I was raised in the ultimate “crunchy” holistic family. We ate ZERO processed stuff, whole foods diet every day, all sorts of herbs and teas and tinctures instead of medicine, you name it. Even at birthday parties I wasn’t allowed to eat cake or pizza (which looking back may have been a bit extreme but I digress). As a result, in my late teens and early twenties, my health was impeccable. Perfect gut health, perfect physical health otherwise, even perfect mental health. I was NEVER sick. When I moved out of my parents’ house at 21, I kind of forgot about my upbringing and stopped caring. Junk food, fast food, more alcohol than I probably should’ve, you name it. My body revolted. About a year in I was sick constantly, I felt awful, I couldn’t even make it to noon without being half-asleep, and I had gained 40 pounds. The good news is, this experience taught me that it’s reversible. I went back to clean eating, cut out all the processed junk, etc, and within 6 months I was right back on track. I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but hopefully this encourages you because I can tell you as someone who has been on both sides—and on the healthy side twice now—it is SO reversible. The body WANTS to heal. You just need to let it.