosacea, acne, eczema, psoriasis, digestive problems of any sort. And then even especially depression and anxiety, any of these issues, bipolar, those are all warning signs that somebody has leaky gut.
We discuss glutamine for healing a leaky gut and Dr. Axe mentioned his blog on the topic: L-Glutamine Benefits Leaky Gut & Metabolism
L-glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the bloodstream and it makes up 30-35 percent of the amino acid nitrogen in your blood. It’s actually known as a conditionally essential amino acid because your body uses it in large amounts.
The most common uses of glutamine powder were to meet the following goals: to lose weight fast, burn fat and build muscle. And while that remains the case, science is now showing that L-glutamine benefits are abundant – and that this amino acid is especially helpful in treating leaky gut and improving your overall health.
We talk about the benefits of licorice root for both the gut and the adrenals:
Licorice root is another one of those herbs that’s used in Chinese medicine and it’s very effective for many things, with studies showing it helps the stomach, ulcers specifically. Other studies show that it actually helps with soothing the intestinal tract. But for the most part it’s also used as an adaptogenic herb. Many of us have heard of adaptogens such as ashwaganda, rhodiola, ginseng, certain mushrooms such as cordyceps have been labeled adaptogenic, well licorice root works in the same way. It really helps your body better adapt and deal with stress. We know stress can be very, very hard on the intestines as well as the stomach. It can be very hard on your digestive system. So licorice root is pretty amazing. It’s an herb that really helps in sort of soothing inflammation, but it also works as an adaptogen to lower stress levels, which is harming the gut. So really as a two pronged approach and why it’s so effective at both helping the digestive system as well as supporting the adrenal glands, thyroid and overall hormones.
Here are some links to some research:
The emerging links between our gut microbiome and the central nervous system (CNS) are regarded as a paradigm shift in neuroscience with possible implications for not only understanding the pathophysiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders, but also their treatment.
- Anti-inflammatory effect of roasted licorice extracts on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages.
- Boswellia serrata Preserves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier from Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage
Dr. Josh Axe is author of a new book called Eat Dirt: Why Leaky Gut May Be the Root Cause of Your Health Problems and 5 Surprising Steps to Cure It
Here is the link to a gift from Josh Axe The King’s Medicine Cabinet eBook: A complete guide on essential oils and their history, uses, cures, and recipes that will transform your health forever!
And his Eat Dirt online gut quiz [disabling this until I hear back from them]
If you are not already registered for the Anxiety Summit you can get live access to the speakers of the day here: www.theAnxietySummit.com
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You can find your purchasing options here.: Anxiety Summit Season 1, Anxiety Summit Season 2, Anxiety Summit Season 3, and Anxiety Summit Season 4.
Thanks for this interesting topic
Deborah – I’d love to hear what you found interesting?
I recently listened to a cancer summit online. One of the doctors was very concerned about people using glutamate in such great quantities since he said research has shown it can be a driver of cancer. Also, my personal doctor does not think bone broth is a good food because of the possibility of lead in the bones of the animals being used and has advised me not to use it. I would appreciate if Dr Axe could reply to these statements. Thank you.
Yvonne
I actually don’t agree with Dr Blaylock’s position on gluatmine and cancer and blogged about it here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/glutamine-supplementation-cancer-concerns-benefits/. Many other practitioners use it too https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/glutamine-healing-leaky-gut/
Here is a good article on the lead broth concern http://drkaayladaniel.com/boning-up-is-broth-contaminated-with-lead/
Dr Axe is great, heard him in other summits, wish we had someone like him in Western Australia. I knew my diabetes 2 was stress caused, as an army vet with ptsd and ongoing custody issues but the doctors won’t listen and tell me my thyroid and adrenals are fine when I absolutely know they are not. Trouble is very hard to sort out when you cannot remove the stressors.
Pip
Awareness is a good first step. Glad you enjoyed Dr Axe!
The late Morton Walker said in his book on Olive Leaf Extract that Bacillus Subtilus, (a soil based organism) is a dangerous pathogen, and that Olive Leaf Extract is effective at eradicating it. A few years ago, Garden of Life included Bacillus Subtilus in a number of their products. What’s the truth — is it good or bad?
