wolf down your food while standing up, you are introducing a lot of air and not breaking down food appropriately, setting the stage for gas, bloating and indigestion later. When you eat, sit down, put your fork down between bites, and chew thor- oughly, making sure your food is a thick paste before you swallow. This one little tip can make an enormous difference for one struggling with chronic gas.
5. Hydrate: The large intestine absorbs an enormous volume of water (2 gallons) much of which is fluid from the body. In this way, dehydration can impair digestion. Dehydration is also a major contributing factor in chronic constipation. Stool can- not move through a dry system. You should be drinking enough so that your pee is a pale, clear yellow. The volume required will change with activity level and other factors, but the in general: take your weight in pounds and divide by two and then consume that amount of water in ounces is a good guide.
6. Rule out pathogenic infection: In chronic, cyclical, unremitting cases of GI distress, or if you have been diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), do not rest until you have ruled out infection
with pathogenic bacteria, yeast and/or parasites. It is estimated that up to forty percent of IBS is actually a parasitic infec- tion. Parasites are not just found in third world countries, there are plenty here. You can rule out pathogenic infection with a comprehensive digestive stool analysis testing (CDSA). This test uses PCR genetic probes to look for genetic material of parasites, making it far more sensitive than the conventional O & P (ova and parasite) screening. O & P screening looks at your stool under a microscope, essentially hop- ing something swims or floats by. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack and has an extremely high false negative rate (meaning: it misses a lot of infection). Candida infection and infection with harmful bacteria can also masquerade as IBS and a variety of other GI complaints. Get that CDSA.
7. Clean up your environment: There are certain compounds that can worsen diges- tive symptoms. Most notably in those who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the surfactants SLS and DSS can worsen symptoms. This is well documented in the literature and these compounds are actu- ally used to induce colitis in mice used in the study of the IBD model. These com-
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pounds are found in soap, shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent and house clean- ers. Parabens, pthalates and dyes can also wreak havoc on your digestive system. Read your labels carefully! There are plenty of alternatives available.
8. Make sure meds aren’t interfering with your gastrointestinal bliss: There are a couple of classes of medications that can interfere with GI function and health. Opi- ates can cause constipation. NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause ulcers and gastritis, leading to anemia and gastric bleeding. Acid block- ing drugs like PPIs and H2 antagonists can relieve symptoms of heartburn but worsen digestion by turning of acid production. You need acid to break down your food and to absorb many vitamins and minerals, including B12, folate, calcium, iron and magnesium. Acid blocking drugs were originally approved to be used for no more than 9 months. Yet I see many who are on them for 20 years. Acid blocking drugs are not a permanent solution. Find someone who can get to the root of your reflux (and PS - it is almost never caused by “too much” acid, but rather acid in the wrong place). It can be fixed. Talk to your doctor!
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9. Increase digestive fire: Digestive fire refers to the ability of the body to break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats and is accomplished through robust produc- tion of enzymes, stomach acid and bile. Many factors can interfere with and cause lowered production of these compounds, including poor diet, eating foods you are sensitive to, chronic stress, “aging”, medications (like acid-blocking drugs) and surgery. Taking a digestive enzyme with meals is an easy, safe way to boost diges- tive fire. Sometimes, supplementation with stomach acid is warranted, but that is best done under the supervision of a health care provider. Supplemental bile is also avail- able for those who have had their gallblad- der removed and are struggling with symptoms because of it.
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10. Boost beneficial bacteria with probi- otic supplementation: Probiotics and the collective known as the microbiome - the four pound colony of beneficial bacteria that live in our large intestine - have been in the media in a big way over the last several months. Beneficial bacteria pro- vide innumerable functions for us includ- ing promoting bowel regularity, boosting
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