Food is the source of good health. To make the best of
both we need a healthy digestive system that will take in food at
one end, convert it into useful nutrients and remove any waste at
the other.
Keeping our digestive system healthy is straightforward. We all
need to have a good diet that provides plenty of fibre and water to
keep the bowels moving smoothly. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol
and eating too much fatty and spicy food can irritate the lining of
the stomach, causing indigestion, so these triggers need to be
avoided. Keeping stress to a minimum and doing a little exercise
every day will also help the digestive system work well by reducing
the chance of constipation and acid indigestion occurring.
It’s also very important to eat regularly throughout the day,
not to rush meals or overeat and to leave a few hours between
supper and going to bed.
HOWEVER, EVEN THE BEST-LAID PLANS CAN BE
UPSET
Most people find from time to time that they become a little
constipated when they open their bowels less often than usual.
Ignoring the urge to go, stress and not enough fibre water or
exercise are the usual culprits resulting in straining on the
toilet with just a rabbit-pellet sized stool the reward. Taking
senna and psyllium dietary fibre will get the bowels going again
whilst any necessary lifestyle changes are put in place to try and
make sure constipation doesn’t happen again.
The number of people suffering with irritable bowel syndrome is
increasing and currently it is estimated that as many as one in
three is affected at some time with symptoms that include abdominal
pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, alternating constipation
and diarrhoea, mucous in the stools, excess belching or passing of
excess wind. Many people know what triggers their IBS. Common
things include stress and some foods, for example, wheat, citrus
fruits, caffeine and alcohol. These triggers should be avoided as
far as possible. Peppermint oil effectively relieves painful gut
spasm and bloating. Many people find that taking a probiotic
supplement helps to keep their IBS under control. Having extra
fibre in the diet or taking psyllium dietary fibre helps some
people with IBS; however, for others it exacerbates their symptoms
so it’s usually a case of try it and see.
It’s estimated that up to 40% of people suffer with
heartburn and indigestion. This normally occurs as a result of
overindulgence and unhealthy eating habits. Rich, fatty, and spicy
food, caffeine, smoking, alcohol and stress all contribute to too
much acid being made and this damages the stomach lining, causing
inflammation and painful indigestion. Overeating, being overweight,
eating late at night and wearing tight clothes put pressure on the
stomach, forcing acid back up into the gullet and causing painful
heartburn. A traditional remedy for heartburn and indigestion is a
glass of lowfat milk. Antacids neutralise stomach acid and work
quickly to relieve symptoms. Artichoke extract can help to relieve
symptoms of overindulgence, bloating and flatulence, which may
accompany indigestion. Peppermint oil helps to relieve the feeling
of fullness too.
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