The Fairy Gutmother blog will give you tips for optimized wellness and health. Find research on gut health, tips for improving your gut bacteria, and yoga and mental health tips.
The Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet is designed to heal the gut and restore the balance of beneficial organisms in the microbiome, or collection of good bacteria and fungi that reside in the gut. Developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a neurologist and nutritionist, the GAPS Diet recognizes the profound connection between the gut and overall health, particularly in relation to mental well-being.
Read MoreCarley Smith, aka Fairy Gutmother, demoed a couple tasty summertime dishes that also support the gut, like her Cucumber Onion Salad and a couple Kombucha Floats. So tasty and refreshing!
Read MoreI was excited to be featured on the Next to Madison Podcast talking all about gut health from foods to eat and avoid, how to tell if you have gut issues and how to fix them, the best supplements, and the latest (and not so greatest) trends in the microbiome world. Check out the full podcast HERE!
Read MoreTune in and hear about all things gut health from foods to eat and avoid, how I break down gut health from bacteria to fungi as well as biofilms, and talk about my healing journey with Lyme disease, plus so much more!
Read MoreIt’s time to check your gut. The Fairy Gut Mother Carley Smith wants you to listen to your gut, including recipes to help us feed it when it needs it.
Our Fairy Gut Mothers says it’s always important to pay attention to our gut, but it knows what’s going on in the inside of your body.
You can get to know your gut tomorrow at the Alfalfa’s Market in Boulder, it’s the Get Your Gut In Gear: Gut Health Reboot for Spring event and the cost is free!
Read MoreIt’s back to school time and that’s also when parents ask almost daily, “what’s for lunch?” Carley Smith, our very own Fairy Gutmother is here to share a few healthy lunchbox ideas and how to keep our little one’s immune systems up through food.
Read MoreToday, it is estimated that one out of every five American adults suffers from a mental-health condition (43.7 million Americans--more than the combined populations of New York and Florida), and the statistuc only seems to be worsening. Additionally, from 2011 to 2014, rates of youth depression increased 8.5% to 11.1 percent; many youth are unable to access adequate treatment.
The medical establishment blames brain-based imbalances for this epidemic. But could it be due to gut dysfunction?
Read MoreMeditation: the art of skillfully taming the mind, bringing intention inward and inviting relaxation and ease into the body. There are countless health benefits of meditation, primarily its proven ability to help reduce stress levels, combat anxiety and depression and lower blood pressure, to name a few. Gut health, I would imagine, is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the health benefits of meditation. However, our thoughts, feelings and emotions significantly influence the overall wellbeing of our microbiome which is home to nearly eighty percent of the immune system! Before we dive into more detail on the relationship between our emotional state and the gut, let’s first define what constitutes gut health.
Read MoreWith nearly 80 percent of the immune system located in the gut, gut health is rapidly becoming a widely discussed topic as it relates to optimal health. It is estimated that virtually 30 to 40 percent of the population suffer from digestive-related issues, making digestion and gut health a critical component of overall well-being. When you think of supporting gut health, yoga, I would imagine, is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, healing is an integrative approach, and it is as important to nourish the physical body as it is to incorporate other modalities.
Read MoreForget Junk Food: STRESS May Be WORSE For Your Gut!
I talk a lot about gut health being more of a lifestyle rather than a diet, mainly because of the negative impact of stress on the body. In fact, stress has been noted to be more damaging on the gut than junk food, making our lifestyle choices and stress management critical components in order to maintain optimal health.
The human body was not designed to handle prolonged periods of stress. Sure, it can handle the stress of a deadline at work or (most) family holiday gatherings, but the chronic everyday stress is the most important.
Read MoreBone broth is the newest health trend brewing up quite the buzz. Unlike the buzz from your morning long shot double espresso or perhaps your hand crafted, muddled old fashioned, this particular buzz resonates within your core, leaving you glowing from the inside out. The reason is simple and can be explained in two words: gut health.
Nearly your entire immune system is located in the gut, making gut health a primary concern when considering optimal health. Gut health is defined as a healthy balance of bacteria, or microbiome, and fungi, or mycobiome, in the gut as well as a healed and sealed gut lining.
