Often clients complain about how clean they eat but still experience mild gastrointestinal distress. You may be eating gluten, dairy, soy, corn, nightshade free, but still experience constipation or other gastrointestinal distress. Learn how to overcome constipation naturally.
Other symptoms of gastrointestinal malfunction may be:
- gas
- bloating
- headache
- burping
- reflux
- neck, shoulder, middle and lower back pain
- fatigue after eating
- abdominal distension
- constant hunger
- bowel irregularity
- muscle and joint aches
These symptoms are not part of normal digestion. If you experience any of these symptoms, try ruling out the causes below:
1. Dehydration
Dry mouth is an indication that you’re dehydrated and it’s already too late! Once the body is dehydrated, it will draw water from vital organs, such as the mucus membrane in the stomach, small and large intestine which can inhibit digestion.
When mucus membrane of the colon is dehydrated, there is not enough lubrication in the mucus membrane, making bowel movements hard to pass, leading to constipation. The large intestine is primarily responsible for recycling water from feces as needed, dehydration on any level will result in more water extraction. You can also add a pinch of coloured salt to your water to increase absorption of water and aid in HCl production.
Solution: Drink at least half your bodyweight in kg in ounces per day, or equivalently, body weight in kg x 0.033 in litres.
2. Drinking too much liquid during your meals
Drinking water during your meals actually dilutes the HCl concentration in your stomach.
Solution: Avoid dilution by drinking water 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after your meal. Food is about 80% water, focus on chewing your food until it turns to slush.
3. Stress
Stress disrupts digestion by activating the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response), which can lease to decreased digestive capacity. When you start your day by rushing to prepare for work, the digestive system shuts down. If you find you are too busy to have a good lunch mid day, and you battle traffic when you return home just to listen to the news, you further escalate your stress response, often resulting in constipation.
Solution: Enjoy your meals. Take your time, put your smartphones and laptops away, chew your food, and eat in a quiet, peaceful setting.
4. Food intolerances
Food intolerance commonly causes inflammation in the gut. The greater level of inflammation in your digestive system, the more difficult to achieve optimal body composition. There are numerous companies that can conduct blood testing to determine food allergy and food sensitivity.
Solution: Get a food sensitivity test and avoid foods you are intolerant to.
A healthy functioning gut is required for nutrient absorption, lowering inflammation and maintaining your energy level. If you experience any of these symptoms and it’s not getting better, book an appointment in order to make sure your digestive system is fully functional.