My 5 Favorite Foods for Gut Issues: #1 Butter

Yes, you read that right. Butter. 

Not just any butter. 

Sourcing is important here. 

We want grass-fed butter.

This means that the cow who’s milk was used to make the butter was fed grass and NOT fed grains like corn or wheat. 

Cows aren’t meant to eat grains.

They are ruminant animals and have evolved to eat grass, so let’s seek out grass fed butter for Day 1’s recipe.

There are measurable nutritional differences in dairy and meat products that come from grass fed cows when compared to grain fed cows. 

Grass fed meat and dairy tend to have higher levels of fat soluble vitamins like A and K, B vitamins, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iodine, and zinc. 

Grass fed animal products also have higher levels of antioxidants and a more favorable ratio of omega 3’s to omega 6’s when compared to grain fed or grain finished beef products. (Think anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting properties.)

What are we doing with the butter and what does this mean for your digestive system?

We are putting butter in our coffee and making Bulletproof Coffee (see below for recipe). 

Here are 3 reasons I like Bulletproof Coffee for a healthy digestive system:

1. Vitamins, minerals and healthy fats- Every cell in our body depends on vitamins, minerals and healthy fats to function properly. The cells that line our digestive tract are no different. Bulletproof coffee made with grass fed butter and mct or coconut oil supplies a variety of nutrients to support proper cell structure, function and communication so that we can digest and extract nutrients from our food to fuel the rest of our body. Some of these important nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin K, various B vitamins, calcium, zinc, magnesium and omega 3’s and 6’s.

2. Butyrate- Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid that the cells in your gut (colonocytes) use for energy. Most cells in the body use glucose for fuel, but these little guys use butyrate. This short chain fatty acid is also known for helping repair a leaky gut so you can resolve your annoying symptoms like bloating, diarrhea and food sensitivities (if they are stemming from a leaky gut).

3. Anti-inflammatory-The favorable ratio of omega 3’s to omega 6’s found in the grass fed butter and the medium chain fatty acids in the coconut oil from our bulletproof coffee have anti inflammatory and anti carcinogenic properties. Not to mention the high levels of antioxidants found in the coffee that also fight free radicals. This means we can fight cancer and disease development AND enjoy our morning java all before getting dressed in the morning with a cup of bulletproof coffee.

 You MUST try this recipe if you:

*Drink black coffee or lattes every morning.

*Experience occasional or frequent constipation. 

*Experience the jitters when you drink coffee.

*Experience a crash after you drink coffee. 

*Have dry skin or hair.

*You miss the creamy deliciousness of milk in your coffee and dairy bothers your stomach.

(Butter has very low amounts of dairy compared to milk and many people who can’t tolerate milk can do butter without any trouble).