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Say Goodbye to Digestive Issues: The Best Ways to Heal Your Gut Naturally

As someone who has struggled with digestive issues in the past, I understand how frustrating and painful it can be to deal with gut imbalances. However, I also know that there are effective ways to heal your gut naturally. In this article, I'll be sharing my tips on how to heal your gut and say goodbye to digestive issues for good.

Introduction to Gut Health and Digestive Issues

The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" because of its complex network of neurons and neurotransmitters. It's responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. When our gut is healthy, we feel energized, our skin is clear, and our immune system is strong. However, when our gut is imbalanced, it can lead to a host of digestive issues such as bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.

Understanding the Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that live in our digestive tract. These microorganisms play a vital role in our health and wellbeing. They help us digest food, produce vitamins, and regulate our immune system. However, when the balance of these microorganisms is disrupted, it can lead to gut imbalances and digestive issues.

Causes of Gut Imbalances and Digestive Issues

There are many factors that can disrupt the balance of our gut microbiome. Some of the most common causes include a poor diet high in processed foods, stress, lack of sleep, and antibiotics. These factors can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria.

Symptoms of Gut Imbalances and Digestive Issues

The symptoms of gut imbalances and digestive issues can vary from person to person. Some people may experience bloating, gas, and constipation, while others may have diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other symptoms can include fatigue, skin issues, and food sensitivities. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to address them as soon as possible.

Natural Ways to Heal Your Gut - Diet and Nutrition

One of the most effective ways to heal your gut is through diet and nutrition. Eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods can help nourish your gut microbiome and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Some of the best foods for gut health include fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir, as well as prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus.

In addition to eating a healthy diet, it's important to avoid foods that can disrupt your gut microbiome. These include processed foods, sugar, and alcohol. It's also important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Natural Ways to Heal Your Gut - Lifestyle Changes

In addition to diet and nutrition, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to promote gut health. These include reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Stress can disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome, so it's important to find ways to manage stress, such as meditation or yoga.

Getting enough sleep is also important for gut health. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can disrupt the gut microbiome and lead to digestive issues. Finally, regular exercise can help improve digestion and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Natural Supplements for Gut Health

In addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, there are also natural supplements that can help promote gut health. These include probiotics, which are live bacteria that can help restore the balance of your gut microbiome. Probiotics can be found here.

Another supplement that can help improve gut health is digestive enzymes. These enzymes help break down food and improve digestion, which can reduce symptoms of digestive issues like bloating and gas. Digestive enzymes can be found here.

The Importance of Probiotics and Fermented Foods

Probiotics and fermented foods are both important for gut health. Probiotics help restore the balance of your gut microbiome, while fermented foods provide beneficial bacteria that can help improve digestion. Some of the best fermented foods for gut health include sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir.

Gut-Healing Recipes and Meal Ideas

Eating a healthy diet is key to promoting gut health. Here are a few gut-healing recipes and meal ideas to try:

• Overnight oats with kefir, chia seeds, and berries
• Quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables and sauerkraut
• Salmon with roasted asparagus and garlic
• Smoothie with spinach, banana, and kefir

Conclusion and the Importance of Maintaining Gut Health

In conclusion, gut health is essential for overall health and wellbeing. By following a healthy diet, making lifestyle changes, and incorporating natural supplements, you can heal your gut and say goodbye to digestive issues. Remember to include probiotics and fermented foods in your diet, and try out some of the gut-healing recipes and meal ideas. By maintaining good gut health, you'll feel energized, healthy, and happy.

If you're struggling with digestive issues or want to learn more about gut health, I recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian. They can provide personalized recommendations and support on your journey to better gut health.

Stop and Smell the Roses: Reduce Your Screen Time

Ah, the age-old debate: is technology a boon or a bane to our existence? While the internet has provided an incredibly powerful platform for connection, creation, and collaboration, it has also been a breeding ground for distraction and obsession. A 2016 study showed that the average person spends approximately 10 hours a day staring at a screen. RescueTime surveyed 11,000  of their active users and found that we pick up our phones about 58 times a day. Of course, screen time isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. However, extended screen time replacing meaningful human interaction can become a huge problem, particularly for young people on the internet. So how do we fix the problem? In our ongoing bid to help you achieve your New Year goals, here are some ways in which you can reduce your screen time: 

Getting offline is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. However, it is incredibly tricky to put into practice, as pandemic life has forced much of our interactions online. Try your best to engage with the people around you, and make the most of what the world has to offer.

