8 Signs You Need to Improve Your Gut Health (And Here’s How!)

Hello & Happy July. I do hope you are well. To help us keep well, I thought I would take this month to talk about gut health. I know, exciting!

People often say, “you are what you eat” but the truth is “you are what you digest and absorb.” You can have the healthiest diet of properly prepared, nutrient-dense foods but you must also be able to adequately break down the nutrients you’re consuming.
 
Here’s the good news: with a few small lifestyle adjustments, many people can experience a huge shift in the health of their gut; thereby making the most of the nutrients in their food.
 
So how do you know if you’re properly digesting these nutrients or if your gut is in an unhealthy state?
Signs point to an unhealthy gut if you experience:           

1. belching, gas or bloating after eating a meal
2. heartburn or acid reflux
3. undigested food in your poop
4. poop that isn’t not well-formed
5. poop that is hard or difficult to pass
6. bad breath
7. strong body odor
8. feeling better when you don’t eat

The root cause of each symptom varies; however, each is a telltale sign that you have digestive dysfunction, aka, an unhealthy gut. Now do not fret as this will make things worse.
The most common cause of the majority of these issues is low stomach acid, also known as hypochlorhydria. Stomach acid is a vitally important digestive juice that can be easily affected by unhealthy lifestyle practices such as antacid drug use, excess sugar, highly processed foods, chronic overeating, constant snacking between meals, excess alcohol consumption, or nutrient deficiencies, just to name a few.
 
Let's go back to the good news! There are many things you can do in terms of lifestyle changes to help support your digestive system but the top 3 are EASY and FREE. (Who does not love easy and free?!
Digestion is a north to south process. It starts in your brain with the sight and smell of food and ends with the elimination of that food in the form of…well, you know, enough said on this topic.
 

 
Step 2, chew your food. This sounds so simple but aim to chew 20-30 times per bite, or until your food is in a liquid state. Many people find it helpful to put their fork down in between bites to avoid eating too quickly. As you eat, savor the taste, smell, texture, and colors of your food. Remember, your mouth is the physical gateway to the digestive system. The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food starts here, so when we hasten this step it greatly affects the rest of the digestive process. Chewing ineffectively or too quickly allows large particles of food to enter your stomach and intestines, potentially causing digestive dysfunction. Chewing your food thoroughly allows you to absorb more nutrients from your food, helps you maintain a healthy weight, allows for easier digestion, and leads to fewer digestive issues like gas and bloating.
 
Step 3, increase stomach acid. Hydrochloric acid promotes digestion and the absorption of many vital nutrients. Unfortunately, with the prevalence of the Standard American Diet (SAD) and poorly managed stress, this critical digestive component is often negatively affected. Incorporating digestive bitters, raw apple cider vinegar, or even lemon in warm water before a meal will help prepare the digestive tract for digestion and encourage the production of digestive juices and enzymes. Additionally, following the two steps before this will set the stage for the production of stomach acid.
Whether you’re experiencing one, two, or all eight of the symptoms listed above, following these steps will provide a solid foundation for a healthy gut and well-functioning digestive system.
 
I do hope you find this useful and believe me, if you feel better by using these tips you will be on board with the exciting world of gut health. Bell well.

-Melissa Ford Cox / Nutritionist

As a reminder, this letter is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease, and is for educational and informational purposes only. As always, before beginning any nutrition program or lifestyle adjustments, consult with your doctor or licensed healthcare provider.

courtesy of https://laughingsquid.com/the-gastrointestinal-system-represented-as-a-subway-map/