I cannot take any supplement containing this organism as it affects my brain negatively, and I know some others who have had the same problem with it.
Would like an answer on this as well as just started using Garden of Life soil probiotics
Karla
Please see my comment above (to Jean)
You could always check with the company itself – I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for you
Jean
Thanks for sharing – this author and book are new to me.
Dr Axe writes about how Bacillus Subtilis boosts immunity. Here is a study discussing this in the elderly https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26640504
This paper found it improved GI function and general wellness https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25062611
As with anything certain nutrients, food and even good bacteria may be problematic for certain individuals
Oh, Trudy, I guess you’re just too young to have heard of Morton Walker. He was an author of numerous books, especially on Chelation (with EDTA) and toxic Metal and Chemical poisoning — long before anyone else was talking about it. Try checking him out online. He was amazing and a great help to me (through his books) when I was suffering from mercury poisoning.
Jean
Jean
I will check it out thanks 🙂
Can you please clarify the use of licorice for me? Dr. Axe mentioned that it is adaptogenic and can help people adapt to stress. I had my cortisol levels measured with a DUTCH urine test and my cortisol levels were through the roof. I was advised to avoid licorice because it can further increase my cortisol levels when I need to lower it. However, from Dr. Axe’s presentation, it sounds like licorice can lower and/or increase cortisol as needed.
So do I need to avoid licorice or not?
Thanks, Trudy, for another great summit!
Tasha
I understand that it is helpful with both low and high cortisol but I would suggest checking with the doctor who did your testing.
Trudy, another wonderful interview. I really enjoyed listening to the discussion between the two of you. I also am really appreciative of your interviewing style with all of your interviewees so far. You are so on top of things and the questions you ask of the interviewees are great.
I’m on Dr. Axe’s mailing list for the past couple of months and enjoy his work very much. He is a wealth of information and I personally love how he also brings his spirituality into his work.
I am learning so much on this summit. This is my first year having the time to listen to your Anxiety Summit, as well as other health summits since Brigit Danner’s Hormones Summit this past April. I have the time now, and while it is due to being quite unwell, I now see it as a blessing in disguise because I would have never learned all I am learning and now taking charge of my health.
From reading the comments regarding the interviews on this summit, as well as other summits and webinars I’ve participated in this year, I know many of us continue to seek the EXACT and PRECISE DIAGNOSES and REMEDIES for our “ills.”. I have come to learn that it is most assuredly not a “one size fits all” answer. You often use the word, “bioindividuality”, Trudy. It took me some months to really take that word in when I was searching for an exact cause and remedy to my “situation”. Along with your work, the work of Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, Brigit Danner, Reed Davis, Dr. Josh Axe, Dr. Dan Kalish and Cyndi O’Meara and many others, I’ve come to accept that I may never know the root cause of my ills, but that I can still work towards healing myself as best I can.
I am just now reminded of the phrase, “Medicine is a practice.”. It’s not an ABSOLUTE EXACT science. We are always discovering new things about our amazing body and our curious environment. Patience, the willingness to be open to some “trial and error”, perhaps having some “trials and successes”, and appreciation for the journey of discovery while I’m learning about “me” and “my particular body environment” – this all makes for a very interesting journey even in spite of not having all of the answers and sometimes having to hold my breath through the pain. Your work, and the work of others I’ve mentioned here, as well as the help of a Higher Power, well, it all keeps me not only “going”, but grateful, no matter what the final outcome is.
All the best and in gratitude,
DME
Thanks for your kind words and sharing these words of wisdom! it’s a journey…glad to be on it with you and the other wonderful practitioners you mention
In regards to the bone broth post from Yvonne — I am unable to tolerate bone broth because of the glutamine (not glutamate), and I think that Dr. Russell Blaylock may be correct in his concerns about glutamine as a supplement. I have Lyme disease and Dr. Blaylock wrote in one of his books that the L-glutamine would be contraindicated in certain chronic illnesses as it screws up brain chemistry. Lyme is one of those illnesses and I tried glutamine a couple of times and was very sorry afterward — nearly had panic attacks.
Jean
I’m sorry to hear this – we are all unique and a few people do react to glutamine and glutamates too.
