Natural Healing for Digestive Issues

Have you ever suffered from painful or embarrassing digestive distress?

It’s one of those things that we all go through at some point and just “deal with.” However, when the issue evolves from a rare inconvenience to a chronic condition – it should not be taken lightly.

There’s much more going on behind the scenes than excusing yourself to visit the restroom for the umpteenth time or canceling plans… living with untreated chronic digestive issues can result in severe health complications!

Many suffer silently, thinking these ailments are just a normal part of life or a side effect of aging. There is hope!

Read on to discover some of the major causes of digestive issues and what you can do to stop digestive distress before it starts.

My “Do’s and Don’ts” list will get you started on the right track to support and optimize your digestion. I’m also gifting you a free download of The Ultimate Guide for Healthy Digestion!

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Digestive issues are one of the most common causes for concern I hear from my patients.

Symptoms such as bloating, stomach pains, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and even weight-management struggles can be linked to disruption of healthy gastrointestinal (G.I.) processes.

Maintaining healthy digestive processes is of utmost importance to our overall wellbeing. “Overall” includes our cognitive processes and mood/emotions, which are connected to our digestive system by way of the “brain-gut axis” (BGA).

The BGA is a bidirectional communication system between the enteric nervous system (located in the walls of the G.I. tract), and the autonomic and central nervous systems (1,2). Put more simply: what you eat, how you eat, and when you eat can all affect how you feel physically and emotionally. In turn, how you feel can influence your eating habits and digestive health. It can be a vicious cycle!

The severity of symptoms can be either aggravated or improved by behaviors and mindset.

The connection between G.I. distress and psychology is fascinating. Research clearly indicates that symptom severity can be either aggravated or improved by behaviors and mindset (3). A large body of evidence points to negative emotions and stress as triggers for symptoms of many digestive ailments, including heartburn, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and Leaky Gut Syndrome (4,5).

I share this to encourage you to start shifting your behaviors AND thoughts to a more positive frequency to begin healing your digestive system. I created this video to share some of my top tips for addressing your gut health:

Follow These Do’s & Don’ts for Digestion! 

• DON’T eat while distracted or rushed. Make time in your schedule and eat in a relaxed atmosphere instead of in the car or in front of a screen. If you can be present with your meal, enjoying the colors, flavors, and sensations – you’ll be much more satisfied!
• DO learn relaxation and stress management techniques. Eating while anxious or turning to food as a coping mechanism all wreak havoc on digestive health. Start by taking deep breaths and imagining the healthy food nourishing your body before you begin eating. 
• DON’T consume caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine causes an increase in gastric acid production. Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter increasing the likelihood of heartburn.
• DO tune in to your body’s internal cues for fullness to avoid overeating. Stretching out your stomach causes overproduction of gastric acid! It takes time for your stomach to signal to your brain that you’re satisfied, so eat slowly.
• DON’T turn to medications as a default. Pain relievers and acid reflux meds are notorious for causing digestive distress. Plus, masking symptoms of acid reflux when you’re having chronic issues can lead to increased risk of esophageal cancer, ulcers, and scar tissue buildup in the throat (6). Make sure your last meal is 3hrs before bed to avoid acid reflux!
• DO take small bites and chew your food well. Digestion starts in your mouth when key enzymes are released in your saliva. Aim for approximately 20 chews per mouthful. Putting your utensils down between bites reinforces this healthy habit.
• DON’T hop on diet trends that claim to be a cure for specific ailments. Following restrictive diets without consulting a professional can lead to malnutrition and many harmful side effects like muscle loss, nervous system damage, and impaired function of major organs (6).

Repeat this mantra as needed to ensure you are in a supportive mindset for healthy digestion:

“I am empowered to nourish my body mindfully, so I can feel and look my best.”

Learn Natural Techniques to Support Your Digestion!

I have some incredibly simple and supportive techniques to share with you from my 20 years in the field of integrative, functional, and Quantum Medicine. That’s why I’m giving you The Ultimate Guide for Healthy Digestion, for FREE!

The Ultimate Guide for Healthy Digestion is all about optimizing your gut health with natural methods. There are three techniques in this guide you can start benefiting from right now, including:

• A Food Sensitivity Self-Test
• My “5-R Protocol” for Clearing Leaky Gut Syndrome
• Herbal Remedies for Yeast Overgrowth
  
  

Download Now

There’s no reason to suffer in silence when you can take charge of your health right now with natural methods you can start doing at home now. It’s time to claim the vibrant health you deserve! 

Download Now

References:

1. Jones, M. P., Dilley, J. B., Drossman, D., & Crowell, M. D. (2006). Brain-gut connections in functional GI disorders: Anatomic and physiologic relationships. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 18(2), 91-103. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2005.00730
2. Fichna, J., & Storr, M. A. (2012). Brain-Gut Interactions in IBS. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 3. doi:10.3389/fphar.2012.00127 
3. Allen, A. P., Dinan, T. G., Clarke, G., & Cryan, J. F. (2017). A psychology of the human brain-gut-microbiome axis. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11(4). doi:10.1111/spc3.12309
4. Windgassen, S., Moss-Morris, R., Chilcot, J., Sibelli, A., Goldsmith, K., & Chalder, T. (2017). The journey between brain and gut: A systematic review of psychological mechanisms of treatment effect in irritable bowel syndrome. British Journal of Health Psychology, 22(4), 701-736. doi:10.1111/bjhp.12250
5. Foster, J. A., Rinaman, L., & Cryan, J. F. (2017). Stress & the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome. Neurobiology of Stress, 7, 124-136. doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.001
6. Bonci, L. (2003). American Dietetics Association Guide to Better Digestion (1st ed.). Wiley.