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NATURAL REMEDY: IMPROVE DIGESTION

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Here are some natural tips to improve digestive processes, which will help you keep your body healthy:

  • Start each meal with a bitter taste

Even if you feel hungry, your stomach may still not be able to absorb substances. Bitter food helps to signal to your body that it is time to produce gastric juices, thus preparing your body to absorb the food you eat, which will help it digest more efficiently. Green leaves like rocket and dandelion leaves, as well as apple cider vinegar can be excellent solutions.

  • Eat a good breakfast

It’s called "the most important meal of the day" for a reason. Breakfast gives an opening shot to our metabolic activity and improves its functioning throughout the day. Even if you don’t have an appetite, remember that you are doing yourself a huge favor by eating breakfast, and if you add probiotic yogurt, you’ll further increase the benefits you reap.

  • Avoid standing and eating and eating under pressure or during activity

Eating under pressure or rushing is a sure recipe for disrupting digestive processes. When eating calmly, the body activates the parasympathetic system, and the digestive process takes place as part of its activity. In stressful situations or during energetic activity, the body activates the sympathetic system only and does not invest energy in the digestive processes. This is why many people feel nauseated when stressed or after running.

  • Chew

Many people forget one of the most important digestive stations is your mouth. The food we eat is chemically broken down in the mouth whilst chewing, and the more broken down it is the easier it will be for the rest of your digestive system to process. Try to chew each bite 20 times. At first, it may be difficult and strange, but within three weeks the action will become natural, and you’ll help your body absorb the food in the best possible way.

  • Drink water, but not during meal time

It is very important to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to maintain proper digestion, but during the meal, it is recommended not to drink water at all. This is because water dilutes the stomach juices and slows the digestion process. Of course, if there are foods that make us feel thirsty you can drink if necessary, but it is recommended to take small sips. In addition, it is best if the water is room temperature or warm because cold water causes a slowdown in digestive processes.

  • Support your liver

Your liver does a lot of things for the body, and one of them is the production of bile, which helps break down fat in a process that contributes to the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). If you do not have enough bile, the digestive system will suffer and you’ll probably feel tired after a fatty meal. To support your liver eat beets, artichokes, quality proteins and of course, liver.

  • Keep a food dairy. Avoid foods that irritate your digestive system

Some of us are sensitive to certain foods such as gluten, dairy products, corn, soybeans, nuts, eggs, chocolate, and citrus. Paying attention to your body after consuming these types of foods will help you to identify the problem. If you feel bloating, difficulty concentrating, have skin problems or anything else after eating a certain food, consider avoiding it. Each week try to remove a specific food from your diet until you find the ones your body has trouble digesting.

  • Eat more fiber

Fiber is good for your stomach and especially for constipation. Although it is generally recommended to avoid fat intake, especially for constipation, and to increase fiber intake, there are quite a few people who have difficulty utilizing the benefits of fiber due to trouble digesting them. The fibers in their digestive system can’t get out, causing more digestive problems, but the role of fat is to help the fibers move easily. If you are struggling with constipation, you can make great use of this tip by eating fats from good sources such as coconut oil, fish fat, olive oil, canola oil, and flaxseed, and try to avoid margarine, sunflower and soy oil.

  • Cleanse your intestines often

Every one of us needs to cleanse our intestines from time to time. Intermittent fasting or eating only fruits, veggies and broth can help wash out your intestine. As a result, you will also cause the liver and other cells in your body to release more toxins which will be cleansed as well, and in addition to improving your digestive processes, your whole body will benefit from a good cleanse.

  • End your food with fermented and probiotic foods

Much of the work that takes place in the digestive system is done by the friendly bacteria in your body. If the balance between good bacteria and harmful bacteria is disturbed, many problems arise in the digestive processes themselves. In order to maintain the good bacteria in your digestive system, it is recommended to incorporate probiotic foods in your diet to feed them. Fermented foods also help nourish the friendly bacteria in your intestines, so you should eat them as well.

  • Drink chamomile or ginger tea

In addition to its soothing qualities, chamomile tea helps digestive processes and treats digestive problems such as nausea and abdominal pain, and helps to calm muscle cramps in the digestive system. It is recommended to drink at least one glass of chamomile tea daily, and if you wish to diversify you can also drink ginger tea, which should be prepared from the fresh root and not from a pre-prepared tea mixture.

  • Massage the stomach after eating

Many alternative medicine practitioners suggest massaging the stomach after each meal for 2-5 minutes. Place your hand on the top of your abdomen and massage it clockwise. You can do this massage for yourself after every meal or at least in the evening to help your body digest food more efficiently. Also, a hot bottle placed close to the stomach helps calm the stomach and intestinal muscles.

Source: Internet and others

The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Always make sure to seek a doctor or a professional’s advice before proceeding with the home treatment plan.

Author: TxNaturalPediatrics

By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives. In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.

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