Efficient digestion is essential to good health, yet many people live with digestive problems for years, thinking that there’s nothing else they can do. Infact digestion problems often go undiagnosed because these complaints are not “serious”. Symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, belching, flatulence, indigestion, weight gain, irritable bowel syndrome, the feeling of always being hungry are so common that they are seen as normal. Poor digestion equals a sluggish bowel that can retain kilos of old toxic fecal matter that can take its toll on our immune system and eventually leads to more serious disease. Here are 10 things you can do to improve your digestive system:
1. Lemons
The first top digestion tip, is every morning before breakfast, freshly squeeze the juice of 1 – 2 lemons in 250ml – 500ml of spring or filtered water. This small but effective daily routine will help to cleanse the stomach of left over ‘debris’ and remove any excess acid.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another daily drink taken late morning or sometime before lunch will help your digestion. This can include between one teaspoon and one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar mixed with 250ml – 500ml apple juice or water. This drink will balance digestive juices, specifically for low or high levels of hydrochloric acid. *Note when buying Apple Cider Vinegar MAKE SURE that it contains “the mother” enzyme. Ask your healthfood store for this.
3. Try Bitter Herbs
Have you ever heard of Swedish Bitters? These can usually be obtained online or from good health food stores around the UK as well as in Europe. The taste of bitter herbs, foods, juices etc, 20 – 30mins before eating will increase digestive function by encouraging the release of digestive enzymes, juices and acids
4. Short term fasting
This is one way to allow the digestive system a well-deserved break. However, first-time fasters should try the process for a maximum of 24 hours. Remember always to drink plenty of fruit and vegetable juice during your fast. Plan your fasting for days when you will not be doing lots of hard physical work and can take plenty of rest
5. Chew chew chew
One of the most important mechanisms of digestion, yet more often than not, the most forgotten! Chewing is the first stage of digestion. It not only physically breaks down foods, but signals the organs to secrete their digestive juices (pancreatic enzymes, stomach acids, etc.) in order to prepare for the incoming foods
6. Supplement – NatureBee Potentiated Pollen
The nutrients in NatureBee Potentiated Pollen will act as antihistamines and ease inflammation in the digestive tract. The Vitamin C in NATUREBEE also helps the gastrointestinal tract to rid itself of toxins produced during food digestion. NATUREBEE contains – Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, D, E & K. Folic acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, antioxidants, essential fatty acids & much much more – you do not need any other supplement, this will be your multi vitamin / mineral and it is 100% natural.
7. Keep carbs & protien separate
Combining food can work well for many people. Combining food involves the three main types of food/fuel i.e. carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, rice), proteins (meats, dairy, nuts, soya) and fats (cooking oils, avocados). Experts think that one should not mix these types of food within one meal. For example, eat either carbohydrates alone or proteins alone, together with (non-starchy) vegetables or salad.
8. Herbs
Listed are herbs that are known to help the process of digestion. These herbs include, but are not limited to, Slippery Elm, Bayberry, Wild Yam, Cardamom, Cloves, Fennel, Ginger and Cinnamon.