References: 

1. Rampton, John [2020]. 10 Strategies for Reducing Your Screen Time  

Calendar Productivity Center 

1. MacKay, Jory [2019]. Screen time stats 2019: Here’s how much you use your phone during the workday

RescueTime 

Good Gut Feeling: Take Care of Your GI Health

Good Gut Feeling: Take Care of Your GI Health 

Here’s a surprising fact to kick off 2022: did you know that your immunity is invariably linked to your gut health? Keeping your digestive system healthy is key to preventing serious illness later in life. However, today’s world has made it easier than ever to cultivate unhealthy food habits such as late-night eating, stress-eating, unnecessary snacking, and consuming high fat or sugary products regularly. Thanks to the pandemic and WFH culture, many of us are slowly moving towards a more sedentary lifestyle, and have probably packed on a couple extra pounds. Though there’s nothing wrong with a pandemic body, it is important to note how your lifestyle changes may have affected your gut health. As part of our ongoing bid to help you achieve common New Year's Resolutions, here are some ways you can improve your gut health: 

Gut health is an often overlooked but essential component to healthy, happy living. If you’re looking to buy safe, natural, and effective gut health supplements, try HerbsDaily. We’ve got a wide range of products from vitamins for gut health, to fiber, to a potent gut health probiotic. Boost your digestive health as part of your New Year goals with HerbsDaily.    

References:  

1. Gunnars, Kris and Hatanaka, Miho [RDN] (2020). 22 High-Fiber Foods You Should Eat  

Healthline

1. Piedmont. 10 Tips for a Healthier Gut 

Piedmont 

1. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Probiotics. (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/) Accessed 1/11/2022.

Let’s Talk About Feelings: Create a Mood Tracker This New Years

Let’s Talk About Feelings: Create a Mood Tracker This New Years 

Mental health has become a hot button topic in the last decade. But it is safe to say COVID-19 had a major impact on people’s mental health. Isolation, missed opportunities, and lost loved ones all contributed to our society’s emotional experience during the pandemic. Good new year’s resolutions this year should ideally focus on health resolutions. Hence, as part of our  ongoing series on helping you achieve a healthier new year, we thought it would be worth exploring the benefits of being mindful of one’s feelings. 

All this can be achieved through a creating mood tracker, which is a chart that helps you identify your overall mental state on a particular day. Tracking your emotions, behaviors, and habits over a period of time can help you get a sense of your mood, a vital tool towards understanding yourself. Work stress and other obligations can make us easily lose sight of how we’re feeling over the course of a few months, so it is important to log how you're feeling, as well as how often you’re feeling it. Here are some parameters to keep in mind when creating a mood tracker.

1. Do you want to get more sleep? 
2. Do you want to drink less? 
3. Do you want to keep an eye on your temperament? 
4. Would you want to figure out how often you experience anxiety? 
5. What kind of mood booster pills, medications, or mood support supplements are you taking? 

Set a few parameters for yourself to watch over. But make sure you prioritize your overall emotional state on a particular day.   

1. 1- Extremely Depressed
2. 2- Very Depressed
3. 3- Somewhat Depressed
4. 4- Mildly Depressed
5. 5- Stable
6. 6- Mildly Happy 
7. 7- Somewhat Happy 
8. 8- Very Happy 
9. 9-Extremely Happy

Tracking mood is an underrated but integral part of recovering from emotional distress, anxiety, and mood disorders. It can also help you keep track of other wellness factors such as sleep, water intake, medication, and substance use. Therapy, exercise, meditation, social engagements, and supplements are all great ways to improve your mental health. HerbsDaily offers a wide range of mood support vitamins as well as herbal mood support to naturally and safely enhance your mood. 

PLEASE NOTE:

HerbsDaily is not a crisis resource. If you or a loved one feel suicidal or have self-harm thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).  

References: 

1. Gibson, Cameron [R.C.C] (2020). How to Create a Mood Chart for Yourself WikiHow