Inflammation in our body is what causes terrible things like obesity and many other diseases and digestive disorders. We get inflammation in our body by eating certain types of foods and constantly eating toss foods you are putting your body in a dangerous position of being in a chronic state of inflammation.

It’s only a matter of time before dangerous weight gain, cardiovascular problems, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and others start to show up. Your life depends on avoiding certain types of food so know what they are and start eliminating as many as you can from your diet.

The top 5 foods that produce inflammation in the body:

Sugar

It’s not only the white refined sugar most people put in their tea and coffee but things like fructose and artificial sweeteners. These are just other names for refined sugar so don’t be fooled by labels. Also eating things like white pasta and bread (refined grains) can give you a high insulin response that can cause inflammation as well.

Food additives

If you eat packaged foods chances are you’re eating a lot of dangerous artificial coloring, preservatives, toxins and chemicals that are used to make all sorts of food additives for helping with these packaged foods shelf life and stability. Also most restaurant food and fast foods such as McDonalds etc.

Trans fats

These are polyunsaturated fats that we get from highly processed oils made from things like corn, grape seed, safflower and sunflower. Trans fats are very dangerous to your health and can cause such things like clogging up your arteries and put extra fat in your blood… these things are dangerous for your heart and can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

Meat

That’s right. Unless you buy grass-fed or grass finished meat you’re eating commercially grown meat that is fed substances containing pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. This goes for eggs too. Organic eggs and meat are more expensive and so many people won’t dish out the extra money for them but you might just have to fish out even more down the road when you’re getting those doctor’s prescriptions filled out to treat a disease you developed by these pro-inflammatory foods you ate all those years. Pay now or pay later.

Foods that produce allergies

Any foods that have gluten such as wheat, grains, dairy, corn, soy nuts and eggs. If you get certain allergies, start removing some of these foods from your diet for a couple weeks to discover which one was the culprit. They can cause all sorts of issues with your digestive tract like gas and bloating as well as skin and sinus problems.

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It’s a fact that 1 in every 5 people in the United States is suffering from one or more digestive problems and the numbers are growing every year… strange when you think of all the drugs being marketed and money supposedly going into research for this cure and that disease. The bottom line is we’ll never get drugs to cure anything because there’ too much money to be made by keeping us unhealthy.

Abdominal pain, excessive or inconsistent bowel movements that can be difficult to control that may also lead to psychological symptoms like depression or anxiety… these are just some of the symptoms we deal with that are caused by IBS, IBD, Celiac, Crohn’s, Ulcers, acid reflux and others.

The only help we get if we in fast even bother to look for it is over the counter and prescription drugs that eventually do more harm than good and never cure any of it, only temporarily treat the problem until it comes back next time.

Most western medical doctors simply prescribe medicine for each symptom rather than getting to the source of the problem… isn’t that what they should be doing? I mean they’re supposed to be doctors not just drug pushers.

Yes drug pushers, they are helping to sell the drugs manufactured by the large pharmaceutical companies. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of their profit margins:

• Antacids = $ 2 billion
• Anti-diarrheals = $100 million
• Anti-hemorrhoidals = $250 million
• Proton-pump Inhibitors, Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid = $13.6 billion
• Laxatives = $900 million

As the baby boomers are getting to retirement age they are becoming more aware of their health and are taking more steps toward prevention rather than wait around for the disease to hit and then have a doctor simply prescribe some drugs for them.

Natural supplements, organic foods, less high processed junk food and other non-conventional methods are becoming more popular and this is definatley a good thing. Instead of simply turn to the typical default pharmaceutically-made medicine that won’t cure your digestive problem anyway, learn more about all-natural supplements that may help you get to the root of a problem and even help in preventing some down the road.

One of the real stand-up companies we found is from New Zealand. Family owned and operated, accountable and on the cutting edge of today’s natural supplement industry is Extend-Life Natural Products. Have a look there today and find something that may help YOU!

The post Why You Can’t Rely On Traditional Medicine For Digestive Health Cures appeared first on Natural-Digestion.

Manufacturers have been using the chemical BPA in helping to make things like plastic water bottles, baby bottles and plastic tupperware. It can also be found in many canned foods like tomatoes, vegetables and pasta sauces because these cans contain BPA in their lining.

Some scaring stuff, and hard to know which products/manufacturers are still using it even after everyone knows about it. The FDA, as usual are not in any rush to stop these companies from using this chemical so it’s up to us to learn and educate ourselves to make better health choices.

The INRA (French National Institute of Agronomic Research) has done research showing that the chemical BPA may have a negative impact on digestion, among other health concerns, especially pregnant women and children.

