Donna's Healthy Living Tips

I have been reading how our bodies process and utilize food and it is fascinating!  Each part is designed to do something different and has an impact on how well our bodies are able to do their work.  As I was reading “Why Do I Feel This Way” by Christine Gaber, RHN, and Charlene Day, RDC, I was struck by the impact we have on our bodies digestion and how there are things that we do (or don’t do) every day that make it harder on our bodies.

If we think about digestion as the process of breaking down food into particles small enough to enter cells, we can consider how we impact a couple stages along the way.  To start with there are numerous digestive enzymes that are very specific in what they are breaking down.

Our teeth are designed to chew our food into a semi-liquid state to mix up the digestive enzymes (of which there are some that are only available in the mouth) with the food for the initial phase of digestion.  This is the only step in the digestive process that we have any conscious control over and how many of us don’t exercise that control?  If we make it a habit to send down big chunks of unprocessed food we are causing problems for ourselves in the future  such as indigestion and leaky gut (it really is called that).

One piece that I found fascinating is how our stomach needs the acid and other juices available to properly break down food.  So many pharmaceutical products are out there designed to decrease stomach acid that we are simply creating other problems.  One thing is that if there isn’t enough digestive juices and stomach acid available, the food will begin to rot in your stomach.  That can create a stinging sensation which feels like heartburn so more antacids are taken.  It is ironic how much we do to our bodies in the name of comfort that actually have a completely opposite affect.  In this sense, we have control over what we put in our body’s that will affect our stomach acid production.  Think twice before you pop an antacid.  You may be doing more harm than you think.

The final tidbit I would like to share with you today is regarding stress.  I know that I can randomly do a “body check” during the day to find areas where I am clenching muscles and holding tension.  One of the most common is my belly (shoulders are right up there too).  We live in a state of stress in many cases, rushing from one thing to the next, not taking time to re-charge ourselves, let alone eat a meal thoroughly.  When our bodies are under stress they either tend to dump food quickly, without proper processing OR hold onto it until the stress is over so it can properly process the contents of your stomach.

If your life is in danger, your body has more important work to do than process food.  The bad thing is, right now, our bodies are given the message every day that our lives are in danger.  (In reality we are simply running late to get our daughter to soccer practice.)  Consider the stress in your life and how you manage it.  Can you take the time to fully chew your food and give your body time to digest it?  How many people do you know who are dealing with various digestive disorders?  (and those are just the people who have told you, countless others suffer in silence or think how they feel every day is normal)

I have found that “Stomach Soothing Complex” does a nice job with an herbal blend of easing stomach discomfort without working against my body’s natural tendencies.  I am working on consuming food more mindfully, especially thorough chewing of each mouth-ful.  Pre and probiotics are helpful to restore integrity and health to your digestive tract so that may be something to consider as well.

Make a goal to practice mindful eating at one meal today and see how you feel at the end of it.  Feedback is always appreciated.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who has had her own digestive challenges through the years including a Candida infestation, leaky gut, and a gluten-intolerance.  She now seeks to be more thoughtful at meal times and to educate others on simple ways they can improve their body’s functioning.  You can find more information on her website at www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland