Gut health is intricately linked, and crucial to, our overall health, including
maintaining a healthy weight and youthful skin. A healthy gut will boost your
energy, moods, immunity, and gives you that gorgeous glow. If you are in the
midst of a cleanse, or ready to embark on one, attending to the well being of your
gut is key. Check out these five habits to help you build a better gut.
• Make Mealtimes Quiet Time - One of the best things we can do to
encourage good gut health is to eat in a relaxed state, as much as possible. Make
mealtimes a mindful exercise: avoid stressful or difficult conversations, and be
sure to eat slowly while chewing well. Take the time to fully focus on and enjoy
your food: the colors, texture, and taste. Try to eat in peaceful, pleasant
surroundings; take your lunch break in the park, or dim the lights at dinner and
play some calming music. (we offer meals to go)
• Eat Fermented Foods, and Take Your Probiotics - A healthy and
balanced internal ecosystem is crucial to the well being of your gut. Beneficial
intestinal flora assist in the digestive process, help the body fight invaders, make B
vitamins more absorb-able, and are a key component to proper detoxification. You
can support the good bugs in your gut by eating fermented foods like raw
Sauerkraut and perhaps Kim-Chi taking a high quality probiotic supplement, eating
fiber-rich foods, and being sure to drink pure, filtered water. (we have the latest
science based products for intestinal health)
• Avoid Food That Cause Sensitivities - There are foods that often taste
good and fulfill an emotional need, but may leave us with an impaired gut, and
symptoms like bloating, fatigue, indigestion, and chronic inflammation. Over time
this damage can lead to chronic and severe illnesses. The most common trigger
foods are gluten, dairy, alcohol and refined and processed foods/sugars.
Sensitivities can also occur with any whole food, such as strawberries, nightshades,
or citrus fruits, for instance. Eliminating, while also identifying which foods you may
be sensitive to, is key to vibrant health and a healthy gut.
• Get Eight Hours of Sleep Each Night - A full night’s rest allows for deep
tissue repair, and healthy hormone and neurotransmitter production. Syncing up
with your natural Circadian Rhythms, and getting into the flow of a full night’s sleep
every night, is a powerful way to heal your body and digestive processes. There is
simply no substitute for deep and restorative sleep. Creating a good sleep
environment is a great practice to keep up: dim the lights and shut devices off at
least one hour before bed, make your bedroom calm and peaceful for sleeping and
aim for regular sleep and waking times.
• Exercise - Moderate physical exercise each day does great things for the
beneficial flora in the gut, and helps with tone, digestion, and motility. No need for
overly strenuous workouts, though: about half an hour per day of vigorous
exercise, with strength and weight-bearing exercise (like free weights or yoga), is
perfect. (i.e. see our 30-5-4 program on our website)
•
Rebuilding a healthy inner ecosystem after years of stress and poor eating habits
can take some time and patience. Emphasizing a gut-healthy lifestyle, with ongoing
cleansing support and a whole foods diet, will have you well on your way to
enhanced nutrient absorption, better moods, and a happier and more vibrant you!
Source: Cooper Institute, NiH, Fitness4 by Uwe
Our Body is Built to Move!
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