Poor digestion and gut dysfunction can be linked to almost every disease.

Gut dysfunction and overall digestive health can lead to a potpourri of illnesses, such as

cancer
neurological illness
fatigue
depression
food sensitivities
chronic pain
allergies
chronic inflammation

… the list goes on. Even if you’re not struggling with these symptoms personally, keep reading: there’s still a lot to learn. Poor diet, eating patterns and digestive or gut disturbances have been documented to irritate and escalate heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Quick overview of digestion and gut health

Digestion is the process of breaking down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by your body

The process also destroys germs and viruses that have been ingested

Gut health refers to the balance of bacteria and other microorganisms in your digestive tract, which affect your immune system, mood, metabolism and more.
Having good digestion and gut health can improve your overall well-being and prevent many of the diseases listed above.

Your ability to digest food has a direct correlation between how strong or weak, nourished or malnourished, energized or fatigued you are.

And now, 5 Tips To Help Improve Your Digestion And Gut Health.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest, but it helps move food along your digestive tract and feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut
Fiber can also lower your cholesterol, blood sugar and risk of colon cancer
You can get more fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes
Other supplements on the market, such as Metamucil, may be a convenient and fast way to boost your fiber intake
Air-popped popcorn, carrots or bell peppers with hummus, and other combinations of fiber-rich foods can make it easier (and tastier!) to meet your fiber needs

Water is essential for digestion: it helps

dissolve and transport nutrients
lubricate your intestines, and
prevents constipation

Water also helps flush out toxins and waste products from your body
You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, or more if you exercise or live in a hot climate

Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state, usually by adding

sugar
salt
fat
preservatives
and artificial colors or flavors

Processed foods can harm your digestion and gut health by causing inflammation
Inflammation disrupts your microbiome and increases your risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
You should limit or avoid processed foods such as chips, cookies, candy, soda, fast food and frozen meals

Probiotics are live bacteria that can benefit your gut health by restoring your microbiome, enhancing your immunity and preventing infections
Prebiotics are substances that feed probiotics and help them grow and multiply in your gut
You can get probiotics from fermented foods such as

yogurt
kefir
sauerkraut
kimchi
kombucha

You can get prebiotics from foods such as

garlic
onion
leek
asparagus
banana
oatmeal

Gut Bacteria: What it is, why you need it, and how to improve it

Stress can negatively affect your digestion and gut health by altering your gut-brain axis, which is the communication between your nervous system and your digestive system
Stress can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and pain
Stress can also weaken your immune system and make you more prone to infections and inflammation
You can manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or massage

And, as always…

… You can speak to your PHMP Health Coach for more tips on how to tackle any or all of these issues to improve your digestive health—just click one of the buttons below and connect!