Tests on rats and later in humans revealed problems in the intestinal tract with amounts of BPA that where times less than what is safe for human consumption according to the FDA.

Some of the problems included lowering the permeability of the intestines and the immune system’s response to digestive inflammation. As for the rats, exposure to BPA before birth and during feeding, showed higher risk of developing severe intestinal inflammation later as adults.

Major health groups such as the NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) recommend we not use any products that have BPA, such as plastic bottles. There have also been some plastics from cereal packages shown to contain BPA. This chemical is unhealthy for everyone, but especially for pregnant women and children.

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So many of us people in this crazy western world will pop a pill to try and treat all sorts of problems we suffer from. When it comes to digestive problems, there are many over the counter medicines available ranging from heartburn to constipation and many others. Problem with these? They will never cure the thing you’re suffering from, only treat the symptoms until they hit you again.

Let’s face it, most of us think that if it’s gonna work, it has to be a patented drug as opposed to a natural food or supplement.

Pharmaceutical drug companies invest a lot of money towards a drug so it can come to market, but there has never been a drug invented that doesn’t carry with it the possibilities of side effects, whether they are apparent now or manifest later on. Why not give nature a fighting chance, after all, our bodies are capable of amazing things if we only give them a fighting chance.

As far as digestive health is concerned, bananas have several great benefits:

1 – Restoring Normal Bowel Functions

Bananas are good for restoring normal bowel function, especially after having a case of diarrhea.

One reason is it’s content of the essential mineral potassium. Potassium can benefit our system in several ways.

It can help balance the digestion by regulating the amount of fluids and electrolytes within the digestive tract.

That’s important after a bout of diarrhea because going through it you may lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes because of dehydration.

2 – Induces More Frequent Bowel Movement

Potassium and fiber (which the banana also contains plenty of) can also help to stimulate your bowel movements.

This insoluble fiber absorbs water as it enters the colon and so will increase its size and the increased bulk stimulates the peristaltic movements of the colon which then increases the rate that waste matter, bacteria and toxins are eliminated from the body.

As you can see, bananas are a natural and healthier alternative laxative medications.

3 – Reduce Intestinal Inflammation

When your intestines are filled with dangerous bacteria you become more susceptible to intestinal infections that cause inflammation to the sensitive walls of the intestinal tract. Studies have shown that the nutrients contained in bananas can help reduce the proteins that can increase this level of inflammation.

Bananas are also a rich source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Pyridoxine is known to improve the digestion and absorption of protein in the intestinal tract.

Vitamin B6 is also known to reduce the harmful effects of free radicals which are linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer.

Yes, the banana is a very good source of nutrients we need for creating and maintaining good digestive health, but there is a fruit that is even BETTER and more powerful than the banana:

The kiwifruit!

The kiwifruit contains more potassium than a banana, more dietary fiber and more phenols which help to destroy free radicals.

Learn more about this powerful digestive aid here

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How much do you think that what you eat has a direct impact on your health? A lot! Not just digestive health but our overall health. Our diet can be directly linked to such important things like how much energy we have to work and play, how much weight we put on, sinus problems, headaches and many other disorders such as gas, bloating constipation and acid reflux or heartburn.

Many of these problems have almost become the “norm” because they are experienced by so many of us living tin the modern western world. You don’t have to have then though, you can make changes in poor health by making a few smart changes to your daily dieting habits. This is true for people of any age, but the older we get, the more good, quality nutrition the body must have because there are certain nutrients it doesn’t produce as much of anymore. Things like enzymes and hormones and the older body requires more fiber too.

Here are some top recommendations that can help anyone feel and look better too!

More physical activity – this is recommended not only when trying to lose a few pounds, but our body needs exercise to also strengthen it’s immune system, detoxify major organs, and improve it’s circulation. You don’t need to go full blown in the gym, just some daily walking or bike riding swimming etc.

Drink more water – We say more because most people just don’t drink enough. The body is about 75% water and needs a regular fresh supply of it. This helps in delivering nutrients to all the cells and removing waste so you don’t end up with digestive disorders.

Eliminate white flour and sugar – We call these white foods which include white bread, pasta, baked goods, and all sorts of sweets, including soda pop. Sugar alone can wreak havoc on your digestive and long-term health in general. They can also contribute to insulin resistance, raise your bad cholesterol count, and on top of all that, these foods offer little to no actual nutrients for your body.

More fresh vegetables – We’ve all heard this one since we were little kids right? That’s because they are some of the most perfect foods your body is meant to be eating for the nutrients needed to maintain good health. An important thing to consider is buying organic whenever you can because these have minimal pesticides and other chemicals, and they not only taste better but contain more nutrients in them.

