7 Ways to Keep Your Digestive System Healthy

In this post, Goodness Me! founder Janet Jacks tells you how to save yourself the digestive issues that can accompany holiday feasts! And get in the loop on all the health tips and deals by subscribing to our email newsletter! 

Holiday time brings many opportunities for improper eating, whether it’s from too much rich food, foods we are not accustomed to, overeating, or eating at unusual times of day. For many reasons, our digestive system can take quite a hit. This can leave us with gas, bloating, pain, discomfort, heartburn, and indigestion.  

And while these symptoms are bothersome enough in themselves, we can also feel sluggish and tired – even edgy or sleepless – as a result of poor digestion. Plan ahead to keep your digestive system operating at peak efficiency this Christmas!  

Got Gas?  
Probiotics are a natural choice to boost your digestive power, whether it is proactively to keep your digestive system working well, or to remedy various pre-existing digestive problems such as constipation, IBS, colitis, or Crohn’s disease. Acidophilus and the friendly flora of the digestive system help break down foods in the colon, digest fibre from fruits and vegetables, digest milk, sugar, and much more. They help prevent stomach ulcers, and they activate the immune system. As well, these healthy bacteria in the body help to manufacture vitamins in the body including the B vitamins and vitamin K. Taking extra probiotics at this time of year is a healthy, proactive choice.  

Zzzzzzzzzzzz…  
Feeling sleepy after meals may indicate we are not digesting food efficiently. This is where digestive enzymes can be of great benefit. Life-sustaining enzymes come from a variety of sources: raw fruits, vegetables, herbs, and seeds provide some, and fermented foods such as kefir, raw sauerkraut, or miso do as well. In addition we get some enzymes from wheatgrass juice, spirulina, or raw honey. But this is often not enough, especially when we consume meals that are high in cooked, concentrated, or rich foods. Enzymes are critical to good digestion, so you may need additional full-spectrum supplemental enzymes to improve your digestion rather than add to your body’s toxic load. Whether it’s simple indigestion, flatulence, chronic diarrhea, or overeating, give enzyme supplementation the opportunity to keep your digestive system working smoothly this season.  

Whey to Go!  
Make your water into an effective digestive aid by adding a splash of Molkasan Lactofermented Whey Concentrate. This is an excellent daily refreshing beverage that’s high in natural lactic acid, produced by natural fermentation, and has a very positive effect on the digestive system.  

Oh, the Heartburn!  
Often heartburn is a sign of too little stomach acid, rather than too much. The sphincter at the top of the stomach closes in response to sufficient acid, so when acidity in the stomach is too low, the sphincter may not close properly and the acid splashes back into the esophagus where tissues are not designed to handle them. And even without these symptoms, hydrochloric acid production may be insufficient, causing bloating and incomplete digestion. Ask our staff about the apple cider vinegar test for acidity. Or try Betaine HCL capsules, beginning with one capsule per meal and increasing the dose each day until you experience burning. When that happens, decrease by one capsule to find your correct dose.  

Liver Overload  
Your liver is a very important—but overworked—organ that will bear the brunt of holiday excess and undigested meals. Show it some special care this Christmas, because it plays a vital role in protecting and energizing you. Dandelion fresh plant juice stimulates bile and increases the secretion of stomach juices. It’s an excellent digestive aid, as well as a tonic to support the liver.  

Calm Yourself! (And Your Stomach)  
Chamomile is a great tonic to help anyone in the family with stomach upset. It works not only on the digestive tract, but also on the nervous system (which influences the health of your digestive system). Chamomile is anti-inflammatory as well as antispasmodic. It soothes the gastrointestinal tract by relieving spasms, preventing gas… and even protecting against ulcers. Brew some fresh German chamomile tea, and drink a cup as often as needed. Or add 10 to 30 drops of tincture to a half cup of warm water.  

Spray Your Troubles Away!  
Fast, effective and safe, homeopathy can work miraculously. To restore acid balance, try Nat Phos taken throughout the day as well as whenever you have an acid flare up. Martin and Pleasance’s Acid Indigestion combo is very effective for acidity, heartburn, reflux, indigestion, gas, and bloating. Keep some of this handy spray in your pure or pocket, because it will relieve your distress quickly and safely.  

Don’t suffer digestive distress. Much more is at stake than simply a few hours of discomfort. Take care of your digestive system, and it will take care of you!  

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By Janet Jacks