A toxic digestive system has been implicated with multiple
chronic diseases from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract to mental health
issues (via the gut-brain connection). A
toxic digestive system includes moving your bowels too frequently or not move
your bowels enough. If you have to move
your bowels 3 times before you get out of the door in the morning, that is a
problem. Conversely, if you move your
bowels every other day, that is a problem too.
The number of items classified as food has changed
dramatically over the last 100 years with industrial revolution and creation of
fast food, man made food like substances, highly processed, high sugar, high
fat, low fibre, high preservative foods that has substantially altered the
bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract (also known as our microbiome). The change in microbiome has affected the
ability of our bodies to burn fats, created problems with blood sugar balance
and altered mood and brain function.
Increased use of antibiotics, acid blockers, medication,
steroids, chronic stress, highly processed foods and lack of sleep all alter
out gut microbiome and function and lead to chronic diseases. The disruption in our microbiome can change
our bowel habits, although bowel habits can also be related to the balance of
minerals in your nutritional intake, stress, hydration, lack of digestive
energy and inappropriate fibre content of your food.
Most healthy adults have 2-3 main meals a day and it is
normal that we have a bowel movement after a meal. That way, we do not keep rotting remnants of food
in our gastrointestinal tract that can feed the bad bugs. Bad bugs in the gut cause gastrointestinal
permeability which in turn can cause loose bowels or constipation, or
alternating between the two, weight gain, brain fog and mood swings.
It is also important to minimise added sugar in our food. In
this age of lots of processed foods, sugar can be hidden in many foods. We should only have sugar from fresh fruits
and vegetables. (Note: dried fruits are
very sugar dense). From clinical
observation, I have also seen dairy and gluten sensitivity common for people
with chronic symptoms particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. However, we
are all unique and one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Identifying what causes your irregular bowel
movement is important. The target is for
a Type 4 bowel movement on the Bristol stool chart and that you get a movement
every day at least once a day, which does not contain mucus or blood.
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