Health & Balance

How To Take Care Of Your Digestive System

Digestive System

When you are in a pickle, you always listen to your gut. So, it is vitally important to take care of your gut. 

Joking aside, you cannot function well if your digestive system is not working. There will be no joy if you have an upset stomach. Chronic stomach problems may lead to something serious. 

If you have gut issues that come and go, consider consulting a doctor to check up on underlying health problems. However, to improve your digestive system, follow these rules to improve your overall gut health.

Common Ailments Associated With The Digestive System

The digestive system is one of the aspects that you must pay attention to. It is a complex machinery. The digestive tract does not run smoothly all the time. In other words, if your immune system does not function properly, it can cause great problems.  

It’s all about understanding what we eat and how we eat. Therefore you have to take care of it constantly. Some of the common ailments of the digestive system include:  

  • Gallstone.
  • Celiac Disease.
  • Constipation.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 
  • Diverticular disease. 

All the complexities that we discussed above can cause you great damage. Hence you must act smart so that it can help you understand your problems. You need to be aware of the ailments related to the digestive system.  

You can also discuss these matters with the help of your physician. They can guide you best on the risk factors and, at the same time, on the measures.

Why Is Digestive Health Important?

Digestive health is important for our overall wellbeing. This helps in maintaining our vitality and includes efficient functioning of the GI or gastrointestinal tract that can help in breaking down the food which helps in nutrient absorption. The GI tract is also responsible for eliminating waste from the body, thus maintaining the balance that helps us function well. Here’s why digestive system should be taken care of:  

Helps in proper nutrient absorption.

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down the food that enters our body to extract the nutrients. These nutrients are necessary for us to derive energy necessary for the daily functioning, growth and repair of cells. Without proper digestion, it is difficult for the body to absorb the vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients that can cause deficiencies.  

Strengthens immune function.

A healthy digestive system will ensure that your immune system functions optimally. The body’s immune system is not just restricted to mast cells, T-helper cells or macrophage, guts play a role too. The lymphoid tissue in the gut or the gut-associated lymphoid tissue the GALT help provide protection against harmful toxins and pathogens (germs.) A compromise in the gut health or the imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to weak immune response that can make the body prone to illnesses and infections.  

Maintaining the second brain health.

Did you know that the gut is often called the second brain? Yes! Due to the complex network of neurotransmitters and neurons, there is communication between the CNS and the gastrointestinal system. That means that gut health can directly influence behavior, cognitive function and our mood. Thus, a healthy digestive system will promote our mood and prevent mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.  

Weight management.

Gut microbiota contains millions of bacteria that are great fpr metabolism and managing our weight. When there is an imbalance in the gut bacteria, we can experience metabolic disorders and there are also links to obesity. Thus, when you maintain a healthy digestive system, you can ensure that there is a healthy regulation of appetite and nutrient absorption. Both of these supports healthy metabolism which can help in maintaining a healthy weight.  

Comfortable digestion.

Good digestive health helps in preventing digestive discomfort such as abdominal pain, bloating and gas. It can also help you keep constipation and indigestion at bay. The symptoms can have a significant impact on our daily life, indicating underlying issues that require immediate attention. A digestive system that functions properly helps ensure that the ingested food is broken down properly. This helps the food move down smoothly through the GI tract, thus reducing the chances of discomfort.  

Prevents disease.

So far you can figure this out on your own that digestive system has a role in preventing diseases, especially digestive disorders. Dysbiosis or even unhealthy digestive system can cause issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal cancer. These and other such disorders can significantly reduce your quality of life. Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Guidelines On Taking Care Of Your Digestive System 

As discussed above, being unable to care for your digestive system can cause problems. Hence you need to know about some of the precautions and practices that can help you take care of your digestive system. 

Do Not Smoke :

Smoking is injurious to the health. It increases the risk of damaging your lever. At the same time, it also helps you increase the risk for Crohn’s disease and gallstones.

Researchers believe that smoking may decrease the defense mechanism of the intestine. As a result of reduced blood flow, inflammation occurs. Hence you need to refrain from smoking. It is one of the many practices that can help you manage your digestive system. 

Weight Management:

Obesity is one of the major problems that affect your health. Yes, you got it right. It is a real problem that the world is facing at this point. Different studies project the fact that eating insensibly results in the gaining of weight. If you fail to manage your weight, it can lead to a deteriorating digestive system. 

Hence, you need to work continuously on health management to improve things. Hence try your best to understand the problem areas and then take measures. Discuss the subject with the help of the expert. Maintain a good diet and be involved in physical activities. It can help you tackle the problems.

Eat A Good Mix Of Stuff

Eat A Good Mix Of Stuff:

Are you one of those people who like to eat out every single day?

It might not do you good in the long run. It is especially harmful if you consume a lot of junk food such as fried chicken and burgers. Greasy fried food is good for one or two times a month but not long. Make sure you’re chowing down on a variety of foods. Don’t just stick to burgers and fries all the time. Get your fill of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. Mix it up, buddy!

  • Get leafy greens and nuts and fill half of the plates with them.
  • Incorporate fresh fruits in every meal.
  • Avoid sugary drinks and try plain coconut water instead.
  • Avoid fried snacks and munch down on seeds and nuts.

Get Some Good Bugs In You:

There are good and bad bacteria. Yeah, we are talking about probiotics. Those are the good bacteria that can help your gut do its thing. You can find them in yogurts, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and that funky kombucha drink. Give them a shot! You might like the new recipes and habitually eat such fermented food.

Ease Up On The Junk:

What is life if you cannot eat what you want; right? Well, that might be true; but as you grow older, you must also be mindful of what you put inside your body. Now, we all know those chips, cookies, and sodas are tempting, but they aren’t harming your gut. Lay off processed foods and added sugars. Your tummy will thank you. Refrain from eating junk food. This is the way you can be healthy in the long run. 

Stay Hydrated, Amigo:

Stay Hydrated

Nature has already given you what your body needs. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Some people forget to drink water, and they become dehydrated. Drinking less water can seriously mess up your gut health. Drinking water helps you keep things moving smoothly in your gut. Don’t let yourself dry out like a desert!

Chill Out, Dude:

Work stress? Yes, we can relate. But don’t let stress mess you up. Your body acts differently when you are stressed out. The brain signals to your gut that something is wrong in your body. Stress messes with your gut, man. Find ways to relax and unwind. Take a walk, do some yoga, or whatever floats your boat. Just keep that stress level in check.

Listen To Your Gut, Man:

Pay attention to how your body reacts to different foods. If something makes your stomach flips, it’s time to cut back or ditch it altogether. To improve your gut health, try out digestive health supplements.

What Else? Catch Enough Z’s:

 beauty sleep

Since the invention of mobile phones and social media, people do not get enough sleep. It is bizarre if you think about it. People spend hours and hours working, scrolling through social media, and not getting enough sleep. Get your beauty sleep, my friend. Your gut needs it too. Aim for 6-8 hours of shut-eye each night. No more burning the midnight oil every night!  Follow these measures discussed above to help you care for your digestive system.

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Harsha Sharma
Harsha is a senior content writer with numerous hobbies who takes great pride in spreading kindness. Earning a Postgraduate degree in Microbiology, she invests her time reading and informing people about various topics, particularly health and lifestyle. She believes in continuous learning, with life as her inspiration, and opines that experiences enrich our lives.

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