Bloated?

This topic is a little taboo yet so many of my friends ask me what to do when bloated or not regular. Given that 60% of our neurotransmitters are in the gut -not the brain, that isn’t surprising we don’t feel good and aren’t in the best mood when our tummies are playing up. Digestion has a massive impact on our mental and physical well-being.  

Dangers of OTC laxatives

Many people use over the counter laxatives as a temporary relief. The problem with those is they make things worse in the medium term and can make them pretty bad in the long-term. Slimming teas and constipation OTC pills disturb the flora and cause constipation the following day and after. Long-term, they can stop the intestinal peristalsis, which is the movements the intestines makes to move food along. Basically, they disrupt the normal functioning of intestines and make digestion even more out of sync.Natural solutions

• Chia seeds: they are a great source of Omega-3s and can be added to smoothies, yogurt, salads, cereals. They swell in the stomach and help digestion.
• Flaxseeds: they need to be milled to be absorbable. Similarly to chia seeds, they are packed with Omega-3s and swell with water. I love adding some to my protein shakes or soup. A way to ease constipation fast is to soak some flaxseeds in a little water overnight, drink it on empty stomach in the morning followed by a couple more glasses of water.
• Psyllium husks: they are also a bulk-forming laxative and need to be taken with a lot of water. They can also help with diabetes and weight loss. They are safe to be taken daily.
• Activated charcoal: This helps with gas and bloating. Safe enough to be taken regularly and available in most pharmacies.
• Giving the system a rest: the digestive system needs a break sometimes, and a good way to restore balance is to give it some rest. Spacing out meals and doing less snacking, or having a very light dinner like soup with a tablespoon of flaxseeds might help.
• Probiotics: Taking them on an empty stomach before breakfast allows the good bacteria in the gut to grow.
• Magnesium Citrate: In powder form, this supplement is excellent for the nervous system, muscles and helps to sleep better. Taking it in the evening allows for a good rest and has a mild laxative side effect.
• Eating fiber: Including good fiber in the diet helps massively. I love rye bread as it has a very high fiber content, is low in gluten and has been shown to aid with weight loss.

All the above are natural ways to reintroduce a good balance in the digestive system. I am a firm believer of gentle treatments over anything harsh or too strong. The flora has a fine balance and it can easily be disturbed. Add to favorites