EXPERIENCING HEALING USING BASIC NUTRITIONAL ELEMENTS
- Michele Buenger, RN, BSN, CSA®, NBC-HWC
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
Often the body is working to digest a complex array of compounds, many of which, in today’s diet, are not recognized as actual food to the body. The body becomes chronically stressed as more and more of these compounds enter the bloodstream each time we eat, leading to chronic diseases, mitochondrial dysfunction, brain fog, autoimmunity, and more, but there is something basic we can do! Let’s learn a bit more about experiencing healing using basic nutritional elements.
EXPERIENCING HEALING USING BASIC NUTRITIONAL ELEMENTS
THE ISSUES TODAY
Today, we are being inundated with chronic diseases, autoimmunity, cognitive decline, and more. We know today that most of these issues aren’t simply the result of genetics, but the result of our lifestyle. One of the major contributors is our diet. Today’s food is flooded with additives, chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals. The body must decide what to do with all these toxins and often they get stored in our body and brain. For many, they lead to devastating diseases.
WHAT IS THE ELEMENTAL DIET?
The elemental diet is a liquid diet consisting of the nutrients we need, but presented to the body in basic elemental form. This eliminates the need for the body to break these elements into their basic building blocks before it can use them. It provides what the body needs, but without the extra work that the body normally requires. The recipe contains the basic elements of amino acids, short- or medium- chain fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
When you stop and think for a minute about the concept, it makes such great sense. Let’s give the body what it needs, but without the extra work or added substances. It’s a rest! It’s so simple.
The body is able to quickly absorb the nutrients as they enter the small intestine. This quick absorption allows the body to have the full benefit of the nutrients, something that isn’t always happening with the standard American diet that’s causing conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut, Crohn’s disease, parasite infestation, and more. Ironically, many who consume this diet actually feel more satiated as the body takes in more of the nutrients needed to function optimally.
WHO DOES THE ELEMENTAL DIET BENEFIT?
Most of the time the elemental diet is used for those who have “severe” digestive issues or disease. Today, however, we are seeing that the evidence in favor of the benefits of fasting is undeniable, and the elemental diet offers another great “rest” that enables the body to shift the focus to healing. So, who does this diet actually benefit? Well, almost everyone!
If you want to determine if this diet is something useful for you to try, reach out to a trusted provider.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHILE ON THIS DIET
DETOXIFICATION AND REDUCED BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH
While on the elemental diet, the body uses the time to kick into a more healing state, which means offloading toxins. This doesn’t always feel great, but it is important to the healing process and can include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Keep in mind, that the body will also go through some amount of withdrawal since many of the man-made chemicals in our foods today are designed to be addictive.
Additionally, bacteria die-off adds to these symptoms, because food and bulk are not going through the gut, which means some bacteria have to die. Often taking a binder assists the body in clearing these toxins out, but it is important to discuss how to handle all of these symptoms with your trusted provider.
BOWEL AND GUT REST
Because this diet only offers the basics that absorb quickly, the gut and bowels get a nice rest. This means that bowel motility will slow, and might stop, as the diet goes on. Some experience liquid stools since bulk is lacking from the diet. This is normal and gut motility will pick back up once food reintroduction begins. Those with SIBO often lack good gut motility in general. It is important to help the gut build up and maintain motility once eating normally begins again. Iberogast offers an herbal option for gut motility, so ask your provider if you are dealing with SIBO or slow gut motility issues. Please bear in mind that it is essential to follow the guidance of a provider while doing this for the first time.
While on this diet, it’s important to pay attention to what satiation actually feels like. It’s the absence of hunger, not that rock-heavy feeling we’ve been trained to feel, which is really just the result of overeating and is actually an incredible stress on the body.
REDUCED INFLAMMATION AND MORE HEALING
Because this diet reduces the influx of chemicals and other irritants into the body, the body is able to focus on healing. This “break” helps the body come out of fight or flight and focus on removing current toxins, and reducing inflammation.
REINTRODUCTION OF SOLID FOOD
It is critical to follow your provider’s instructions for solid food reintroduction. I have found the more I do this diet, the easier my gut motility picks back up. If you are looking for more information on the elemental diet recipe, food introduction post diet, and more, I highly recommend following Dr. Allison Siebecker: https://www.siboinfo.com/elemental-diet.html, but it is a must to follow a provider the first time you take part in this diet.
MY JOURNEY WITH THE ELEMENTAL DIET
MY STRUGGLE
I have consumed the 2-week course of the elemental diet three times now and have the symptoms described above every time. I will even initially experience a bit more brain fog while detoxing, which can feel a bit scary. I have learned that it is okay to allow my body to release and remove the toxins. Ask your trusted provider about how best to cope with those symptoms.
Additionally, I have found this diet particularly difficult, requiring incredible self-control, because as the bacteria begin to die off, they send out signals that increase my appetite of certain foods. This is my experience and may not be what others experience. I’ve found the desire to simply chew food to become overwhelming and will sometimes break up ice in a blender so I can just have something to “chew.”
WORTH THE STRUGGLE
My body’s response to this diet, however, has made the struggle worth it. Elemental nutrition has taught me what satiation means and provided a way for my overwhelmed and inflamed gut to absorb nutrients better.
Although the elemental nutrition diet is often viewed as an “extreme” approach, I consider it an essential component of many healing journeys due to the modern American diet and widespread exposure to toxins. If you are dealing with chronic disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, cognition issues, etc., consider this two-week healing plan! Reach out to me today if you have questions!
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