Get some Sleep – Our body uses this time to repair itself and not getting enough of it for long periods of time can lead to things like stress, and impaired immune function, which of course can make you more susceptible to infection and disease.

As with any successful plan, do a little each day rather than trying to change your whole lifestyle in one day, this is why many people fail at things like losing weight and eating healthier for the long term.

Because so much of the food around us is so highly processed taking a quality digestive supplement can help fill the nutritional gaps that is left by a poor diet.

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As we discover more and more about intestinal and digestive health research we learn that prebiotics play a very large and important role in our digestive system which benefits our overall health.

This latest study we have reprinted below is from the Society of Ingested Behavior (SSIB) and states that a type of surgery called “gastric bypass surgery” which can costs thousands of dollars and helps to increase the good type of intestinal bacteria (gut microbiota) that are seen after prebiotic treatments.

Here is that article:

Research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) finds that gastric bypass surgery induces changes in the gut microbiota and peptide release that are similar to those seen after treatment with prebiotics.

Previous animal research demonstrated that ingestion of a high-fat diet produces weight gain and profoundly affects the gut microbiota composition, resulting in a greater abundance of one type of bacteria called Firmicutes, and a decrease in Bifidobacteria spp and Bacteroidetes. A similar pattern has also been found in obese humans. Feeding of prebiotics, substances that enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, changes the composition and/or the activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, to promote the release of gut peptides and to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in diet-induced obese and type 2 diabetic mice.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is considered the most effective treatment of morbid obesity and diabetes. Recent studies reported substantial shifts in the composition of the gut microbiota towards lower concentrations of Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidetes in obese subjects after RYGB. Most of the human studies on gut microbiota have been carried out using fecal samples which may not accurately represent how RYGB surgery affects the gut microbiota profile along different parts of the intestine.

Because RYGB may affect how nutrients are absorbed in different portions of the intestine, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Zurich measured the bacterial composition and the amounts of different peptides that affect food intake along different intestinal segments after RYGB in rats. They found that 14 weeks after surgery, Bifidobacteria spp, and Bacteroides-Prevotella spp content were significantly increased in several portions of the intestine in RYGB rats compared to control animals. In fact, the changes in gut microbe populations after RGYB resembled those seen after treatment with prebiotics. Gut microbiota changes were also associated with altered production of gastrointestinal hormones known to control energy balance.

The lead author on this study, Melania Osto, Ph.D. said “Our findings show that RYGB surgery leads to changes in gut microbiota that resemble those seen after treatment with prebiotics. The results of this study suggest that postsurgical gut microbiota modulations may influence gut peptide release and significantly contribute to the beneficial metabolic effects of RYGB surgery.”

Take prebiotics to increase your good gut bacteria and keep the surgeons away!

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The work that goes on at all times of the day and night down there in our digestive system is not something many of us give a second thought to that’s for sure. If we did, we may be more inclined to make sure more quality nutrients ended up down there.

So how do we get more quality nutrients in there? You might guess simply by eating more quality food and you might have a good point. But the problem for mammy of us is getting that quality food on a regular daily basis. A monthly or even weekly visit to KFC for some deep fried chicken certainly won’t kill you but when these types of habits happen daily for several years then it might.

It can be very hard to change familiar eating habits, especially when we are addicted to certain foods like fries, burgers and deep fried chicken. There is more than one problem when eating this kind of stuff too often, one is the lack of nutrients they provide the body, and the other is the harmful substances such as high sugar content and dangerous trans fats that not only clog arteries but add extra weight on very quickly.

We have been told to eat plenty of things such as fresh fruits and vegetables as well as foods from grains such as bread pasta and rice. But did you know that these foods made from refined grains (white flour) can also clog up our digestive tract, especially the colon (large intestine) and this is where many of our disorders and disease get their start, in fact all disease starts off in the intestinal tract so considering that colon cancer is our #2 killer it’s worth doing all we can to keep that system working clean and properly.

Cut out as much processed and junk food as possible and add a natural prebiotic supplement to increase your good gut bugs because we need to grow that good bacteria in order to fight away the harmful bacteria that live inside our digestive tract.

Think about digestive health, it really can save your life!

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It’s great to see recent statistics by Americans showing that nearly half are not only more aware of digestive health, food and products, but are adding more fiber to their diets. When such terms as fiber and digestive health are discussed  things like enzymes, probiotica and prebiotics are not far behind but beware, you need to read labels more now than ever!

According to the International Food and Information Council, most consumers are interested in selecting foods that are designed for a specific health benefit such as curing constipation, help with heartburn, or improving immune function etc.

Now that we are getting prebiotics available in supplements and in so many processed and packaged foods, it’s important to read the labels, just because they contain some type of prebiotics and we know they can be good for our digestive health doesn’t mean they don’t come with unhealthy substances alongside them.

