Natural Ways to Support Digestion When it Goes Haywire
Before we dive into natural approaches to support digestion when it goes haywire. Let’s uncover the steps of digestion to better understand where things could get a little messy.
Digestion begins in the mouth as we chew our food to form a bolus (a round like ball). As we swallow the bolus enters our esophagus. Then passes through our esophageal sphincter and into our stomach. Partially digested food mixes with stomach acid (also known as hydrochloric acid), bile, and digestive enzymes. Breaking the food down into smaller particles. The gastric juices and partly digested food known as chyme enters the small intestine. A large part of absorption happens in the small intestine. Once our small intestine has done it’s job of “pulling” and “taking” the nutrients our body needs, the waste enters the large intestine and into the rectum to be excreted via stool.
The mouth, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum are major organs involved in digestion. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are just as important. Digestion would be severely hampered without the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are key players when it comes to bile production, converting our food to glucose (energy sugar molecule), and digestive enzymes (breaks down food).
This is only a brief description of the steps our body takes to break down food. Many of our organs are involved in the digestive process. If one is impaired then our entire digestive process can become impaired.
Symptoms of bloating, constipation, brain fog, joint discomfort, allergies and/or sensitivities, constipation, diarrhea, poor concentration, and so many more can occur with faulty digestion.
How do we support digestion when it goes haywire?
Below are some major ways you can support your body naturally for optimal digestion. I also post TONS of information on digestion, hormone balance, and all things women’s health over on Instagram.
1) Chew your food
Maybe we’re really excited about the food we are eating, or we’re rushed and eating something quick prior to a meeting, or engaging in conversation at the dinner table. There are so many situations in which we forget to chew our food. If I could give one piece of advice when it comes to optimal digestion it would be to CHEW YOUR FOOD.
So, let’s all remember to chew our food.
2) Drinking too much with meals
Drinking too much particularly cold drinks at mealtime can shut down our digestion. Try opting for room temperature water and take small sips throughout the meal instead of guzzling a cold drink.
3) Food combining to support digestion when it goes haywire
The basic principle here is how certain foods are digested best in an alkaline or acid environment. For example, protein like animal meat is digested in the stomach where it’s an acid environment. Where as, carbohydrates (like potatoes) require an alkaline environment as digestion begins in the mouth. If we consume these foods together then neutralization of the digestive juices could occur. Leading to uncomfortable bloating, discomfort, and longer time for the food to be digested.
Food combining isn’t a must when it comes to optimal digestion. If digestion is severely compromised then food combing can be beneficial until optimal organ function is restored.
If you find you’ve tried everything and feel at loss please reach out . We can work together to regain clarity.
4) Relaxed eating
The state of mind will affect digestion. We have a sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic is what’s triggered when we’re feeling stressed like a lion is about to attack us. Our heart rate increases, our digestion is halted and we enter survival mode.
If we’re eating while feeling angry, stressed, high tension, etc., then our sympathetic nervous system is at play, compromising digestion. If we sit down feeling relaxed prior to eating we enter our parasympathetic nervous system. Slowing our heart rate and enter a peaceful state to fully digest our food.
Try taking 3 deep breathes prior to eating. Be mindful to your breath as you inhale and exhale, feel your chest rise and fall, your abdomen expand. Slowly easing into a peaceful state. Signaling to your parasympathetic nervous system that a lion isn’t about to eat you and you’re okay.
5) Diversify your diet (& fiber)
This can get a little tricky since your digestion may be haywire because of daily consumption of a food you are sensitive to. In general, diversifying your diet can support your gut microbiome (microorganisms that live in your intestines).Playing an important role in feeding the beneficial bacteria that live in your intestines. A healthy gut supports optimal digestion.
To start off, add in a variety of colors to your day. Think fruits and vegetables like apples, mangos, kiwi, grapes, berries, cucumbers, dark leafy green vegetables, carrots, peppers, etc. If you have a hard time incorporating different colors throughout the day, try and ingredient prep.
Wash and cut up your fruit and vegetables at the start of the week. They’ll be easily accessible to throw onto oatmeal, mix into eggs, or toss them into a smoothie.
By adding in more color to your diet via fruit and vegetables you are already on your way to adding more fiber into your diet. Ensuring adequate fiber in your diet will ease digestion (and have glorious poops!).
6) Be Heard, Be Seen
If you’re concerned that something doesn’t feel “right”, be sure to get assessed. Previously we covered how digestion works and the organs involved. There’s a multitude of imbalances that could be playing a role in digestion going haywire.
I encourage you to reach out to a practitioner, and uncover what’s really going on. Build a sustainable plan to support your digestion and feel vitalized. I truly hope this helps! If you’re looking for further support my inbox is always open and I’d love to connect to see if we’d be a good fit to work along side each other in your journey to vitalized health!
