A healthy digestive is absolutely key to overall health!! You can eat healthy but if your digestive system isn’t up to par, you aren’t absorbing all those healthy nutrients! No amount of healthy eating, or healthy lifestyle, will be effective unless the digestive system is doing its job efficiently. When we talk about digestion we are including both the work of the stomach and the intestinal tract together. The stomach is responsible for breaking down food and the absorption of nutrients. The intestinal track is responsible for eliminating toxins. Without the correct process of absorption and elimination, all your bodily functions are not working efficiently!
When you have a health complaint or are noticing improper digestion, IBS, indigestion, constipation , the first place to look is your digestive tract. In our crazy lifestyles, including stress, denatured foods, antibiotics and pollution, there are several health issues associated with compromised digestion. It is important to keep our digestive systems in tact and working properly!! The liver and pancreas play a major role in digestion so it is important to support these functions so they can work to the best of their ability! There are simple ways to do this… good old herbs!
Tumeric– This is well known as a liver tonic and aid to digestion. It also works as an anti-inflammatory!
Cardamom– This is a warming, digestive herb that is used for stomach cramping and indigestion.
Ginger–This is a multi purpose herb that increases digestive enzymes, allows food to flow in the digestive tract and helps with nausea and vomiting!
Citrus Peel–Even though this isn’t an herb, the peel of citrus is used for digestive issues!
There are so many great herbs and natural ways to keep your digestive track up to par!! Not only are they great alternatives but make your foods taste extra yummy! Your digestive tract also needs healthy bacteria, don’t forget that! Not all bacteria is bad! In the past, fermented foods, helped us keep good bacteria in our gut, which allows for good elimination, healthy immune support, and hormonal balance but not so much anymore. Especially with the lack of probiotics, in a specific dietary program, we need to be sure we are getting in our healthy bacteria. If you are not in taking yogurt for those probiotics, a good way to bring back balance into your intestinal tract are good quality probiotic supplements. This can make a huge difference in your everyday digestive health!! In a supplement, look for acidophilus and bifidus, which are the most productive and abundant strains of bacteria in our gut and will help with gut issues and digestion!
Remember to support your digestion in order to support your overall health and goals!! You can eat extremely healthy but without the support of our systems, in play to utilize the nutrients, you are not gaining the proper nutrients from all that healthy eating!