Read MoreEvery day I am faced with the choice of fear. After being diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2014, the doctor said to me: “Are you aware you can die from this?” and “You will live like this the rest of your life.” At that moment, I knew I had two options: I could either succumb to the diagnosis of my potentially deadly and dismal future, or, I could learn to live in harmony with the disease, taking better care of my body and ultimately regaining control of my life.
I started with healing my gut. Nearly the entire immune system resides in the gut and there is no better way to battle any illness then focusing on strengthening the immune system.
Read MoreI am excited to share with you a recent study of mine was just published in the Journal of Probiotics & Health!
The study, Effect of Mycobiome Diet on Gut Fungal and Bacterial Communities of Healthy Adults, shows that dietary changes lead to a positive shift in the microbiome, or collection of bacteria and fungi living in the gut. Basically, we found that a diet high in fiber from resistant starches (like beans, oats, whole grains, squash…) and cruciferous veggies reduces pathogens in the gut like Candida and E.coli. For 28 days, participants consumed a diet high in fiber with moderate amounts of protein and fats and each week we collected fecal samples to monitor the changes in the gut. It was truly amazing to see the results of the study—by the end, nearly every participant had little to no signs of Candida and E.coli in the gut.
For more information and to access the full study, click HERE.
Contrary to what many health advocates believe, I am actually a huge fan of grains and disagree that grains are the culprit for our health concerns. In fact, grains are incredibly beneficial for optimal gut health! The good bacteria in the gut (aka probiotics) thrive on the fiber and resistant starches that many grains provide. Without these vital nutrients, bacteria simply cannot survive in the gut. The problem with grains, however, stems from consuming them in their not-so-properly-prepared form, like highly processed grains laden with chemicals and toxins that absolutely wreak havoc on the gut. It is no wonder why we are gluten intolerant and have problems digesting these foods. Once you work towards healing the gut lining and repopulating the gut with a healthy balance of bacteria and fungi, you can likely tolerate grains and should incorporate them into your diet, as long as they are in their properly prepared form.
Read MoreFirst, I would like to preface this article by stating my intention is not to dissuade people from the vegan diet, rather, highlight concerns with inherent diet-related health implications. Instead, I encourage mindfulness and inquisitive label reading so that we avoid the same health pitfalls as we did from the elimination of fats in the 1990’s. I do not believe in shaming others for their health choices. At the end of the day, we are all trying to navigate through misinformation regarding health and wellness and I applaud anyone trying to take a step towards adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Read MoreProbiotics are all the buzz these days as gut health is rapidly becoming one of the most widely discussed topics when it comes to optimal health. Nearly the entire immune system is located in the gut making gut health foundational in achieving optimal health. It seems as though probiotics are popping up everywhere from beverages to cereals as this topic gains popularity and more people look towards improving the health of their gut.
However, two recent studies published in Cell have people questioning the effectiveness of probiotics. In one study, researchers studied the changes in the microbiome of a group of people over the course of one month that were given an 11-strain probiotic combination or a placebo. In the second study, researchers, studied the effects of the same 11-strain probiotic after antibiotic use.
Read MoreIn early February, I teamed up with my friend Dr. Nick Sechrist of Elevation Now chiropractic center and founder of the Elevation Principle to lead a weekend packed with self empowerment and self care. The retreat was situated in the beautiful La Sal mountains in Moab, Utah, a quiet and serene environment perfect for healing!
Read MoreRetreats seem to be popping up everywhere and becoming increasingly more common. Wellness retreats are quickly replacing the standard vacation as more people look to take charge of their own health. After leading a recent wellness retreat of my own and seeing the positive impacts on health that these getaways have, I was encouraged to write a post in hopes of inspiring others to attend more retreats. Here are my top reasons for why you should attend a wellness retreat:
Read MoreI talk a lot about meal prep, a key component of the 70/30 plan. I love the quote "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail" and I truly believe that without a little bit of planning in your diet, you are less likely to succeed in eating healthy. I have put together my essentials for meal planning to help you in your journey!
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