Issues with digestion can cause havoc with your health if you don’t attend to them. Bad digestion is responsible for many issues such as reflux, constipation, diarrhoea, skin problems, inflammation … in fact, many of the illnesses from which we suffer. All illness could be said to start in the gut and, if you treat your digestion, your health will naturally start to improve.
Digestion starts in the mouth when the amylase starts to break down carbohydrates. Sugar is released to help break down the carbohydrates into more simple sugars for easier digestion once it hits the stomach. Gastric juices in the gut then begin to break down the proteins. After this, the food then starts to make its way through the small intestine where most of the digestion happens. The pancreas releases natural digestive enzymes which break down the final nutrients for absorption.
Sometimes we may have digestion issues that can make us feel bloated, heavy and filled with wind. There are many reasons we could have digestion issues. It could be because our intestinal lining is damaged due to drugs, coeliac disease or out-of-balance hormones. Or poor digestion could be caused by the foods we eat, such as toxic-laden foods and junk foods like canned goods, foods with too much sugar, wheat and yeast, and most takeaway foods. Not eating a healthy, well balanced diet can cause nutrient deficiencies which can lead to problems in the digestive tract. Issues could also be due to food intolerances, which can cause your digestive enzymes to decrease.
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People who suffer from pancreatic problems may also suffer with digestive issues. This is generally because of the essential enzymes not being produced at a high enough rate to support healthy digestion. So it might be a good idea to take supplements to help boost your enzymes. Active plant enzymes with no sugar, wheat, gluten and soy are the best products. Protease, amylase and lipase are also good. Stress is another big cause of digestion problems because many of us get an upset stomach and feel it churning when we get stressed out. Stress can upset your stomach acids and make it hard for your body to digest the food.
When thinking about what foods you can eat to help support your digestion, you should stay clear of things such as processed foods that are high in preservatives, MSG and too much coffee and alcohol. Sugar, wheat and yeast are high on the ‘no’ list. If, however, you find you are having too many issues with your digestion it’s wise to consult a natural therapist. They will often do a sensitivity test and test your mineral levels, hormones and nutrients you are lacking. These tests often include examining your levels of inflammation and, coupled with a blood test, make a very concise picture of what’s happening with your health.
