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The latest data from the National Center for Health
Statistics indicate that in 2001, Americans experiencing digestive symptoms
made 31.6 million visits to physicians’ offices, 3 million visits to
hospital outpatient departments and 13.9 million visits to emergency rooms.
That’s a whole lot of belly-aching going on! On a more serious note—-as
anyone living with this type of disorder will tell you—-digestive ailments
can take a significant toll on a person’s life. There are costs in time and
money spent visiting doctors or hospitals, purchasing prescriptions; also,
time and wages lost due to absences from work. Less easily calculated is the
toll it takes on one’s quality of life. Uncomfortable and unpredictable
episodes of digestive discomfort often result in missed opportunities of
enjoyment with friends and family, ruined vacations and holidays, as well as
time lost for personal and creative pursuits. As the main delivery system
for nutrients that fuel the body and all its functions, the gastrointestinal
system plays a vital role in our overall health. When the digestive system
doesn’t work properly, it affects the ability of the rest of our organs to
function well. While physicians may prescribe diagnostic tests and
medications to help resolve digestive symptoms, there are additional steps
we can take to improve digestive health naturally. Are You Getting Enough?
Be honest. Do you drink as much water as you should each day? According to
Barbara Levine, R.D., Ph.D., Director of the Nutrition Information Center,
“Most Americans are probably only getting about a third of the valuable
hydration benefits they need. The vast majority aren’t drinking enough water
to begin with, and, to make matters worse, many don’t realize that beverages
containing alcohol and caffeine actually rob the body of water.” To some
people, a word of advice about increasing water intake may seem overly
simple or even silly. But think about it: we are 75% water. Water breaks
down food, transports nutrients throughout the body and carries waste out of
it. Though our bodies can function when we drink less-than-optimal amounts
of water, they can’t function as efficiently. So the first step you can take
to help improve your digestive health naturally is to increase the amount of
water you drink each day. A good rule of thumb for determining how much is
enough is to take your body weight and divide it by two. The number you get
is the number of ounces of water you should drink everyday. Even if you find
it hard to drink the amount recommended, give it your best effort. By
increasing your daily intake of water you can still improve your digestive
health naturally. Aloe Vera Juice Can Help For many Americans, the healing
power of aloe vera is associated only with its ability to relieve painful
sunburn. Squeeze the clear gel from inside the thick plant leaves, rub it
into the skin, give it some time and, voilá, the sting is gone! Now imagine
bringing the healing properties of aloe vera directly to your burning,
irritated and churning digestive tract. For thousands of Americans, aloe
vera juice has become the response of choice for soothing digestive
discomfort naturally. Among the reasons: • It helps maintain an ideal ph
balance within the digestive tract. Because it’s alkaline, aloe vera helps
combat the negative effects of an overly acidic digestive environment; •
Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory properties which can help calm the
digestive tract and promote healing; and • Aloe vera aids your body in
cleansing and removing unwanted toxins, reducing stress on your organs The
advantage of drinking a quality aloe vera juice is that it works with your
body naturally to calm and cleanse the digestive tract. It can also reduce
digestive discomfort, and help to heal damaged tissue. Just be aware when
shopping for aloe vera juice that the ways in which the aloe vera leaves are
processed to make the juice can affect the potency of the product. Many
products on store shelves have little to none of the active ingredient that
makes aloe such a spectacular natural healer. Be sure to check labels. Aloe
vera should be the first or second ingredient listed. If you find “water”
near the top of the list, chances are the product will not be potent. Some
products even look like water. Don’t waste your money on them. Take a Hard
Look at Your Diet If you regularly experience symptoms like heartburn, gas,
constipation, diarrhea, nausea or stomach pain, adjusting your diet is
critical. Granted, it’s not always easy, but if you hope to reduce or
eliminate episodes of digestive discomfort, it’s necessary. According to the
American Gastrological Association, a balanced and varied diet that contains
fruits and vegetables is needed to maintain digestive health. Other
recommended foods that specifically aid and promote intestinal health and
function include bran and other whole grain breads and cereals, beans, dried
plums and nuts. In addition, the AGA advises limiting fats and avoiding
concentrated sweets. Instead, they recommend complex carbohydrates, which
are high in fiber. Complex carbohydrates are found in grains, fruits,
legumes (peas and beans), and other vegetables. If you are experiencing
unusual or ongoing digestive discomfort, you should make a point of visiting
your doctor to see if he or she can locate the source of the problem. A
complete diagnosis may require a variety of tests and visits to one or more
specialists. To find immediate and ongoing relief, you may also want to
experiment by eliminating foods that you suspect may be causing your
discomfort. Exercise To Keep You Going Obviously, exercise is an important
component of a healthy lifestyle. Still, for many people the idea of
exercise is about as exciting as a stick in the eye. If getting yourself in
gear to exercise is a challenge, consider this. Through exercise, you can: •
Increase energy and alertness because exercise improves circulation and
maximizes the delivery of blood and oxygen throughout the body. • Lose extra
pounds by burning calories instead of storing them as fat; • Improve your
mental health as exercise increases the production of seratonin, the “good
mood” hormone. Exercise is also a powerful stress reducer, which is
important for anyone who suffers with a digestive disorder. Millions of
years ago, when we lived as hunter-gatherers, the stress was generally
limited to periodic encounters with animal predators. These events would
trigger in us the “fight or flight” response during which the heart would
pound, blood pressure rose, breathing became shallow, adrenaline levels
increased, and blood flow to the extremities decreased. Once the threat
passed, the body would gradually return to its normal state. Today, the
stress we deal with is not occasional or periodic. It’s constant and
ongoing; the result of personal relationships, deadline pressures and
financial worries. Yet the fight or flight response is the same. This means
our bodies are constantly undergoing biochemical and physiological changes
that can affect our health and well-being. The constant presence of stress
hormones can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to disease
and dysfunction. It’s not uncommon to experience digestive symptoms as a
result of stress, or for stress to exacerbate existing digestive symptoms.
That’s why exercise is so important. It enables the natural release of
built-up stress hormones and toxins, allowing the body to function more
efficiently. If you’re not currently exercising, but want to make a start,
try this: The next time you go to the mall, park your car farther, rather
than closer, to the mall entrance. Use stairs whenever you can. Walking is
not only a great form of exercise, but also a reliable method for relieving
gas. Your body is an incredible piece of machinery. But like a fine
automobile, it must be maintained: water for lubrication, exercise to keep
your battery charged and your parts moving. Plus, sometimes, a special
treatment such as aloe vera juice is just the thing we need to get us going
smoothly and efficiently again. |
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