Healthy Digestion

What are some common misconceptions about digestion?

Most people don’t know that the kind of food they eat affects their digestion. Something that sounds healthy, like a piece of organic whole wheat bread, could cause inflammation. Much of the food we eat is over-processed, and our bodies don’t recognize the original ingredients. Dairy also causes many problems, in part because the homogenization process those most dairy products go through damages the fat molecules. If you drink raw milk right from a cow, the enzymes would still be intact and might not cause a reaction. Digestive problems can manifest themselves in many ways, including fatigue, a compromised immune system, sleep disorders, headaches, joint and muscle pain, dullness in the hair and skin, and even brittle nails. When you start digesting your food better, you actually deliver complete nutrition to the cells. When your food is not digested, the brain sends a message to the tongue to “get more food”, and causes us to overeat. The gut is like a second brain. How can digestive enzyme supplements help digestion? Our bodies use enzymes to break down protein, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber in the foods we eat. They allow for more nutrition and hydration to go directly into the cell and remove the waste from the cell. We can’t function without enzymes. They are ‘naturally occurring, but over time, the body gets depleted and we lose out the ability to produce enough. If there’s a lot of digestive stress, the body becomes compromised. The adrenal glands, which produce hormones, use a fight-or-flight reaction to respond to this stress. This takes a toll on the adrenal glands, as well. Enzymes act as an insurance policy to make sure things run smoothly.

Why should nursing or pregnant women be especially attentive to their digestion?

If you’re not breaking down your food properly, this could lead to a leaky gut syndrome, a form of inflammation that manifests with bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and aches and pains. The waste that is supposed to get flushed out instead goes back into the bloodstream. In pregnant women, the baby is getting nutrition from the umbilical cord and is more prone to pick up bacteria if it’s in the bloodstream. Nursing women who start on digestive enzymes also find that their babies have great gut health because the milk is healthier. They are not as colicky and have less gas.

What are some everyday habits that can improve digestion?

Slow down! Take time to chew your food thoroughly. Digestion starts in the mouth when the food comes in contact with saliva. Chewing food completely allows the enzymes in the saliva to work better and makes it easier for the rest of the body to break down. Consider chewing as a way to nourish your body. Also, stay hydrated, but drink most of your water,  in-between meals. If you drink too much while eating, your digestive juices get diluted and can’t work properly. A few sips of water are all you require when eating. If you feel that you need a lot of liquid to flush down your food, you’re probably not breaking it down properly. There are a few, spices that are known to aid digestion, namely turmeric, ginger, fennel, and oregano, and these can easily be added to meals. Instead of telling people, they can’t eat their favorite foods. I encourage them to make swaps. For example, they can try yogurt made with almond or coconut milk instead of traditional dairy if they want something smooth and creamy.

Author info. – Reneé Barasch
Founder of Nutritional Health Solution