How your poor digestion is leading to increased symptoms!
Contents
The digestive system explained
What is indigestion?
Why does indigestion happen?
Signs of an unhealthy gut
Natural ways to improve your digestion process
Prevent poor digestion naturally
All it takes is poor digestion to undermine the flow of a typical day. What’s more intriguing is that the cause of stomach upsets might not be what you think it is.
Occasionally, everyone experiences digestive issues, like gas or heartburn. Luckily, there are simple solutions to most issues. In some cases, indigestion may indicate a more severe problem. It could point to underlying conditions, like peptic ulcer disease or acid reflux.
Join us as we unravel poor digestion symptoms and how to manage them.
The digestive system explained
The digestion process involves various organs that make up the digestive system.
It starts in your mouth, where saliva acts on the food after chewing. The esophagus muscles then push the chewed food down to your stomach.
Stomach acids further break down the food before it makes its way to the small intestine. Digestive juices from other organs further work on the food, facilitating nutrient absorption. What’s left goes through the large intestine for water absorption.
The rest is waste that goes to the rectum and is excreted through the anus. Poor digestion can occur anywhere along the digestive system.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion is when you experience pain and discomfort after eating. Health practitioners use the term dyspepsia, which translates to indigestion.
Nausea or a stomach ache following a meal indicates an issue with your digestive system. It could be a reaction to the food or poor digestion of your meal.
Dyspepsia usually occurs for several minutes to several hours following a meal. It takes 3–5 hours for complete digestion of food from the stomach into the small intestines. Your pancreas and liver send digestive juices to help with digestion.
Indigestion may mean there’s an underlying gastrointestinal issue that requires medical attention.
Why does indigestion happen?
Eating habits contribute mainly to indigestion. Abdominal contractions produce potent digestive juices that irritate your stomach lining.
Indigestion also results from the stomach’s gastric acid interacting with mucosa. Mucosa is the delicate and protective lining of the digestive system. Painful inflammation and discomfort may result from the deterioration of the gastric mucosa.
In addition to food, many other things can induce stomach problems. They include smoking, alcohol consumption, pregnancy, anxiety, and certain medications.
Indigestion manifests in various forms. The primary symptom is invariably abdominal pain or discomfort. The discomfort is normally felt in your abdomen where most digestive organs are.
Indigestion usually manifests after a meal while the stomach is still digesting. The medical term for this is the postprandial phase.
Signs of an unhealthy gut
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating are signs of poor digestive health. There are more reasons that point to an unhealthy gut.
Let’s look at other poor digestion symptoms.
Stomach discomfort
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the large intestines. It leads to constipation, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
Research shows dysbiosis may contribute to developing IBS. Dysbiosis is a condition where there’s a bacterial imbalance in the intestine. A healthy gut processes food correctly, leading to no stomach discomfort.
Unintentional weight gain or loss
Have you experienced weight fluctuation without modifying your diet or exercise regimen? It may indicate your gut is unhealthy.
An imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract affects your weight. It impedes the ability to store fat, assimilate nutrients, and regulate blood sugar.
Sugar cravings
It should come as no surprise that sugar is highly addictive. The presence of bacteria in the intestines may increase your desire for sugar.
A review showed your gut microbes can heighten cravings. The most effective method for banishing cravings is to reduce the intake of added sugars.
Sleep irregularity and constant fatigue
Do you get enough sleep but feel fatigued during the day? An unhealthy gut contributes to feelings of physical and mental fatigue. Constant lethargy is generally a result of poor mental health, metabolism, and inflammation.
A study established a correlation between fatigue and a gastrointestinal microbiome. Additionally, it showed gastrointestinal issues, like constipation, can cause fatigue.
Skin irritation and issues
Your gut bacteria working on refined sugar and fat may lead to skin breakouts. Studies show gut issues affect facial conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Gut microbiota influences your skin through the immune system. Taking probiotics helps maintain a healthy gut and prevents skin irritation and inflammation.
Natural ways to improve your digestion process
There are many natural ways to improve your digestion process and boost your stomach health. Discover the top recommendations below.
Do away with spices
The choice between spicy or non-spicy food comes down to individual preference. However, some people find they experience discomfort whenever they eat spicy food.
Spicy food, like chili, is known to induce heartburn. Mild yet flavorful foods, such as garlic and onion, may also cause heartburn.
Have fiber in your diet
Dieticians recommend eating fiber to improve the digestion process and prevent constipation. Soluble fiber facilitates water absorption and helps in excretion. Aim for the recommended 30 grams of fiber daily.
Barley, legumes, oats, and whole grains are all examples of soluble fiber sources. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, as they’re rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. If cereals and whole grains cause bloating, vegetables and fruits are your best shot.
Stay hydrated by taking plenty of fluids
Constipation is frequently brought on by inadequate water intake. It’s important to consume water regularly. It facilitates excretion of waste and makes defecation simpler.
Stick to the recommended daily amount of at least half a gallon. Consuming fruits and vegetables rich in water also fulfills your fluid requirements. They include apples, oranges, cucumbers, peppers, asparagus, and strawberries.
Consider IV therapy for a natural infusion of vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream.
Watch out for fats in your diet
Fatty foods are difficult to metabolize, leading to abdominal discomfort and heartburn. For improved abdominal comfort, reduce your consumption of high-fat foods.
Alternatively, go for skim or semi-skimmed milk, grilled dishes, lean meats, and fish. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of developing inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. Salmon, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and sardines are all excellent sources of omega-3 fats.
Adequate fat consumption is necessary for proper digestion. The body requires fats to assimilate essential vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Manage your stress
Anxiety and stress can impact each component of the digestive system. A network of nerves in the brain regulates a part of the gastrointestinal tract. Each intestinal lining possesses its neuronal network.
The sympathetic nervous system detects potentially stressful situations. It initiates the fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body to confront the threat.
The response causes the following poor digestion symptoms.
- Triggers your esophagus to spasm
- Accumulates gastric acid in your stomach
- Induces nausea
- Results in diarrhea or constipation
Worse case scenarios involve anxiety impeding blood and oxygen delivery to the stomach. This results in abdominal pains, inflammation, or a bacterial imbalance in the intestines. Peptide therapy may help you manage these issues.
Incorporate regular workouts
Light exercise can aid in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Movement and standing assist in the flow of food through the digestive tract. A stroll around the block could alleviate symptoms of bloating and promote satiety.
Engaging in physical activity enhances vascular supply to the abdominal muscles. This facilitates the transit of food along the digestive tract.
Probiotics
Beneficial microorganisms, or probiotics, enhance stomach health when consumed with vitamins. These bacteria break down tough-to-digest fibers that contribute to gas and bloating.
You can get probiotics from dietary supplements and fermented dairy products. Yogurt is an excellent natural source of probiotics. Observe their efficacy for a minimum of four weeks while taking them daily.
Prevent poor digestion naturally
Many people refer to the stomach as the second brain. Making minor adjustments to your diet and lifestyle may be beneficial. These changes may alleviate occasional, recurrent, or chronic digestive issues.
Consume whole foods rich in nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber to improve digestion. Avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, and late-night dining to maintain a healthy gut. Consider probiotics, reduce your stress levels, and incorporate natural remedies.
At LIVV Natural, our naturopathic doctors can help you determine the underlying cause of poor digestion. Schedule a consultation to ensure your bowel movements always run smoothly.
Author: Dr. Jason Phan NMD – Founder of LIVV Natural – Anti-aging – regenerative medicine – peptide therapy
