7 common digestive problems

Posted in Nutrition

Diverticulitis – small pouches appear in the lining of the large intestine. These pouches become filled with waste products, becoming infected, causing pain. Symptoms are diarrhea and constipation, tenderness, bloating and feeling the need to go to the toilet the whole time.

In a nutshell

Oats, linseeds (flax seeds)

Need a lot more fiber – fruit, vegetables, beans, whole grains.

Cut down on tea, drink more hydrating fluids

Magnesium – we need more

Posted in Nutrition, Supplements, Vits, Mins & More

Magnesium is a vital component of bones and teeth. It is closely involved in the release of energy and the correct functioning of the nerves and muscles. This mineral is too often deficient in most people’s diet.

There are 300 different enzymes in the body that are dependent on magnesium. Unfortunately, it is very easy to be deficient in magnesium as typical diets lack the amounts needed. Stress drains this mineral.

14 reasons you may not be getting enough nutrients?

Posted in General Nutrition

As we get older we at even more risk of not getting adequate nutrients

1) food is refined and processed in general, which removes or destroys nutrients
2) due to the decline in our digestive function
3) a decline in our sense of smell and taste
5) our thirst mechanism is less strong, so dehydration is more likely
6) the stomach slows down its production of digestive juices and enzymes this in turn affects absorption of B12, iron and calcium to name but a few.

Why fiber is so important?

Posted in General Nutrition

• It helps you to feel full.
• Helps to maintain a balanced blood sugar level, preventing hypoglycemia and craving.
• Helps to soften your stools, preventing constipation.
• Helps to speed up the transition of waste drastically cutting down on auto-intoxification.
• Helps to feed and encourage the correct bowel flora.
• Ensures the removal of excess cholesterol and balances estrogen (helping with PMS sabotage mentioned earlier).

Getting plenty of fiber on a daily basis definitely does not mean eating bran! Bran is:-

6 dos and don’ts of drinking water

Posted in General Nutrition

1) Don’t drink much water with meals. This is because water will dilute the digestive juices hampering digestion.

2) Do drink a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal.

For two good reasons a) this will encourage your digestive juices and ensure better digestion b) it will discourage you from over eating, as you will have turned off brain confusion – before you eat.

3) Do start drinking water again an hour or so after a meal.

4) Do drink water ideally at room temperature as ice cold water shocks the stomach, however if this is the only way you can drink water then this is better than not drinking water.

Signs & symptoms of nutritional deficiencies

Posted in General Nutrition

Nutritional deficiencies are becoming ever more common these days due manufacturing processes. Most processed foods are void of most of the essential nutrients, classed as “empty calories” or “dead foods”. The more you consume these foods, the greater the deficit. The whole process of digestion from start to finish is a complex series of manoeuvres, requiring a lot of energy and nutrients for digestion, absorption and utilization.  There are numerous enzymes, compounds, vitamins and minerals the body absolutely NEEDS to undertake and complete the many stages sufficiently.

If what you consume on a daily basis does not bring with it the amount of nutrients your body requires, it cannot put digestion on hold for some later stage. So the body moves nutrients around, a bit like an army being deployed in a troubled spot leaving other areas vulnerable. The body robs nutrients from other systems in order to complete its digestive mission.