There are always natural alternatives, especially when looking at products manufactured by the large food and drug companies. Most products we check will have things like sugars and other unhealthy fillers in the ingredients.

Imagine buying the chocolate spread that has added prebiotics to it, the recommended few slices of bread with the spread you would need to eat to get the necessary prebiotic nutrients would give you such a sugar blast that it would negate any good benefits the prebiotics would have had anyways.

Many companies jump on the bandwagon to make a quick buck and are not spending a lot of time and money into the best market research and manufacturing process to deliver the best product they can. When one of these companies does it right we take notice and that’s why we are an affiliate of Extend-Life Natural Products.

Extend-Life are based in New Zealand, are family run, and have a deep interest in coming up with the best and most natural products made with the highest quality ingredients that are available anywhere in the world.

If you are looking for a quality and all-natural prebiotic to help increase your digestive health you need to cheek out Kiwi-Klenz. This is made by Extend-Life and is made entirely from the New Zealand kiwifruit, which contains more nutrients than any other fruit there is. The kiwifruit is also one of the most perfect sources for prebiotics because of the dietary fiber it contains, along with digestive enzymes and phenolic compounds.

Learn more about Kiwi-Klenz today.

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Are you perfectly happy with your health, particularly your digestive health? If you’re like most people then the answer is no! No one can have a perfect digestive system all the time, there are simply too many variables with each body, the diet, the air we breathe, and varied lifestyles.

But our happiness and health depend on having a properly functioning digestive system. From irritating things such as gas and bloating to more severe and much more painful problems. Let’s face it, if you are suffering from such digestive problems you can’t be enjoying life to the fullest.

Good digestion is needed for the body to get the nutrients required for all the organs to work properly, and to make sure you get the energy you need, increase your immune system’s performance to keep away viruses and disease.

You may already be on medication as prescribed by your doctor. More people are looking into natural products, foods and herbs as a way not only to help with digestive symptoms but to prevent them from showing up.

Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure! This was good advice from our parents and grandparents and rings even louder these days with so many of us consuming so many toxins, chemicals, hormones, trans fats sugars and many other man-made substances that are clogging our system.

We discovered Extend-Life Natural Products in New Zealand and are happy to say that they are the best company we’ve ran across so far when it comes to ethics, purity of ingredients and overall quality and selection.

Check it out for yourself if you are looking for truly 100% natural quality supplements such as:

• digestive supplements
• minerals and vitamins
• omega 3 fish oils
• male rejuventator
• natural sleeping
• natural energy

They even manufacture natural face creams and soaps – So have a look right now at Xtend-Life Natural Products and get your ounce of prevention so you can possibly avoid the need for a cure later!

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Many of us living in the modern western world suffer from many digestive problems, disfunctions and even serious disease. It’s been shown that when a person living in a third world country who’s diet does not include the type of fast food and processed foods that we eat, will start to develop the same digestive problems we have after living in a modern western country.

Clearly our western diet, full of chemicals and toxins and lacking in sufficient nutrients such as fiber, enzymes, vitamins and minerals is what
s causing so many digestive problems.

These highly processed foods we eat cause inflammation inside our bodies and it’s this inflammation that causes digestive disorders and weight gain. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet can reverse many of the digestion problems so many of us have.

Start With Water

Many of us drink water that is far from pure, an in fact is loaded with toxins, chlorine and disinfected byproducts. These substances create inflammation in the body and can also sterilize the body and can feed dangerous bacteria which cause digestive disease such as Candida.

If you can’t get your water from a natural spring then consider a reverse osmosis filtration system. A great idea for improving digestive health is to add the juice of a fresh lemon to your first glass of water in the morning before breakfast. This helps with weight gain and adds enzymes and anti-oxidants to your system.

Add More Fermented Foods

Things like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and raw cheeses are all great for adding good bacteria to the gut. Some people will take a probiotic supplement for this as well. Also beneficial are herbs like turmeric, rosemary and oregano to name a few of the better ones.

Prebiotics Feed The Good Bacteria

It’s been shown that to really boost the good bacteria growth we need the nutrients provided by prebiotics. You can get these benefits by eating organic raw vegetables and fresh fruit and any food made with unrefined grains. Some take a prebiotic supplement for these benefits as well.

Drink Tea

Organic green tea is one of the best teas you can drink for improving your digestive health, the other is Yerba Mate. The latter is not as well known in North America because it come from South America. Try it, you will be surprised to learn it has potentially even more health benefits than green tea. Learn more about both these teas here.

By adding some of these things to your daily diet you can start eliminating your digestion problems the natural way, which you can never do by going the way of medications.

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