Go With Your Gut: Prioritizing Digestive Health
I know, I know! It’s not a topic we all like to talk about, but it’s definitely something we should pay close attention to. You know, your gut, your digestion, your stool. Some people are afraid to take a look after getting off the porcelain throne, but the truth is our digestion is a great indicator of our overall health and well-being. Now more than ever, we must do our best to stay healthy. With COVID-19 rapidly impacting our society both physically and emotionally, we must keep our bodies strong. A healthy digestive system is a great way to do this because gut health literally affects our entire body and helps to mediate appropriate immune responses. We must start with our guts!
My Story:
For as long as I can remember, many of the women in my immediate family struggled with digestive problems such as constipation. When I’d ask them why they had these issues, they’d say, “it started after childbirth.” However, in my mid twenties, though not having any children, I began to experience constipation as well. I could no longer eat foods I’d eaten my entire life such as white bread (which I loved), white grains and pastas, certain types of candy and desserts, even cold drinks/soda/pop/coke (depending on where you’re from) without getting headaches, bloating, and constipation.
I started to think maybe these digestive issues in my family weren’t only a result of childbirth, which I hear happens to many women, but could possibly be a result of genetics and nutrition. After multiple visits to my Gastroenterologists’ and my own trial and error, I realized I needed to take my digestive health seriously. I eliminated some foods from my diet, limited processed foods, and ate a diet rich in fiber.
These diet changes helped with the constipation, but after years of eating a fiber rich diet I began noticing changes in my bowel movements. It is said that a healthy stool is solid, brown colored, passes without discomfort, and sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl. Although I was eating healthy, my stool didn’t meet some of these criteria. Plus at the end of last year, I got a really bad stomach bug that left my stool different than normal.
I decided it was time to visit my doctor again, but in the meantime I started using the Physician Choice Women’s Probiotic, which was suggested to me by my cousin who is a Registered Nurse. When I finally visited my doctor he commended my choice to use probiotics and confirmed that it lessened my ailments. Probiotics are a great way to keep a healthy digestive system and can be effective against digestive problems. Probiotics are the same kind of healthy bacteria naturally present in your digestive tract. They help keep the body healthy by combating the effects of a poor diet, antibiotics, and stress. In addition, probiotics can enhance nutrient absorption, may help break down lactose, strengthen your immune system, and possibly even help treat IBS (source).
You can get probiotics from a supplement, but also from the foods you eat such as yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, and kimchi. I chose to go the supplement route and I believe it was a great decision! Physician Choice has a women’s brand and a brand that can be used by men and women. There are many probiotics brands out there, but what I love about this one is it’s organic, vegan, and supports not only digestive health, but the urinary tract & immune system. I also love that it came recommended by someone I know and trust. If you’re looking for a great probiotic, I definitely suggest trying one of these. Of course, if necessary consult your doctor first.
I have had a long journey with my digestive health and I’m happy to finally be in a good place to offer healthy tips about this on my blog. Some other ways to prioritize your digestive health is to exercise regularly, drink lots of water, limit caffeine and alcohol, and eat a diet rich in fiber (vegetables and whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes).*** And remember the gateway to overall health is through your digestive system. Stay Well!