Digestion issues are one of the most commonly dealt with symptoms!
Believe it or not, digestion is very closely related to all the other organs and systems in our body. Everything in our body is truly linked together which means the health of your digestive system is going reflect on your OVERALL health.
Like immunity, mouth & skin health and even mental health.
Improving Digestion is always the first things I start with all of my nutrition clients.
This post is dedicated to those who may be dealing with digestion issues like bloating and pain.. or for those who are just wanting to improve their digestion.
The diagram below from my Digestive Healing Guide (being released Jan 2019) shows how proper Digestion is supposed to happen.
When it comes to digestion problems… it’s usually not just one cause but rather a contribution of many things that could be harming your digestion.
These are the most common symptoms of a weak digestive system and a list of contributors which can negatively effect the natural digestion process:
Symptoms of Poor Digestion:
Bloating Cramping Gas Constipation Irregular Bowel Movements Loose Stools Low Stomach Acid
Contributors that can Harm Digestion:
Poor Diet choices
Low Water and Fibre intake (importance of water and fibre page )
High Sugar diet
Not properly Chewing your food
High Stress
Nutrient Deficiencies (can be tested)
Food Allergies and Sensitivities (recommended to be tested)
Antibiotic & Birth Control pill use
These are very common symptoms that all lead back to our digestive health.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it could be a sign your natural digestive process is off balance.
How to Naturally Improve Your Digestion:
There are so many facors that can contribute to poor digestion like stress, food allergies etc. BUT to start improving your overall digestive health... the 4 R's is the most important things to start off with.
REMOVE foods that damage the digestive system REPLACE with healing foods REPAIR with specific supplements REBALANCE with gut flora (probiotics)
1. REMOVE foods that Damage the Digestive System:
AVOID FOODS THAT CAUSE INFLAMMATION
Processed Sugar, Fat & Oils, Gluten, Alcohol, Red Meat, Beans and Lentils can often cause inflammation in some people.
Eating highly processed sugar, fats and oil that are found in common foods can be harmful to your digestive system. They can cause congestion which can prevent you from weight loss or fitness goals! When we rebalance our digestive tract it unclogs stored fat or mucus that has been congesting your body (which ultimately leads to helping eliminate stored belly fat).
2. REPLACE with Healing Foods:
EMMA'S RECOMMENDATIONS
High Omega Foods like flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp hearts, olive oil/avocado oil to decrease inflammation and help repair the gut lining.
Fermented Foods like yogurt, kefir, kim-chi and sauerkraut are high in probiotics and promote healthy digestion.
Fresh and Live Foods like dark leafy greens, high fibre fruit - soups are always a good idea to be eating when healing digestion.
Chicken or Beef Bone Broth is very high in collagen and specific minerals to help repair the stomach lining. Anti-Inflammatory Foods like turmeric, Manuka honey, ginger, nuts and seeds, etc.
3. REPAIR with Specific Supplements:
DIGESTIVE ENZYME
Many people experience digestive imbalances daily from low stomach acid and digestive enzymes. If we don't have enough stomach acid or enzymes to break down the food we eat the food will be fermented in the stomach - what causes bloating, gas, discomfort and bacterial overgrowth.
Taking a digestive enzyme will promote healthy digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
L-GLUTAMINE FOR GUT HEALING
L-Glutamine is an essential amino acid that acts like an anti-inflammatory. It helps for the repair and growth of your intestinal lining. It coats the intestinal cell walls and protects from any damage from food or environmental toxins. So amazing!
4. REBALANCE with Gut Flora (probiotics):
TAKE PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are good bacteria. Bacteria is everywhere in our gut and is critical to our digestive health. Probiotics improve digestion by stimulating intestinal peristalsis (how your intestines move the food) and decreases the bad bacteria.
Taking a probiotic is excellent for support when you are under stress, wanting improved digestive function or simply wanting to increase your health. Look for a probiotic with a high bacteria count and 7+ different bacteria strains!
Digestion Reminder:
Like I mentioned earlier in this post it’s usually not just one cause but rather a contribution of many things that could be harming your digestion.
When looking to heal your digestion I always recommend to start off with having a clean diet and to follow the 4 R's.
You are the one who is in control of what you eat and what goes into your digestive system. And at the end of the day what goes into your gut - is truly what will determine the health of your gut.
Digestion Healing Guide releases January 2019 !!!