Digestive Health - It means everything!

Without proper digestive health, our bodies are a mess! What is proper digestive health? I will explain that. Everything in our whole body relies upon proper digestion, and a proper working colon, to function properly. When we eat, our food goes into our stomachs, where it is digested with the aid of our stomach acid. If our stomach acid is strong enough, and we have been eating the proper foods and drinking enough water, then our stomach acid should be able to break down our food properly. From there, our food is broken down to usable parts, and the liquid and solids separated. The body is a very well oiled machine and knows what it needs to do. The colon is the most important organ in digesting our food. In the colon, there are millions of tiny villi that work to move food along so that it can be eliminated. Also, the colon is where the health of our body resides. From the colon, our food is used to provide energy, support the organs in the body, move water and oxgen to the blood, produce red blood cells, and support our immune health. If the colon is unable to do this, there are a few reasons why. One is that we are eating food that our body is unable to digest. This could be because of low stomach acid, which naturally depletes after the age of 40. The other reason is that we are allergic, or sensitive, to the food we are eating. Or we are eating too many processed and sugary foods. What happens when we eat food we are allergic or sensitive to is that it kills off the villa in our colon which is very dangerous. Anytime you are not eliminatimg by way of a bowel movement, at the VERY LEAST once a day, three times a day is optimum, then you need some help. If you do not eliminate properly, then there is a chance of having a leaky gut, tears in your colon, or other problems with your colon. Two of the biggest food groups to cause the most problems are gluten and dairy. Yes, you can live without these food groups as there are so many alternatives now you just have to open your eyes, and your minds, to trying something new. Let go of preconceived notions that gluten free foods do not taste good. When I made a gluten free meal for my family for the first time, they could not stop gushing about how good it was! When I made a gluten free cake for mother's day one year, it was the best cake mom ever ate! That is some compliment.

Hopefully we have been giving our bodies the help it needs to digest properly. We need a lot of water in a day for all the processes our bodies do naturally to make us move, use our food for fuel, flow our blood and oxygen, and build muscle. We also need a lot of fruits and vegetables to aid in digestion, with all the different fruits and veggies giving us a variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that we need, as well as fiber. Also, we need healthy ancient grains which also provide much needed nutrients and complex carbs, which take longer to process, thereby keeping us fuller longer. With complex carbs there is not a sugar spike as there is with simple carbs, which are breads and pastas, cakes, cookies and pies. The complex carbs provide us with more fibre which help us to sweep our colon and keep it clean and clear. It is also helpful to stay away from additives and preservatives as they just invade our bodies and interrupt the gentle and natural process that our bodies go through. The more natural the products we consume, the better off we are. Nuts and seeds, if you are not allergic, are also very important for proper health. Beans and legumes provide fiber and complex carbs to help sweep the colon.

It is also VERY IMPORTANT to provide our bodies with healthy oils. YES, OILS!! We need oil in our bodies to function. When we consume healthy oils, we have less cravings, which keeps us from overeating or from craving and eating all the junk food. Healthy oils are coconut oil, avacado oil, grape seed oil, hemp seed oil and olive oil. Look for oils that are cold pressed if possible. This is the healthiest version you can find; processed without chemicals. I use a variety of these oils in differnt ways. I put hemp seed oil in smoothies as well as half an avacado. The avacado makes my smoothie thick and creamy. The oils we consume will provide lubrication in our bodies for all the processes we go through, as well as nourishing us on the outside; such as hair, skin and nails. I also make a homemade salad dressing that is healthier and much tastier than anything I have bought. So get adding them to your eating plan right away. Let me know if you want some recipes!

When our colons are not working well, we end up with constipation, or diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloated and gassy bellies, hard stomachs, pain and even migraines. We can even feel foggy headed and not able to think straight. Sometimes we need to add a digestive enzyme to our routine so we can eliminate problems and aid in digestion. I use the Renew Life brand of enzymes. If you know you have low stomach acid, there is an enzyme from this company that has HCI, which is hydrochloric acid, which will increase the acid in your stomach already. I would suggest taking all enzymes at the start of, or just before, your meal. That way it has a chance to get working before your food is ingested. As with all enzymes, drink a full glass of water to be sure they get to your stomach to start working. Also helpful are probiotics. In fact, they are a must!! Probiotics help improve our immune health, which is important to prevent diseases. Similar to digestive enzymes, probiotics help break down our food to usable parts and move it along to where it needs to go. Probiotics also balance our intestines by preventing diarrhea and constipation. There are different probiotics for adults and children, so be sure to get one suitable for the age group of your family. There are even dairy free probiotics which are great for those that are lactose intolerant, like me. Be sure to get your probiotics from a health food store as they have the supporting knowledge to help you choose the right ones.

If foods tend to irritate you, then stay away from them. It really is that simple. Many people say that they can eat any food they want, but they are constantly uncomfortable after a meal, have constipation or diarrhea, feel foggy and are either stuffed up or have a runny nose. There are many more symptoms as well that relate to our allergies to food. If you are curious, or want a consultation, let me know. If you are suspecting allergies to some foods, then eliminate them completely from your diet for 2 weeks, minimum. Then, slowly try those foods again in small doses and pay attention to how you feel. If you have pain, bloating, diarrhea, stuffy nose or constipation, then you are allergic, or at least sensitive, to those foods. Now that you are armed with this knowledge, please do something with it. Stay away from irritating foods and clean up your eating. Life is far to short to be unhappy or unhealthy, especially when you can do something about it. Being proactive and preventing illness is so important for everyone.

If you have suggestions for other articles, or want me to expand on some subjects already meantioned, then please feel free to let me know. I am grateful to share my knowledge and experience with you to help improve your life!! Please, have an awesome and very healthy day! Namaste!

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