Digestive Health

Recognizing the Symptoms of Poor Digestive Health

Diet and nutrient intake are critically important in the proper function of the digestive system. You must keep the system running properly if it is to perform it's function adequately. The digestive system is responsible for the complex process of breaking down fuel (food) and allowing for the absorption of nutrients into your body. Failure can occur at either point, leading to a defect in digestion (maldigestion) or a failure in absorption (malabsorption), which may trigger the development of a number of related digestive problems. Because the symptoms for both maldigestion and malabsorption overlap, these conditions are difficult to diagnose.

Other problems related to the digestive system include:

• Constipation
• Candidiasis
• Abdominal bloating
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Sprue

Constipation effects over 4 million people on a regular basis. Typically, this is caused by poor fiber intake, poor water intake and imbalance in the bacterial content of the colon, or candidiasis. Candidiasis can be caused by a deficiency of friendly bacteria, which allows an overgrowth of yeast (the most common being Candida albicans) and can lead to symptoms manifested by reflux, abdominal bloating, lethargy and a host of other symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the more common digestion problems seen in the country, and candida may also play a role in its symptoms. Sprue is one of the most undiagnosed digestive conditions often confused with irritable bowel syndrome. Left untreated, this condition could have devastating consequences.

As we age, the function of the intestinal system changes. Often, acid levels decrease, and poor digestion occurs, which can lead to symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. Digestive enzymes may help reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.

Dietary and Product Recommendations

Constipation:

1. Avoid highly processed carbohydrates and eat whole grains, lots of vegetables and some fruit.

2. Drink plenty of filtered water

3. Include high fiber foods and fiber supplements (total daily fiber intake 25 to 35 grams). Click here to see fiber products.

4. Include Lactobacillus as part of your daily reginmen. Lactobacillus is one of a handful of probiotic bacteria strains available in capsule form. Click here to see probiotic products.

Candidiasis and Irritable bowel

1. Maintain a low carbohydrate diet, avoiding all refined grains and flours, as well as sugar

2. Drink plenty of filtered water

3. Include high fiber foods and fiber supplements (total daily fiber intake 25 to 35 grams), with the same product recommendations as noted above.

4. Include Lactobacillus as part of your daily regimen. Lactobacillus is one of a handful of probiotic bacteria strains available in capsule form with the same recommendations as noted above. Click here to see Lactobacillus products.

5. Peppermint, used as a folk remedy for stomach ailments, aids in soothing the symptoms associated with irritable bowel and candidiasis. Click here to see Peppermint products.

6. Due to the overgrowth of yeast associated with candidiasis, you may want to include a specific anti-yeast supplement regimen. Click here to see Candida products.

7. Digestive enzyme supplements will help reduce the occurrence of indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. Click here to see digestive enzyme products.

Maldigestion

1. Maintain a balanced diet with 40% Protein, 40% Carbohydrate and 30% fat (40/40/30 diet)

2. Drink water only in between meals, and very little with meals to decrease the dilution of stomach acid

3. Take digestive enzyme supplements: Pancreatic enzymes product (350 - 1,000 mg 3 x daily immediately before meals). For vegetarians, bromelain papain (protein digestive enzymes from pineapple and papaya respectively). Click here to see digestive enzyme products.