The Health Nut

Addressing Gut Health Concerns

Poor gut health is widespread, affecting two thirds of North Americans with symptoms like acid reflux, bloating, and IBS. If you've been dismissed by your GP or specialists, you’re not alone. Navigating digestive issues can be emotionally challenging and make you feel misunderstood. While common, these issues shouldn't be deemed normal. Our gut health impacts our overall well-being, and finding the root cause is essential.

How the Microbiome Benefits Us

  • Supports Mood: Enhances emotional well-being
  • Regulates Inflammation: Helps control inflammation levels
  • Manages Weight: Aids in maintaining a healthy weight
  • Controls Blood Sugar & Insulin: Assists in regulating blood sugar and insulin
  • Reduces Allergies & Food Reactions: Minimizes allergic responses and food sensitivities
  • Protects Against Pathogens: Shields against harmful microorganisms
  • Clears Chemicals: Helps eliminate toxins from the body
  • Harmonizes the Immune System: Promotes balanced immune function
The Health Nut

Importance of Proper Digestion

Digestion works from north to south, starting in the mouth and ending in the large intestine. To maintain a healthy microbiome, each step in the digestive process must function properly. Common issues like low stomach acid can disrupt this process and lead to symptoms such as bloating, gas, heartburn, and multiple food allergies. Addressing these symptoms can help restore proper digestion and improve overall gut health.

Role of Acid in Digestive Health

Acid often gets a bad reputation, but it’s essential for proper digestion. Our GI tract needs acid to prevent pathogens, break down food, and regulate digestion. Alkaline environments can foster problems like dysbiosis. Healthy bacteria produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids, which help strengthen the intestinal barrier, reduce inflammation, support metabolism, and relieve symptoms of IBD. Proper acid levels are crucial for a balanced and functional digestive system.

Boosting Stomach Acid Production

If you're not producing enough stomach acid, try these strategies:

  • Lower Stress: Chronic stress can decrease stomach acid and impair digestion.
  • Chew Your Food: Thorough chewing signals your stomach to produce gastric juices and acid, crucial for proper digestion.
  • Use Lemon Juice or Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix 1–2 tablespoons in water and drink 15–20 minutes before meals to stimulate stomach acid production. Avoid if you have active gastritis, as the acid may be too harsh.
  • HCL Supplementation: Hydrochloric acid supplements can aid digestion, especially with protein-rich meals. While generally affordable, high doses may be needed, and caution is advised if you have gastritis.

These steps can help enhance your digestive health and ensure proper acid levels.

Signs You’re Not Digesting Protein Properly

  • Feeling Uncomfortable: Food feels heavy and undigested in your stomach.
  • Aversion to Protein: You might avoid protein-rich meals.
  • Low Protein Digestion: Inadequate stomach acidity and proteases hinder protein breakdown.

Proper stomach acid (HCL) and proteases are essential for digesting protein. Low acid levels can lead to poor protein digestion and reduced protein intake. It’s crucial to ensure you’re not just consuming protein, but also effectively breaking it down and utilizing it.

Determine If You’re Constipated

You might be constipated if you don’t meet these criteria:

  • 1-3 Painless Bowel Movements Daily
  • Easy and Complete Passes
  • Appropriate Transit Time
  • Stool Appearance: 3-4 on the Bristol Stool Chart

Sesame Seed Transit Test: Consume 1–2 tablespoons of unhulled sesame seeds without chewing. Track when you eat them and when you see them in your stool. Ideal transit time is 18–48 hours; longer than 72 hours indicates constipation. Identifying the cause of your constipation is key to addressing it effectively.

Common Causes of Constipation

  • Dehydration
  • Chronic Stress
  • Medications
  • Low Motility: Slow movement through the digestive tract
  • Hypothyroidism
  • SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
  • Dysbiosis: IMO & other imbalances
  • Low Carb Diets
  • Food Sensitivities

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