There is no magic bullet for digestive health but certainly digestive health problems can dictate our quality of life. We literally do become what we eat, digest and assimilate so if that process goes wrong our everyday life can be significantly affected. The health benefits of probiotics for digestive complaints are most important. Probiotics work by killing harmful bacteria, destroying toxins, boosting antibodies and preventing bacterial and fungal overgrowth. Digestive health problems should be dealt with as quickly as possible because then they are easier to treat than if they are left to linger.
Constipation
Increase dietary fibre or take a fibre supplement such as psyllium supplement in powder or capsule form. You can also try adding oat bran to your daily food.
Increase your water intake
Supplement with a good probiotic
Diarrhea
Investigate the possibility of coeliac disease (a condition of the small intestine)
Avoid very hot or cold liquids, stimulants, fizzy drinks and junk fats hidden in baked goods.
Avoid fried foods
Take a good probiotic supplement.
Abdominal pain/bloating
Consider that you may be wheat or dairy intolerant - cut these out for one month,
Cut out sugar,
Avoid processed food and
Take a probiotic.
Eat small regular meals
Do not wear tight clothing around your waist.
Oral thrush
A yeast infection or oral thrush can often occur after an antibiotic or a time of stress. The symptoms of an oral yeast infection include coating on the surface of the tongue, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Accompanying this can be a feeling of anxiety and a dry-mouth sensation which no amount of water seems to satisfy. Open a good probiotic capsule and pour the powder into your mouth. Take a little water, then slosh it around for a few minutes, gargle with it and then swallow it. Within a day you should feel relief.
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This is a common complaint and often due to poor cardiac sphincter tone. That is the ring muscle at the end of the oesophagus (food pipe), and increased abdominal pressure from being over-weight or pregnancy. Some helpful steps:
Eat small, regular meals, avoid fizzy drinks and take digestive enzymes with each meal.
Don't lie down for three hours after eating your evening meal, and don't bend to pick up things if your stomach is full.