Digestion: 5 tips

Here are CHFA's top five tips for improving your digestive health:

1) Eat plenty of fiber-rich whole foods.
2) Eat slowly and chew your food well.
3) Add a probiotic supplement to your diet to support microbial health.
4) Exercise to stimulate intestinal muscle contractions.
5) Drink plenty of fluids - we produce about 10 liters of digestive juices a day! Fluids help us keep our digestive system healthy and well lubricated.

Common digestive system problems and possible solutions

Heartburn and bellyaches due to bloating and gas are among the most common digestive system problems experienced by Canadians. Although these symptoms are sometimes associated with other conditions, they are often simply the result of eating certain foods.

Heartburn, also known as acid refluxis a common gastrointestinal discomfort caused by a number of food triggers, such as coffee and other caffeinated beverages, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomato products, fatty foods and spicy foods. The burning sensation in the chest results from reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing irritation. Some of the simplest ways to avoid heartburn are to identify and eliminate trigger foods and avoid overeating.

As for the bloating due to intestinal gas, there are several possible sources. Overeating and insufficient chewing of food are the most common.
In fact, much of the intestinal gas that causes discomfort is caused by air swallowed while chewing food.

Take your time when eating and chew your food thoroughlyThis will reduce the amount of air you swallow. In the lower gastrointestinal tract, primarily the colon, gas can also be produced by intestinal bacteria that ferment undigested fiber and starches in food. Maintaining a good balance of intestinal bacteria is important to ensure proper digestion. To help these good bacteria, consider gradually adding a probiotic supplement to your daily diet. It may take a week or two for the gut flora to recover.

Digestive health is the foundation of our overall health. By paying close attention to it, we ensure that it is able to absorb the essential nutrients that our bodies need to function properly. There are simple steps we can take to reduce the risk of common ailments such as heartburn and bloating, and a few natural health products can help support our often neglected internal ecosystem.