If you suffer from chronic inflammation problems, such as sinusitis, asthma, sore joints, terrible recovery from MMA training sessions; then you may have issues with gut inflammation.

I recently increased my calorie intake to 4,000 a day, and wowzers, do I feel bad!  Particularly in terms of sinus headaches.

http://www.go-articles.com

I hate air-con (that’s not me above, but I would like to detach all air-con from all offices. Especially offices which have big windows, which open and also close), any aerosols, aftershave etc. because they all give me majorly inflamed sinuses; which in turn makes me feel awful.  Last week I had terrible sinus headaches and had to take sida cordifolia to help clear my head a little bit.

I’ve had problems with my sinuses since I can remember.  I’ve always treated the symptoms with decongestants etc but in the last 12 months I’ve realised it’s more of a systemic problem with inflammation, and probably an over-production of histamine.

This is my plan as of yesterday. I already feel a lot better:

L Glutamine and Aloe vera first thing in the morning
Apparently ‘cytokines’ are responsible for much of the guts inflammation; and glutamine helps to offset this. It is also supposed to help with ‘leaky gut’ which is a theoretical (as far as am I aware) condition, whereby the gut-lining becomes damaged and allows some microscopic contents to pass from the gut to the body-proper.
Aloe vera is also shown to reduce gut inflammation; but can give some people the trots

“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aloe vera in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis demonstrated improved clinical symptoms (P = .01) and histologic scores (P = .03) in patients taking aloe vera vs placebo. The exact mechanism of action of aloe vera is unclear, but may include antioxidant and immunosuppressive effects.”
Source

NAC Powder
I’ve not started using this yet, it’s on it’s way in the post.
I’ve only read a few articles about it, and one study actually showed it can cause hypertension.  So don’t use this on my recommendation.  It is however, touted as a very powerful anti-oxidant, and is great at clearing phlegm.  Nice.  Seriously though, gut inflammation can be the result of an over-active immune system, or even in itself can cause an over-active immune system, which results in histamine production, which results in mucous and inflammation.  This is turn gives people asthma, and sinusitis etc.
Some more info on NAC here.

Nettle Tea
A natural anti-histamine

Turmeric
A great anti-inflammatory spice, that also helps tremendously with various gut ailments.  The active ingredient is curcumin.  I add 5g to my protein shakes.  I also add a ‘greens’ powder such as wheatgrass to make it more alkaline.

Probiotics
To try and balance, and increase beneficial gut flora.  I don’t have thrush I don’t think…but I’ve read that a healthy balance can make all the difference in terms of gut health and general well being.  Apparently 50% of your immune system is provided by your ‘second brain’ – your gut.

Any other suggestions, please add a comment.  Hoping I don’t have to reduce my calories too much and lose more weight to improve things…