Digestive Health + 10 ways to Improve Digestion

Digestive Health

Good Digestion starts before you take that first bite of food.  As soon as our sense of smell is electrified with a tantalizing smell it signals immediate response of saliva production.  This process continues as you place that first bite into your mouth and start chewing

In today’s modern world chewing is almost passe.  We want to pat ourselves on the back for being multitaskers and commend ourselves on eating on the go, eating while doing chores or a number of other important tasks or goals on our to-do list.  What we don’t know is that all that hurrying and busyness is changing the way our body breaks down food and a healthy digestion process.

Researchers are now finding that a good healthy gut is the key to good health and disease starts in the gut. What does that mean?

The gut is a complicated process and varies upon the individual. The lifestyle we live, the foods we eat, the way in which we process those foods, our environment, stress as well as exercise. It’s challenging just trying to plan meals, cook those meals and get things done in our day. Now add gut health to that list.  I am overwhelmed!

Lets first look at how we digest food.  As I said when I started this digestion starts as soon as we smell food. The moment our salivary glands start to work. Our body makes natural digestive enzymes through our saliva.  Chewing then sends a signal to our stomach to stimulate acid.  Depending on how much chewing we do this effects how much acid we produce.  Contrary to what we believe stomach acid is important and necessary. We usually believe that acid reflux is due to too much acid it usually is due to too little acid.

As we continue to chew the food passes traveling down signaling the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder, producing juices and bile, helping to break down the food and assist in the absorption of good nutrients. The cells in the stomach produce hormones keeping the digestive system running well even regulating our sense of appetite.

If we have poor digestion we can have undigested food left in our colon. The undigested food sits creating a harmful environment and bacteria.  This is where the gas, bloating, constipation occurs.

Think of food sitting in a glass jar on the counter for days what starts to grow and ferment in there.  Yuck! Well, that’s what it’s like in your gut.  Wreaking havoc on your immune system, and inflammation.

80% of our immune system is found in our gut. So, you can see the strength of our body, and overall health lays greatly in our gut. Researchers are now finding that there is a direct connection to gut health and disease and cancers. Creating a healthy gut microbiome is important to reduce our risk of disease, illness and possibly even cancers.

If this is true then wouldn’t improved health also start in the gut?

Socrates said “Let medicine be thy food”, and Food by

Socrates said “Let medicine be thy food”, and Food by thy medicine”, “Good Men eat and drink so they can live”

But how can you determine your body’s digestive breakdown? Or if you have a digestive problem?

Some Signs of poor digestion

1. 1. Gas

1. 1. Bloating

1. 1. Not able to eliminate daily

1. 1. Headaches

1. 1. Weight gain or not able to lose weight

1. 1. Nausea

1. 1. dizziness

1. 1. skin rash or irritation

1. diarrhea

So What can you do?

Here are 10 ways for better digestion

Chewing

Sit down, enjoy your meal taking time to chew eat each bite.

Exercise

Digestion is aided by movement and reduces constipation.  Moving keeps everything moving.

Probiotic

Probiotic  is naturally occurring in our gut taking a supplement can help increase and support healthy bacteria and increase immune support. Also, helping with how our body absorbs foods.

Hydration

Staying hydrated breaks down foods helping it to be passed through easily. Hydrating all the cells making elimination easier. AquaFlask 32oz  a great way to track your water intake.

Fiber

Making sure you have enough fiber in your diet adding to the bulk in your stool. Soluble and insoluble are equally important.

Fermented foods

Loaded with good bacteria, now there are so many fermented foods to choose from,  Kimichi, ORGANIC RAW SAUERKRAUT.

Ginger

Add some ginger to a glass of water or food. Ginger aids in digestion.

Stress

Stress overall in our body is bad.  When we hold on to stress it not only brings anxiety, & depression but the effects on our gut stimulate our gut.  Can cause diarrhea or constipation. Find something to de-stress.  Something you enjoy!

Give your system a break

Giving your gut a break from eating is helpful.  Trying 12 hours in between meals giving your body the opportunity to rest and restart. Intermittent fasting.

Proper elimination

Good digestion will help stimulate proper elimination.  In a healthy gut will occur several times a day after meals.

Look for possible food sensitivities

When we think food sensitivities or allergies we think of celiac disease or a peanut allergy.  However, those that suffer from a true allergy much more suffer from what is called a food sensitivity. Where our body has difficulty digesting certain foods and over time result in disrupting our immune system balance. Weakening our immune system putting us at risk for what is known as “leaky gut”.

Want to learn more about digestive health, the foods you are eating or how to recreate your lifestyle?

I’d love to connect and share my story with you and how changing my lifestyle has changed my life for optimal health and wellness.  I’ve suffered from leaking gut and major digestive issues. Along with an autoimmune condition and have been working my way towards healing.

Schedule a free 30 min Discovery Session 

Live Well, Be Well

Wendy