Secret To A Better Digestive Health: Guard Your GI Tract
Have you ever heard of the saying, "Early death begins in the gut"? While this concept is not a literal statement that all early deaths originate in the gut, it does give us a clue that the health of your gastrointestinal system, particularly your gut microbiome, can have a significant impact on your health. The main cause of disease and poor health is related to the care and protection of our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Therefore, it is important to address the well-being of our gut.
The Digestive System
The digestive system performs three important functions in maintaining overall health, namely, breaking down food into nutrients, absorbing them into the body, and excreting waste. Chronic diseases occur when the digestive system is unable to properly absorb nutrients or remove toxic waste from the body.
Unlike other diseases where symptoms are "silent," poor digestive health manifests itself in many of ways. Some of the most common digestive problems are: Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Diarrhea, Indigestion, Gastritis.
Helicobactor Pylori blood and breath test
One cause of gastritis may be infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Most people with H. pylori infection do not develop stomach cancer. However, long-term infection with certain strains of the bacterium is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
One of the following noninvasive methods detects H. pylori: Blood antibody test, urea breath test, stool antigen test. A positive blood antibody test does not distinguish between a current and a previous H. pylori infection. It simply means that your immune system encountered the bacteria at some point in the past. In order to confirm an active H. pylori infection, other diagnostic tests such as the urea breath test are often recommended.
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What cause poor digestive health?
Modern diets and poor eating habits have many negative effects on our digestive system.
First, highly processed foods often lack the nutrients that support a diverse and healthy gut microbiome. As a result, this can disrupt the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, thereby causing digestive discomfort and inflammation.
Second, high sugar consumption in sugary snacks, drinks, and desserts. A diet high in added sugar is often low in fiber, which is important for regular bowel movements.
Third, the pursuit of convenience has led to reliance on fast food and convenience foods with no nutritional value.
Fourth, most carbohydrates we eat are processed to remove the fiber content. Consequently, a lack of fiber can lead to constipation and associated digestive problems.
Fifth, small intake of fruits and vegetables. The fiber found in fruits and vegetables is essential for maintaining regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. In addition, fruits and vegetables are rich in live enzymes. However, these enzymes are often killed by high temperatures during cooking.
Sixth, drinking too little water. Water plays a critical role in digestion and aids in saliva production, digestive enzymes, hydration of digestive juices, transport of nutrients, solubility of nutrients, and prevention of constipation.
Treatments for chronic constipation
Effects of constipation on the body
Constipation occurs when waste products remain in the colon for a prolonged period of time. The effects go beyond bloating and malaise. Since they are not eliminated, they can cause a number of digestive problems such as haemorrhoids and a proliferation of bad bacteria in the colon. However, this condition is often not taken seriously. It can also increase the risk of colon cancer.
Quick help for constipation relief that works
Sometimes, people use laxatives to stimulate the entire digestive tract to rapidly expel faecal matter from the body. However, over time, the intestines become sluggish and even more dependent on laxatives. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to have regular bowel movements with the help of laxatives.
A better alternative that can also provide quick relief over a day or two is to increase fiber intake in the form of psyllium husks, a common and effective means of preventing or relieving constipation.
How to cure chronic constipation permanently?
Although the symptoms of chronic constipation and some of the other conditions can be treated with medical agents to relieve pain or discomfort, long-term treatment often requires lifestyle adjustments in conjunction with therapeutic nutritional programs.
Start by investigating the causes of chronic constipation. Common causes include dietary factors, inadequate fluid intake, lack of exercise and certain medications.
A diet or food that helps chronic constipation long-term is rich in fiber. Notably, fiber helps compact stool and promotes regular bowel movements.
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Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition in which the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. As a result, this disrupts the function of the intestines, which are unable to contract and move food properly. Depending on where the inflammation is located, whether in the stomach, small intestine or large intestine, there may be watery diarrhea or a mucopurulent diarrhea with fresh blood in the stool.
Symptoms of IBS
There are many symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, excessive gas in the intestines, blood or mucus in the stool, and most importantly changes in bowel habits. Sometimes there is diarrhea with frequent but loose or watery stools, characterized by a sudden and strong urge to defecate, often accompanied by the need to go to the bathroom quickly. But, at other times, constipation occurs with infrequent bowel movements and hard stools.
What causes irritable bowel syndrome and what foods to avoid?
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown. However, food intolerances may trigger some symptoms of IBS. Consumption of certain foods such as foods containing fructose, foods containing lactose, gluten, carbonated/ caffeinated beverages and alcohol, and spicy foods may exacerbate symptoms.
How to cure irritable bowel syndrome permanently with dietary changes?
Medical professionals treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with medications to relieve abdominal pain, antidiarrheals to control diarrhea, and laxatives to relieve constipation.
For a long-term solution, diet plays a key role in the cause and prevention of many bowel disorders. The best diet for IBS is one that includes foods that relieve IBS, in particular, high fiber foods, digestive enzymes and friendly bacteria.
Consultation to improve digestive and gut health
- Identify foods and drinks that may cause or exacerbate IBS.
- Advise on foods that are friendly to your digestive tract.
- How to maintain a healthy environment in the digestive system.
- Essential health foods and supplements which are the best remedies for healthy digestion.
- How to safeguard your GI tract and protect your body from premature aging and diseases.