4 Things You Must Know if You
Want Good Digestion
By: Cindy Papp
Good digestion is important for good health.
Digestion affects your metabolism, your hormonal system and
your nervous system. If you don't take good care of this
area, problems arise from ulcers to Irritable Bowel
Syndrome. In some cases, digestion can even be shut down.
Your gut area, including the stomach, small
and large intestine, are known as the "enteric nervous
system," or second brain. Nearly every brain-regulating
chemical is made in this area, including hormones and
neurotransmitters. When your digestion is out of balance,
the manufacture of these chemicals may be affected, which in
turn can affect your emotional state.
Besides taking expensive digestive enzymes,
there are some things that you can do to help your body and
digestion naturally. Here are four tips to get you started.
Tip Number 1: Chew your food well, because
good digestion starts in the mouth. Many people believe if
they don't chew enough, then it will simply take longer to
digest in the stomach. Unfortunately not only is this not
true, but could lead to problems.
Chewing your food serves two purposes.
First, to break down the food into softer substance. This
makes it easier for the stomach to break down and to
swallow. Secondly, chewing starts the digestive process.
Your saliva contains enzymes that break down the sugars in
carbohydrates and enzymes that start the breakdown of fats.
If you don't start this process in your mouth, then the food
cannot be broken down in the stomach or intestine.
Thoroughly chewing your food is actually
more difficult than it sounds. Many people chew a few times
then swallow. This may be because of habit or being short on
time. But your digestion and your health will thank you if
you take your time and chew until all the food is broken
down before you swallow.
Tip Number 2: To help your body achieve good
digestion, be aware of the portions of food you eat, and
don't over eat. Your body can only break down so much food
at one time. If you eat too much, your body will not digest
it later. It may even just sit in the digestive tract and
contribute to excess, built-up waste in your body -
otherwise known as gaining weight.
To start with, when eating proteins, make
sure your serving is about the size of your palm. This will
help to give you an idea of a portion that is good for your
body without having to weight and measure.
Overeating proteins is one of the biggest
contributors to excess weight gain, and makes sense since
your body can only digest small amounts of protein at a
time. If not digested shortly after it is eaten, it can
easily get stored and even cause added fat in your body - no
matter how lean the protein is.
In addition to controlling your protein
serving, be cautious of the amount of starches you eat.
These types of foods can easily cause an unwanted spike in
blood sugar. Too much can interfere with your body's protein
digestion and contribute to weight gain. Stick to about
one-half to one cup per meal. Look for the easier to digest
starches such as quinoa or basmati rice.
Tip Number 3: Be sure your intestinal
bacteria is in check. Bacteria, both good and bad, is found
in your digestive tract including your small intestine and
colon. Good bacteria is imperative for good digestion.
Good bacteria are responsible for killing bad guys such as
harmful bacteria (including e.coli) and other pathogens that
can wreak havoc in your system. They also can help reduce
gas and stomach bloat, help break down soluble fibers which
help prevent bad cholesterol build-up and reduce
inflammation.
Keep your good bacteria in check by eating
plenty of whole, unprocessed vegetables, fruits, and whole,
unprocessed grains. These are the building blocks your body
needs to manufacture good bacteria. In addition, eat foods
that include good bacteria such as yogurt and kifir.
Tip Number 4: Cleanse your colon and your
body. Good digestion can never happen if the digestive tract
is blocked or weighed down with excess waste. Build-up can
happen in these tubes just as build-up occurs in your
bloodstream even though your blood continuously flows.
Be sure to consume natural fibers that can
help clear this area, such as those found in whole fruits
and vegetables. A fiber supplement can help as long as it
doesn't clog your body. For more intensive cleansing, a
colon cleansing program may help your body remove excess
waste.
Your food choices and lifestyle will be more
important than anything else you will do to help your
digestion. Help your body stay healthy and take the steps
you need to improve your health with good digestion.
About the Author
Cindy Papp is a Nutritional Counselor and has been
actively working in the holistic health field for 14 years.
Learn more about
good digestion and how a
colon cleanse may
help before you spend money on products that won't work.
Article Directory:
http://www.articlerich.com