Improve your Digestive Health

in Health & Beauty

‘T’is the season to be jolly’… but now that the festivities are behind us we may be feeling the effects of overindulging! We feasted, we binged and gorged and we consumed food that we normally wouldn’t ever consider eating! Do we ever really consider what overeating does to our bodies? Overeating causes the stomach to expand beyond its normal size to adjust to the large amount of food you are putting in, resulting in your stomach feeling bloated. This is usually due to excess wind, created when the digestive system struggles to break down certain foods, or from constipation or food intolerance. 

Drinking too much fizz, such as Champagne, Cava or lager can leave you in discomfort as the carbon dioxide actually takes up more space than the liquid it came in, making the stomach feel swollen, stretched, and very uncomfortable. 

Heartburn is another painful side effect of eating too much. It can be caused by eating larger than usual meals with lots of different courses. Think about those prawn and salmon starters, that delicious turkey or nut roast, those roast potatoes, sausages, stuffing and gravy, and the Christmas pudding, trifle, cake and mince pies. Not something we have on a regular basis and consuming all that rich food with a high fat content means that the stomach will be slower to empty.  The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to break down food, so the more food you eat the more acid it has to produce. Sometimes this acid can creep up into your oesophagus giving you that horrible burning feeling. Heartburn can also occur more frequently as we get older and become less tolerant to eating fiery and spicy foods. 

So what can you do to prevent that bloated, sluggish feeling and to tackle the effects of overeating? Holland & Barrett Gibraltar sell a range of products that can help you get back on track in the New Year. 

The aptly named Over Indulgence Milk Thistle Capsules are a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms associated with occasional over indulgence of drink and food such as indigestion and upset stomach. You could also try East Meets West Digestive Enzyme Formula Capsules or Holland & Barrett MultiDigestive Enzyme Tablets. Digestive enzymes are proteins released into the digestive system that help speed up the breakdown of food into easily absorbed nutrients that our bodies can use. There are many different enzymes involved in digestion but the three main types are:  amylase – this breaks down carbohydrate into sugars; protease – this digests proteins into amino acids; and lipase – this converts fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol. 

If you want to get your colon back in shape, Holland & Barrett Aloe Vera Colon Cleanse Tablets can support gastrointestinal health by gently cleansing your colon & helping your body to better absorb essential nutrients. Digestive issues and stomach problems are horrible to put up with, especially if it’s an ongoing issue. Just take one of the tablets, a combination of Aloe Vera & botanical extracts, before you go to bed and let it do its thing while you sleep.

Maintaining your digestive health is important, and peppermint oil has been found to be helpful in improving digestion and gut health generally as well as in reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Holland & Barrett Extra Strength Oil of Peppermint rapid release softgel Capsules is an effective natural remedy for abdominal pain or bloating. 

If you are not eating enough fibre, and apparently we should be eating 30g of fibre a day, this can slow your digestion down and lead to constipation. Ortisan Fruits & Fibre Cubes are a delicious, all natural fruity cube that can contribute to regaining normal bowel function. Just chew and swallow one full cube in the evening, with a large glass of water.

Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut when it’s been disrupted.  Our gut is made up of over 500 bacterial species of flora, and when these are in balance they can contribute to a healthy digestive system, metabolism and hormonal health. Probio 7 100 Capsules give optimal levels of good bacteria and fibre. Each capsule of Probio 7 contains a simple and highly effective formula of over 4 billion active friendly bacteria from seven different strains, plus two types of fibre.

A new year is the time to make resolutions, so make 2020 the year that you commit to improving your digestive health. Finding the motivation to improve your personal wellness can be hard, so don’t set yourself over ambitious goals, but gently start on your journey to a healthier lifestyle by taking care of your digestion. 

Advisory Information:

Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional and always read the label before use.

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