How to Prevent Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders can wreak havoc on your daily life and well being. Indigestion, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation can make a bright day turn sour in a matter of seconds. With a few simple alterations to your daily diet and lifestyle, you can prevent digestive disorders and feel vibrant and healthy.

Instructions

Prevent Digestive Disorders

• 1

  Create a habit of drinking water throughout the day. Jazz up a boring, dull glass of water with lemon slices or a fresh sprig of mint. Lack of water in the diet is the primary source of constipation and related digestive discomforts and disorders. Hydrate your body and maintain your natural digestive process by drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.

• 2

  Trade in your chips and cookies for fresh fruits and vegetables. Start by replacing one of your daily snacks with an apple or baby carrots. Try implementing this for one week and gradually increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables weekly.

• 3

  Learn how to prevent digestive disorders and how your digestive system functions online by visiting websites such as the American Gastroenterological Association (see Resources below).

• 4

  Research possible food allergens that you may unknowingly have. Visit with your doctor to see if you suffer from certain food intolerances or sensitivities. Food allergies can cause major digestive discomforts such as severe abdomen pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea. The most common sources of food allergens include wheat, soy, peanuts, certain shellfish and milk proteins.

• 5

  Develop a support system for your gastrointestinal barrier by eating food sources rich in choline. Choline provides nutritional support for a healthy mucous layer in the cells of the gastrointestinal tract, thus maintaining a healthy resistance to stomach acids. Choline is derived naturally from lettuce and cauliflower, as well as soybeans and eggs.

• 6

  Establish tactics to manage and reduce stress in your daily life. Stress is a huge contributing factor in the development of digestive disorders. Research has proven that the intestines react in a negative manner to stress factors and responses in the body. During times of high stress levels your body fails to absorb nutrients correctly and absorption levels are reduced. Try yoga or meditation to slow down, relax and promote a healthy digestive system.