Give Yourself the Gift of “Gut” Health

The holidays promote overeating, over-drinking, and even overspending. On the flip side, many of us are embarking on new habits and diets as we learn the importance of balancing our systems. Great health and vibrant energy start with a healthy digestive system.

The nutrients in your food provide both the energy that fuels your life, and the building blocks needed to continuously maintain your body in its peak condition for running holiday errands. The digestive system is where vitamins, nutrients and minerals are absorbed, hence the importance of having a healthy gut tract to get the correct nutrition. Conditions such as depression, cancer, and autoimmune conditions are all linked to imbalances of the gut tract.

The high sugar, low fiber diet that Americans have been adapting to over the past few decades spikes throughout the holidays; cookies, candy, pies, and fatty meats to name a few culprits. This type of diet makes it difficult for sustaining the healthy bacteria that live in our digestive tracts.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology there are 2.5 million Doctors’ visits per year in the U.S. and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on laxatives.

A healthy digestive system is necessary to maximize the nourishment from the food you eat and can lead to a person’s better overall well-being. It’s your digestive system that extracts the nutrients from food, absorbs, and assimilates them into your body.

These healthy bacteria, known as probiotics, are necessary for us to live. Not only is it necessary to have enough probiotics, but also the balance of certain strains are necessary for good gut health.

“The American College of Gastroenterology also states the probiotics function to:

• – Boost your immune system by producing antibodies.
• – Produce substances that prevent infection.
• – Prevent harmful bacteria form attaching to the gut wall and growing there.
• – Inhibit or destroy toxins released by certain bacteria that can make you sick.
• – Produce B vitamins necessary for metabolizing the food you eat, warding off anemia caused by deficiencies in B-6 and B-12 and maintaining healthy skin and a healthy nervous system.”

About 70% of our entire immune system exists in the gut tract. People with compromised immune systems likely have an imbalance in the gut tract. The same is true for people with autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Many doctors are making the connection that these conditions should not simply be treated by pharmaceuticals, but realize they need to take steps to repair the gut.

Just as destruction of the gut tract does not happen overnight, it may take up to 18 months to repair it. This is a complicated process and many different treatments working together help the process. Herbs, Orthomolecular medicine (nutrients), homeopathy, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy and of course probiotics can help reverse gut damage and restore it back to health. Be sure and seek the advice of a physician that is licensed in these medical conditions before starting any program.

Good, healthy digestion is crucial to provide you with great levels of energy and vitality, productivity and creativity. It will help ensure your longer-term prospects for lasting health and longevity. The better functionality your digestive system has, the better use your body can make of the nutrients in your food, thus, the healthier you will be. Remember, to avoid a dreadful winter ailment during the holidays, moderation is key. The better nutrients and vitamins you put in your body, and the less junk food, the more you will promote positive energy and thrive this holiday season.