With amino acids some people also react when it’s too much. For glutamine 500mg is the starting dose and I’ve had some pixie dust clients do well with 1/20 or 1/40 of that
Hi Trudy, I wanted to clarify some information about glutamine. I went to Dr. Axe’s blog and read the article he wrote about glutamine (http://draxe.com/l-glutamine-benefits-side-effects-dosage/) – I think he mentioned it during the interview. In the article he writes that a free form of glutamine has to be taken with food for proper absorption. I believe I saw in your blog that you recommend a free form of glutamine taken between meals. Can you clarify this discrepancy?
Jill
I recommend all the amino acids away from food. I’d have to read more to know the rationale for taking glutamine with food for proper absorption – this is new to me
Can you comment on if a cup of warm water with half a squeezed lemon first thing am is negating the supplements I take at same time that are directed to be on an empty stomach: L-theanine, Lysine, Ashwaghanda, Enzamedica Vira Stop, milk thistle & dandelion?
Thanks so much!
Karla
I recommend lemon water first thing in the morning and think of it differently. According to Auyvedic principles if this is the first thing that goes thru the liver it’s providing some detox support. That would a reason to wait to take food or nutrients (about 30 mins)
That is super helpful thanks again for everything!!!
Dr. Josh, Have you seen the DVD of Tree of Life Nutrition School founded by Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MD on Rainbow Live-Food Cuisine where he shows Kirlian photo of food heated at low temp. vs high temp. Using low temp. resulted in more light in food aura & dark aura or less light in food at high temp. Cut-off temperature varies depending on water content of food. If dry, on the average, 112 deg. F is safe. I experienced less hunger, more energy, more satiety from live-food at low temp. for around 2 yrs now. Spiritually evolving beings give importance to the light in the food cells & body. In your website or any website, is there a list of foods that need higher temp. to be easily assimilated? If someone takes enzymes in supplements & fermented foods, is it still necessary to use high temp. to make some foods easily assimilated? If you are concerned about good nutrition in food, why would not be concerned about reduced or removal of nutrients on high heat?
Trina
I’m sure Dr. Axe is concerned about all aspects of good nutrition – he’s simply choosing to offer the simplest solutions for the most people. Once you have the basics covered and are now eating real food, then you can explore more advanced approaches.
Personally I’m not familiar with what you describe so can’t really comment but I’m glad you have found something that works for you
I’m curious as to if Trudy will be recommending the Alanyl-Glutamine now instead of the L-glutamine for her program addressing anxiety.
…as well as the bone brother powder
Jerri
I will be looking into it. It’s the new kid on the block – not much information and not as available
Trudy,
Thanks for the reminder about the “pixie dust” dose reminder! That worked for me with the Tryptophan and Inositol. Maybe it will work with the L-glutamine as well.
Jean
Jean
Glad to hear – please come back and let us know
I’m curious how much of a pixie dust person you are!?
Bacillus Subtilus, in the first two comments…is it dangerous?
Sorry, just catching up – I commented above
Trust you are the best! Thank you for bringing up histamine and bone broth as I have great issue with this every time I made broth… I gave up!
The Gut Quiz link seems to be broken. It’s taking me to ClickFunnels…
Oh dear! I’m not sure why so I’ve disabled it for now – hope to get it fixed in the next few days
What are your comments re:FODMAPS Diet for IBS….I have suffered for 47 years since 1969 surgery…..Thank you……..
Yes, many people do very well on FODMAPs diet for IBS
Bacillus Subtilus, in one of the first comments…is it dangerous?
thanks for followin up – I commented above
Thanks so much Trudy! …really learned alot from your summit and esp your end lecture breaking down the diff amino acids!, the lady who got anxiety relief with Gabba Calm because the stimulus amino helped her focus was just what I needed…have been using it and getting just that affect…thank you so very much!
Karla
Love to hear the feedback – thanks!
Hello Trudy, can gluten be the cause of guttate psoriasis and/or pityriasis rosea. Or would you know what other cause would be?
Corina
I think these may be typos: guttate psoriasis and/or pityriasis rosea …but gluten is often a factor is psoriasis and rosacea (often one of many factors)