7 Simple Secrets to Taking Good Care of Your Digestive Health

[TotalWellness]

Any good Ottawa Chiropractor will tell you how important it is to your health to take care of your digestive system. Have you ever experienced any of these following a meal: bloating, diarrhea, gas, constipation, heartburn, cramping or nausea? If you have any of these symptoms more frequently than you'd like, you might need to take some serious steps to get your digestive system functioning at its best. Few people are aware that there are seven simple yet effective steps that can make all the difference to their digestive health:

1. Eat foods rich in fiber
Fiber is instrumental in ensuring your digestive system runs smoothly. It's a food with a surprisingly large range of digestive health benefits - it helps the body eliminate waste, lowers cholesterol, feeds healthy bacteria and reduces your risks of developing irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer too. Find your servings of fiber in fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains.

2. Eat good amounts of fish
Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which are hailed as being highly beneficial to the digestive system. The essential fatty acids can improve certain digestive problems because of their special anti-inflammatory properties. Choose to eat three to five portions of fish rich in this nutrient each week.

3. Cut out fried and high-fat foods
Reduce the amount of fried and fattening foods that you eat. These are hard for you to digest and put extra pressure on your digestive functions. Other processed foods may contain ingredients which irritate the stomach. Instead, choose organic foods when possible - they are simpler and kinder to your system.

4. Take probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal system. They maintain its health by keeping bad bacteria at bay and creating a good harmony in your digestion's ecosystem. They have been known to help ease conditions like gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Your probiotic levels will fall dramatically if you are under stress or taking antibiotics. Take a supplement of probiotics for the best support. Doses found in yogurt are minimal at best, and virtually none in flavored yogurts.

5. Develop good eating habits
It's important to chew your food well to help it break down sufficiently before it reaches your stomach. Chewing is actually the first stage of digestion as enzymes in your saliva break down carbohydrates in the mouth. Other good practices which support your digestion is taking enough time to eat without rushing, avoiding large meals and avoiding eating a meal before you go to bed so your stomach can digest its food while you're still upright.

6. Exercise regularly
Exercise is great for boosting your body's natural functions and can improve the natural rhythm of your digestive system, too. It is also great for helping your food move through the digestive tract.

7. Choose healthy hydration
Caffeinated drinks like coffee and acid-producing fluids like soda can cause stomach aggravation, especially to sensitive stomachs. Instead, drink lots of water which prevents and alleviates constipation and generally eases the digestive process.

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Rachel Clarkson
Ottawa Chiropractor

[Natural Medicine]

hey good information about healthy living and eating!

can you please tell me which type of fish-oil is less cholesterol contained!

Thank you