The Success of “Dirty” Eating
About a month ago, my kids were attending a school function at a local Barnes & Noble book store. While I was standing there in total boredom, I realized I was next to a book rack of new nutrition books. I immediately noticed a book titled “Eat Dirt” by Dr. Josh Axe. I had previously heard of him when browsing some of his web posts; however, I had never heard of this particular book. I picked it up, flipped through it, and realized that I was going to really enjoy the book. I decided to purchase it, and I read it cover to cover in just a few days because it was so captivating. Little did I realize when reading this book that it would have such an impact upon my outlook of food, and my diet going forward.
There is a lot of great information in this book, and it is extremely easy to read as a nutrition layperson. Essentially, Dr. Axe believes that society went wrong when we became obsessed with killing every germ possible. We sanitize everything we can, including our clothes, hands, hair, body, food, utensils, and the surfaces of our environment. Because we do this, our bodies no longer come into contact with good bacteria. As a result, much less good bacteria make it into our gut (digestive system), which can result in Leaky Gut Syndrome as it’s known in holistic circles, or “increased intestinal permeability” as it is known in conventional medicine. The consequences of a permeable digestive system can be disastrous, to include weight gain, immune system issues, and a number of other serious medical maladies. Dr. Axe mentions numerous suggested courses of action to properly introduce good bacteria into our lives.
After reading this book, I figured I would try it out his methods. I began making my own bone broth from chicken carcasses, beef bones, and ham bones. I drink it every day, and it’s actually delicious. I also eat fermented foods daily, such as sauerkraut and kimchi, which contain billions of terrific bacteria. Furthermore, I have been drinking goat milk kefir throughout the day. Anyone who has read my blog so far will immediately question why I would suddenly drink any form of dairy, considering my objections to it in prior posts. The answer is that the benefits of goat dairy far outweigh the risks, and it is superior to cow dairy products. Goat’s milk has a different form of casein proteins that are processed differently by our bodies. Even people who tend to be intolerant or allergic to cow dairy can generally drink goat’s milk with no issues. It is also worth noting that goat milk kefir is loaded with several different kinds of beneficial bacteria types, and of course protein. I also began eating a tablespoon of raw, unprocessed, unfiltered honey every day because of the pollen found within, which helps normalize our immune system. Other than the bacteria-rich products that I introduced to my diet, the rest of my diet remains the same. I still drink plenty of green tea, and eat unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Aside from the previously mentioned fermented products, I continue to avoid consuming processed foods or drinks.
When I first started this new nutritional behavior, I measured at 15% body fat using calipers. Two weeks later, which was also two days ago, I measured myself again and was delighted to discover that I dropped to 13% body fat. I performed the reading several times in both instances, so I am confident of the results. It is worth repeating, I lost 2% body fat in 2 weeks! Clearly, it is working, and the only changes made to my diet were the introduction of fermented foods. I have always liked sour foods, to include sauerkraut and kimchi, so that was easy to incorporate as a regular aspect of my daily eating routine. To me, goad kefir resembles buttermilk in texture and taste, so that was an easy adjustment for me as well. Bone broth is basically the broth you would find in chicken noodle soup, so I greatly enjoy drinking that, and it’s loaded with protein. While packaged bone broth is sold in grocery stores, I have found that the homemade kind (using Dr. Axe’s recipe) is superior in taste. Lastly, I have always enjoyed honey, so I view eating a tablespoon every day as a special treat.
I noticed a few positive changes to my body because of the nutritional changes, in addition to the body fat reduction. First, I am a lot less hungry than before. I am not fully sure why, but I’m thinking the bone broth and kefir fill me between meals. Second, I just feel better, overall, in just about every way possible. Third, I have significantly more energy, and strength, during my workouts. This is probably due, somewhat to the increased amount of protein from these foods. Lastly, my body has been extremely regular since starting, and I attribute that entirely to the good bacteria. I did happen to get a cold during the two week experiment, but my body fought it off rather remarkably and quickly, so I believe my immune system has improved as well.
When I noticed that this method is actually working at reducing fat and improving my body, I decided to take it a step further. I bought mason jars, fermentation auto-release lids, a fermentation book, and a fermentation crock so that I can start making my own batches of sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that you can easily ferment just about any vegetable! This opens a wide door of possibilities to try different flavors and possibilities. Also, I enjoy doing things myself and seeing how things work, and the entire fermentation process is quite interesting to watch slowly unfold. I will continue to provide updates in the future, but so far I can only praise the “Eat Dirt” book, and the results they have provided me.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is based entirely upon my experiences and observations. I am not a medical professional and you must do your own research and consult your doctor before making any changes to your eating, fitness, medication, or supplements. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional.
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