Improve your gut health in 5 easy steps

In collaboration with Herbs Of Gold
Written by Juliet Cox – Herbs Of Gold Naturopath

Problems with digestive function and gut health can affect most of us at some point in our life. Maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract (GIT) helps to support both your immune and digestive systems. Improving your digestive health can be challenging as it may require you to change life-long diet and lifestyle habits. But ultimately, a healthy digestive system means a healthy you.

Try and incorporate the below tips into your daily routine to improve your digestive health:

Build your microbiome

Your GIT is home to trillions of different types of bacteria. Probiotics are living micro-organisms that help to maintain balanced, healthy digestive flora and inhibit the growth of unwanted digestive flora. Though introducing probiotics can be beneficial, it’s important to provide an optimal environment for the ‘good’ bacteria to thrive.  You can do this by using prebiotics. Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Jerusalem artichoke, onions and garlic are popular types prebiotic foods that you can add to your diet to promote digestive health.

Improve your diet

Eating large amounts of processed foods and consuming alcohol can lead to an imbalance in your digestive flora creating mild digestive symptoms such as bloating and bowel irregularity.  Avoiding these types of food will help you sustain your gut bacteria.

Work on your digestion

Good health relies heavily on the absorption of nutrients from your GIT. Remember to chew slowly and thoroughly to lighten the digestive load on your GIT. If this proves too hard you can try digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes support the process of digestion, allowing you to digest food more easily.

Stay regular

Having regular and complete bowel motions is important for your digestive health. Make sure you’re consuming adequate amounts of fibre from fibre rich foods including vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Be sure to drink at least two litres of water a day to assist the movement of fibre through the intestinal tract to improve bowel regularity.

Herbal and nutritional support

Support the health of your gastrointestinal system with nutrients and herbs. These can include:

L-Glutamine – an amino acid this is a source of fuel for intestinal mucosal cells and supports intestinal health.

Licorice – helps to maintain healthy mucous linings in the digestive system.

Calendula – a herb traditionally used in Western herbal medicine as an anti-inflammatory to help relieve mild gastrointestinal tract inflammation.

Our favourite is Herbs of Gold – Gut Care in the Vanilla flavour.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.