CCSL knows that having a healthy gut is central to your entire health.
Poor ageing, unexplained weight gain [or undesired weight loss], inflammation, and hormone imbalance are at the root of most disease. Most people wait for a diagnosis before taking action with their health and nutrition. People don't just one day wake up one morning with a disease, it is a slow progression over a few months to years. From wrinkles to digestive issues, sleep problems, energy depletion, and losing your ability to stay fit, as you get older your symptoms multiply. Your body is often sending you signals that something is awry, and it’s up to you to listen.
Many people suffer with digestive woes, and most people think it’s normal. It’s not! Do you suffer with any of these digestive concerns: bloating [rounding, pressure of stomach], gas, wind, acid reflux, sleepy post meals, slow bowel movements, constipation, loose stools? Than its time to get a little more familiar with your digestive tract as the foods you eat may be the root cause of why you are feeling rough!
When it comes to digestion, there are a few simple rules to follow that can have a huge impact on your overall health.
About 60 million people in the USA have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These people struggle with often disabling symptoms like bloating, cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, and pain. There are a number of reasons for this, from overuse of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, contraceptive pill, poor gut lining, high sugar-processed food diet, excess alcohol, and digestive tract infections. Wouldn't you like to know what do to about it - and its simple! To support IBS, you need to address the underlying causes of why your digestion is not working. That’s where Functional Medicine comes in.
Typical case study:
40-year-old female eating ‘relatively’ healthy, the odd treat, no major vices, slightly sluggish digestion, mild IBS, feels bloated after certain foods etc., little wind, exercises 3 times a week, yet those pounds (especially around the belly and hips) aren’t shifting.
The first phase is to review quality of her foods, the types of macro nutrients and ratios
(carb: protein:fats).
The next phase is to support her digestive health and absorption. There are many other phases (review adrenals, thyroid, inflammation - which may be out of whack).
Top Tips for a healthy Gut:
Tip 1: Eat the right type breakfast; - one menu plan doesn't suit all!
Tip 2: Address the root cause of your digestion; Are you suffering with any of the above symptoms? Bloating, gas, wind etc. Book in with a Nutritional Therapist and don't let another month slip by! Nutritional Therapists are trained to help support digestive health!
Supplement: Take a digestive enzyme if you feel you need more support! Probiotics can help also, but this can be very confusing for most people. I would suggest trying a broad spectrum bacteria and monitor how you feel over the first few days!
Tip 3: Know the right fats; Don’t be afraid of fats, and if eating good quality fats, and not over doing them, they will not make you fat. But this is in a relatively scale to the amount of carbohydrates you ingest!
Tip 4: Stress does not help your digestion; Eat in a relaxed environment! Your gut lining can break down in times of stress. Our digestive tract has its own internal nervous system called the enteric nervous system.
Tip 5: Get adequate sleep; Most of us need between 7-8 hours. Teenagers need more! If you are getting any less, it’s time to really review your sleep patterns.
Tip 6: There is no healthy sugar substitution; You want a dessert than have it and enjoy it (but choose frequency and type of dessert depending on your digestive health and metabolism). Putting a tsp of agave, xylitol, cheap honey, doesn't make breakfast healthier than a tsp of sugar.
Why not make your own desserts? Try raw chocolate, mousse and sweeten with whole fruits etc. Make your own healthy version of a granola bar, apple pie (use dates, figs, berries to sweeten).
