I
know a lot of you suffer with some pretty unpleasant digestive symptoms – bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea, cramping, burping, indigestion…..no fun, really. Not only are these really unpleasant to have to deal with, they are a sign of something dodgy going on with your gut health. And when your gut health is out of whack, every aspect of your overall wellbeing will be negatively affected. The best thing to start with, is fuelling your digestive fire. By that, I mean improving your body’s production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which are going to help you break down and absorb all of the good food you are eating, as well as prevent any nasty bugs from taking up residence. So here are my top 5 tips (I could share 100, but I’ll keep it short) for igniting your digestive fire… 1. Chew. Your. Food I know this is so boring and unsexy, but seriously – we have teeth for a reason. I can promise you, if you are wolfing down your food, you will not be digesting your food properly, and you can expect some of these dodgy symptoms. When we chew, the mechanical digestion begins, and triggers chemical digestion through the release of salivary amylase. This has a downstream effect of increasing stomach acid production, and then increasing the release of pancreatic enzymes – proteases (to break down proteins) and lipases (to break down lipids/fats). So do it. At least 20 chews per mouthful. You should be swallowing a smooth bolus. 2. Breathe When we practice deep belly breathing (feeling your belly rise with the inhale, and fall with the exhale), this triggers our central nervous system into “rest and digest mode” and out of “fight or flight mode”. When we are in “fight or flight” mode, our body will focus on pumping blood to our muscles and extremities, not our digestive system, where it should be while we are eating. Try to take 10 deep belly breaths prior to each meal. 3. Drink a cup of dandelion root tea 30mins before meals The bitterness of the dandelion tea will get your digestive juices flowing. And it’s great for your liver health. Win win! 4. Minimise liquids with your meals If you’re in the habit of sculling a whole bunch of water/tea (or other liquid) during your meal, I would advise ceasing. This may be diluting your digestive fire. Keep your liquids to at least 30mins either side of your meal. 5. Get some external support I love love love Modere Digestive Enzymes. They contain 6 different enzymes to break down fats, proteins, and fibrous foods in your system. Protease, amylase, lactase, lipase, and cellulase are found naturally in the body, while bromelain is a plant-derived enzyme that assist your body's enzymatic process. Combined, these enzymes help to aid in proper digestive function and absorption of nutrients. The unique blend contains Ginger, Fennel, and Coriander to help ease stomach discomfort (AKA nausea and indigestion), while Peppermint, Tarragon, Anise, and Caraway aid with digestion and help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to try this fabulous supplement. Yours in health, Maria Lucey, Nutritionist and Health coach 0438 112 050
