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5 Tips To Relieve Digestive Distress

Jen Broyles
Author:
December 31, 2012
Jen Broyles
By Jen Broyles
mbg Contributor
Jen Broyles is a Certified Health Coach who helps people regain their health through the use of natural solutions, such as diet, stress-management, essential oils, and supplements.
December 31, 2012

Have you ever experienced that uncomfortable feeling of bloating, heaviness, and other unfortunate side effects after eating too much or eating the wrong thing?

If you’re like most people, you’ve experienced this at least once in your life. I’ve dealt with digestive complications for years, and I’m just now beginning to manage them effectively.

Compromised digestion is very common; it’s just not a popular topic of conversation. Many chronic digestive issues are diagnosed as IBS although there are specific root causes that need to be determined.

Whether you deal with stomach troubles on a regular basis or just occasionally, try these simple tips to ease your pain. When you’re able to normalize your digestion, you will feel lighter, more energetic, and much happier.

Hot water with lemon

Warm water is soothing and helps to stimulate the digestive tract and keep things moving along. Lemons are high in vitamins and minerals, and they help detoxify the body by removing toxins in the GI tract.

Ginger tea

Ginger has many digestion friendly properties. If you’re experiencing stomach cramps, gas or nausea, try sipping on some ginger tea. It also helps ease throat and nose congestion. Ginger tea is extremely soothing and can be found at most grocery stores. You can also make your own by adding fresh, peeled ginger to boiling water. Lemon, honey or Stevia can also be added.

Probiotics

As we age, the healthy bacteria, necessary for proper digestion, starts to decrease. It’s critical to maintain optimal levels of healthy bacteria in your gut to prevent any digestive distress. Taking a probiotic with several different strains of healthy bacteria can reduce uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, bloating, cramps, constipation, and/or diarrhea.

Exercise

Exercise can help improve the efficiency of the digestive process and reduce stress. Light to moderate exercise can help normalize your digestive system and leave you feeling lighter and more energetic. Exercises such as yoga are also great for reducing stress and anxiety, which have a direct impact on digestive function.

Fiber

Increasing your fiber intake can also help overcome stomach discomfort. Fiber helps to cleanse your body by moving things along in the digestive tract. Fresh fruits and vegetables are great sources of fiber. Strive to consume 6 to 8 servings of fresh fruits and veggies per day.

If your digestive upset is more severe and negatively affecting your daily life, seek professional help. Diseases such as Crohn’s, colitis, and celiac should not go untreated. It may be worth getting tested to rule out autoimmune diseases, food intolerances, and yeast/bacterial overgrowth.

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Jen Broyles author page.
Jen Broyles

Jen Broyles is a Certified Health Coach who helps people regain their health through the use of natural solutions, such as diet, stress-management, essential oils, and supplements. Jen has a special interest in gut health, detox, and mood and hormone imbalances. Her personal story is what inspired her to educate and guide others. She dealt with chronic IBS, anxiety, and hormone imbalances for over 10 years, and it was significantly affecting her quality of life. She left her career in pharmaceutical sales and returned to school to study nutrition and train with functional medicine practitioners. She is a firm believer in the roles that nourishing food, a balanced lifestyle, and a positive mindset play on overall health. You can visit her website for healthy living advice, essential oils info, and delicious recipes at jenbroyles.com.