The digestive tract is the “internal plumbing” to a healthy life but for many it can cause frequent discomfort. The gastrointestinal (GI) system is vital for overall health and minor discomforts such as bloating, gas, occasional heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and upset stomach may be a sign of poor GI health. When the GI tract isn’t functioning properly important nutrients can’t be absorbed and unused factors can’t be eliminated. This can affect every system in the body such as energy level, moods, skin, joints, mental acuity, and respiratory function.
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The role of the GI tract in digestion is to breakdown food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. It also plays an important role in immune health to serve as a barrier against disease. Environmental, dietary, and medicinal factors all have a direct impact on GI health. A diet of processed foods high in fat and simple sugars, alcohol, antacids, ingestion of allergenic foods, anti-inflammatory usage, smoking, antibiotic use and prolonged stress can cause damage to the bowel lining.
When the digestive tract is inflamed over a long period of time it can lead to a breakdown of the intestinal lining which can develop into what is called a “leaky gut”. As a result, some bacteria, toxins, waste, incompletely digested proteins and fats, and waste that are not normally absorbed may “leak” out of the
intestines into the blood stream. Leaky gut can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity. Millions of people rely on over-the-counter medication to suppress these symptoms – however complete GI testing is available to help identify the underlying cause(s) then symptom relief naturally occurs.
For a healthier GI system eat a diet rich in whole, unprocessed, nutritious foods and fiber. Incorporate friendly bacteria or Probiotics for a healthful and balanced population of intestinal bacteria. This will restore proper function and optimal health. Nutrition, digestion, absorption, bacterial balance and intestinal permeability all play crucial roles in the health of the GI tract and of the whole body. Take care of your GI tract, make it healthy and functional, because it could very well be the most important thing in improving your chances of long, disease-free life.
To schedule an appointment for GI testing please call Compassionate Healthcare Associates, (661) 295-7777.
