Kelly Cullen, ND
Pleasant Wellness
1. Eat Slowly
60% of your amylase is located in your mouth. Amylase is the enzyme that helps to digest carbohydrates. Eating slowly and chewing your food well assists your body in the digestion, assimilation and absorption of food.
2. Make Sure You're Regular
Being "regular" means having between 2 and 4 bowel movements a day. Every bowel movement is expelling toxins, which is extremely important for overall health. If you're constipated, try eating around 30 grams of fiber a day, drinking half of your weight in ounces of water a day, and move your body every day. Walking is a great way to get things moving!
3. Consume Probiotics
Whether you're taking a probiotic supplement, or consuming probiotic-rich foods like fermented vegetables or yogurt, balancing the "good bacteria" in the gut is essential for overall digestive health.
4. Digestive Enzymes
If I had to pick only one supplement to recommend to clients (and for myself), it would be digestive enzymes. Most of us aren't breaking our food down properly, and undigested food can wreak havoc on the body.
5. Get Rid of Unwanted Organisms
Unwanted organisms not only steal your nutrients, but they leave behind their waste (gross!). I personally do a "parasite cleanse" every year.
6. Consider Giving Up Gluten
Most conventional wheat is sprayed with glyphosate, which is an herbicide. Even organic gluten (not sprayed with glyphosate) can be difficult for many to digest. You can get tested for food sensitivities here:https://refer.everlywell.com/s/Kelly11875103
7. Manage Stress
Your gut is known as your second brain. When your body is stressed, it prioritizes which body functions are needed most, and shuts down those that are not an immediate priority. Digestion is typically the first one to go. Therefore, managing stress can be a key step in improving digestion.
8. Herbal Teas For The Win!
Peppermint and Ginger are both herbal teas that are known to support digestion. I like to add a little raw honey or pure maple syrup as a treat! Make sure you're not adding a lot of sugar, as that can cause inflammation and negate the positive benefits.
To see my recommended products, you can click on the link below, where you'll find my Gut Protocol. It's very easy to set up an account, and shipping is free on orders of $49 or more.
https://wellevate.me/practitioner/recommendations/create?pid=35954
Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your health. The information shared here is for informational purposes only, and is not inteded to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.