Elixir Wellness: Optimise YOUR Gut!

Digestion and gut health has to be one of our favourite topics. Healthy digestion is the catalyst for your how efficient your body functions. If you are not absorbing the nutrients from your food, your body is at risk of having a weakened immune system, dull skin and intestinal issues such as IBS. April is National IBS Awareness Month! Claire has used her fantastic Naturopathic knowledge to create this handy guide to gut health, with excellent pointers to send you on the right tracks for optimum gut health and happiness!

Optimise YOUR gut!

REMEMBER YOUR STOMACH DOESN’T HAVE TEETH!

• The digestive process begins with the secretion of saliva in the mouth to start the digestion of carbohydrates, as well as proteins to a lesser extent. So it is really important to chew your food well.

• Chewing at least 30 times means that the gut processes food more quickly and, as a result, reduces the risk that it will ferment, producing gas and triggering pain, bloating and wind.

• Put down your fork between bites so you get into the habit of eating more slowly.

SIT DOWN TO EAT!

• The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to further break down proteins; the body, through its other glands, secretes various digestive enzymes from the gall bladder, liver and pancreas to further assist in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. If you are working at a fast pace and not giving yourself time to eat then the body goes into stress mode and doesn’t produce ample amounts of enzymes to assist you digesting your lovely food.

• For those who need a little boost -Taking a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme may help, we like Lamberts Digestizyme.

Healthy hint: Papaya naturally contains enzymes to digest protein so makes a great starter to a meal!

MAKE GOOD BACTERIA your friend.

• The beneficial bacteria in the gut (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) have

• anti-inflammatory effects.

• Taking prebiotics (supplements or substances in certain foods which nourish the beneficial bacteria already in the gut) and probiotics (live bacteria ingested in foods like yoghurt and sauerkraut and in supplements) can help.

• Different people respond to different products, but try supplements, which survive the acid medium of the stomach and also contain multiple strains of bacteria.

• We recommend OptiBac DAILY or EXTRA STRENGTH

Don’t worry, be HAPPY.

A lot people don’t realise how much our bacteria do! Most of our immune system lives in our gut! So if the beneficial bacteria are not correctly balanced then we can have low mood and anxiety due to not enough happy hormones being produced. Low good bacteria can lead to a compromised immune system making you more susceptible to yeast, plus other bacterial infections and then allergies.

Internal Alarm Clock.

Don’t try to do too much. Look upon your gut as your alarm signal. If it goes off, slow down, relax, don’t push through your symptoms, take a break. Work with your gut, not against it.

Keep a DIARY.

Try and work out what may not be helping your digestion. Some foods may be particularly troublesome. Fatty foods, high fibre foods, Dairy, refined sugar, Wheat, coffee and some spices are often the culprits.

Soluble fibre from rolled oats; bananas and beans are kinder to your gut than insoluble fibre such as wheat/bran.

Add some TEA.

Peppermint and chamomile tea is effective for its anti-inflammatory like action and helping to calm, reducing IBS cramps. Fennel is also excellent for wind.

Try YOGA.

Yoga postures are great for calming and encouraging deep breathing, which can help with IBS. If you have constipation, some poses like downward dog encourage movement in the lower abdomen.

If you have an queries in regards to your digestive health, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit us in store. More Foods to heal and help your gut up next Wellness Wednesday!

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